Page 47 of Bound By Honey

"How so?"

"It would be fair to assume that if this is really the solution, if you categorized the ability into subcategories, it could be better used by mages of the same type. For example, an earth mage whose magic works with soil would not be as compatible with one whose magic focuses more on plants."

She beamed with enthusiasm and clapped her hands together. "Exactly!"

"So, how do we test this?"

Sage smiled wider, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "One of the people I'm treating isn't too far away. He's helping treat the flood victims. We could prepare something and take it to him."

Rachel nodded. "Let's do it. What affinity does he have?"

"Fire. I've not seen him use it much, though. I'm not entirely sure how it would fit into a subcategory."

"Understood. Tonight, I will ask several of the fire mages in the guild to add their magic and try to make it cover most types of mages. Tomorrow we will set out to find your patient."

Returning to the Charming Four

Sageheldherbreathas they approached the edge of the flood-victim relief setup on the hill. They had spent the day walking through only slightly drier mud than Sage had walked through a few days before, and her legs were burning.

Behind her, Michael and Rachel stopped and stared, their eyes wide in shock at the destruction. As they walked through the affected areas, they had become quieter and quieter as it sunk in how badly it had been hit. The swarm of residents on top of the hill walking among the tents and other makeshift shelters made Sage's heart ache again.

Sage turned and squeezed Michael's shoulder, comforting him as best she could.

"Come on," Sage said softly, taking Rachel's hand. "It's looking better than when I was here last. Most people should be on the mend by now. Let's see how we can help, and I will find my patient."

The relief tents were bustling with activity as they entered. The air was thick with the smell of porridge and herbs prepared in makeshift kitchens. People of all ages were helping in whatever way they could at the end of the day.

Sage's gaze lingered on a family surrounded by several others. She recognized Thomas, a grin from ear to ear, kicking a ball with several soldiers and other children. The ball escaped the small circle of players and rolled to a stop in front of Sage. Thomas ran to retrieve it, his face lighting up with excitement when he noticed her presence.

"It's you! You're back!"

His mother, Rosey, pushed through the crowd behind him and gave Sage a warm smile as she reached them. Her gaze lingered on Rachel and Michael, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"I didn't expect you to come personally," Rosey said, her gaze softening. "It's good to see you, old friend."

Rachel's hand rested on Rosey's arm. "It's been far too long."

"If you wouldn't mind," Rosey started as she turned to face the medical tents behind her, "I could use another opinion. An illness I'm unfamiliar with has begun to spread within the camp. I'm assuming it's from close quarters and the mosquitos that have been rampant thanks to the standing water and mud surrounding us."

"Of course," Michael said. "Bring us to them."

Sage glanced around, looking for any member of the Charming Four. "I will catch up with all of you in a few minutes. I have something I need to check in on first."

Rosey laughed. "I bet you do! When I showed up here, the camp had practically been turned upside down, and soldiers were patrolling for you in the mud. A warning would have been nice before you sent me to face one of the princes."

Cheeks burning, Sage offered a pitiful smile. "I'm sorry. I should have thought of that."

Rosey waved away the comment. "It's quite alright. Now go find your traveling companions before I get in trouble for keeping you again."

Sage smiled and said goodbye before turning away. She wandered through the camp, noticing how many more tents had been set up. It felt more like a small city now. Sage spotted Sawyer playing a flute near a fire and stopped to listen, allowing the music to wash over her and fill her with hope. The notes danced in the air, lifting some of the stress from her shoulders.

Sawyer's eyes closed, and his body swayed with each note he played. The beauty of it was almost too much to take in, and Sage found herself reaching out, trying to capture some of that lightness for her own heart.

With an extended final note, a moment of silence hung in the air before those gathered started to clap. Sawyer's eyes opened, and with a small smile, he nodded his thanks until his eyes landed on Sage.

Sawyer stood and made his way over to her. "Look who decided to show up. You couldn't have shown up at a better time. Someone has been extra moody and driving me crazy."

Sage laughed. "Let me guess ... Asher?"

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