I had set off early, the sun was just yawning over the hills as I headed northwards of Bree. I had decided to brew more of the tincture I gave to Errak's daughter as I had visits from three more Bree residents presenting with similar maladies. I was especially targeting milk thistle as all of my recent encounters appeared liverish. I found a thicket half way up a steep embankment, I knew there would be some growing on the perimeter as I'd harvested from there before. I was deep in thought about this mystery illness, disease... enchantment? I know I'm not aged, a sage or any authority as I am still young but I've never seen or heard of such things, I felt an imposing sense of evil ascending from each and every one of those seeking healing from me. They all had a wound, some just a scratch, some a deep fissure, none of them could tell me how they got the wound in any detail.
My basket now brimming with milk thistle I turned to begin my journey home. As I turned I could see Kalana, my horse pacing on the spot, he began whickering, ears folded back. He appeared to be watching something in the bushes. I ran to him but he wasn't comforted by my presence. I set my basket down and tried to back him away from whatever it was, probably a snake I thought. He pulled hard away trying to rear in terror. I then felt a sudden chill, they say the hairs on the back of your neck rise in fear, I learned that feeling at that moment. I knew there was something there and I needed to leave immediately to get us to safety. I mounted Kalana having snatched my basket mid mount and headed him off in the opposite direction at full gallop. He didn't resist, he fled and I could feel his fear, he thought he was running for his life. After what seemed an age I could feel him calming, the sense of foreboding waning from us both.
We walked the remaining miles to home, both of us exhausted by whatever we encountered. It was during that time the notion crossed my mind, Errak's daughter didn't have a wound, he did. Yet I got the same feeling of wicked immorality from them both when I lay on hands. I decided I needed to see him again, ask further exploratory questions. I will also pay a call to my uncle, a great healer of huge renown far and wide, he's in Combe and holds free healing sessions for the destitute in the Comb and Wattle Inn every week, I'll catch up with him then tomorrow when he's next due to be there.
