Westin found her rocking on the floor after the funeral, she was not able to get up off the floor. She would not eat or take in water. She was so immobilized that she could not even cut her hair in mourning. Westin was a lifelong bachelor, choosing the herbs and council life over any meaningful relationship, but he was kind and many of the women believed him to be good husband material. So, Westin took care of Sokonan. He cut and washed her hair so she would be in proper mourning. He washed her body when it was clear that she was not capable of doing it herself, Westin kept everything proper and made no secret that he was caring for Sokonan. So, when it happened it was such a surprise that he almost stopped it, almost. It had been five days since her husband’s funeral, Sokonan was ripe with dirt and odor. Westin drew a private bath for her in her home, warming the water to a gentle temperature. He undressed her and carried her to the bath. She seemed so small in his arms, this fierce

“Good morning.” She said to the two shoppers, they just nodded as if everything was completely normal.“Get over here!” Her mother said.Kaya’s hair was in tangles, and she still had the wideness in her eyes. “Hey,” she said to her mother trying to smooth out her hair, “what can I help with?”That earned her a wry smile from her mother.“Get over here and help me load the kiln.” Everything looked odd shaped as Kaya walked over to her mother.“What the heck is that?”“What?”“That, what is that? That odd one there.” She pointed.“I have no idea; it was one of your father’s creations. Just help me get it in here, please.”“Alrighty mom’o.” They both broke out in a sweat moving some of the pieces into the kiln. Once they finished the loading, Kaya went to get the flint to start the fire. She loved banging the flint’s together to get the sparks, she thought it was like magic. Tiny fireballs flew away from her and towards the tinder her mom had placed under some small dry kindling. Kaya

A few minutes later Briaunna found Claudia sitting outside of Davyn’s apothecary. Something was not right. Briaunna could never recall a time when Davyn’s hearth was cold, even when he went herb gathering a fire was left burning for when he returned. This time though, as Briaunna got closer she could not see any smoke coming from the dwelling. It felt cold, unoccupied, and old somehow. Briaunna felt a pang of intuition, she felt almost scared. “Did you go inside yet? She asked Claudia.“No, and I don’t want to.” She said with finality.“Fine,” Brie said, “I’ll go in by myself.” She still had a few meters to go before she reached the door, but her intuition was telling her that something was wrong, and she was too late to help.Andy had to leave the boulders first that morning, he was to work in the fields with the other men today, and he will go hunting tomorrow. He will be gone hunting for at least three to four days, so Indra told him he was to meet her at the boulders for a good

“It looks like he was working with his herbs. Some of them are fresh. He also has a large amount of yohimbine bark.”Harden’s heart sunk into his belly when the healer mentioned the yohimbine bark.“It looks like he was working with the bark before he died, probably last night.”Harden’s heart could not sink any lower, but his head did.The healer continued, “I think he got too much on his skin and did not realize it. I believe it was an accident.”“Thank you Givvens.” Was Harden’s only reply, his head remained low, and he stared at the ground.“Did you hear what happened?” Marx loved to gossip as much as she loved the carvings on the boulders.“Yes, old Westin died.” KT liked the old man, he was always nice to her and her family.“He got too much yohimbine bark on his skin or something,” Marx rubbed her chin in thought, “what was he doing with all that bark anyways? My dad says that bark has to be handled with care.”“He was a kind old man.” Kaya seemed to go back in time to some pla

When the sun was fully up in the sky, Indra got out of bed. She went in to help Briaunna get up and they both went to the hearth to prepare the meals for the day. Harden had left without eating this morning, his girls would have a small breakfast while they worked near the hearth. Indra was not in a bad mood, but something was bothering her, Briaunna could tell but said nothing to her mother. Instead, Brie hummed and sang softly as she worked. Indra did not hum or sing.“I’ll be gone for the rest of the morning Brie; will you be ok by yourself?”“Yes momma, I’ll be fine. I have some bead work to finish, and I’ll tend the hearth till you get back.”“You are a fine daughter.” Indra kissed Brie’s forehead and they continued to work around the fire.When Indra left for the morning, she had no idea of what would happen, much like any day where she had no plans, it was going to be a surprise. The day was progressing at the normal rate. People were working, children played, animals needed te