Chereads / Entwine in Ice and Fire / Chapter 4 - Flowers

Chapter 4 - Flowers

Fire Kingdom:

Picking a red rose from the field, Rosaline smells the flower with a deep breath. Rosaline puts the rose inside her wicker basket. Already the basket is full of other herbs: spearmint, daisies, and roses. These will be enough, thinks Rosaline as she scans the blue sky against the green woods. The summer green hues look lovely in the morning, she thinks.

A wild bunny hops over to Rosaline, sniffing near her feet. She suppresses a laugh. Slowly, she reaches her arm as she kneels down to pet the top of its brown head. The rabbit’s fur is dark brown- a similar hue to Rosaline’s wavy locks. After a minute, the rabbit hops into the foliage of the wood.

Scrunching up her dress to pass the small stream, Rosaline makes her way out of the rose fields. Walking into the path of brown dirt, Rosaline holds her basket by her side.

“Coming through!” says a driver of a hay cart drawn by a horse.

“Pass along,” says Rosaline.

Nearing the town, Ruby Rosaline turns toward the south end. As she enters from the north entrance, she takes 15 minutes to reach her teacher’s workshop. The low stone building emits smoke from its chimney. On the outside is a sign of white letters on black wood which reads ‘Healers’. Entering underneath the sign, Rosaline pushes through the heavy door.

“Enter, Rosie,” says a creaky voice from behind a black cloak with gold stars and moons.

The person behind the cloak turns around. It's Rosaline’s healer of magic teacher- Wizard Haze. He is an elderly man. His white hair and beard might deceive others, but he is still very active in his practice.

“Majestic morning Wizard Haze, I’ve brought the ingredients for the healing potion,” says Rosaline, as she sets the basket on the central table in the room.

“I hope it wasn’t too much trouble retrieving the ingredients. Did you see any signs today?” says Wizard Haze, setting down a potion book on the table.

“No trouble arose. A rabbit came to me and I touched it,” says Rosaline.

“Ahh, your vibration is peaceful at the moment. A good time to brew potions,” says Wizard Haze.

Rosaline stands by the table, laying out the ingredients in a line on the chopping board. She reads the page in the potion page pertaining to the healing sun potion. In a cauldron, Rosalin throws the cut-up pieces of roses, daisies, and spearmint into the water.

“Now it is time to infuse your magic powers with the power of the sun and add it to the potion,” says Wizard Haze. He opens the window, letting sunshine onto the table.

Rosaline pulls up her sleeves to her elbows. A red flame emits from her hands. She concerts on the sun's warmth as Wizard Haze has taught her. The flame turns a white and yellow color; she shoots a ball of flames into the cauldron. Inside the cauldron, the potion shimmers and bubbles until it is complete.

Wizard Haze stirs the now yellow liquid, examining the consistency.

“Marvelous! The patients will have good use of this. Pour it into vials. Let’s hand it out.” says Wizard Haze.

Rosaline carefully pours healing sun liquid into four vials. Then stores the vials go into a small leather pouch. She then checks the list of patients on the waitlist on the parchment. There are two patients waiting for healing in town. Out the door of the workshop, Wizard Haze and Rosaline walk into the roadway. Their feet land on the rocky pavement, casting an echoing sound around them.

Heading toward the eastern gate, they pass a few people along the way. About halfway there is the scent of fresh bread from the bakery. Next to the bakery are three fresh produce stands. There are vegetables, fruits, and meats at the stands for the town’s people to buy.

Reaching the first house, a building of stone and mud mixture of a single story, Wizard Haze knocks on the wood door.

“Come in,” says a shaky voice from inside.

Wizard Haze and Rosaline enter. The inside is lit only by two large candles in the living room, where the room also serves as a bedroom. An older woman lies on a bed under many blankets.

“I’m glad you came to heal me, my dears,” says Mrs. Jean.

“We will do what we can, Mrs. Jean,” says Wizard Haze.

“I’m here to help too,” says Rosaline.

Unscrewing the two veils, Rosaline helps Mrs. Jean drink the liquid as she props up in bed. Mrs. Jean makes a neutral face as she drinks the concoction. No drop remains inside the veil, so Rosaline stores the empty glass back in the leather pouch. Wizard Haze does a body scan with his hands as Rosalin watches beside him.

“Thank you for having us today,” says Wizard Haze.

“Rest well,” says Rosaline.

“Farewell,” says Mrs. Jane.

Rosaline closes the door behind them. Wizard Haze and Rosaline finish the afternoon at the second house. After the second house, they head back to the workshop.

“Today was a good day for healing,” says Rosaline.

“Yes, I have your week's wages here, Rosie,” says Wizard Haze.

Wizard Haze reaches inside a wooden box and hands over five bronze coins. Rosaline tucks them into her dress’s pockets.

“See you next week Wizard Haze,” says Rosaline.

“Have a safe walk home,” says Wizard Haze. He writes today’s notes in a book while he sits on a stool.

Rosaline walks out onto the paved road. She continues until reaching the north gate. The sky is full of puffy clouds against the orange evening background. Near the woods outside of the town, Ruby is a cluster of wooden huts belonging to farmers who work in the fields nearby. One house on the right belongs to her family.

Upon entering her house, Rosaline smells vegetable soup coming from the kitchen.

“Smells so good, mother,” says Rosaline to her mother, who is stirring the soup.

“Take a seat. How was work?” says Mrs. Pinecrest.

“It went well,” says Rosaline as she sits down. Mrs. Pinecrest sets down a bowl of soup for Rosaline in front of her, along with a wooden spoon and a hard piece of bread.

“Thank you. Is father back yet?” says Rosaline, looking up at her mother.

“No, today they have a long day in the fields,” says Mrs. Pinecrest.

Rosaline pulls out three of the bronze coins and hands them to her mother. The coins help the household. Rosaline feels the remaining two coins in her pocket as she eats her dinner. Excusing herself, she goes to her small room.

Reaching under her dresser, she pulls out her box. Rosaline has been saving for her trip to the Fire Kingdom's capital, Ember, to learn magic. It’s her dream. She places the two bronze coins along with the other coins.

Looking out the window into the bright stars, Rosaline wishes to the sky. Please let my dreams come true soon.