These are chapters from an old manuscript, chapter one is available here. The chapter and my annotations are paywalled for people who actually love me and also love freedom and puppies. So. Time to prove some stuff.
Also, enjoy the first few lines of this chapter for free!
Chapter 24: The Woodland Rebels
Trinnia emptied her sack on the counter in the rebels’ medical tent, sorting the various herbs and roots she had found in the forest. She’d only collected medicinal plants, which were in heavy supply.
Saroset had helped her. Like any good Fain, he had a keen eye for plants, and even spotted several things she hadn’t known.
“Things grow close together here that should be miles apart. Larric root, cidrian blossoms, essence of purna? Back home, they wouldn’t even come from the same latitude. Here they grow within arm’s reach.” Saroset placed a handful of mushrooms at the back of the counter. For the first time since they had traveled together, he wasn’t wearing his weapons or armor, just his tunic and slacks. He hadn’t wanted to send the rebels the wrong message by walking through their camp fully armed.
“How does this work? Temperature, humidity, acidity…none of these are compatible,” Trinnia said, only raising her voice enough for Saroset to hear over the bustle of the patients and attendants.
“These are Darbit woods, Trinnia. There’s a spirit here, an entity that senses our presence. Many legends of this forest talk about how dangerous it is, how it repels and poisons its intruders, but I ate one of these mushrooms out there, and if anything, I feel more awake than I have in days. This forest is alive, and it’s helping these people,” Saroset said.
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