Grouse Thicket Where the wild things are.

He did not seem committed to the cause, but that was fine. Not everyone needed to pledge themselves in the same manner that Stryx had, and she was not about to force him in to the order without proper tutelage or fair warning. At most she could give him some basic understanding that he could then cultivate at another time.

I would like to learn, he expresses. Stryx takes a breath, contemplates what exactly to tell him, and then nods firmly, as if having come to a conclusion.

I will give you the first lesson.

There are four aspects to every person that must always remain in balance. I was taught that these were: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. Each aspect grows in strength with the body, and each has specific qualities. When someone is in good health they are properly balanced, but should any one change, destabilize, then the body becomes sick.

Blood is produced in the liver. People with strength in their blood are enthusiastic, social, and energized. Yellow bile is similar; it is where one's natural aggression flows, and when someone experiences anger or heightened aggression then it damages the liver. A pause for breath, and to watch for signs of understanding. It is not long, and she goes in to the rest promptly.

Black bile is produced by the body as well, mostly in excess during times of struggle or sadness. Individuals who are deeply depressed have too much of this in their system. It is produced in the spleen.

The last aspect, the phlegm, is the root of many illnesses. None can say where it is produced or why, but its presence is the root cause of much sickness. It is purged with clean water and proper diet.

All of these things were difficult to explain for Stryx, who had barely paid attention during her lessons on the subject; it was all too esoteric for her, and she prefered getting down and dirty. However, seeing as her new apprentice did not seem like the type to handle real blood or anything, starting in the theory stages made the most sense.

It is a lot of information, and... Perhaps it does not mesh well with what you already know, if you know anything of medicine. It is what I was taught.