Chapter 20: War is Brewing

The next morning dawned bright and clear. After weeks, the harsh rains have finally left, leaving the landscape feeling washed clean. Saffron stepped from the tent, enjoying the frigid breeze on her face. She hadn’t slept well. Elric’s body pressed against hers had left her feeling frustrated and empty. She knew that she didn’t want their first time to be in a camp surrounded by soldiers but that did nothing to quell the deep ache she felt for him.
With her journal in hand and a cloudless sky, she set out to forage. Elric had left her a note on the table stating that he would be in meetings for the day and drew her a small map to where he would be should she need him. She felt warmth towards him and had tucked the note in her pocket before leaving.
Her cloak billowed out behind her as she stepped into the forest. She knew that these trees bordered on her own familiar Wood, but this forest felt…empty compared to hers. She knew it was the distinct lack of magic that suffused the dense forest near her home.
Saffron reveled in the watery sunlight that streamed through the trees. It was still frigid beneath the rays, but it was a nice break from the rain. The forest smelled fresh and alive. A few birds chirped from their cozy nests, readying themselves for the harsh weather ahead. She saw a few red glimpses of a fox’s tail as it dashed between the trunks of the pines around her.
Her gathering bag was soon bulging from the bounty she had collected. Due to the remote nature of this place, this forest had not seen many human footsteps. She regretted not bringing another satchel. She filled her pockets with the fresh berries that hung heavy from branches. She made sure to collect herbs that would help stave off infection. She wondered if Elric would be able to secure her a cauldron and mortar and pestle so she could begin making tinctures.
She was not sure how long they were staying but she wanted to make sure that she would be leaving something helpful behind. She missed practicing her healing. It had been over a month now since she had run off with Elric and since then, she had not healed anyone. Her hands ached with the need to mend.
“Saffron! Saffron!” Elric’s voice resounded frantically through the trees. She hurriedly followed his voice, fear gripping at her heart. Had the war started now? Were there injuries? She ran as fast as she could without dropping her findings.
She burst from the trees and saw Elric pacing along the tree line, his hands cupped around his mouth. His face relaxed with relief when he saw her standing in the shadow of the trees, her blonde hair torn free from its bindings, and blowing in the wind.
“I thought you had run off or been stolen!” he called and jogged over to her.
“What? You thought I had been dragged off by a dragon?” she jested and handed him a berry. He snorted.
“I’m not the only of my kind. Beautiful women are the favorite of dragons you know,” he murmured underneath his breath before popping the berry into his mouth.
“So, I have been told,” she replied dryly. “Are you able to secure me some items? I would like to make some tinctures. I found a great many herbs,” she asked as they walked back to the camp.
“I can have something arranged. Leave me a list of what you need, and I will see what I can do,” he replied with a sigh, glad she was safe. Returning to an empty tent had filled him with such a sense of horror he felt as if death itself had snatched her from him.
“Thank you,” she replied and laid her hand on his arm. “It will be good to get back to what I was meant to do. Although I would like to go out again tomorrow if the weather holds. There are some fascinating plants that I am not quite familiar with that grow near the edge of the trees.”
“You would do well to take someone with you. It is not safe to go out alone here, especially this close to Udril,” Elric cautioned her.
“Assign me a guardian then. I’m going either way,” she challenged, her eyes glinting with stubbornness. He knew there was no point in arguing with her, especially since she had warmed to him again.
“As you command,” he replied, bowing deeply with his hand on his heart. She chuckled and passed him another berry.
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Elric watched as Saffron worked, a determined look in her eyes. Her face was serene and yet focused as she stirred the large steaming cauldron in front of her. The steam caused the hair around her face to fall into soft waves and there were a few beads of sweat on her forehead.
Elric didn’t think he had ever seen her look so at peace as she crumbled something green over the pot. She picked another stem from a different pile and sniffed it; her eyes closed. She hung it on the rope that she had strewn from one side of the tent to the other. The tent now had a fragrant earthy fragrance as opposed to the dank sweat-soaked smell it usually had.
“Do you have everything you need?” he asked. She looked up, startled. She had been so lost in her work she hadn’t heard him come in. She nodded.
“I do. I am working with the surgeon to help clean the bandages. I have a few tinctures ready to help with cough and fever. More will be done in the next day or so,” she replied and turned back to stirring.
A loud explosion sounded in the distance, followed by yelling. Saffron’s eyes snapped up to Elric’s, frightened.
“I suggest you hurry. War is here.”