"So recently I found out that Fandrea herb that is poisonous has roots that can be eaten. This herb is quite common here so it should be able to alleviate some of the food problems. I also found out that Syleria herb which is also poisonous is actually deadly only when you cook it. When raw it may bring little discomfort for the people with weaker immunity. That's all." explained Heddie to the little boy who was stirring up the brew for quite some time.

"If you knew already then why didn't you tell us sooner ?" said Little Stone who turned his head at the granny.

"Turn around and focus," said Granny Meddie strictly as she scolded him. Then she continued. "In the south, there are no records of the herbs growing here as they don't grow there. This place is too forlorn for most people and there is nothing valuable so they do not bother about this place. That means that I had to personally find out what properties those herbs have."

Boy opened his eyes wide as he again turned at her with opened agape. Soon he turned back before she could scold him but the wonder in his eyes didn't dim. Seeing this Granny Meddie sighed and then smiled a little.

"Foundation for herbalism and any other specialization which deals with herbs are knowledge of herbs that the ancestors accumulated. But the world is vast and knowledge of the old is often lost. People can't just rely on the books to learn all those things. They must understand the nature of the herbs to make real progress in their work.

The first people also didn't know what herbs had which traits. So they experimented. And succeeded. That is what herbalism is about 'Stone' don't forget that. Of course, this is something you would need to dedicate your life to to be able to do something meaningful. Just look at me. Over 7 decades and yet it took me so long to analyze these kinds of common herbs."

Old Heddie smiled ruefully as she looked at her wrinkled hand. Boy didn't turn around this time. He didn't understand most of what she talked about but knew that she was feeling downcast so he whispered in a low voice:

"But for me you are amazing..."

This made the old woman's eyes turn into crescents. "You are really sweet, my child. I bet you will be popular with girls in the future."

'Little Stone' didn't understand what she meant by it but knew it was a compliment so he cheerfully smiled. Then silence took over the room. Time flew by as the boy continuously stirred the brew until his hands were like jelly. Then the change finally came.

"Well dear that's enough. Now take this powder inside of the grinder and toss it inside. Once you do that take this bucket of water," Old Meddie nodded at the bucket not far from the fireplace," and continuously pour water into the cauldron in small doses."

Little Stone was finally free from the stirring so he was happy to do so. He went slowly to the table, took the grinder, and went back to the cauldron. Once he got close to the cauldron he flipped over the grinder and let the powder fall in.

The moment the powder touched the brew it started sizzling and started to emit smell. After a split second, the mass of the entire brew started to shrink as if it was evaporating. Little Stone was so surprised that he stiffened for a moment.

"Don't wait for it to evaporate! You need to pour the water, boy." said the old Meddie urgently to the surprised Stone.

Little Stone awakened from his stupor after hearing the yell and bent over for the water. He took the ladle, scooped up water, and took it above the cauldron. Then he flipped it over from great height. Old Meddie looked as if she wanted something to say but it was too late.

*Sizzle*

"Ahh"

The brew splashed and burned Little Stone's hand who yelped a little in surprise. He didn't expect it would splash at him so much.

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"Don't flip the ladle so high in the air. You need to do it from a lesser height. Does it hurt a lot? Forget the brew, I can do a new one later. Come here I will give you the ointment on the burnt."

Little Stone was surprised for a moment but then he calmed down. To him this is nothing. He looked at his hand where the burnt was and saw how it was already wriggling, slowly trying to heal itself. It is not super quick but it was enough to see it with eyes. Then he looked at old Meddie and said:

"Don't worry, granny. It just took me off guard. It is just a little burnt that is already disappearing. This time I won't make the mistake." said Little Stone while waving the ladle excitedly to emphasize his point.

"These kids nowadays..." signed old Meddie as she waved her hand showing that the boy can do whatever he wants.

Boy chuckled cheerfully and he resumed the water a little faster as the brew almost evaporated. This continued until there was no water in the bucket.

In the end, the brew evaporated and what was left was only some kind of smelly mush. It had a deep green color and was still gurgled. Then old Meddie took her cane and slowly stood up.

"Good job, Stone. You were really wonderful. Now leave the rest to me."

She stood up and with a limp got to the fireplace. Then she took off the entire cauldron from the fire and placed it on the stone platform next to the table. Then she took some vials and poured their content inside while stirring the wooden spoon. Once she finished, instead of watery mush there was a kind of pale green paste. After that, she scooped a portion and placed it into a ceramic jar.

"Here. This is a reward for you. You and your brothers are bound to get hurt or get some rash as you work. It will be good for you to have some in supply. Of course, take this box too. Inside are the herbs to eat. It should be enough for a week for you three. Even more, if you mix it with the rest of your stocked food. So don't just eat it all and instead try to pick up some Fandreas and Sylerias. They grow abundantly in the spring even when is winter such as this. Just don't forget what did I taught you about them." said tired Meddie.

The sun just got to the highest point when they ended. Now old Meddie can rest as she can just wait for someone to come and buy some medicine. Meanwhile 'Little Stone' who got his loot said goodbye to her and went back to his house.

'I should be more careful from now on. I can't let granny be worried about me all the time.' pondered Little Stone.

He wasn't new to herbalism as he learned from her the entire 3 years. But he still didn't have a quarter of her patience. He wondered if he would someday also be as good as her or even better to help his brothers.

When he finally got home nobody was there. Little Stone didn't find it weird as Evan and Olen worked outside. So Little Stone went to the place where they saved their valued things and put there the jar and box. Then went outside and decided to collect the herbs old Meddie recommended.

Those herbs were ignored for years and taken as weeds but now when they can be eaten, Little Stone wants to take the opportunity to take the most he can when other villagers still don't know. Those herbs were everywhere and even in the village, there were numerous amounts of them.

'If not those greedy guys would collect everything.' thought Little Stone who was bending to take those herbs. He didn't take only those herbs but also one called Elera herb. This herb is also poisonous but not lethal. Villagers try to eat it when they starve but usually, they get bedridden for the next 3 to 4 days when they can't do anything.

The reason why he collects them too is because he is aware that he is not normal. He simply could take risks others couldn't and so he did. When he found out about this herb and knew it was not lethal he tried to eat it. And he just felt bad for a few minutes. Nothing more. That means that it is another source of food in an emergency. At least for him.

........

In the evening.

He passed the entire village to the northern part while collecting all three types of herbs and was humming during this time. The other villagers already stopped working as the lack of light started to impede their work. As Little Stone saw this he looked at the sky and realized that it started to get dark.

As he saw that the sun slowly went down he chose to go back. His steps were loud as he quickly strode through the village which seemed unnaturally silent...

The path was long as he was literally at a different edge of a village than his house so by the time he was halfway home it was already completely dark. Or not.

The full moon shined at the village with its bright crimson color. When Little Stone looked at it he was mesmerized for a moment. But... At the same time, he felt somewhat ominous. His heart throbbed painfully and he felt something was wrong.

*Owooooooooooooo*

He heard the noise. It sounded like a wolf's howl but... It was much louder. So much so that the boy felt the vibrations even though they sounded from far away. One thing the boy was sure about was that normal wolves didn't sound like that. The fear of the unknown gripped his heart and he started to run to his house. Even though it could be just howls from the distance by some wild animals he didn't care.

He just wanted to go home to see his brothers.