Autumn's Loss by GrayOverload, on Flickr
The last ingredient in Scott’s healing potion was a sapphire blossom that bloomed on the closing of autumn named Autumn’s Loss. Tall, voluptuous, and heavily scented, Autumn’s Loss flourished in late November all throughout Dragon Valley. Ancient tomes from the region indicated that the flower had been known to survive even through the early snowfalls of winter before perishing in the cold.
Scott and Ryan had been tumbling down the Black Hills when the storm struck. Although the snowstorm was light in it’s accumulation, the winds and sleet that initiated the blizzard made travel impossible for the small party. Forced to wait out the storm, Scott and Ryan camped out at the base of the Black Hills.
When the storm ceased, the valley was enveloped in a heavy blanket of snow and ice. Fearing the worst, Scott and Ryan trudged into the wintry landscape, hoping for any sign of the azure blossom that would complete their journey.
Pushing through silent forests of bare trees, the company stumbled upon a small clearing pockmarked with small stones and boulders. Scattered about, numerous Autumn’s Loss flowers stood triumphant above the snowfall, their stalks hard and callous by the frost.
“Yes, excellent!” Scott exclaimed as he stamped through the accumulation, snow and ice sticking to his boots. “We’ve succeeded, Ryan! At long last, all of the ingredients have been acquired, and the potion can be created in no time at all!”
“Hooray!” Ryan replied, although worried about the journey back to Angten, and whether their discovery had been too late. Nonetheless, he wouldn’t be the one to dampen the mood, so he was sure to keep his appearance jovial.
Scott plucked one of the flowers from its stalk and plodded over to place it in the bag strapped to Holly’s back. When he was finished, he was still beaming, glee evident in his eyes.
Suddenly remembering that the journey back was going to be a very difficult one, Scott’s smile faded away. His confident pose slumped down into a depressed form; a shell of what he was moments earlier. The joy of completing the list faded from his eyes, and a look of grudging determination flickered in its place.
The light of the day began to trickle away beyond the western horizon. The wind shrieked through the skeletal trees stripped of their leaves, and the cold stillness of the forest settled in once more. In the midst of it sat a small company of voyagers, puzzled as to how they were ever going to return home.
Apologies for the grainy photos this time around. For some reason I couldn't get it to come out any other way.
Next chapter is in the works! 
C&C welcome.
