I haven't turned my head. Just angled it toward her.
"For the paste?" she asks.
"Yes."
"Two days for basic potency. Three for stronger. The petals have to be crushed within six hours of picking, then mixed with water and left to steep."
"You'll need help."
"I'll manage. Always do."
"Dara can help. She's been learning."
"She's gotten better." The path curves ahead. "I showed her the technique for wound cleaning. She picked it up fast."
"She said you're a good teacher."
Melori's foot catches a root. "She said that?"
"She said you explain things like they matter."
Her face opens.
The quiet holds. She doesn't fill it. I don't fill it. Forest sounds around us. Chest tight.
"I just tell people what I know." Her voice quiet.
"That's more than most do."
We walk. Pack territory close now. Smoke from the fire pits. Distant voices.
"The goats need shelter before dark," she announces.
"I'll have someone help you build it."
"I can build it myself."
"You've been working all day."
"So have you."
My eye cuts to her. Back to the path. "You're stubborn."
"You mentioned that before."
"It bears repeating."
"Well, you're—" She stops. Starts again, differently. "Also stubborn."
I grunt.
We emerge from the trees. Clearing opens up. Smokeand structures and people doing normal things. Heads turn at our approach. The Alpha pulling a cart of livestock. Two women beside him. Baskets of wheat on their arms.
Nobody comments. They've learned not to.
I stop near the ridge.
"Here."
