SOME LEGEND ARE TOLD, SOME TURN TO DUST OR TO GOLD

Quote:Natalya had been having a difficult night. Her injuries from battle, though fully healed, had not left her without damage. She was certain she had an illness from infection, but she was consuming ginseng root and boneset with regularity to stave off the effects and help her immune system fight it. She had told no one but Poe, who was relieved not to need to make such long trips to gather supplies for her now that they were back in the west. Both herbs were available here in abundance. Unfortunately, Natalya had been unable to have Poe carry much on her journey. He would be able to help her deliver her old stock from her hole in the Emerald Valley to their new lands once they settled, but he could not carry the large amounts of herbs she needed on the way.



The effects of the herbs she had ingested before leaving the mountain had long worn off, and she had become exhausted hiding the effects from her family. She had gathered what she needed, but left when they were sleeping to consume it elsewhere, out of sight. She was resting behind a tree as she waited for the herbs to begin to work when the sound of giggling nearby jarred her fully awake. She rose to a sitting position to listen better for the noise, something that turned out to be a grave mistake. If she had hoped for solitude, she would have it no longer. Her scent was carried downwind to the stranger, who called out to her. Reluctantly, Natalya rose and glided through the trees to meet the girl.



"Yes?" she questioned quietly, sounding neither friendly nor aggressive. She was simply exhausted, and it showed.