The first report came on the twenty-fourth day of the second month.
"The first bloom had been sighted in Aeraneed."
"Confirmed?" Natha put his utensils down and looked at Opti with utmost seriousness--even more so than the time the Realm of Wrath waged war.
"With the Chief Gardener's endorsement."
It was the northernmost city of the realm. The second report came the next day, followed by the third and fourth sighting on the twenty-sixth at the same time. By the time the first bloom reached the port city, Natha had ceased all activity to stay in the Lord's Quarter.
No matter how many times it was, every new report made me flinched in both anxiety and excitement. I didn't even have the chance to feel guilty about pulling Natha from all his duties or making Malta, Lesta, and Eruha flooded with work.
