Chapter 14- Who says you are pathetic?

I am standing in front of a dark-brown wooden workbench. It's large enough to hold various jars of dried herbs and mortars and pestles. I carefully measure out a pinch of silverleaf and add it to the mixture in front of me, trying to follow the instructions of the head assistant healer, Giona.

Giona's black brows curl in annoyance. "Not like that, Aura," She says, her voice firm but not unkind. "You're using too much silverleaf. It'll overpower the whole blend."

I nod and try to adjust the mixture, but she shakes her head.

"No, no, no. Here, let me show you." Giona takes the mortar and pestle from my sweaty hands and begins to mix the herbs with quick, precise strokes. "You have to feel the balance of the ingredients, not just throw them together." She states.

I watch, trying to learn, but Giona's criticism stings. I take the equipment from her and try again, I try imitating her hand movement but the mix pulls out of the blend once more, ruining her previous effort. Giona groans in fr