Healing The Beastworld

Ch 24: a parting gift

Kaden had awoken early that morning to finish the last bit of gathering they would need for the journey leaving Rontu to care for karee. When she awoke she looked at the stone pots full of dried plants and the herbs on the wall, today would be the last day she would see this hut and it's contents. As she looked around a thought hit her, none of the villagers knew how to use any of the plants to heal. "Rontu do you know what reading is?" She asked. He walked over to her as she focused on the wall as he spoke, "I am familiar with it but I don't have much experience with it, why do you ask?"
Her gaze turned to him I want to compile notes on the uses of the plants of the area for the village to have after we leave. Without me no one knows how to use anything to heal or cure any illnesses."
Rontus eyes widened, he hadn't even considered the village and Karee's thoughts of what would happen when they left warmed his hart. "I know the chief can read well along with some of the other males in the village, if you'd like I can harvest some flat stones for you to write the information on to give to the chief." She smiled brightly as she jumped into his arms hugging him tightly. "Thank you so much."
Rontu soon left to harvest flat stones to make pages to hold the information while Karee too some coal out the fire pit and started labeling the stone pots around the room so anyone who entered could find what they were looking for. After about an hour rontu returned with a short stack of flat almost perfectly rectangular stones for Karee to write on. Over the course of around 5 hours she wrote with coal on the stone tablets, covering them front and back with information. As she finished each 'page' she handed them to Rontu and he would carve the words into the stone. After all the pages were completed Rontu put a small hole in the left 2 corners of each page apon Karee's request. Once he finished that she took small vines and put them through the holes tieing 2 small rings binding the pages together.
With it being complete a large smile spread across her face, "We finished it." She was so excited to give it to the chief, with this there would be a silent teacher for those who would remain. Every page held a treasure trove of information: the bark of the willow tree to soothe fevered brows, the crushed leaves of the goldenrod to heal wounds, the fragrant root of valerian to calm troubled minds. She had meticulously recorded the medical properties of every plant that grew in the area, from the humble dandelion to the rare moonflower.
The book was her parting gift, a tangible expression of her love and care for the community that had been her home since coming to this world.
"Lets go give it to the chief, I'm sure he will love it." She said holding their creation to her chest as she stood. "Go without me love, I'm going to start preparing dinner so we can all get some rest early since tomorrow we have to wake up early to leave. With Misty not around no one will harm you." He said as he gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Don't you want to tell him goodbye at least, you have been his go to man for years and you helped make the book." She said looking up at him confusion on her face. "Don't worry love I will tell him goodbye tomorrow before we leave, and all I did was carve in what you wrote, all the hard work was done by you and it was your idea so go give him your gift." She nodded her head and turned and left.
She walked to the Chief's hut, her steps slow and deliberate, the book clutched tight againsther chest.
She nocked on the doorway requesting permission to enter, apon hearing his voice granting her access she steped in. With a tremor in her voice, Karee presented the book to the Chief. "This is for you and the village Sir, It holds the knowledge of the plants that grow in the forest around the village. It will help you when I am gone."
The Chief took the book, his strong hands tracing its stone cover. He looked into Karee's eyes, his gaze filled with gratitude and a hint of sadness. "This is a gift beyond measure, Karee," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You have written the wisdom of the earth into these stones. You have given us a lifeline, a beacon of hope. You have been a blessing to our village, Karee. Your wisdom is a gift to us all. Tell me, will you ever return?"
Karee shook her head. "I don't think so sir. But the knowledge I have written will remain, it will help you heal your people, even in my absence or untila new witch doctor can be found."
The chief nodded, understanding in his eyes. He knew that Karee's journey was meant to be, just as the sun rises and sets, each day a new chapter in the story of their lives. He tucked the book safely away, a promise to use its wisdom to honor the legacy of the healer who had touched their lives with her kindness and care even if it was only for a short time. "Thank you Karee, if you ever decide you would like to come back you and your family will always be welcome here in Ninebark." With a polite bow Karee left his home and headed back to the hut she would call home for the last night.
As she entered she spotted Kaden and Rontu finishing cooking a large rabbit for them to share and fresh tomatoes. Apon seeing her enter both males had smiles appear on their faces. Kaden waved her over as he began to speak, "I heard what you did today love, you did a good deed and I am proud of you. Now come and eat we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."