Redsand Canyon If you must pay money, better to a doctor than an undertaker.

Ruenna did her best to listen intently to Aquene's lecture, but she still felt the need to keep half an eye on the unnamed auxilia, as he no doubt felt compelled to keep an eye on them. 

The pair walked, and very quickly-- thank the stars, Ruenna's back was already aching from the morning's excursion-- Aquene identified a patch of yarrow growing in a crevice. "Oh, Aquene-- well done!" Ruenna breathed, deeply impressed. It was almost unbelievable that anything useful could spring to life in such a harsh, cragged place. 

The stems that Aquene plucked were simple and nondescript, but with closer study Ruenna could see the distinctive little hairs that Aquene had mentioned. "You have a keen eye, Aquene," she praised, returning her gaze to Aquene's features. 

"I may be asking too much--" Ruenna ventured, "But as I've been listening to you, I've realized that you possess more important knowledge than I could ever hope to absorb through conversation. ..I wondered if you could be convinced to remain in Mereo for a time, as our medic." Aquene had already shown herself as observant, adaptive, and open to new opportunities. Ruenna thought it was likely she might accept, if not for the long term then at least for the present.