"-rus. Cyrus. Wake up, it's time to go."
Cyrus groaned as Berrodin pushed a steaming bowl into his hands. His back cracked as he sat up, and blinked his eyes. Sunlight streamed through the cave entrance, sparkling off the puddles of water.
"What's this? Porridge?" Cyrus asked, glancing at the oats. He rubbed the back of his head. "I feel like it could use a bit of cinnamon."
"I agree. Perhaps I'll buy some when I'm restocking my herbs." Berrodin climbed to his feet, and hobbled to the entrance. The sunlight caught on the bandages wrapped around his leg as he poked his head out. The once white cloth was now stained a dark red, and surrounded by pale grey skin.
"How does your leg feel?" Cyrus asked, poking at his porridge.
"Better than it looks," Berrodin said, patting his leg. "A bit sore, perhaps, but it could be worse. I can still move it at least."
"That's a relief. I was worried I'd have to carry you into Galeden," Cyrus said. He finished his breakfast, then stored the bowl and his mat. As he stepped outside, he paused and glanced around. Small clusters of purple flowers encircled the clearing, growing around the pines. "Hey, what type of plants are those?"
Berrodin scratched the grey stubble growing along his chin. "Hmm, if I'm not mistaken…."
The old man winced as he knelt next to one of the flowers, and prodded it with a twig. After a moment, he pulled it from the ground, and shook the dirt off the roots. A wide grin spread across his face as he handed it to Cyrus.
Cyrus wrinkled his nose as he took the plant. The smell was much stronger than the dried herbs hanging around the cave, but it was undoubtedly the same.
"Selavain?"
"That's right. Although I would have never guessed that they bloomed this late into the year," Berrodin said, his eyes flicking around the grove. "I've been trying to plant them here all year, but they never took root. I wonder what changed. With so many growing, I doubt any wild animals would think of getting close."
"That's good to hear," Cyrus said, tossing the plant into the woods. His fingers tingled as he brushed them off. "Shall we get ready to head out then?"
"Yes, I'd like to be at Galeden by the end of the day, if possible. Why don't you gather a few sticks to replace the ones we used, while I finish packing."
As Berrodin made his way back into the cave, Cyrus walked through the grove, collecting the branches that had been knocked free by the storm. As he neared the edge, he noticed a trail of hoofprints sunken into the mud.
Cyrus shivered, and hurried back to the cave with his armful of sticks. "I think there was-"
Berrodin laid on the ground, gritting his teeth as he grabbed his leg. Cyrus threw the branches down, and ran over, helping the old man sit up.
"Hey, are you alright? What happened?"
Berrodin waved him away, and took a few deep breaths. "I'm fine. Fine. My leg just gave out on me, is all. I think I tripped over a stone or something."
"Are you certain?" Cyrus asked. He glanced at the blackening bandages. "Perhaps we should take a look at your wound. It might be infected."
Berrodin shook his head. "Even if it is, there's nothing we can do out here. I don't have any medicine to help it."
"Then we should hurry to Galeden," Cyrus said. He hurried around the cave, throwing their belongings together. Slinging his pack over his shoulder, he knelt in front of Berrodin. "Can you stand?"
"I'll need a hand getting to the cart," Berrodin said, nodding towards the wagon.
Cyrus slipped his arm under Berrodins, and lifted him up. After checking the cave one last time, they shuffled through the hanging roots. With a grunt, Cyrus helped Berrodin into the wagon, before ducking under the elm branches, and untethering Starvhost.
"Are you going to be able to steer?" Cyrus asked, hooking the donkey to the wagon.
Berrodin stretched his arms as Cyrus double-checked the straps. "I believe so. Nothing wrong with my arms."
"Let's go then," Cyrus said. The wagon creaked as he hopped into the back. He eyed the lumpy tarp, goosebumps running up his arms as he imagined the beast beneath. With a snap, the cart lurched forward, before slipping through the trees. As they left the clearing behind, he thought he could just hear the faintest whisper, calling to him.
"We should reach Galeden by noon," Berrodin said, drowning out the noise. "When we do, you should head to the Redfloor Tavern. It serves as an inn as well, so you'll be able to sleep there for the night."
"What are you going to do?" Cyrus asked, settling back on his pack.
"First, I'll need to request a meeting with Lord Galbren, so I can be rid of this damn beast," Berrodin said, rolling up his sleeves. Sweat beaded along his brow, despite the crisp morning air. "Then, I'm going to visit the alchemist, and see if he can help me. If not, I'll head to the marketplace, and try to find the herbs I need."
"An alchemist?" Cyrus asked.
"Yes, you know, someone in the medicinal field that deals with the magical aspects of herbs and animals," Berrodin said. He frowned. "Although they don't use magic themselves, I still don't trust them much. I'd rather rely on my herbs and medicines than their potions and poisons."
"Have you ever considered looking into their methods?" Cyrus asked.
Berrodin scowled. "No. You'll never find me practicing alchemy. It's far too dangerous for those involved."
Cyrus's ear twitched. "Do you think one of their potions might help me regain my memories?"
Berrodin pursed his lips. "I suppose it's possible, but I'll give you a warning. Every alchemist should be approached with the utmost caution. If you blindly trust one, they may just give you a vial of sweet water and call it the elixir of life. You never know for certain."
"I'll keep that in mind," Cyrus said. He fell silent for a bit, lost in his thoughts as the towering pines passed by.
As it grew closer to noon, they came across a fork in the road, splitting to the west and the north. An old redwood sign stood in the middle, cloaked in ivy. Cyrus hopped down, and used a stick to move it away, squinting his eyes to make out the words.
'Galeden or Faldersel?'
Cyrus glanced at Berrodin. "Faldersel… That's the kingdom further north, along the eastern coast, isn't it? You mentioned it last night."