The trees don't respond. Rude.
The shirt catches, the hem snagging on low branches in a way mine doesn't. I fold the sleeves back again. They slide down again. I fold them again.
Wildflowers. I'm looking for wildflowers.
I find the first patch twenty minutes in.
Blues. Pale purple-blue clustered low to the ground. I drop to my knees and cut stems. Don't crush the petals until you're ready. This shade would dye beautifully—subtle, present.
Anything is better than beige.
More flowers deeper in. Yellows, bright, already staining my fingertips. The repetition helps. Hands busy, brain quieter.
Almost.
The soil is dark and damp under my knees and the smell of crushed stems is sharp and green and good and if I just keep picking, just keep moving—
Purple. Actual purple, growing near a fallen log, petals dark and soft.
"AHH! PERFECT."
The basket's half-full. Enough for several batches. I should head back. I've been gone longer than I meant to.
Still need to talk to Hella. Dara might—
A whistle.
"What's a girl doing out here alone?"
I freeze.
Two men stepping out from behind trees. Rough clothes. Armed—one short sword, one club. The one who spoke has a scar across his chin and he's smiling at me—gross.
"Getting flowers." High. Squeaky. Every shred of dignity,gone. "For dye. Not looking for trouble."
"Flowers." He looks at his companion and laughs. "She's picking flowers in wolf territory."
"Sort of. It's complicated." I'm already backing up, basket against my chest. The knife is in my pocket. Herb knife. Not enough. Tree behind me—good, nothing at my back. Two of them, one knife, ten feet to the thicker brush if I run. "I should actually get back. My—my husband's expecting me."
They don't know I'm out here.
I didn't tell anyone.
Idiot.
Stupid, stupid—
"Husband." The scarred one spits the word. "No husband's sending a woman alone this far out."
"I'm not alone. I said—"
"What are you doing out here?" The second man moves around to flank me. "Really."
"Gathering herbs. For home."
"For home." He laughs. Not kind. "Try again."
I run.
