Bated Breath

[Naiya]

Spring-14th-516 AV

Morning dawned as always, but Naiya could not rise as she usually did. She hadn't slept well, tossing and turning, and finally when she had a chance to sleep it seemed only moments before the lightening of the sky roused her. Her bones ached, but they kept her lingering in bed only a tick before she dashed from the pavilion to vomit.

Her body heaved, emptying her stomach of the little that was there. She wiped her mouth, spitting bile. The last thing she needed was to be sick, there was work to be done. She spit again, kicking dirt across the pile of liquid in hopes that Seirei might not notice it once she woke.

Slipping inside with extra care not to disturb the twins, Naiya dressed quietly, keeping her boots in hand until she was away from their partition. She slid her feet into the shoes, safe now from disturbing the others.

She kindled the fire, prodding the embers from their dinner and adding a bit of dried dung to the pile. She placed a few pieces of wood atop the pile as well, stacking them into a pyramid to direct the heat of the fire. It was less important now, but it would matter when the cooking began. She would wait until the dung had burned away to add food to cook, but it would burn until she returned from checking the traps she had laid the night before.

She called to her companions, Banti slinking out from beneath the wagon to join her. Her yvas came from the travois, the pad cushioning the metal where it sat on her arm. She moved through the herd, the cover of night allowing her to examine the new Zibri more easily, and to check on the still pregnant cows.

Akaidras nickered forlornly, greeting her and sharing his note of Shahar's absence. Come she bade him, the word shaped with offering. He was usually the hunter, but without Shahar he spent most of his time looking over the herd. She left the stallion to decide, going to rouse Wildfire with a gentle touch. Greetings, she signed to him, Short ride, check traps she told him, a nod to the yvas she carried.

He snorted, tossing his head in protest. It was early, earlier than usual. Despite nearly a season of change, he still fought her some. She reached up to scratch behind his ear apology in the set of her shoulders. She'd been pushing him harder than usual, and the stress was hard on them both, although the stallion seemed to be handling it better than herself.

She coaxed him a few chimes more before he allowed her to place the pad on his back and slip the yvas into place. She pulled herself into her seat with a grunt, the ease of her mount growing slightly less so as her body protested her movements.

Banti joined her once more, the sound of the yvas alerting her of their impending departure. She urged Wildfire into a walk with a gentle tap of her heels on his girth.

Akaidras moved with them, breaking out of the herd, confident in the early morning to keep the others safe. They trailed back across their path, Wildfire following the same trail they had the evening before.

One of her traps was missing, she dismounted to see what had happened. There was nothing, no rope, only the stone that had been her weight. She took new rope, a missing trap was one that'd had prey, and draped the loose loop across the small opening in the brush. The end of the rope she tied to a tree branch, hoping that this time the trap would stay in place.

She mounted again, circling through to the rest of the traps. She found a small squirrel in one. She bowed her head to thanks the goddess before using her dagger to sever the spine as the base of its skull. She slit its throat, leaving it to bleed as she returned home.

The fire has burned low on her return, she added more wood, only a piece, enough to heat water and cook the meat.

She filled a pot placing it into the heat while she skinned the squirrel. The fur pulled away in most places with relative ease, only needing her blade in a few spots. She cut the meat away from the bones, the small chunks going into a pile while the bits that clung to the bones went into the pot of water. She added spices from their stores, leafy green herbs and the red buds of fireweed that she had gathered the evening before.

She headed the thin crunchy bread beside the fire, a second pot of water warming to make a gruel. Lavender went into the second pot, a very small amount of the flower so as to sweeten the brew rather than to add the slightly peppery taste of the leaves. She crumbled the warm bread into the liquid, adding more until the pot had thickened.

The ruby pommel of her dagger fell into her hand with the comforting reminder of Shahar. She carved three sticks into spits, not bothering to remove the bark nor to smooth the grips. She simply sharpened the ends until she could spear the meat.

She took a deep breath, finding that she was a bit short of breath. She grumbled, looking out across the grass that was beginning to lighten. The air was heavy, weighed down by the growing heat and humidity that lightly coated everything it touched.

The meat sat in the heat, awaiting the others beside the gruel. She made a bowl of the latter for herself, eating it quickly. She needed to get back out to hunt before the sun rose too high above the horizon.

She rinsed the bowl and returned to Wildfire, gathering baskets and a two yvas bags on the way. She stored the two baskets in the bags, returning to pick up her spear as well as her bow.

Armed, she left the camp with an sign to Akaidras, watch, protect, she told him, reminding herself that the dogs would need true training soon.

The sea of grass shifted as she moved through them, Wildfire happy to keep his pace to a smooth walk as she scanned the horizon seeking the forms of sleeping prey.

The hunt was to no avail, she searched for bells until the sun was well in the sky. With a sigh she turned to the yvas, seeking the baskets to gather roots and herbs instead. Early spring was bountiful, and if she spent the heat of the day foraging she might even collect enough to last them a few days.

She collected her arrows and rode back towards the city, seeking the grove of trees that sheltered fragile berries, mushrooms, and other edible plants. The watch had mentioned the grove was rich with life, and she couldn't deny the draw of the bountiful foraging.

Her approach was hailed by another, a small group of Drykas led by a watchman.
Greetings, she signed down to them, her breath too short to speak after the ride in the oppressive weather.

"Greetings," The man returned, his own mount grazing nearby. "We were just heading in, the elders have advised a day of ease, the day swelters overhead and navigation across the grass is growing more difficult as the day dawns rather than less."

Naiya nodded, recognizing the difficulty, "I'll stay close." She assured him, unable to lose a day of work to poor weather. The haze was blowing in as the day lightened, but Naiya was sure she could manage.

She settled into the grass, seeking the distinct leaves of tubers or the pale forms of mushrooms.

[Caesi Starguide]

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Caesi was awaken by a slobbering kiss upon her cheek, accompanied by wet, slurping noises. Nu had insisted, as usual, to sleep with Caesi and had decided that now was the time to wake up and begin there day. The girl grumbled, shoving the dog out of her face, rolling to her side. Nu was persistent however and pawed at her back, making it impossible to go back to sleep. “Fine.. I am awake..” Caesi growled as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, giving a small yawn. Rising up she walked over to her belongings, grabbing a brush she swiped it through her hair, getting rid of the knots from the mass. Tossing on her tunic and britches, she padded over to her boots, slipping them on a bit clumsily as she was still tired. Nu watched her the whole time, tail wagging softly behind him. The dog was more of a morning person then she was, ready to start the day of hunting.

Caesi stood up stretching her muscles, that seemed to still be as much asleep as she was. Grabbing her backpack she slung it over her right shoulder. Checking her quiver and making sure that hunting arrows were inside, she secured it across her back then picked up her Shortbow. Ready to begin her day, she motioned for Nu to follow as she walked out of her tent. Trudging slowly, she looked back to see if the stubborn dog was following. He was of course, tail wagging happily, as he trotted along behind her. Caesi gave a small smile at the dog, as she came up to Pyxis her Strider. “Are you ready?” She asked the horse softly, who gave a tired knicker in response. Py was obviously as tired as she was, not really ready, but willing to go either way. Caesi placed the Yvas upon Py and mounted her a bit clumsily at first, until she righted and adjusted herself. Caesi clicked her tongue softly, leaning forward with her body at the same time, asking the horse to trot. Py responded and started trotting towards the Sea of Grass, Nu trailing behind them with his head looking to and fro ready to find some prey himself.

The trio spent the better part of the early morning searching for some prey, though they did not really have much luck thus far. The sun began to rise farther up in the sky and with it the heat seemed to rise as well. A disorienting haze seemed to rise up from the ground, making heat wrap around Caesi's body like a snake would it's prey. Heat seemed to dance around the ground, making the Sea of Grass seem to flicker and waver in the haze. It was so humid today that even the grass seemed to still, too scorched to sway like it typically did. Sweat beaded upon various crevices and areas of Caesi's body as she continued along on the path. Sliding off of Pyxis she decided to walk, giving the Mare a break from her body weight, as the heat was just too much as it was. Nu was panting already as well, ready for some comforting shade. They had not found any animals out and about yet, it was as if they too were hiding from this dreadful humid weather, seeking comfort and shaded areas.

After walking around for a bell, Caesi gave up on trying to find an animal to hunt, and not really sure what else to do with her time she wandered around aimlessly. Eventually Caesi saw something in the distance, though it was hard to really make out. Thanks to the haze everything just seemed a bit blurred, but the color was striking in the sunlight. It looked like a fire at first, until she realized it was a person. Curiosity spurred her forward, as she saw a woman with striking copper hair, who appeared to be looking down at the ground searching for something. “Lose something?” Caesi asked, coming up closer to see what the woman before her was doing. The woman seemed to be concentrated at whatever task she was doing, as she searched through the grass. Not giving the woman a chance to answer her first question, she quickly moved on to another, looking at her with a quizzical look and asking in an airy tone,“Why are you searching in the grass?”

| Thoughts |

[Naiya]

It grew hotter, the grass seeming to shimmer under the haze that settled across the day. It was better in the shade although her chest felt tight with strain despite her leisurely activities. Wildfire grazed nearby, the comfort of his proximity clear despite the weight of the air.

Her basket was tucked to her side, allowing her to paw through the grass with both hands, seeking the starchy vegetables she would need for supper come evening. The spring grass was thick with new life, the buds of flowers and heads of grass seed making the low growing plants harder to find.

Wildfire whinnied, a greeting if she had ever heard one, and it was a welcome excuse to pause in her work. A woman and her steed approached, too far off yet to greet on her own, so she waited, the only change in her being the draw of her dagger from her sheath. She wouldn't be caught off guard, not after the bouts of trouble the city had been facing.

She dug her fingers into the dirt, prying away chunks from the base of a collection of leaves that looked distinctly like the ones she was after. She removed the dirt covered bulb, brushing the dirt from the smaller roots to fill the hole back as best she could. Holes in the grass weren't good for anyone, especially not the horses.

The tuber fell into the woven basket as her side, only one other with it so far. She turned back to the grass, seeking more to fill her basket and hopefully her yvas bags.

The other Drykas, clearly a woman by voice, had approached more quickly than Naiya expected, startling her with her first inquiry. Nearly as soon as she had gathered herself, the girl had asked another.

Greetings, appreciation, no concern "I haven't lost anything." Naiya informed her, pausing her search only long enough to sign the undertone of her words. "I'm foraging, working." The last shaped with perhaps more force than necessary.

It wasn't her intention to drive people away, but she found company more difficult than solitude. Alone, there would be no one to notice a moment of weakness should one arise. Seirei had surely noticed, Naiya sought their working together far less frequently than before. Disappearing most mornings before the sun was truly up, scavenging food once more come dinner. It was mostly when Seirei insisted that Naiya put aside her work to be with her family, although she made sure to be about to braid the children's hair when they asked.

Apology shaped Naiya's shoulders as she realized the harsh way she had responded to the other's inquiry. "I've not been myself since the pirate raids." She said in lieu of further explanation. She found no other words to share, and behind her Wildfire snorted his agreement. Perhaps she had chased the girl off, but she couldn't find the strength of character to truly apologize, nor to bridge the gap with an invitation. It simply wasn't in her.

The stalks of quickly growing grass parted beneath her fingers and she pulled another trophy, a long tapered root that was good for eating as well. She added it to her basket, her work only just begun. She piled dirt back into the hole, smashing it flat with the palm of her hand.

[Caesi Starguide]

.






The woman's words were short and blunt, greeting her but also forceful. She appeared to be apologetic at the force of the words though Caesi wasn't sure. The flaming redhead seemed to be preoccupied with her work, digging in the ground searching for food. It was something Caesi did not know how to do. She was a bit ashamed by that fact, since it was a skill that all Drykas needed to know to survive. Finding food in Semele's earth was an important survival technique, instead of just hunting. The woman mentioned that she was not really herself since the pirate raids, which made sense. Not many people really were themselves after so many hardships, Sygla of the Topaz Clan was consumed with grief making her frail in body and mind. Caesi shrugged, “Not many are.” Saying simply, with no sympathy or concern.

It was something that she had noticed among many, letting grief consume them, she did not have time for such weaknesses, nor was she one to really pity another. Strength was found not just in one's body, but in one's mind. “But we go on still.” Caesi said boldly, as it was true in what she had seen so far in her few young years. Hardships was something the Dryka people knew well, they endured, then they moved on from it. Shaping and changing them in what ever way their minds deemed it. Some became stronger, some became frail. It was the way of things in the Sea of Grass. Be a predator or be a prey.


The huntress wondered if the woman was being so stand-offish due to the fact she wanted to be alone. Some preferred the company of their shadow over the company of a body, but Caesi was curious and she wanted answers. Caesi wanted to know who this woman was and what Pavilion she resided in. Living in the Sea of Grass, it was a comfort knowing people in different Clans, various Pavilion's, since in numbers the Drykas were stronger. Not only that but she wasn't one to have very many friends. Perhaps it was due to her being so opinionated or that she spoke with out care to her words. Something came to her mind she said it, whether it was hurtful or not. She was bold and blunt but she did not back down.

Like with this woman, she may have been a bit rude with Caesi but Caesi continued on not letting it bother her, because she wanted to learn- to grow. Becoming a better person for her Pavilion. If she did not, she would be married off, and she was in no hurry to be married to anyone. The thought made her cringe, she felt as if she was still young and learning. Being married to some man, even if he would take care of her, just wasn't a part of her life plan. She wanted to take care of herself, with no help. Not letting herself be consumed with her thoughts, she brushed it off and looked over at the woman beside her.

Caesi stayed silent a moment, watching the woman dig in the soil, bringing forth a long root and placing it in her basket. Caesi did not know what kind of root it was but for the woman to place it in her basket it must have been something worth eating. Going down on her knees close to the woman, but still at a distance, she searched in the grass herself, not finding anything at all, “You are really good at this foraging.” Caesi said across from her, continuing to look through the soil. Finding strange little mushrooms among the damper area she was in she poked one, “What about these?” Caesi asked looking down at the small gathering. The mushrooms wasn't very big, they were small and thin, about as tall as her first finger. She poked it again, watching it spring back up, dancing back and forth.

Wiping her hands off on her pants, she waited for the woman beside her to give up some information about them, since they could be poisonous and Caesi would not even know it. Pyxis walked closer to her, staying close to the dark-haired girl, unsure of their new company. Nu was rolling around in the grass unconcerned as usual, growling happily, as he tried to catch that long, furry thing from his back end that never left.

| Thoughts |

[Naiya]

"Still we go on." Naiya echoed, surprised by how well the girl summarized their lives. She watched her settle herself into the grass, doing searching of her own, although perhaps not with skill. Naiya peered at the mushroom, but she couldn't see the gills beneath the cap.

"If the gills, beneath the cap - the top - are brightly colored, they are not likely good for eating. If they are dark or pale, they are usually fine." She waited a moment, to see if the girl was going to mount her strider and leave, and after a moment she spoke once more.

"If you're staying you best grab a basket, there is one in the yvas bag by Wildfire there," She gestured bonded strider, good tempered the signs a reassurance that she might approach him without fear. "I'll show you what I can if you'll help me make them into dinner later." Gentle offer, light teasing.

"Banti will be about, she's my hunting companion, she'll be annoyed at the intrusion, but so long as you don't threaten any of us, she'll be content to leave you be." There was a gentle smile growing across her lips, it was nice to have a companion who didn't know her grief and didn't ask.

She settled back in, awaiting the other woman's presence before speaking again. It was too hot to waste breath, and she had said everything of use for the moment.

Her waterskin rose from her hip to her lips, trying to chase away the heat that dragged at her chest. It was of little use, so she returned to digging, a second pale carrot joining the first as she pried it from the ground.

[Caesi Starguide]

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When the woman explained that the gills needed to be dark or pale, Caesi checked to see on the little mushrooms. Underneath the caps, it was a dark color, so she smiled. She kept them uncovered and started digging around for more things that laid hidden beneath the surface. Though she was not sure what she was looking for exactly, it was still fun to find hidden treasures.

The woman spoke up once more, seeing that Caesi had no intentions on leaving, telling her to go to her Strider and grab a basket. Caesi glanced over at the beautiful Strider. He had amber colored eyes that shone brightly in the sun, his flaxen red-gold coat seemed to shimmer and his mane whipped around in the slight breeze. He did look like a Wildfire that would storm across the plains. Caesi smiled, used to being around Striders as her Pavilion had fine horsemen. Caesi rose, talking to the stallion softly, she brought her hand on his cheek and slid it down his neck, traveling it to the Yvas bag so he would know where she was at and not be nervous. She grabbed a basket and patted Wildfire, telling him how good he was, praising him for letting her come up to him.

“I would love to help.” Caesi said with a bright smile, that suddenly faded, “Although I set water on fire..” She signed Bad Cook laughing ever so slightly. It was true that she was not the best at cooking, probably the worse. She could set water on fire, that was the extent of her skills. She laughed a little more hearty shrugging her shoulders. “But I will still help.” She nodded her head boldly, smiling at the woman. She had no problem learning something new and helping a fellow Drykas out. If she needed the help, she would help, although it may be that she hindered more then helped with her lousy cooking skills. Caesi looked over at the dog, Banti, smiling nervously hoping she was not too annoyed with them and their intrusion.

Caesi pointed to her hunting dog, who was still chasing his tail, “Nu is my hunting companion.” Caesi signed Not Trained “As you can see he would not harm any of you, as his tail is his main focus right now.” Caesi chuckled then motioned over to Pyxis, “This is Pyxis, I call her Py.” Caesi swayed her fingers, Bonded Strider “She can be a bit sassy but she is good tempered.” Gesturing once more, Protective Of Me Caesi smiled brightly at the woman, “And I am Caesi of the Starguide Pavilion in the Clan Amethyst.”

Looking back down at the mushrooms she had found earlier, she plucked them from the ground and placed them in the woman's basket. Then she covered the area back up as the woman had done. Large beads of sweat started forming at her brow and she swiped at them with the back of her hand, smearing dirt in with the sweat on her face, as she brought her hands back to the ground foraging for something more. Finding something similar to the woman, she began to uncover it gently, once the soil was out of the way she dug in with her fingers, removing the soil from her prize. Brushing the dirt away gently, she tugged gently and pulled free a pale carrot, placing it in the basket. She let out a breath, swiping her face once more.

“Are there plants near water to forage?” Caesi asked the woman, peering up at the sun, gesturing Burning up “Companions can drink water and cool off, we can cool off and still forage.” Caesi reasoned. The girl looked up and around her, then asked the red-head, “Perhaps there will be animals near the water to hunt.” It made sense they would be near a source of water on such a warm day, wanting to cool off themselves. She waited for the woman's input, wanting to learn more about foraging but not wanting her animals to have heat-exhaustion at the same time. Near the water the animals could cool off, they could forage, and possibly hunt as well if there was animals nearby.

| Thoughts |

[Naiya]

A keen eye watched the woman approach, Naiya sure the horse would behave so long as the girl knew as much about horses as a Drykas child. All the same she watched, the dark main of hair that fell around Caesi a stark contrast to the brilliantly pale mane of her mount.

Reassurance, "I am not the best cook myself, I was the bane of my sister's existence when she looked after the kitchens on my days to cook." The memory was one of mixed feelings, so she decided not to linger.

Nu was a dog more akin to a wolf than the imperial watchers at Naiya's own pavilion, shaggy and huge. He was clearly young, or at least young at heart as he chased after his tail. Banti had curled a lip at him initially, but she had no manners when meeting people, perhaps the feline would decide that chasing the dog's tail was an endeavor worthy of her time. For all her frightening first impressions, the cat was young still and liked to play.

"Pyxis," Naiya cooed at the pale dun mare, taking stock of her sturdy build and careful attention to her rider, "She is lovely," strong, "You have great potential to have bonded with such a horse."

She looked down, back at the ground in front of her. Introductions were becoming more difficult than before, with Shahar gone they could no longer hope to impress a clan enough to gain favor, with no knowledge of his family, Naiya supposed they would call ties once more to the Amethyst clan. It did not, Naiya reminded herself, tie her back to her family with any tighter bond than clansmen. She would have to speak with the elders, see if they would take them in, or see perhaps if they had recollection of Shahar and his family.

"I am Naiya Dawnwhisper, hailing from the Nightsong pavilion of the Amethyst clan." She spoke in turn, Well met, "You have lovely animals, but perhaps as little training in them as I have in mine. I have been quite indulgent with my companions, only Wildfire has and strict training." Embarrassment shaped her shoulders as she owned up the the failure in training.

"Perhaps it is a second way in which we can help one another." She lightly suggested with a second sign to say that it needed no further discussion at the moment.

In response to Caesi's inquiry Naiya offered her wetskin to the woman, still largely full and with two others full on the yvas, she was more than happy to share. Offering, drink.

"There are other plants near the water, and likely animals too if we can manage to find them in this weather," Doubt shaped her hands as she looked across the land, the heat and the dampness of the air had created a wavering barrier in the air, shimmering and shifting like a curtain and distorting the horizon. "If your companions can't manage here any longer we can move, but the trees provide shade, and the layers of wood and leaves make fertile ground for plants." She paused weighting the likely hood of the plants growing here against the chances of finding enough at the edge of the water.

Her deliberation was interrupted as she spotted a familiar stalk of leaves. "Here," excitement "A good find." She waited for the woman to join her, letting her eye the tightly clustered stalk with the dark, sharply pointed leaves. "These grow in a large bunch, you have to find the outer ones, and leave the center to grow more."

She began to dig her fingers into the dirt around the base, seeking to loosen up the dirt so she could pull the entire plant loose. She moved her hands out wider, breaking up the dirt further, repeating the motion until the plant was loose and she could wiggle it free.

Six tubers grew from the plant, large and round. "This one is the mother," She explained, pointing out the largest tuber that the stalk grew from, save, grows again, "The others can be picked and eaten, but it they are small, or very large, it is better to leave them. The large ones you can pull away and bury again in a new spot."

[Caesi Starguide]

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Naiya was right, her companions did need training. Pyxis was still a little frightened by loud noises as was many Striders since they were considered prey. Even so, she was intelligent and stubborn at the same time. Nu on the other hand was spoiled rotten, only doing as she commanded when he felt like it. She gave the woman a smile and a slight nod in agreement. Not discussing the training of animals any further. She was surprised the woman hailed from the Amethyst Clan, not really recognizing her. She was probably married off before Caesi had a chance to meet her. She questioned this no further, her business her own.

She let out a breath, the sun beating a steady rhythm down upon her. Sweat continued to bead at her forehead, slowly forming into larger beads, and rolling down her face. She did not like the cold and she was beginning to not like the heat of today. “Thank you.” Caesi said to Naiya as she brought the wet skin to her slightly parched lips, taking a small drink from it. The water helped a little, not much, but it was enough to continue foraging under the sun. Swiping the remainder of the water from her lips, she handed Naiya her wet skin back.

Naiya responded about her offer of going to the water to forage and perhaps hunt. She reasoned it all out loud, Caesi nodding slightly, peering out at the haze that lingered from the heat. The woman seemed to pause, before Caesi could say anything more on the matter, excitement rang out in her voice as she pointed out a good find. Caesi looked towards where she was at, getting up and crouching down to look at the plant she had discovered. She observed the plant Naiya was excited about. There was a tightly clustered stalk that had dark leaves that came out into sharp points. Naiya explained about them growing in a large bunch, taking only the outer parts and leaving the inner to grow more. Caesi nodded, “So there will be more the next time it is found.” Caesi said with a smile, reaching out and touching the leaves gently.

Naiya began to dig her fingers in the dirt, at the base of the plant. Caesi joined her to make the work faster. She peered over at her hands, watching Naiya as she loosened the dirt around the plant. Caesi followed suite, the inner soil slightly cool on her hands. Once the plant was loose Naiya wiggled it free. There was six tubers, all large and round. Pointing to the largest of the tubers she said that it was the mother. Naiya explained that the mother and larger tubers should be replanted in a new spot, so they could grow and flourish. Caesi nodded, “I never thought about that.” The young woman said a bit embarrassed, “It makes sense though. To not take but what is needed.” Caesi said with a smile, helping her replant the mother tuber.

Brushing her hands off on her pants, she looked towards Naiya, “So how do you know they are safe to eat?” Caesi asked, curious as to how the red-head knew they were not poisonous. Perhaps it was trial and error, or perhaps she had help learning about plants from another. Caesi wanted to know more about foraging, but with her luck she would take a plant that would cause stomach problems since she was not that great at knowing what plants were what. “Is there a certain way to cook these?” She asked pointing towards the tubers she had just pulled up from the soil.

| Thoughts |

[Naiya]

"It is best to be sure there will always be more, especially when the seasons have been so hard on our people." She helped to remove the tubers that were the right size, and separated one that was particularly large to plant in a separate spot.

She noticed the girl's inquiry, but put it aside for the moment as she continued to explain what she was doing. "This one," she held up the very large tuber, "Is quite old, you can tell by its size. It might be bitter or poisonous to eat. We will plant it instead and it can grow into a mother as it might have if we had not found it." She moved only a short way, finding one of the holes she had filled with loose dirt from a different find.

"My family took great pride in having the children do their share of work. The elder children would take those who were too small to be helpful and teach them to forage. I am familiar with most of the flora in the sea, but my understanding of what is edible and what is medicine is not as good." She pried dirt loose with her fingers as she spoke, gesturing for Caesi to do the same with the mother. "These are potatoes, perhaps grown wild, or left behind by some pavilion seasons ago, we had them often in my home."

Once the hole was deep enough, Naiya placed the large round root into the dirt, packing the dirt down around the tuber to make sure it was protected. She glanced at the girl to see that she did the same.

"Try to be sure that it is completely covered by dirt, if it peeks through the top, it might not grow well. It helps, too, so that if others find it, they can see that it had already been dug up."

She poured a spot of water onto the mound, dampening the top to add protection from the sun. Moving plants was always hard on them, so she was sure to be extra careful.

"Usually these are boiled in stew or soup, but you can do other things with them too, cut them and fry them in a pan with fat, boil them and smash them into paste." She shrugged, "They are versatile."

[Caesi Starguide]

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Caesi listened intently to Naiya, absorbing the information she was sharing. Naiya explained how a very large tuber means that it is really old. The older tubers were bitter and poisonous, so instead you would plant it, letting it grow into a mother to flourish. Caesi nodded her head, to let Naiya know she was listening and understanding what she was saying. She watched as Naiya found a hole she had made and filled with soil previously. While prying dirt loose with her fingers she told Caesi how she came to know about plants. Naiya gestured for her to do the same as she, so she found a hole and began to dig her fingers into the loosen soil, uncovering the hole once more as Naiya told her that the plants were potatoes.

“Potatoes? I love when my mom makes fried ones.” Caesi said with a chuckle as she made the hole bigger with her hands. Caesi glanced over to observe Naiya and how she was putting the larger tuber in and how she carefully covered it up, patting the dirt so it was protected. Caesi took her larger tuber and placed in the hole, taking the dirt she carefully surrounded it, then patted the earth. Caesi then poured a little water for the plant to drink, hoping it would help keep it alive on this hot and hazy day.

Naiya further explained how versatile the potatoes were and the various ways you could cook them. “So many different ways...” Caesi said in a whispery voice, “I didn't even realize how useful potatoes were, only that I liked eating them.” Caesi gave a laugh and a shrug of her shoulders looking out across the plains with speculation and keen eyes. The sun was still beating the energy out of her and the haze was still visible upon the plains. She swiped at her forehead and looked around her, trying to find a plant.

Spotting something different a few yards out, she stood up brushing the dirt off her plants. Placing her hand over her eyes she squinted to try and see it better in the haze and sun. “What is that?” Caesi asked Naiya, as she began to walk towards it. Upon closer observation she could tell that the plant was beautiful, perhaps it was only a flowering like bush. The flowers were a pale pink, almost white, with a few flowers at the tips of the shoots. The petals were rounded with a slight wavy edge. The leaves were oblong with serrated edges, except at the base the leaves were smooth. The leaves were a vibrant dark green while the underneath a duller light green.

Caesi came up closer, bending at the knees to look at the stems of the plant. On the stems were green with a slight red hue to them. But what was most interesting was the stiff, small bristles that covered the stems. Caesi poked one with her finger and jerked her hand back, a small sound of pain escaped her mouth as she put her finger in her mouth. “This plant bites.” Caesi said smiling. “Look at those things, can you eat those?” Caesi gestured towards the round like berries that were a soft red. They were not that big, appearing to be food for birds as the berries were only about a half inch in diameter. Caesi reached out and touched a pale pink petal. It was like touching exquisite velvet or the softness of rabbit fur. A part of Caesi wanted to pick the flower but she did not want to harm the plant by doing so. Instead she took a step back and looked to Naiya for answers about the flowering plant.

PlantI used your link on your sig and found the Wild Rose, I tried explaining it the best I could haha. But thought I would leave this here to clarify .

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