God’s Tree

As the first rays of sunlight crept through the wooden slats of his cabin, Argolaith stirred, stretching out his sore limbs and yawning deeply. The smell of the forest, earthy and damp, drifted through the open window, filling the room with its familiar scent. He stood and dressed for the day, pulling on his sturdy, weather-worn clothes. His thoughts were already on the tasks ahead as he moved to the small kitchen area.

For breakfast, Argolaith decided on a simple meal: eggs and the strange creature bacon he had brought back from the Forgotten Forest. The bacon had come from a peculiar beast he had hunted on his way home. It was a bizarre creature with no eyes, three legs, and a hide as tough as stone. Despite its unusual appearance, the meat was surprisingly tender and flavorful when cooked.

As the bacon sizzled in the pan and the eggs cooked alongside it, Argolaith glanced out the window at the edge of the forest. His mind wandered to the shed he planned to build, a place to store his newly acquired cauldron, and the rune-smithing tools he intended to experiment with. He pondered the materials he would need as he sat down at the table with his breakfast.

"Should I just use stone?" he muttered, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of bacon. "Or should I mix in wood as well? Hmm… I think both would work best. Stone for the walls to make it sturdy, and wood for the frame and roof. That should do it."

With his plan settled, Argolaith wasted no time. After cleaning up from breakfast, he grabbed a satchel, a shovel, and a few tools, heading toward the nearby creek to gather rocks and clay. The creek, winding lazily through the forest, was a treasure trove of smooth stones, and rich with pliable clay, perfect for his project.

The morning passed in steady work as Argolaith collected stones of various sizes, piling them into a handcart he had fashioned from spare parts. He sifted through the clay deposits by the water's edge, scooping out large chunks and packing them into containers. The sun climbed higher, its warmth cutting through the cool forest air, and by midday, Argolaith had enough materials to build the stone walls for the shed.

"Not bad," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow and surveying his haul. "This should be plenty for the walls, but now I need wood for the frame and roof."

The thought of cutting down trees didn't appeal to him. While he had done it many times before, it was exhausting work, and he had enough coin now to avoid the trouble. The lumber mill near town was his next stop.

The path to the mill was well-trodden, and Argolaith found himself enjoying the walk. The town was bustling as usual, with villagers going about their daily routines. When he arrived at the mill, the sound of saws and hammering filled the air. Stacks of neatly cut planks and beams were arranged in rows, ready for purchase.

Argolaith approached the mill owner, a burly man named Grayson, who greeted him with a nod. "Haven't seen you buy wood before, Argolaith. Usually, you're chopping your own."

"Yeah, well," Argolaith replied with a small grin, "I figured I'd save myself the trouble this time. How much for enough wood to frame a small shed?"

Grayson scratched his chin, eyeing Argolaith curiously. "Building something new, are you? All right, I'll give you a fair deal. Let's load you up."

Argolaith handed over the coin, surprised at how easy the transaction felt. "I've never had the money to buy wood before," he thought. "Usually, it's hours of cutting and hauling."

With a cart full of lumber, he made his way back to his cabin, his mind already racing with ideas for the shed's design.

Back at the cabin, Argolaith began by marking out the area where the shed would stand. He dug deep holes for the wooden posts that would serve as the frame, ensuring they were spaced evenly and set firmly in the ground. The afternoon sun beat down on him as he worked, but he didn't mind. Each step brought his vision closer to reality.

With the posts in place, he turned his attention to the stone walls. Carefully, he began laying the rocks, one by one, using the clay as mortar to hold them together. Each layer required patience and precision; if the stones weren't balanced correctly, the walls would collapse under their own weight.

"This is going to take some time," he muttered to himself, wiping his hands on his trousers. "But better slow and steady than rushing and having it all fall apart."

As the hours passed, the structure began to take shape. The stone walls rose steadily, their sturdy appearance giving Argolaith a sense of accomplishment. By the time the sun began to set, he had completed most of the walls. He stepped back to admire his progress, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.

The next morning, Argolaith resumed his work. The roof was the next challenge, and he found himself debating the best way to construct it. Should he use simple wooden planks or create a more elaborate design? Eventually, he decided on a slanted roof, designed to let rainwater run off easily.

Climbing onto the frame, he hammered the beams into place, making sure each one was secure. The process was physically demanding, and more than once, he nearly lost his balance. "This would be easier with help," he thought, chuckling to himself. "But I suppose I've gotten used to doing things on my own."

By the third day, the shed was complete. It wasn't fancy, but it was sturdy and functional. The stone walls stood firm, and the wooden roof provided ample protection from the elements. Inside, there was plenty of room to store the cauldron, tools, and other items he planned to use for rune-smithing.

Argolaith stepped back, admiring his handiwork. "Not bad," he said, a small smile playing on his lips. "This will do nicely."

With the structure complete, Argolaith turned his attention to organizing its interior. He carefully moved the cauldron into place, setting it on a flat stone platform he had built specifically for it. The rune-smithing tools, books, and various magical items he had collected were arranged neatly on shelves and tables.

As he worked, he found himself growing more excited about the possibilities the shed represented. It wasn't just a place to store his tools—it was a workshop, a space where he could experiment and learn.

With the shed complete and everything in its place, Argolaith finally allowed himself a moment to rest. He sat outside his cabin, gazing at the shed with a sense of pride. The last few days had been exhausting, but the results were worth it.

The forest around him was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Argolaith leaned back, letting the peace of the evening wash over him. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly at home.

In the days that followed, the shed became a hub of activity. Argolaith spent hours experimenting with the cauldron, testing the properties of the magical herbs and items he had collected. He began to feel that this was only the beginning of something much larger—a journey that would take him beyond the boundaries of the forest and into realms of knowledge he had yet to discover.