A light autumn breeze rustled the curtain of the small house where Soyeon and Ellie lived. Morning sunlight filtered through the fabric, illuminating the table where neatly arranged leaves of Leonuria lay—a plant Soyeon remembered from her previous life. In Korea, motherwort was often used for calming teas, and this knowledge had become a lifeline in her new world.
Ellie, a six-year-old girl with slightly tousled hair, perched on a stool, her head tilted as she studied the herbs with great curiosity.
"Soyeon, are they ready now?" Ellie asked seriously, her head tilting further. "They used to be so bright, but now they look kind of dull."
"Yes, Ellie," Soyeon said, gently brushing her hand over the girl's hair. "We let the moisture dry out, so the leaves are better preserved now. We can turn them into a tea or powder, and maybe even real medicine."
Ellie's eyes sparkled with excitement. For her, every lesson from Soyeon about "distant lands" felt like uncovering the secrets of a far-off, magical world.
In the kitchen, water was already boiling in a small clay pot. Nearby sat a mortar and pestle, an item Ellie had proudly carried home from a local merchant. On a shelf above, jars of gathered herbs waited for their turn to become something useful.
"Ellie, can you help crush some of these leaves?" Soyeon asked, tying on a simple apron. "Just take your time and try not to spill too much. You can save any extra crumbs here," she added, pointing to a cloth spread over the table.
Ellie nodded solemnly and began her task with care. She plucked the dried leaves from the stalks of Leonuria and placed them in the mortar, where they gave a soft rustle, filling the room with a faintly bitter, herbal aroma.
"Do these leaves really help with heart troubles and anxiety?" Ellie asked with wide-eyed wonder. To her, every leaf was a tiny step toward making the world a better place. She understood that even small actions could help them overcome the challenges they faced.
"They do. Back in my... home," Soyeon paused briefly, "we used them often to calm nerves and ease tension, especially for those who worried too much or had stress-related illnesses. The important thing is to use the right amount and remember that not all herbs can be mixed."
Outside, autumn leaves rustled against the window as a cool breeze drifted in. Soyeon glanced at the sky; the weak, golden sun behind scattered clouds made the world feel particularly cozy.
"Autumn came so quickly," she murmured to no one in particular. "It feels like we were just running in the summer rain, and now the leaves are turning yellow and falling."
Ellie, still focused on grinding the herbs, looked up.
"Can we gather healing plants in the winter too?"
"Most herbs don't grow in winter," Soyeon replied with a smile. "But some roots can be dug up before the first frost. We'll have time to collect what we need before the ground freezes over completely."
"That's great!" Ellie exclaimed. "I love looking for new plants. It's like an adventure!"
"Exactly," Soyeon said. "And if we learn how to make proper remedies, we can sell them at the market or trade them for things we need. That'll help us get by."
Ellie didn't fully grasp the complexities of trade and commerce, but she understood one thing: if these mixtures and potions could help people, then their efforts were worth it.
Once the leaves were ground into a fine powder, Soyeon carefully poured the mixture into the clay pot. The water on the stove had begun to boil, filling the room with the faint scent of smoke and damp wood—a reminder of the recent rain.
"First, we brew the tea," Soyeon explained, adding some of the boiling water to the pot, "then we strain it through cloth once it cools. The liquid can be used as a base for a potion or drunk as tea if we add a little honey."
"Can I try it without honey?" Ellie asked, her eyes shining with curiosity, as if this were her most important experiment yet.
"It'll be bitter," Soyeon warned with a smile. "But if you want, I'll give you a sip. Just don't make a face all day afterward."
"I can handle it!" Ellie declared confidently, her smile as bright as the morning sun.
While the tea steeped under its lid, Soyeon shifted to another task—preparing some of the dried stems to be ground into powder and mixed with rice flour for small pills that could be stored long-term. She'd read about this method in a Korean manual on traditional medicine.
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***The Sound of Village Life
Outside, the muffled voices of two village boys could be heard as they ran past the small house. Their playful shouts echoed through the thin walls: "Get out of the way!" "No, it's my turn now!" Ellie peeked out the window, rising on her tiptoes but decided it was better to leave them alone.
"Do you think we can sell some of this powder today?" the girl asked, turning her curious gaze back to Soyeon.
"Maybe. But first, let's make sure it's really good enough. I need to check the balance of the herbs and flour. Too much herb, and the powder will fall apart and taste too bitter. Too little, and it won't be effective," Soyeon replied, carefully measuring out portions.
Every spoonful of powder and every precise movement reflected more than just routine for Soyeon—it was her hope. She believed these little pills symbolized their fight for survival. As long as they could create something useful, they were strong.
Meanwhile, Ellie was flipping through the pages of an old book Soyeon had once retrieved from an elderly healer's library. It contained pictures of herbs and short descriptions—just enough for Ellie to grasp the idea that not all plants were safe to use.
"Hey, there's a plant here that looks a lot like ours!" Ellie exclaimed, pointing to a faded illustration.
Soyeon stepped closer, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Let me see… Hmm, you're right, it does look similar. But its leaves are a bit different, see? These have serrated edges, and ours are softer. It's probably a different type of motherwort or something from the mint family."
"You talk like a wizard reading from a big spellbook," Ellie giggled.
"Well, I'm not exactly from around here," Soyeon replied with a playful shrug. "I have to figure out familiar names and compare them with what I know from my world."
Ellie snickered before turning her attention to the steaming herbal brew on the table. Its aroma filled the room—a grassy scent with a slight tang.
"Can we try it?" the girl asked eagerly.
"Sure. Just take small sips and be careful—it's still quite hot," Soyeon cautioned as she carefully poured some into a clay cup.
The first taste of motherwort tea was always bitter. Ellie took a tiny sip and immediately scrunched her face.
"Ew! It's like eating bitter grass straight from a field!"
"That's exactly what it is," Soyeon laughed. "But wait a few seconds. You'll notice a slight sweetness on your tongue afterward. Do you feel it?"
Ellie blinked, licking her lips.
"Uh… kinda. But it's still gross."
"Don't worry. It'll taste much better with honey. And for someone with anxiety or chest pain, this brew can work wonders—just as long as they don't overdo it. Well, I think this counts as a successful experiment," Soyeon said, setting the cup aside.
Leaving the brew to cool, they moved on to the next task. Now that the powdered herbs were mixed with a bit of flour and a drop of water, they could roll the mixture into tiny pellets. Ellie enthusiastically joined in—she loved the process of "playing with dough," and it felt like a fun crafting session.
"We're making real magic, aren't we?" Ellie asked, placing one pellet into Soyeon's palm. To her, each little ball wasn't just medicine but a token of their shared dreams. In those pills lay a small but significant victory.
"Yep, just without the complicated spells," Soyeon replied. "Just the right proportions and some effort."
"This is so cool!" Ellie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "When I grow up, I'll make even more of these to help people!"
Soyeon bit her lip, suppressing a smile. Watching the child, she felt a warm wave of pride. "If life gives us the chance and everything doesn't fall apart, Ellie can learn so much," she thought. Deep down, though, she reminded herself of the dangers still lurking beyond their small, quiet home. Even this peaceful moment felt fragile, like thin ice ready to crack at any second.
"I think you'll enjoy learning other things too," Soyeon said, shaking off her heavy thoughts. "If you master herbs and learn to write a bit better, you could even record your own recipes."
"That's amazing!" Ellie, who still struggled with reading and writing, was already imagining herself penning lines of text. "Can I have a page in one of the books? There's lots of blank space!"
"Deal," Soyeon nodded. "Just be careful and don't spill ink everywhere."
When the pellets were ready and laid out to dry, Soyeon glanced out the window. The sun had risen higher, signaling it was time to prepare breakfast. She had some bread and dried fish stashed away—just enough for a morning meal.
"Ellie, are you hungry?" she asked.
"Oh, yes!" The girl suddenly remembered she hadn't eaten anything except a small piece of bread earlier. "Can I help set the table?"
"Of course. If we stoke the fire again, we can warm up the fish. Then we can visit that old man who mentioned chest pains. Maybe our brew will help him. But…" Soyeon hesitated briefly. What if rumors about their herbal remedies attracted unwanted attention? She considered being more cautious with their trade to avoid trouble.
Ellie nodded eagerly.
"Okay! I hope it makes him feel better."
For Soyeon, these simple conversations and activities with Ellie were more than just daily routines. They represented their fight to find a place in this world. Every herbal brew, every pellet they made symbolized hope and proof that even in hard times, they could create something good. And while she still missed the comforts of her old life, the gratitude of neighbors and Ellie's joy were her best motivation.
Within an hour, the little house was filled with the aroma of fried fish and fresh bread. Soyeon set simple dishes on the table while Ellie brought over cups of water. In the autumn sunlight, everything looked like a peaceful painting of quiet family life.
"Shall we say a prayer before eating?" Soyeon suggested, recalling how people in this world often expressed gratitude before meals.
Ellie clasped her hands and bowed her head.
"Thank you for the food, the warm home, and all the knowledge we're gaining. May this world become just a little kinder…"
They exchanged warm smiles and began their meal. Outside, leaves swayed gently in the wind, and pale clouds drifted across the sky. No one knew what tomorrow would bring, but for now, on this autumn morning, life felt stable and calm.
Soyeon and Ellie continued learning to survive and care for each other in this strange world. The motherwort brew, powdered herbs, and pellets were just small parts of their journey. But these simple steps gave them confidence in the future. As long as they had the will to help others and a warm hearth to return to, no storm could break them completely.
***Forest Walk
The autumn sky, veiled with thin clouds, hung over the forest clearing. The air was fresh, and with every step, dry leaves rustled underfoot. Soyeon and Ellie walked along a familiar path they had visited before, though they rarely ventured deep into the woods. This time, they planned to search for medicinal herbs their neighbors had mentioned. After a hearty breakfast at home, both were in high spirits.
"Just watch your step," Soyeon warned when she noticed Ellie was too captivated by the crimson leaves above. "There might be roots or branches hidden under the leaves."
"Okay," Ellie smiled, though she kept glancing up now and then, watching the wind ruffle the treetops.
As they walked, they discussed where they might find useful herbs. The neighbors had spoken of a clearing deep in the forest, where bushes bearing medicinal berries grew.
"How many berries do we need?" Ellie asked, tilting her head.
"Not many," Soyeon replied. "The main thing is to find the right ones for the brew and not confuse them with poisonous lookalikes. We'll need to be very careful. I hope the knowledge I got from that old healer's book will be enough."
"I'll keep my eyes peeled," Ellie assured her.
They moved slowly, occasionally bending down to inspect bushes or peeking around trees for glimpses of red berries. The autumn forest breathed peace and a touch of melancholy, but Soyeon couldn't shake the feeling that the silence around them was too heavy. It wasn't the usual quiet of the season—it felt more ominous. Typically, on such days, one could hear insects chirping or birds calling, but now the forest seemed to hold its breath, as if bracing for a storm.
"Could it be that all the animals have already left or are hiding? Or has something else silenced them?" Soyeon wondered, a growing unease settling in her chest.
Before long, a dark figure appeared through a gap in the trees—a tall man in a worn cloak, with a bow slung over his shoulder and a quiver of arrows at his back. He leaned casually against a tree, his posture that of someone accustomed to surviving in the wild. When he saw Soyeon and Ellie, he raised a hand in greeting, though his eyes quickly scanned them, as if assessing potential danger or opportunity.
"Good day. Don't be afraid, I'm not an enemy," he called out, noticing Ellie press closer to Soyeon. His voice was low but gentle, like someone used to speaking with care. "I'm a hunter. I used to roam a lot, but now… I've settled here. Though I'll tell you, the wildlife around these parts has changed. Something strange is going on."
Despite his seemingly friendly tone, Soyeon remained cautious.
"Hello," Soyeon replied politely but warily. "We're looking for medicinal plants. We heard they grow somewhere in this part of the forest. Do you know anything about them?"
"Ah, I see. You must be talking about those berry bushes near the stream," the man nodded. "Name's Gromer. I can show you the way if you'd like. But I'll warn you—there are rumors that the animals in this forest have been acting strange. Wolves and deer are either overly skittish or unusually aggressive. You'd best be on your guard."
Ellie tensed at the mention of wolves, though her curiosity outweighed her fear. "Why are they so bold? Could it be magic?" she wondered. It seemed odd that animals, which typically avoided humans, were now venturing so close to the trails.
"What do you mean by 'acting strange'?" Ellie asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "Do they come out during the day? Do they attack people? Why are they acting like this?"
"I can't say for sure, but I've seen wolves near the trails during the day, which isn't normal. They haven't approached yet, but their presence alone is enough to keep me alert," Gromer adjusted his bow, glancing at the trees. "Other animals seem restless too, like they're being driven or… disturbed by something."
Soyeon frowned, her gaze sweeping across the trees as unease grew within her.
"Thank you for the warning," she said, her tone tense. "The forest does feel… different. We weren't planning to go far, but it seems we'll need to be more cautious."
The man nodded, studying Soyeon and Ellie thoughtfully.
"I can guide you to the clearing. And if you've got something like a remedy for sleep or pain, I wouldn't mind trading. Sometimes a hunter gets a splitting headache after long nights in the woods."
Soyeon smiled slightly—she had a few motherwort pills in her bag from that morning.
"Well, thank you for the offer," Soyeon replied, still cautious. "If you lead us to the berries and help us find them, I'll share some medicine with you. I have a calming brew—it might come in handy for a hunter."
"Deal," Gromer grinned. "I need to check the area anyway. The animals are scattering, and I need to figure out the best spots for traps."
Ellie watched the hunter closely, her thoughts racing around his words. "Why does he know so much about the animals? Maybe he's seen something that scared even him?" She had a feeling this man understood the forest far better than anyone she knew in the village.
"And what's your name?" Gromer asked, tilting his head slightly. His tone softened as if he wanted to put the girl at ease.
"I'm Ellie, and this is Soyeon," the girl introduced herself and her mentor. "We live in a cottage on the edge of the forest. We gather herbs and make medicines."
"Got it," Gromer nodded. "Well then, let's not waste any time. Follow me."
Quietly, they made their way further into the forest. Gromer would occasionally stop, crouch to examine tracks, or inspect broken branches. Soyeon observed his movements, noting how he placed his feet and checked the wind's direction.
"Have you been hunting here long?" she asked softly.
"A long time. I used to roam other lands before settling here," the hunter replied with a grimace, as if recalling something unpleasant. "But the animals were calmer back then. Now the forest seems alive with its own will, and though the wars to the north haven't reached us, their shadow is already here. There's no peace in these woods anymore."
Ellie furrowed her brow at the mention of war. "Wars, strange animals… Are they connected?" she wondered, looking at the trees as if hoping the forest would reveal its secrets. She knew not everything in this world was safe, but questions swirled in her mind. "Why is everything becoming so dangerous? Will it last? Can Soyeon and I protect ourselves?"
"There, see that direction? That's where the stream is," Gromer pointed. "By the stream, they say, there are thorny bushes with red berries. I think that's what you're looking for."
After crossing a shallow ravine, they finally heard the babbling of water. The stream was indeed surrounded by dense, thorny bushes. Bright red berries peeked out from between the leaves.
"Looks like we found them!" Ellie exclaimed, looking at Soyeon. "Do you think these are the right ones?"
Soyeon studied them carefully—the shape and color matched the description from the old book. She nodded.
"I think so. But let's check a few branches first to make sure they're not poisonous."
"I'll scout the area," Gromer offered. "Those bushes are thorny, so be careful. If you need me, whistle—I'll be nearby."
He walked along the stream, examining tracks, while Soyeon and Ellie began gathering the berries. In her pocket, Soyeon had a small wooden scoop and cloth pouches to store their finds.
"Be careful," Soyeon said, handing Ellie a piece of cloth to protect her hands. "We'll just collect a little. I'll dry most of it later for a brew."
The berries had a tart smell. Soyeon inspected them closely and warned:
"They might look like rose hips, but don't taste them until we've tested them."
Ellie wrinkled her nose but smiled.
"Honestly, I don't even want to. They smell kind of bitter."
After collecting a small handful, they wrapped them in cloth. Just then, a soft whistle came from Gromer—it was his signal.
When they approached, they found him crouched over trampled grass. Deep indentations, resembling hoof marks, were visible.
"Judging by the tracks, it was a deer," Gromer explained, pointing to strange grooves near the prints. "But it looks like the animal was pawing at the ground, as if something frightened it. Odd behavior."
"Was it wolves?" Ellie asked cautiously.
"Maybe," Gromer nodded. "Wolves or some other predator. But I don't see chase marks. It just looks like the animal was anxious or unsettled. Still, I don't see any immediate threats around here."
Soyeon cast her gaze at the dark tree trunks, standing closely together. Her heart beat a little faster, and her instincts told her the forest wasn't as simple as it seemed. The silence was too unsettling, as if nature itself was holding its breath. What could have happened? Or what else might be lurking behind these trees?
"Alright, I think that's enough for today. We shouldn't linger here," Soyeon said, gently taking Ellie's hand. "It's time to head back."
Gromer offered to guide them back to the main path leading to the village.
"I'd rather not leave you wandering here alone. You never know what could happen," he explained when Soyeon started to thank and decline. "Besides, you promised me medicine."
"Of course," Soyeon smiled. She stopped, pulled a small pouch from her bag, and handed him a couple of motherwort pills. "Swallow them with water or keep them in your mouth—not more than once or twice a day. I hope they help you sleep better and feel less anxious in the woods."
The hunter accepted the pills carefully, as if afraid to damage the delicate spheres.
"Thank you," he said earnestly. "If they really help, that's worth a lot. The nights in the forest have been restless lately."
They made it back to the familiar road without incident. Gromer bid them farewell, promising to stop by the village if he learned more about the animals' strange behavior.
With their gathered berries safely in a pouch, Soyeon and Ellie headed home. The unease lingered, but so did their resolve to take the warnings about the forest seriously. They now knew the woods were not as safe as they seemed. But they had new ingredients for their medicines, and a warm hearth awaited them at home, where they could work on refining their recipes in peace.