Submission (#5540) Approved

Mio wasn’t very happy. He sighed in frustration, pawed at the pages of the big book and wanted to shove it off his bed. The last thing he wanted to do was study - but Greywind lectured him before he left for Ahza.

“How come you know so little about your own homeland? That is dangerous and dumb. You should know what is out there!”

The sharp voice of the older elnin echoed in his mind and Mio grumbled again, before grabbing the book once more and he started flipping through the pages. Flashes of white, blue and black - Strynhalde was not known for being very colorful - but cold and deadly. How was anything surviving in this freezing nightmare anyway?

//…Well, if you read up on it, you’ll find out, airhead…//

Somehow his own thoughts sounded a lot like Greywind.

He sighed again and then randomly decided on a page and started reading from there. At least the pictures of this plant were really pretty.
It was an elegant looking plant, something Mio did not expect seeing here.
“The Frostglow Blossom… interesting. I don’t think I ever saw a real one”, he muttered to himself, before he started reading quietly.

“The Frostglow Blossom is a graceful and resourceful plant, exuding an otherworldly beauty found deep in the wild lands of Strynhalde. Its slender stem, covered in frosty crystals, rises from the frozen ground, displaying hues of pale blue and shimmering silver. Atop the stem, several iridescent petals unfurl, resembling delicate snowflakes with intricate patterns. Each petal has a transparent quality, allowing light to pass through, and is adorned with a dusting of glistening frost.

During the night, the Frostglow Blossom emits a gentle, ethereal glow. The petals possess a faint luminescence that creates an enchanting spectacle in the wintry darkness. The soft light adds a touch of magic to the snowy landscape and serves as a guiding beacon for nocturnal creatures.

The Blossom's unique appearance makes it a sought-after element for decorating the winter wonderland. Its petals can be carefully preserved and used to adorn wreaths, garlands, and other festive arrangements, adding an enchanting touch to the seasonal decor.”

Still unconvinced how something so fragile could survive out there in the cold, the white elnin frowned and studied the handmade drawing next to the description. Someone had used shimmering ink to color the petals and a very sharp feather to create the frosted details, which Mio just now noticed and he carefully  brushed over the old paper, before he continued reading.

“To survive the extreme cold, the Frostglow Blossom has developed several adaptations:

Within the plants stem and petals, a specialized sap with antifreeze properties flows, preventing the plant from freezing and sustaining damage during subzero temperatures.
Meanwhile, the petals of the flower are translucent to maximize sunlight absorption during the short winter days. This enables the plant to convert solar energy into vital nutrients, ensuring its survival even in the limited daylight.
And finally, close to the base of the plant, tiny leaves grow around in clusters, creating a protective layer that shields the Frostglow Blossom's delicate root system from the freezing cold. These leaves act as natural insulation, preserving the plant's vital functions.”

“Antifreeze? Well, that sure helps a lot here, I’d say. That’s wild.”
Mio skipped a few paragraphs ahead and then saw that the petals are harvested and used in potions which provided temporary resistance to cold.
He wondered if Greywind and Cinder had packed such potions for the long journey or if their mana flow was enough to withstand the freezing winds. And according to the book, the petals could also be used to heal frostbite wounds when combined with other ingredients. He did remember hearing about this, but he had no idea about the plant beforehand.

Usually Mio had other things on his mind than the ingredient lists of ointments and potions.

Alas - he did learn a lot of new things today and he was surprised a plant could help with the problems they faced in Strynhalde. Now he became a little curious and wondered what else there might be. Maybe, just maybe… His thoughts began to wander, as he kept on looking through the book, now with a newfound motivation to learn more about the usage of indigenous plants.