Inside were half a dozen maidens, though two looked on the verge of retiring and becoming elders.

One of the older maidens noticed us enter and when she saw the other move to approach us, she turned back to the younger maidens, who sat in rune circles, hands outstretched, chanting, as a strange green light with swirls of translucent energy extended from their hands into the basin. The older maiden began the walk around the basin.

As the second older maiden approached us, I watched in awe as new growth from the very tree emerged from the water and began to form. The elves weren't so much building a ship...