Solo Herbs and Poison [Stormhold Salves]

[Sayana]

Winter 75, 514 AV After one last glance at Aren’s sleeping form, Sayana carefully slipped out the door of her apartment. She quietly put on her winter clothing and made her way through the twisting hallways of the Maiden District. Her destination was the Stormhold Salves and thankfully Mistress Sahfri was still there. There was a little chime as Sayana opened the door and she breathed a sigh of relief to the see the Eypharian. “How is he? Have you come back for more?” Sahfri questioned, sounding concerned. “No no, he’s fine. I think. Well he’s sleeping. And he’s not bleeding anymore.” Sayana replied as she attempted to explain the situation. After a long pause and an encouraging nod from the shopkeeper, Sayana continued. “It’s... it’s actually something I need. There’s this herb, or plant, or flower. And it’s white, and flat like a plate or something. And it can help… pregnant women.” Sahfri frowned at the woman’s description. “You do not want the baby? This is Kova’s lace that you’re describing…” Sayana shifted uncomfortably under Sahfri’s gaze. She thought she would be more relaxed in front of one of her own kind, yet still the topic felt dark and unnatural. In the past it had been the best option, the only option. In Ahnatep where half her time was spent dancing and the other half making love, it was surprising that she had only one incident with a potential baby. And then it had been easy, almost too easy. She had already known the midwife and the woman had provided the herb, drug, poison, whatever you want to call it with hardly a question asked. Of course, the next five days felt like hai as her gut churned and she felt like she was going to throw up her entire stomach. But then it was over. But had that been different? She hadn’t known who the father might be. And in those days she had been so frivolous that her baby could have been an Eypharian or a poor attempt of one with only two arms. Plus the loss of her friend due to childbirth had been so raw at the time that she had been more afraid of the birth than any consequences of raising it. “So you’re sure you don’t want the baby?” Sahfri asked again and interrupted Sayana’s thoughts. With a firm gaze Sayana met the woman’s eyes and nodded. Continuation Notes : This is a stand alone thread but chronologically it follows right after the thread: Hope, in Six-Armed Form Kova’s Lace : This is modeled after Queen Anne’s lace that was used to abort a baby in the middle ages. Other herbs on the pricelist that also relate to pregnancy (eg Delaviv) are about 5sm/oz so I rounded up the cost to 1GM.

[Sayana]

The Eypharian shopkeeper retreated to the back storage area of the shop where less sought out herbs and poisons were kept. Of course, the Syliran knights were strict about the use and making of poisons but there were a few plants that served as both a remedy and a toxin, and Sahfri didn’t want these to be so prominently on display. As Sayana waited, she couldn’t help but wonder whether she was making the right choice. Could she have just missed a bleeding cycle and it would be back to normal come spring? But it was late, far too late and her cycles were always timed well with Leth. And what about Aren, should he know? Or was it better left unsaid. Should he have a say in it? Her expression twisted in uncertainty, but Sahfri was already coming back with a small pouch in her hands. “This is the herb you requested. You’ll have to chew on the seeds, grind them, or do something to break them open otherwise they won’t work.” The herbalist explained and handed Sayana the little brown pouch. “I wish you luck. But it is… sad. I would much rather give you Delaviv or the Midwife Miracle for a safe and speedy delivery.” Sayana could see the genuine sadness on the Eypharian’s face and the feeling of guilt squirmed in her stomach as she handed over the gold miza as payment for the herb. Was it right to deny a baby of life? Was it right to fear for her own life so much that she would forgo being a mother? The second thought struck a chord. She murmured a quiet thanks to the shopkeeper and left the building to go out into the snow once more. She had what she came for. She clutched it gently in her mid right. But would she ever become a mother, or would she just skulk away in fear? Would she find that charming Eypharian to spend her life with and raise a family or would she grow old and infertile looking for him? She turned away as she reached the entrance to the Maiden District. She needed to walk, and think, and even in this forsaken cold she wasn’t ready to return to her apartment and to Aren. Motherhood. Could she do this? Was she ready? She could imagine holding a baby boy or girl in her arms, rocking it to sleep, knowing that it was safe, and knowing nothing would take it away from her. Although it would be a boy, a blue boy. And with only two arms like his father. Would it be worth it? She still felt the faint echo of loss from the last time she was forced to make such decisions. She had held a leaving being within her, of her own making, yet she had crushed its survival, its life, and its hopes and dreams. Had she not, the child might have been three or four by now. Living, talking, breathing… When put in this light, she felt regret, yet she was still painfully aware of the dangers of childbirth. The year prior to such decisions, she had helped a close friend with a pregnancy. Except… even with the help of a midwife the young mother had not survived and only the baby had made it. Sayana felt like she was going in circles. The fear, the pain, the regret, the hope, and then the fear once more.

[Sayana]

She reached the area of the main gates where the taverns and Traveler’s Row could be found. It was probably not the best idea to be wandering late at night in the cold but what did she have with her? A small packet of seeds, a few gold mizas, an unborn baby, her life… Yes, her life. Her life and her dagger to defend it with. She looked at the darkened windows of the Rearing Stallion. She had made a home for herself here. A home that had people who she cared about and a means to make an honest living. She could support herself, more than just herself, and if need be she had several friends who might look after the baby for an evening here and there. And yet, what if she did not survive? But death, death was all around. Dira stalked the streets, hid amongst the trees, sang above the clash of blades… In fact, had Aren made a wrong move tonight, he himself might have been taken by the dark goddess. And yet, life was also all around. People of all races struggling to survive, animals, plants, even animated bits of clay grasping at what is called life. What if she could trick fate in order to survive? Of course, she didn’t presume to actually trick the god of fate but perhaps to take a few precautions to twist things in her favour. Now faced with less of a moral dilemma and more of a problem to solve, Sayana’s mind immediately went to work. Sahfri had said something about two herbs. Midwife’s Miracle and what was the other one? She’d have to figure that out, and also learn what they did. Now Devi was a good doctor, but was she a good midwife? Perhaps she ought to find out what sort of midwives lived in Syliras. And yet, didn’t the Syliran knights have access to special healers? Might she be able to hire one? How much would a healer cost to make sure no complications arose? Regardless, it was probably time to start saving up money. Or at least spending it carefully. She had earned a fair bit during the last season and she still planned to host her party for the new year. A new year, and new beginnings. Though there was a pang in her heart for the loss of a beautiful Eypharian baby, she would have to see what the future held in store for her. And a little Akalak boy… she’d still find room in her heart to love him and nurture him. And what more could a little Akalak want than a mother with the will to survive? With that thought strong in her heart she opened the little pouch and poured the seeds into her hand. She opened her fingers and watched as Zulrav scattered them into the bitter wind. She tossed the pouch into a snow bank and started on her way home, home to Aren. She was going to be a mother.

[Nivel]

Sayana : XP Award: Observation 2 Herbology 1 Socialization 1 Philosophy 2 Endurance 1 Lore: White flowers of false hope Location: Stormhold Salves Mistress Sahfri: The Eypharian Herblist of Stormhold Salves Kova’s Lace: The herb that helps pregnant women Cycle of pain, fear, hope and regret Everything struggles for survival, even animated clay Dira could be around any corner Notes: Awesome thread Short but great character development Additional Comments: If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to message me.