Sit with me awhile

The sound of pawsteps and a small body pushing through vegetation caused Kassander to glance up sharply from his work, only to see a young pup watching. "Hello," he returned her greeting quietly, continuing to work on the herbs with easy, efficient motions. This must be one of Lark's children - she looked very much like Lilliana, from the few times he had seen the woman at meetings. The pup seemed quite interested in what he was doing, though she hung back shyly, and Kassander's heart went out to her. He'd been in her place once upon a time, when he'd been a pup in Ebony and had watched his first mentor Elsa preparing herbs. Many years and a great deal of experimentation brought him from there to here, but without her gentle encouragement he might never have made those first steps.

He stopped grinding and lifted the stone, still strapped to his paw so it moved easily along with him, and tilted the bowl-shaped stone towards her to show her the ground herbs. "I'm grinding catnip. Would you like to watch?" It was hardly the most exciting herb, but a useful one at any time and likely more so now than ever, but more importantly, it was also a safe herb to introduce to a possible budding healer. It would do no harm to breath in the dust or taste it, and in fact might do a bit of good. The peppermint and chamomile awaiting their turn in the pestle were similarly common, useful, and safe, if a little bland for a more adventure seeking pup.