Page 37 of Of Potions and Honey
“Oh!” Mira physically turned to take in the sight. “This is beautiful!”
No park in the city could hold a candle to what she was seeing. Lush green grass, surrounded by trees and flowering bushes. Sunlight dappled the ground, the green, and the rock formation ahead. And at the base of the rocks lay the fabled spring, glittering in the sun and gently lapping at the muddy shores of asmall pond. The breeze carried the scent of juicy leaves and wet dirt all around them.
“Now you know why people used to come here so much.” Yoni gently brushed past her. “Not everyone’s happy that the tourists are staying away, but at least they don’t trample the…”
She trailed off, moving further into the clearing. Mira barely managed to tear her eyes away from the magnificence all around her.
“Is something wrong?”
“…I don’t know.”
Yoni had made her way to the spring, standing at the edge and staring down into the water. Down, Mira now realised, because the water level seemed oddly low for the way the little pond looked. Like it had only recently dropped. Between where the grass ended and the water started was a noticeable brown strip of damp dirt, bare of any growth.
“Is itsupposedto look like this?”
“No.” Yoni sounded tense. “See those grey lines on the rocks? That’s where the water usually is this time of the year.”
Mira turned around to survey the area. It made sense if it had been exceptionally dry. Only it had rained just a few days ago, and everything else around them still seemed to thrive.
“Maybe something is diverting the water. A stream, or… maybe something big took a bath.”
Yoni snorted. “Would’ve had to be a bear, or maybe an elk, and we would definitely know if there were any of those in the area. Besides, no prints, hooves or paws. Doesn’t even seem like people were here recently.” She made a frustrated sound. “Sorry. I know how this sounds, but…”
“I heard,” Mira said. “People have been having issues with the water in town. That might be why.”
“Maybe.” Yoni sighed, hands on her hips. “Well, that has to be a bit of a downer. You were probably hoping to see the spring in all its glory.”
“Well, I wanted to see it at all, and I did.” Mira managed a smile. “It’s fine. At least I got to have a good time on the way here.”
“Really?” The genuine surprise in Yoni’s tone was a little strange. “I’m glad you did.” She cleared her throat, and couldn’t quite look Mira in the eye. “So did I.”
This was decidedly not a reaction Mira had expected. Seeing her rather stoic neighbour so flustered… It made Mira wonder how far down that blush really extended past her collar.
And the very next moment, she wanted to kick herself for even thinking about that. Why was she thinking about that? Yoni was just being friendly. Taking pity on her, even, for having the same sense of direction as a goldfish in a washing machine.
“Ah!” Abruptly, Yoni held out the basket to Mira. “Could you hold this for a moment? I want to see if the plants I need are there. They need a lot of water, so…”
Mira took the basket, reeling with the sudden change of subject. “Of course.”
Yoni turned without another word and trudged off towards the treeline, presumably to hunt for whatever plants she needed. Meanwhile, Mira went to look for a place to sit down and have her snack. Deciding on some large, flat rocks off to the side of the pond, she got as comfortable as she could without a blanket, which she promised herself she would bring next time. She leaned forward, eyeing the water. People got their well water from the spring, but notdirectlyfrom it, did they. That wasn’t how that worked. It was a warm day, and cooling her feet in the clear water sounded heavenly.
She was sitting with her eyes closed, toes dipping into the water, resting back on her elbows, when she heard footsteps on the grass.
“Looks comfortable.”
Mira cracked one eye open to find Yoni blocking the sun. “More than it seems.” She sat up and scooted sideways. “Feel free to join me.”
To her surprise, Yoni did. She sat primly, knees tucked sideways under her, and kept her shoes on. Mira gestured at the napkin between them, with apple slices and half a pastry.
“If you want some? Don’t worry, I pulled it in half before I ate the rest.”
“Really?” Yoni reached out almost automatically, but her hand hovered over the pastry. “Are you sure? All I brought is tea, and, uh, I didn’t bring a cup.”
Mira chuckled. “It’s fine. I brought water.”
“To a spring.”
Mira blinked rapidly. “Well, now that yousaidit…” She looked away. “Besides, I don’t think you’re supposed to drink from that directly.”
