According to Hannah

The Story According to Hannah …well sort of:
[In translating the content of Hannah’s elegant storytelling to my clunky prose, a few of the finer details may have been lost, ignored, or altered because they made me feel inferior as a writer.]

Leaving his sack of salvage next to what used to be the dinner table, Iehron walked toward the door. He paused a moment, his eyes wandering about the walls gutted by fire, some of which had only the timber framework left. Then his vision came to rest on the door, the one place obscuring view of the outside.

He took hold of the handle and pulled the door open. It creaked loudly from the now misaligned hinges on the burnt wood and revealed behind it a young woman - or an old child of the female variety, depending on how you like your descriptions. She looked to be about seventeen, was slender with long brown hair, and was very beautiful – however, beauty is a subjective thing, so whatever your criterion for beauty is, assume that she met it.

“Oh good, you’re home,” she said with a quick laugh at her own joke while glancing at the gaping holes in the house’s remains. “I’m Mirette, the apprentice your father hired. You know, for herbalism?”

Iehron was unaware his mouth had been hanging open until a gnat intent on going spelunking flew between his lips. He then began coughing and spitting to eject the interloper while Mirette quickly took a step back to avoid the spray and spittle.

Recovering himself, Iehron responded, “My father was an armor smith. Why did he hire an herbalist?”

“I don’t know,” said Mirette. “Today is my first day, and my teacher didn’t tell me any particulars.”

“Well, my father is gone,” said Iehron, turning back into the house. “As is the rest of my family and most of this town. Your services are no longer needed.” He grabbed hold of his bundle of belongings. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m getting out of here.”

Before he could swing the sack to his shoulders, Mirette blurted out, “In that case, can I come too?”

Iehron opened his mouth again, this time to protest, but Mirette rushed on, “I can cook, make a fire, and chop wood. I also know how to shoot and fence, and I know several spells. I learned from my brothers when they weren’t so busy fighting each other.” She looked proudly at Iehron. “Well?”

“I thought you’re an herbalist,” said Iehron. “Don’t you need to see to your day job?”

“My job was working for your father. …so I don’t have a job anymore,” Mirette replied. “I could return to my teacher, but he sent me here to get practical experience. I’m certain I could get the same by traveling with you. Any other objections?”

“Uh… well… maybe…” Iehron stammered as he looked into her eager green eyes.

“Great, then let’s go!” she said enthusiastically with a smile before Iehron had a chance to give a definitive answer.

She was several steps from the house before he realized he had never agreed to her company. But he was in no mood to argue with anyone and began to follow after her.

Then she spun around and asked, “Oh, where are we headed by the way?” curiously tilting her head to the side.

Iehron shook his head doubtfully. “I don’t know. I became an Ohtar to protect Taloke, but...” he paused to let his eyes survey the town and its destruction. “My training took me away from Taloke, and now there’s nothing left to protect.”

“You’re an Ohtar?” said Mirette. “Oh…” Her lips pursed.

“Having second thoughts?” asked Iehron.

“Nope!” Mirette replied cheerfully with a smile. “But now that I know you’re an Ohtar, you’ll have to teach me some powerful spells.”

“Uh…” That idea didn’t immediately strike Iehron as a good idea.

“Speaking of learning,” Mirette continued, “I am assuming of course that I will be able to replenish my stock of herbs while we travel. And you still haven’t said where we’re going.”

“I’m going south,” said Iehron, and at the crossroads outside the village he turned left with Mirette following after him.

They traveled for a couple hours. Mirette was panting after Iehron, struggling to keep up with his longer strides.

“How much farther till the southern forests?” asked Mirette between her labored breaths.

“Not far,” said Iehron. “About a quarter mile. You might be less tired if you weren’t carrying so many things.” He pointed to the large pack of tools and belongings she had strapped to her back. It was larger than the bundle he carried.

“I need all these things,” said Mirette. “They’re essential to my work.”

A few minutes later they stood in front of a forest. Some might consider the forest to be creepy. The birds probably didn’t. The spiders and millipedes probably didn’t. And the ravenous beasts feeding on the carcass of whatever they had killed thought the forest was very homey. However, Mirette found the tangled vines, lack of sunlight, and random critter sounds to be a bit unnerving.

Looking at Iehron, she gulped and said, “You go first.”

“Shouldn’t a forest be an herbalist’s best friend?” asked Iehron. “Forests are teeming with plant life.”

“I’m still an apprentice,” Mirette said back, her eyes fixed on the forest entrance. “And plants aren’t the only thing in a forest."

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” said Iehron as he continued along the road and entered the forest.

“Really?” asked Mirette. She followed closely behind him, constantly scanning the foliage for anything that might be lurking nearby.

“Hmm, no that’s probably not true,” Iehron replied. “Forests are filled with lots of dangerous things. Bandits. Monsters. Poisonous bugs. But it seemed like the right thing to say at the time.”

Mirette moved even closer to Iehron, and her eyes scanned all the more rapidly.

The road eventually came near an area where the trees and plants were less dense, allowing for a good place to rest.

Iehron placed his belongings on the ground. “Let’s make camp here.”

“Here?” Mirette quickly replied, her head shaking as she repeatedly transitioned from looking at Iehron and looking at the clearing.

“It’s as good as place as any,” said Iehron. “And the sun will be setting soon. Take your pack off. Let’s get a fire going."