Page 40 of Bound By Honey

Everything was coated in a thick layer of mud and debris, a grim reminder of the destruction that had come to pass. Even the sky seemed heavy with grief. The dark, ominous clouds that were once welcomed as a sign of life were now a reminder of the material losses suffered.

A lump began forming in her throat, her sadness deepening with each step. They walked in a solemn line, their faces grim and determined as they made their way toward the relief camp on the hill. The only dry spot for several miles.

The Charming Four and the soldiers were comforting, their silent but steady presence a reminder that hope remained no matter the darkness surrounding them. In the distance, people laughed. The familiar sound brought a measure of solace, and the grief felt a little less heavy.

Sage kept her gaze fixed, her eyes determinedly forward, her bag of medicine a comforting weight against her side. Her muddy skirts weighed her down, and each step took great effort the closer she got to the camp, but it was all worth it.

They were bringing hope.

Soon she reached the hilltop, and the sight warmed and broke her heart at the same time. It was clear that these people had lost everything. The floods had come quickly, and very few had made it out with more than the clothes on their backs.

Soldiers with food had arrived before her, and small groups gathered to eat their first meals in several days. While this was a devastating moment, she saw smiles on most of the peoples' faces.

Sage swallowed the lump in her throat, and she let the tears of relief wash over her face. She closed her eyes, her heavy heart lightening and her body exhausted, and when she opened them again, she felt a strange sense of peace.

She turned to Asher beside her. "Where do you need me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Asher smiled at her, a touch of gratitude in his eyes. "We need you in the medical tent over there. You can help prepare potions and remedies to help people heal and recover."

Sage nodded, her determination renewed. "I'm ready."

Asher smiled again, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you."

With that, Sage set off to do her part. For the next few hours, she worked tirelessly, mixing and preparing potions and remedies that she hoped would help those in need. With luck, her meager knowledge would make a difference in the lives of those who had lost so much.

She mixed herbs and roots with a practiced hand, adding lavender oil to soothe headaches, chamomile for upset stomachs, calendula for minor cuts and scrapes, and sage for respiratory relief. Sage prayed it would help those who needed it most with every potion she made.

When the sun had set and the medical tent was quiet, Sage stepped out into the night air and looked around. Promise and hope filled the camp, and it was clear that the people were determined to rebuild their lives.

Sage smiled, feeling a swell of pride and joy in her heart. She had done her part to bring a little relief to those in need.

As she turned to leave, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Asher.

"It's late. Should we head back?" she asked him.

"We should stay here tonight. The others headed back earlier and will return with more supplies. It's not safe for us to try and make our way back in the dark."

Sage nodded and looked around. "I guess we should find a spot by a fire to stay warm tonight. Who knew Prince Finn's ability would be so useful in a mission like this?"

Asher directed her toward a small fire near the camp's outskirts. "It's good for his ego to dry firewood instead of just burning things down."

Sage’s laughter echoed in the crisp night air.

They settled in near the fire, the warmth of the flames a comfort in the darkness. Together they watched the stars as they twinkled in the night sky.

"Have you ever thought about what you want your future to look like?" Sage asked.

Asher was silent, his gaze distant as he seemed to consider her question.

"Will you stay a member of the Charming Four or start a family someday?" she persisted.

Asher turned to her and smiled, his eyes twinkling in the firelight. "I'm not sure what I want my future to look like yet," he said softly. "But whatever I do, it will always involve helping others. That's the most important thing." He paused and looked back at the stars. "Maybe one day, though, I'll have fulfilled my duties with the Charming Four and find myself a wife, settle down somewhere near these mountains, and start a family."

Sage looked at him, admiration and respect shining in her eyes. She admired how the firelight reflected off Asher's chestnut-colored hair, the memory of Asher and a mystery woman together in the garden still fresh in her mind.

"I'm sure you will," she said, smiling. "You'll make a wonderful husband and father someday."

Asher returned the smile. "Glad to hear that someone thinks so."

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