Directions

Cara had married well. Whatever had happened – whether she had wooed the man successfully or used a potion to entice him into love, she had chosen him carefully. Anara knew that Cara had honestly been madly in love with Jacen. But that didn't make what she did right. Suppressing a sigh, she walked up to the ornate door that led into Cara's home and knocked.

She was invited in, offered tea and cakes and shown a seat in the sitting room. Looking around, Anara had to admire Cara's tastes in furnishings. There were burgundy drapes over the windows, tied back with gold cords. The divan was the same burgundy and made of velvet, with cushions and throw pillows in gold and tan. A fire crackled in the fireplace that was in the center of the room, adding warmth to the scene.

There was an expensive looking carpet in the center of the room in the same color scheme, and paintings of Cara and Jacen adorned the walls. The tea service was made of silver, and Anara was just admired the scrollwork on the cups when Cara entered the room.

"Anara! It's so good to see you!" Cara exclaimed as she awkwardly walked into the room, her pregnant belly jutting before her. She held a hand to her back and squatted slowly down into a high backed chair upholstered in tan velvet. "To what do I owe the honor of your presence?" she asked.

"Can't I just come to see an old friend before her confinement?" she asked coyly. Cara was too smart to fall for it, but it was worth a try.

"Anara, no one has seen you in town since Liam died. At least, until a few days ago when you rode up to the temple. I don't know what you were after, but since that visit Dayfid's been distracted. What's going on?"

"I never could fool you," Anara said with a shake of her head. "I was out riding in the forest a few days back and came across a man who needed some healing. He's recuperating at my house. That's why I'd gone to Dayfid – for some healing potions."

"A man? Oh, do give details! I'm so tired of pacing the floors of this house and hearing no news. Is he attractive? Do you fancy him?" Cara's face was all aglow at the prospect of hearing some juicy gossip to pass on through town.

"I … I hadn't really thought of him that way," Anara said. She looked down at the cup in her hands. "I still grieve for Liam," she added.

Cara smiled at her friend. "Is there anything I can do?" she asked. Anara saw her chance to embellish the truth a little and maybe pry the location of Rothol's cottage out of the woman.

"Well, this grief I carry has been overwhelming. I haven't been able to function. I'm surprised that Violet is still with me, since I can barely take care of myself, let alone any of the animals. I let many of them go."

Cara tsked in sympathy. "I'd heard you gave all of your sheep to Farmer Granger," she said.

"Yes. It seemed easier that way. I kept Violet, and one of the dairy cows, a few chickens. But that was it. They are almost more than I was able to care for."

"So what do you need from me?" she asked.

"I know this is a … sensitive topic. But I want to find Rothol and see if she can mix me a tincture to dispel this miasma of grief I've been under. It's time for me to start living my life again, and I just can't shake this depression." A tear rolled down Anara's cheek, giving life to the lie she'd concocted.

"Oh …" Cara stammered, looking trapped. "Why …" and she was silent for a few moments. "I'll help you, Anara, but please don't tell anyone I know where Rothol is. You know what they already say about me, but it's just not true! I didn't buy a love tincture from her!" Cara was desperate for Anara to believe her.

"It doesn't matter to me, Cara," Anara said. "If you know how I can find her, please tell me."

"Well, take the trade road out of town up into the hills. As you come to the top of Watchman's hill, there's a path on the left. Take it. Follow it until you see a grouping of 3 large boulders. In between them is another path, although it's hard to see. Take it to her cottage. When you reach the clearing where she lives, you have to say, "Winds caress the trees". Then she'll see you."

Anara got up and walked to her friend, enveloping her in a brisk hug. "Thank you, Cara," she whispered into the woman's ear. Then she was gone, walking out of the room, out of the house and out of Cara's life forever.