Choose let out a sigh, shoving the deck of cards into one of his pockets. "Alright, let's find this locket. Where did you last see it?"

 

Morgain pointed towards the thick grove of brambles that surrounded the colony. "Over there. I was passing through earlier, and I think it might have slipped out of my pockets. When I checked after passing trough, it was gone."

 

The group put themselves to work, combing trough the thick brambles. While Morgain was quite hesitant, Choose, Retreat, Judge, and Guide were way more confident with the brambles that grew around the colony. The thick brambles, once a pain to deal with, had long ago been "tamed" into a sort of defensive structure, almost like barbed wire. Most of the colonists knew how to tread trough it, but to outsiders it was mostly a mystery.

 

Choose couldn't help but find it strange that Morgain had just happened to be stumbling trough the brambles. A belemoid, all the way from Mireh, who just happens to stumble into the brambles surrounding the colony? He couldn't help but feel it was on purpose.

 

After what felt like an eternity, Choose spotted something shining among the undergrowth, uncharacterizable shiny compared to the mud and rock that lined the forest floor. He knelt down, parting the leaves to reveal a delicate silver locket, with a  surface intricately engraved with small mushrooms.

 

"I found it!" Choose called out, holding up the locket for everyone to see. Instantly, cheers erupted from the other Xunari.

 

Morgain's face lit up with gratitude as he rushed over. "Thank you so much," she said, tenderly taking the locket from Choose's hands. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I really thought it was gone forever."

 

"Happy to help," Retreat chimed in, brushing dirt off her hands. "But you should be more careful next time. These brambles aren't exactly friendly, and we won't  always be there to help."

 

Guide nodded in agreement. "He's right. You were lucky we were here to help. These parts can be tricky if you're not familiar with them."

 

Judge, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "It's not often we get visitors from Mireh. What brings you out here, Morgain?"

 

Morgain hesitated for a moment before replying, "I was looking for something... Something important to my family, you could say. The locket is part of it, which is why it was so important. I was taking it over to get looked at in L'hatzif, because of the mushrooms it's decorated with. I thought maybe someone here would know about it."

 

Choose, sensing that the deeper story might be a sensitive topic, decided not to press further. "Well, we're just glad we could help. It's late already, and I'm sure that wherever you're travelling is a fair bit away. Would you like to stay at the colony for tonight?"

 

Morgain seemed to think over his options for a bit but eventually nodded agreeingly. "That would be great, thank you so much! It'll be good to get some rest in before I head out again."

 

As they made their way back, Retreat couldn't help but lighten the mood. "You know, if you ever need a tour guide for these brambles, you know where to find us."

 

Morgain smiled, the tension easing from her shoulders. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you all again."

 

Choose glanced at Morgain, whose expression had softened considerably. "You know, this colony is quite special," she said quietly. "It's good to see people who care about even the smallest things."

 

Choose felt a warmth spread through him. "Yeah, I suppose it is."

 

Back at their post, the group settled in, the night feeling less monotonous and, at least to Choose, more meaningful.

 

Guide looked at the horizon, the faint light of dawn beginning to creep in. He yawned, starting to get tired. "Seems like our shift is almost over."

 

Judge nodded. "Let's wrap it up then. We should get some rest."

 

As they settled back in, the memory of Morgain's grateful smile lingered in Choose's mind, making the hours of the night watch feel a little less lonely and the horizon of mushrooms a little more welcoming.