Porcupine Ridge and I told you to be patient

for @Greyback (horribly sorry for the wait on this :( ) edit: backdated about 2 weeks 

With the passage of grains through the hourglass, the tapeesa gained some courage. It was not a substantial amount, and it was likely accredited to the lessons with Yuudai, but enough that she found the nerve to venture from the Vale's walls again. 

The sun warmed her ivory coat, burning against the pink flesh underneath the thin wisps, as she picked her way diligently amongst the treacherous terrain of the mountain's northern ridge. It was not unwelcome, this warmth, rather, she relished it - hoping the heat just might burn its way beneath her flesh to chase the ice from her veins. 

A foolish notion, she would later realize, when her romantic's heart had fallen dormant in the cage of her chest once more. 

Amidst the cool shade of a bountiful glen, the sunburnt midwife searched for herbs - finding and gathering a pile of black haw to add to her medicine stocks.