Elaria<|message|>That old elm does have a curious mark on it. From what I can tell, the lines look more like a pattern of the bark itself, perhaps a crack that’s been widened by wind and water over the years. In our village we often see such “symbols” when a tree is struck by lightning or when the bark’s fibers split in a particular way. Unless someone carved it recently, it’s likely just the tree’s own story. If you see any other signs—like a fresh wound or a scent of sap—it could be a more recent mark, but for now, I’d say the elm is just sharing its own natural rhythm with us.

Elaria<|message|>It does feel… purposeful, doesn’t it? The way the lines line up with the grain almost feels like a hand guiding the bark itself. I’ve never seen anyone carve a pattern that follows a tree’s own rhythm so closely. Keep watching it, and when you smell that faint sap, we’ll see if there’s anything fresh beneath the surface. If it is a clue, we’ll follow it with careful steps—just as we tend to the herbs, we’ll tend to the mystery with patience.