Very few flowers grow withing Yield Shrine. There is water, but the few plants grown are done discretely, and every specimen has a practical purpose.

Meryl had always found them fascinating, and, when books showed her that the world outside had more variety, she put up a convincing argument to have some brought back for her. Favors for favors.

But to bring back flowers required that flowers be brough across the desert sands. The ones pressed in books kept their colors dulled only slightly.

When there were no books, they were brought wrapped carefully in paper. Still, there was nothing that could be done about the heat, and by the time the packet reached the shrine, the contents were usually ruined.

Meryl looked at the stinking mess and thought that the world outside must be a disgusting place indeed.