Erani moved in a long trot, tail up, eyes gleaming. Asheni had told her her own news, in Red Forest. She hadn?t even known! But it explained so much. Nova, that scoundrel. He must have known all a long. They were going to be parents. She gave a smile to the sky. It was a beautiful, sunny day, with hardly a cloud in sight. It was a perfect day to take Preston out for a gathering foray.

She tossed her head back and sang a summons to the young male, then sat and watched for him. Birds sang and swooped through the air, a pair of horned larks spiraling together, higher and higher into the sky until they were no more than specks in the sky, and dropping down with songs of Summer's joy. It was as if everything was celebrating the ceasefire of the rain and thunder.

Left.No right. Right again.

To any wolf that had seen Preston that day it would appear he had gone mad, darting left and right in long sprints as he tore through the valley after a hare, his silver fur contrasting against the bright green grasses the hare seemed to blend into so well. Just a little closer and...

Just as his jaws were about to snap around the rabbit's spine a howl broke through the drumming of blood in his ears. Erani. He came to a screeching halt and stopped to listen, she was calling him. The Hare had escaped death for now. With a quiet huff he cantered away from the plains and ran to his teacher. Time for another lesson.

He arrived muttering the rhymes he had already made for plants and their uses until he was close enough for Erani to hear him. He gave a slight bow in greeting and wagged his tail. He couldn't quite put his finger on it but something about her was different, she seemed happier, elated even, something had put her in a spectacularly good mood today and he couldn't help but wonder what it was.

CODING BY TIFF

Her student arrived with a bow and a wag of his tail. Erani returned the wag with a sweep of her own, eyes twinkling. ?It?s time to begin your gathering training. Come along.? She turned and padded along the faint path through the woods that skirted a large meadow. ?I have some wonderful news.? Her voice was rich with happiness. ?I?m expecting a litter, Preston.? The knowledge was still so new to her that it made her feel as though she floated four feet off the ground. She had never truly expected to ever have the joy of bearing and raising her very own litter.

She came to a pause and nodded to a stand of Earth Smoke. It was only really good for colds and fevers. But it also helped purify the blood. ?This is Earth Smoke, or Fumitory. It helps treat colds and fevers, and aids in purifying the blood.? She showed him the method of gathering it. Rising, she carried the few parts along with her, tail waving high and happy, with the tip held loose and relaxed.

Soon, she came to a stop again, and set the Earth Smoke down. They stood beside a shrub like bush, three to five feet in height. ?This is Elderberry. It cam help strengthen the body against infection, and help in treating several types of allergies. They help with all kinds of ear infections, as well. Arthritis can be treated by it as well. Cairo will need some. I?ve noticed the hitch in his gait. It also helps with fevers.

?You can apply it topically to cuts and wounds and sunburns as well.? She rose, and began nipping off the parts she wanted. Flowers and berries, as well as the bark were gathered and she passed a few of the bark pieces to him. Dropping to her fours, she turned and gathered up the herbs she had so far, and continued her way down the trail. ?Have you been playing the Game??

His whole face lit up at the news, and although she seemed eager to bgin his lesson he had many more questions for her that just couldn't wait "Have you thought of any names?!" He asked excitedly, his tail wagging feverishly behind them as they approached their first stop Earth Smoke apparently. He committed the plant to a rhyme and they continued. "Does Nova know?! He must be so happy!" He chirped, trotting alongside his mother figure as they continued Next were elderberries and with them came a question from Erani. "Every hour I'm able to." He said proudly, his chest swelling with pride as he answered. Oh right, Elderberries. He almost forgot "Elderberries make strong the weak and heal the bleak." He muttered softly

Speech!

CODING BY TIFF

Erani grinned. ?Not yet.? Names. What would they name them? Possibilities swam through her head as she walked, the flow stopped as Preston brought her back. His question received an amused chuckle. ?To be quite honest, I think he knew well before they even started moving. He?s been hunting like a wolf possessed for weeks now. And every time I would complain that I was getting fat, he?d get extremely happy.? She grinned softly

She stopped by a stream at the edge of the meadow. Stands of white Willow, heavy carpets of Watercress, and aromatic stands of Blue Iris grew in abundance along this stream. ?This is White willow. It can be used to stem internal bleeding, treat Arthritis, and joint pain. To treat high fevers, the wolf suffering it must consume a dose. This also helps relieve headaches.? She showed him how to strip the bark from it in a way that wouldn?t kill the tree. Then she turned to the Watercress.

?This is Watercress. It helps to eliminate foul breathe, and soothe swollen gums. It also helps to ease anxiety and ease Headaches. It can aid in purifying the blood, and can cure ringworms. It also is helpful in wounds. ? Gathering Cress was easy. It grew wild along the stream side. She bent and took a mouthful and pulled The mouthful came away, dripping water. She shook her head and water slung in all directions. She deposited the bundle on the shore and lapped at the cool stream before making her way back to the shore.

Her attention turned to the Iris. ?This is Blue Flag, or Iris. It?s good for treating pain and bad wounds. In small doses, it can be used to ease vomiting and Nausea. But beware. Do not, under any circumstances, give it to a pregnant female. We will leave this for you to collect. The roots are the most commonly used part.? She stretched and turned away once he had gathered the roots.

"I happen to think Preston Jr would be a fine name." He said smugly trotting along side her. He took note of the plants in question and picked the plants as instructed. "What happens if you do give this to a pregnant female?" He asked

Speech!

CODING BY TIFF

Erani

Erani chuckled at Preston?s suggestion for a name. ?They could all be girls.? She gave a soft wink as she moved on. His question on what would happen if Iris was given to a pregnant female was answered promptly. ?It can cause miscarriage, according to my mother, and a few other healers I?ve met in my years.? Luna?s Grace, was she really as old as she was? Seven years? She shook the thought away. She sniffed, and caught a pungent smell. Her ears perked. ?Ah. Here?s a good one." She set her bundle down and nosed at the chest high stalks surrounded on all sides of the stems with long narrow, stiff leaves. The plant gave off a stronger odor as her nose rubbed across the leaves. ?This is Rosemary. It can treat a wide range of things, including Epileptic Seizures and vertigo. It?s a stimulating herb, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal. It can strengthen the immune system, and is useful in bringing a fever down. It has warming and heating properties, and help to clear phlegm from the chest and sinuses, and brings excellent relief to those suffering coughs and Catarrh, as well as the simple colds, wheezing and spasms in the throat and lungs. ?It does beautifully for bad headaches, anxiety, insomnia, lethargy and depression. It also aids the easing of indigestion, and helps with increasing the appetite.. Last but not least, it can be used to ease sore muscles.? She nipped off several stems three inches from the base and added them to her bundle. Then she gathered it into her mouth and continued down the path. She stopped as another plant caught her eye. ?There, you see that plant group with the square purple stems and the long oval shaped leaves with the pointed ends and the dark red flowers? That?s Pink Root. It?s excellent for ridding the intestines of worms, particularly roundworms. However, I wouldn?t use it much. It has several nasty side effects. Dizziness, unclear vision, the heart beating too fast, and even violent shaking of the body.? She left the plants where they grew and moved on, tail swaying amiably. She paused and waved her tail at a large patch of what, to a warrior, would seem as being common weeds. ?This is Mother?s Heart. If you can?t guess by the name, it has a few properties that can help a female after whelping. The liquid you get when you soak it in a small amount of water is an excellent drink for a female to drink after birthing, to stop hemorrhages. It?s also a good compress for wounds, scratches and bites from insects. This is another plant that should never be given to a pregnant female, for the same reasons. However, in those who are not pregnant, it helps reduce fevers.? She smiled and padded on. She would gather the Mother?s heart at a later date. It wasn?t long before she stopped again, nodding to a bright yellow daisy-like flower. ?Arnica, though it also is called Wolfsbane, It helps to treat sprains, bruises, muscle pain, and so on.? She turned away, and noticed a plant with large blue/grey flowers. ?This is Periwinkle. It?s a wonderful plant for stopping bad bleeding, sore throats, and nosebleeds. It is also useful for treating pain.? She bent and gathered a few into her jaws, then moved on.