Page 86 of The Herbwitch's Apprentice

21

Afew days after theDisastrous Swan Incident, my crystal called me yet again to Witch Village for another lesson with Lana. I was eager to show her the progress I had made in the past few weeks, but more urgently, I was burning to ask her about manbane.

When I arrived at Lana’s cottage, though, she was standing outside with a basket on her arm. “We’re visiting a patient today,” Lana said before I could greet her.

“A patient?” I asked, trying not to sound too disappointed. “Are you the village physician?”

“Hardly,” Lana said with a humorless smile. “But I help when I can. She is an old friend.”

There was silence after that and I didn’t try to fill it up with questions or conversation despite the urgency I felt. She seemed more solemn than usual, which couldn’t mean anything good.

After weaving through stone buildings and passing a cramped courtyard, we arrived before a tiny wooden shack with a yellow door. Lana knocked once. A faint voice came from within and we entered.

The interior was much bigger than the exterior suggested, a patterned rug carpeting the floor. A witch about Lana’s age lay along a worn couch. She had dark skin peppered with gold and silver hair tucked in a cotton bonnet. Her legs, which were covered in a thick quilt, shifted when we approached.

“Ah, Lana,” she said.

“Beatrice.” Lana set her basket on a side table and took a seat next to the woman. “Any changes?”

“Your health potion worked wonders,” Beatrice said. Her smile seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place where I had seen it. “I’m more energized than usual.”

Lana nodded. “You’ve been taking it regularly?”

“I have. Elowyn is adamant I keep it up. I’m afraid I would’ve forgotten if it weren’t for her.” Beatrice’s gaze shifted to me. “Hello. Who are you?”

I dipped my head. “Amarante Flora, madam. I’m Lana’s apprentice.”

“I never thought we’d meet,” she said. “You’re familiar with my daughters, I reckon?”

Her silver irises matched another’s perfectly. “Elowyn and...?” I trailed off.

“Rowena.”

“Oh!” I widened my eyes. So that’s why Elowyn seemed familiar. I curtsied. “Lovely to meet you. Rowena is like family to me.”

Beatrice nodded, looking wistful. “I haven’t seen her in sixteen years.”

“I brought you a new treatment,” Lana said abruptly, moving to a stool. “Amarante, the nixgrass.”

Why hadn’t Rowena seen her mother since I was born? Did she leave her family to take care of mine? My heart twinged at the thought, but I obeyed Lana and pulled out the herb bundle, a match, and a candle.

“How have you been feeling lately?” Lana asked.

“A little short of breath,” Beatrice said, tucking her hands into her quilt.

I lit the nixgrass and set it on the table. Yellow smoke spiraled upward, perfuming the air with its calming scent.

Lana motioned for her basket. I gave it to her. “Ideally I’d prescribe fresh air, but the nixgrass will have to do,” she said.

Beatrice exhaled. “I do miss summer mornings,” she said ruefully.