Good Hunting

  #

  "Have him drink that three times a day." Myla paused in handing the jar of cough syrup to the stable master. "Wait." She unstopped the jar and sniffed at its contents. Frowning she replaced the stopper and handed the jar over. "I thought I smelled something odd, something musky. Do you smell it?"

  "Sorry, no." He was already moving toward the door, holding the jar like a treasure. "The Forest bless you, Myla."

  Myla closed her eyes and listened until his steps faded. Rot it. Maybe the syrup would help, but it was probably no different than what Isadia had already given the boy. Stupid, stupid Myla. She sank onto the stool and stared at the book open on the table. Just as she'd remembered, there was a remedy for breathstop there. But what she hadn't remembered was that it used what it called night ripple, a plant she not only didn't have but had never seen. The picture showed a ruffled blue flower growing low under a curve of green.

  She'd told Isadia she could help the boy. More than that, by announcing it in the Hall, she'd told the whole household. They'd all know she'd lied, that she was a failure. And the little boy would continue to cough his lungs out. That was more important and she knew it, but her heart still clutched with shame. What had possessed her to brag like that?

  At last, she shoved the book in her carry bag and set off through the manor gate and into the woods. She had little hope a search would lead her to the one scarce plant she needed, but she had to try. The green curve in the picture suggested a hollow in a hillside or, given the plant's watery name, maybe under the bank of a pond or stream. The stable master had said that a pond lay about a mile west of the house, so she headed that way first. When she found the pond, though, it yielded no plant she didn't already have in abundance.

  She wandered among the maples and oaks, and despite her worry, her spirits lifted at the rustle of their spring leaves and the smell of damp earth oddly mixed with the musky smell she'd inhaled in the herb room. She'd spent more time indoors since coming to Green Valley, and it had worn on her more than she'd realized. She was crouching to gather catnip for the barn cats when she heard the clip-clop of an approaching horse and Kaven rode into sight. He reined in when he saw her, hesitated, and then slid to the ground. "Fair day," he said.

  She nodded stiffly and rose. Of all the people to meet in what was, after all, a big forest.

  Ignoring her silence, he said, "I've been checking for gray rot." Like he had to remind her of what he could do. She still kept quiet, but this pushy boy just would not believe he wasn't wanted. "Gathering plants?" he said. "Can I help you find something?"

  She opened her mouth to say no, then heard again the sound of the little boy's throat tearing cough. She blew out her breath. "Have you seen this?" She pulled out her book and tilted the picture of the night ripple toward him. As he approached, she caught a whiff of mingled leather and clean sweat that struck her as embarrassingly intimate. She leaned away as far as she could while still holding the book for him.

  "Light riddle?" he misread.

  "Night ripple." His mistake didn't surprise her. For reasons she didn't understand, she was the only one who could read the ancient herbals she'd found in the attic at home.

  Kaven studied the picture for a moment before shaking his head. "Sorry. Do you want me to look with you?"

  She stowed the book away. "No, thank you. I'm sure you have things to do. Important things."

  He blinked. "Have I done something to offend you?"

  "Of course not." She took a step back. "I won't keep you."

  Looking off into the trees, he ran his hand through his hair. Then he remounted and rode away. She watched him go. Not light riddle. Night ripple. The name was suggestive. She'd slip out of the house tonight and search again. It was likely useless, but what else was she to do?