Into the Woods (Part 2/2)

“Is papa going to die?” Bonnie asked strolling through the brambles and trees.

Shawn stepping over a fallen log said, “No he’s got quite a few hours before he bleeds out.”

“Are these herbs going to help papa?”

“Probably.” Shawn replied as he walked around, eyes scanning through the foliage.

“Will anyone attack us?”

“Unlikely.”

“How do you know so much about plants?”

“I was taught.”

“Who taught you?”

“Stop asking so many questions.”

“Why?” She asked tilting her head quizzically.

“Because you’re annoying.” Still moving forward Shawn turned to her. “How old are you?”

“I’m twelve years old.”

“Why does a child want to follow a stranger into the woods? What have you been taught by your parents?” Shawn said, as he began to changed direction towards a clearer area of the forest.

“Hey! They taught me a lot of things! I’m following you to help papa!” Bonnie said in a huff. Scampering behind him.

“You’re definitely helping to hinder me.”

“What does hinder mean?”

Shawn gave another sigh, “Your making things harder.”

“How?”

“By being annoying.”

“I’m not annoying! Why are you so mean?” Bonnie pouted.

“Because I don’t like dealing with kids.”

“Well, how old are you?”

“… Sixteen.”

“You’re not that older than me! You’re still a kid!”

Shawn walked towards several clusters of wild plants and while scanning through them he spoke, “I’m still old enough to take care of myself. Unlike you, I know what I’m doing.”

“Well, I want to know.”

Shawn looked at her determined face for a moment, before giving a shrug. He crouched down in front of the wild plants and gestured her to walk over. “Come and learn then.”

Bonnie’s eyes lit up with excitement and she scampered over to him. Shawn pointed a plant with white clumped flowers that was taller.

“See that plant? It’s called yarrow, it helps clean wounds and stops bleeding.” Shawn held it and moved it over towards Bonnie, who was studying it intently.

“You can tell by it’s flowers. See the small white ones?”

Bonnie nodded and Shawn pointed at another clump of white flowers.

“See those, yes more yarrow?”

“No that’s called poison hemlock. They are poisonous.” Shawn said as he reached over and grabbed it, letting Bonnie get a better look. She flinched when he grabbed it.

“Relax, it won’t burn my skin. But don’t eat this, it will kill you.”

She nodded cautiously, “What’s the difference?”

Shawn gestured at the stem and leaves.

“The plant itself tends to be gigger, the stem has purple spots on it, while yarrow has a white cotton looking layer. Leaves are bigger, less leaflets and heavier than yarrow ones and the shape is different.”

Bonnie studied the difference intently, then moving her eyes to other similar plants trying to notice the difference. Spotting another plant that looked slightly different from both she pointed at it and asked. “Is that dangerous?”

Taking a quick look Shawn said, “No that’s Queens… something… something- I don’t remember, wild carrot. It’s like wild carrot. You can eat. Now let’s grab some herbs.”

“Oh, can I get some of those wild carrots too?”

“I don’t care. You have to carry though.” Shawn replied as he began to take some leaves of the yarrow plant. Bonnie headed over to another clump of plants and began to collect. Shawn looked at the enthusiastic little girl carefully discerning which plants were which.

Well, she picks up quickly at least. Shawn thought as he grabbed a few more leaflets.

Walking back to the group, Bonnie’s mama was the first to notice them. Running over she embraced Bonnie, who’s hands were full of foraged goods. “You’re alright.” She said in relief.

“Great to know I’m trusted.” Shawn muttered. Talking louder he asked, “So how’s our patient. We’ve only been gone twenty minutes.”

“Yes, Lukas is alright for now, come, follow me.” The lady said while leading the two along back over to the injured caravan guard.

Lawrence looked up and saw them, a smile appeared his face, “Ah, Shawn your back. Got the medicine?”

“Yup, plenty of yarrow in this area.” Shawn said pulling out a clump of yarrow leaves and extended his arm towards Lawrence.

“Alright, chew it up.”

“Are that lazy?”

“I don’t just put my spit on anyone’s flesh.”

Lawrence opened his to reply, before the words Shawn had spewed out dumbfounded him. “You are a weird boy.” Was all Lawrence said as he stuffed the leaves in his mouth and started chewing.

“Yeah, but I won.” Shawn said with a grin.

“Why is Mr. Lawrence eating the yarrow?” Bonnie asked in confusion. “I thought it was for papa?”

Glancing over to her Shawn explained, “It’s the liquid in the leaves that we need, chewing releases the liquid.”

Bonnie nodded in understanding. Lawrence spat out the now chewed up clump, “If you aren’t too busy teaching your new student, could you help cut the bandages?”

Rolling his eyes he walked over to Lucas, and began to unwarp the bandages, showing a nasty gash on his side.

Lawrence quickly told Bonnie’s mama, “Mrs. Myles, it would be best if the young girl doesn’t see this.”

In response Bonnie’s mother, Mrs. Myles covered her eyes and led her to the side, despite Bonnie’s complaints.

“It’s not going to be a pleasant sight.” She chided Bonnie.

Lawrence knelt and pressed the poultice into the wound. Lukas gives a small gasp as he felt the juices of the plant enter his wound, the pain subsided a bit.

“Damn that really works.”

Lawrence asked Shawn, “Fresh bandages.”

“What? Use your own.”

“I don’t have any left.”

Shawn stared at Lawrence for a second, before begrudgingly dug into his bad and pulled out a roll of cloth.

“This is the last one I have.” Shawn said while handing it over to Lawrence, “We better not need another one.”

Lawrence took the roll and nodded before rebandaging Lukas’s wound.

Shawn got up and left the two alone, wandering of and began to patrol the perimeter again. Stopping at the edge of the clearing he stared into the woods. Hearing footsteps approach, he turned to find Rose, still covered in armour she moved surprisingly quietly over to him.

“How do you do that?” He asked.

“Do what?” She asked innocently tilting her head, voice echoing through the helmet.

“The whole moving- you already know what I mean. Fine keep your secrets.”

He swore he could feel her smirking at him.

“So, how’s the guard?” Rose asked changing the subject.

“He’ll live. Should be able to move.”

Rose’s helmet nodded, “We’ll need to move in twenty minutes. It won’t be easy guiding everyone. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”

“Guiding? Don’t you mean herding?”

Rose rolled her shoulders, “You’re harsh with your words.”

“But I’m pretty accurate.”

“Hmm, not inaccurate at least.”

Shawn looked over at Rose, with all that armour he couldn’t really tell what she was thinking. He couldn’t really tell what was behind the helmet. Something vaguely humanoid, but what exactly was anybody’s guess. But the fact that she was staring off into the woods like he was, had him suspect that this leadership responsibility was perhaps weighing on her.

“It’s your fault own you know.”

“Huh?”

This was the first time Shawn heard Rose surprised. So, she can be caught of guard.

“I said, if you’re getting nervous about the trip ahead, then you can only blame yourself. You decided to be the leader of this hodgepodge.”

“Someone had to; besides you and others were likely to help me.”

“You’re rather assuming. But since you still haven’t left, I suppose it means that you approve of me leading them?”

Shawn giving a shrug, “Well, someone has too. But don’t worry about taking care of everyone. The others might help a bit.”

“And you?”

“I’ll be meandering about.”

“Then I’ll be keeping my eye on you.” Rose said before leaving, “Everyone will make it to the city.” She assured.

Shawn looked back towards the woods while he thought. That would be nice.