"What is that you're humming, Uncle?" asked Tierra as she went to fetch the watering pale. It had now been over a week since the two had started work on the herb garden, and it was nearly finished now.

"Oh, was I humming? I didn't even realize," he replied.

"Yes, it went something like this," Tierra hummed the melody back to him. "You hum it quite a bit, actually."

"That is an old war tune. Have you not heard it?" he asked.

"No. You must remember I was only five years old when the war ended," Tierra said, after a pause, she added, "were you in the war?" Uncle thought about how he wanted to answer her question.

"Yes, I was," he finally said, his voice filled with sadness and pain.

"You needn't be upset about it. I'm sure you fought very bravely," she reassured him.

"I suppose so," he said rather distantly. He was beginning to sound like Tierra's mother, and she didn't like that one bit. She changed the subject.

"Uncle, do you have a family?" Tierra asked, changing the subject.

"Doesn't everyone?" he asked.

"Surely yours is better than mine. All I have is a crazy mother," Tierra said, wanting to know more.

"Are you about ready with that watering pale? What are you doing with it?" Uncle asked.

"Oh, nothing!" Tierra said, suddenly blushing as she rushed to bring it over. She gently began to water the herbs. "So, your family?"

"Hearing about my family would only burden your heart. My relatives are very….interesting, to say the least," he said, standing up.

"Just tell me one thing. One good thing about your family," Tierra said in desperation. Uncle sighed.

"My nephew," he said, his mind running through the past. Tierra could see the smile form on his face as he thought. "He was a very difficult boy, but I helped him find his way. The whole world would have been a much different place if I hadn't helped him."

"Helping one person can change the world?" Tierra asked with skeptism.

"Yes, it is like the water in this pale," Uncle said, dipping his finger in the water. "You touch one person, and the entire lake is effected by the ripples. I tell you what. This garden looks pretty good. What do you say we open the shop back up this afternoon? You can help me serve the tea. I'm sure Pei, my best customer, will be very pleased to have a cup of black tea."

"Will you show me how to make the tea?" Tierra asked with eagerness.

"I am afraid I cannot do that. It's an old family secret," Uncle said. Tierra gave him a look of disappointment, but she helped him serve the tea anyways. As predicted, Pei did arrive at the shop, and fairly quickly, too.

"Good afternoon, Pei," Tierra greeted him as he came through the door.

"Afternoon, Tierra. I'm glad this shop is finally open again. I've missed my tea," Pei said.

"Uncle is brewing up some black tea for you now, don't worry," she said.

Throughout the afternoon several other customers came in, all glad the shop was open again, and Tierra served them all. Every time she went back into the kitchen to get the cups from Uncle, she tried to figure out what was so secretive about his recipes. But all he would do when she entered was put the cups directly on the tray, and she could never figure it out. Everyone marveled at how wonderful the tea was, as usual. The workday finally came to a close, and Tierra was about ready to leave.

"Your earnings for the day," Uncle said, handing her the usual amount of coins. "Oh, and I almost forgot." He went back into the kitchen and came out again with a cup of tea. This is for your mother. I know how the tea tends to soothe her. Be careful! I made it extra hot so that by the time you go down the hill, it will be the perfect temperature for your mother."

"Thank you, Uncle," Tierra said as she bowed and left.

Very carefully, Tierra opened the door as to not awaken her mother in case she had fallen asleep. Inside, she found Cria, the maid she had hired to take care of her mother, cleaning the counter. She turned from her work.

"Hello, Tierra, how was your day?" she asked politely.

"It was grand, thank you. Is my mother still awake?" Tierra asked.

"Yes, she's in the other room, rocking in her chair," Cria replied. Tierra bowed and went out to see her mother.

"Who's there?" Amarga snapped as Tierra entered.

"It's only me, Mother. I've brought you some tea from Uncle," she said, handing her the cup. Amarga took a sip and was immediately soothed.

"That man has a way with the fire," she said, taking another drink.

"Pardon?" Tierra asked.

"A way with the fire. You need fire to make tea, of course. It's the perfect temperature. Warm enough to be effective, but it doesn't burn the tongue. Honestly, Tierra," Amarga finished her cup.

"Fire," Tierra said to herself. Not once had she seen a fire burning in the kitchen.