Just Another Day

After the meal, Sigrid lead her down the tower and out of the Quarters. The sun hadn't broke over the mountains yet and the sky was still a deep purple with a faint glow on the horizon. Down the trail they went to the town square. The Highland had paved all the walkways with the same pale stone they favored for their towers. The long wooden buildings were arranged in a circle around the large circular building in the center. Each had an arched doorway, usually bench outside, and some had wares on display outside. Sigrid brought Shanku around to one of the buildings that simply had benches out front. Sitting on one was a darker grey male with a striped nose, a mane that was thin on top and gathered at the back, and cream and brown wings. He wore a dark leather apron and was very plucky.

Sigrid explained the nature of her visit to the healer and he happily beckoned them inside. The walls were lined with many shelves and even more jars of all shapes and sizes. Dryings herbs hang from the ceiling and a counter stood in the middle with an assortment of small burners and tools.

The healer bid Shanku stand near to him. To her surprise, and mostly to her disturbance, he lifted one of her arms up and put his ear to her ribs. He scratched his chin thoughtfully and mumbled a few "mmhmms". He dropped her arm and darted behind his counter. The healer took some of the jars off his shelves, combined a few items into a stone bowl, and ground them for a few moments with his pestle. He placed a cup of water on one of the boilers to warm for a moment, sprinkled some of his concoction into it, and then held it out to Shanku.

"Sniff for a few moments then drink," he instructed cheerfully.

Shanku took a few cautious sniffs and wrinkled her nose. It was a mixture of bitter, sweet, and spicy. She took a slow sip. She shook her head fervently and made an awful face.

"Twice a day, for a week," the healer told Sigrid as he handed her a bag of the medicine. "Should clear that cough and fever right up!"

Shanku managed to finish her drink and handed it back to the healer.

"If de fever don' kill me, dat may do it," Shanku shuddered. "Where to now?"

"Clothes," Sigrid said curtly. "We each sew our own and you will too."

They came to another building, although this one didn't have anything outside. Inside, there were a few shelves and counters with cloth on display of many colors and materials. Shanku looked around curiously and wondered if she'd recognize any. She often helped the Meriweather crew load goods and sometimes Doctor Newbury had her help him inspect some of them.

"Although," Sigrid said at length as she watched her charge with a hand on her hip. "Are you stuck like that?"

"Eh?" Shanku asked. "Like what?"