"So this is both a vacation and a training activity," Ashlynn said with a smile when Talauia came to explain the task that Amahle had set for them. She leaned back in her chair as the late afternoon sun filtered through the workshop windows of her hut while massaging the forearm that had grown sore after nearly an hour spent stirring her concoction to prevent it from burning. The air still held the lingering scents of valerian root and other herbs from their day of concocting, though the heat had finally begun to ease as evening approached.
Talauia perched on a wooden stool nearby, offering a bowl of crispy fried okra she'd brought to share while they talked. The simple snack was a welcome distraction after the intense focus their work had required, and when Talauia mentioned that she'd left out the dusting of cayenne pepper for this batch so they could share, Heila reached eagerly for a piece as they considered Amahle's challenge.
