>>34965056I also think that with this development you can spin this story into a personal journey of self discovery for Sherah.
There is no doubt that the realization that the mission she was sent on and that in her mind HAS to succeed was doomed to fail from the start would break the poor girl, specially since she knows the importance of it. Her elders ordered her to get the magics after all, and for a sheltered(iirc you mentioned that at one point) witch like her, complete and utter failure on a mission from them would be too much to bear.
And then, at her lowest point, a Sapling would reach out and console her the best way they could: by showing her the beauty of nature, and just talking with her. Through their conversation, they would share their views on the world, and the philosophy of their people, and Sherah would absorb that and decide to welcome this different view on life and nature.
And while, after returning, to her fellow witches and elders she would forever be seen as a failure, for a normal risuner back home, her new way of thinking may be intriguing. And if it takes root, she could become one of the only witches, if not the only one, that retained much if not all of her power, while the others lost it in the coming years.
Idk, just some food for thought.