Northstar Vale Therapévo

“It can help with coughs, primarily—but could also assist with digestion problems, among other things.” She paused, nodding to the leaves and bark. “This is the part you want—not the berries.” She cast a look to him, a brow arched in a serious manner. “The berries can cause vomiting. Larger doses and who knows what they might do…”

Perhaps a more sinister turn on this lesson.

“Meadow,” she responded in kind, the whisper of a smile on her lips as he introduced himself—of course she knew who he was. Had sat with him as a pup for moments at a time to relieve Tamar when she could, but he was likely far too young at the time to remember.

She then began to show him how to pluck at the leaves as gently as possible, turfing the berries back into the brush without a second thought. Generally, working in silence was part of the trade, but she was pleased she had a companion in the moment: “Have you been thinking of what you’d like to do as you grow older? It’s kind of fun to explore a bit of everything… See what you really might like or be interested in.”