They returned to the cave not long after.
The moment they stepped into the firelight, eyes turned their way. Bundles were lowered, leaves spread out, and herbs placed carefully atop them—flowers, stalks, bark strips, all arranged in order.
Ressha paused then she crouched immediately, fingers hovering before she began sorting through the gathered plants, her expression shifting from focus to disbelief.
"How did you get this much in such a short time?" she asked, lifting one bundle, then another.
Vira grinned, chest puffing slightly. "It was all because of Miss Lavayla! She's amazing at finding and identifying plants. Normally, in a forest like this—at night, no less—we'd be lucky to find half of what we needed. But she not only recognizes herbs instantly, she knows where to look too—"
"Really?" Eiran cut in, surprise plain on his face as he glanced toward Lavayla. "I thought from what Miss Lavayla said before that she just had more experience with plants."
