Similar Yet Different

JP with Jaxx and Cindy

The two talked, Islana went first. At this point it didn't matter what Hunter knew about her life. She explained about Lord Vasant and the man had done to and wanted to do with her, without getting into too many details. She talked about her family, the running away, how she ended up in Arcadia. Knowing Hunter already knew about her ability she explained all of that to him as well.

It took, perhaps, a little more prodding, asking questions and such to get Hunter's story out of him. Islana wondered if he was worried about how she might see him, but she had never been exactly scared of the man and knowing his background didn't change that.

After, he explained about basically being brought up to be an assassin. The young woman asked if he knew about the poison he was given. Fortunately, the man did.

"So, do you know how to make an antidote?"

Hopefully, she could help him.

Hunter replied to Islana, "I use this poison as well but I am out of antidote since it dries out too fast. We need Sad cap mushrooms. Honey and Bitterweed blade. Sadly I am not sure the two exist in these parts. If you are not familiar with them I will describe them to you. "Can you draw?"

"Yes," of course there were better artists among their friends but she could draw well enough to know what she was looking for.

The woman dug into her pack, got out the notebook she had with her and something to draw with. Giving a slient thanks she was right handed.

Islana had been downplaying how her body actually felt, she didn't want the man with poison running through him to worry about it. She would live, after all. Helping him was far more important.

Hunter then told her to draw the Sad cap mushroom with details on the size of the cap and stem as well as the smell and coloration patterns like the blue tear drop pattern. He also told her there was a similar mushroom called the Melancholy mushroom which had the teardrops upside down. Then he described the Bittersweet blade which were long thin green grass leaves and triangular stemmed and the are edged with minute sharp teeth. He warned her to be careful of it since could cut the skin little by little. As a youth he and the other trainees were forced to run through it if they failed a task.

Then he told her the best way to acquire honey. First make a "C" shaped white smoker section with rocks and wood as you burn wet grass. Then make a basket from branches or wicker that is attached to a rope and place it so the beehive is between the smoker and the basket. Then line up the rope on the side of the smoker and pull the basket under the hive. Once ready use an arrow or spear to free the hive from the tree and let it land on the basket and slowly pull it to the smoker section. The smoke will make the bees sleepy and calm. Then use a spear blade to cut part of the hive free and put it in a cloth bag.

Islana drew and wrote down everything that Hunter told her to. It was probably easier to go on foot for this particular task.

First thing though. They needed to get more distance between themselves and the bounty hunter. Some place to hide, prehaps.

"We need to move you first. You can't stay here, in the open and we're not far enough away for me to leave you."

It took all of her effort to get Hunter back up and then it was to call River over. Now knowing the trick, she got River to lie down, got Hunter on top of the horse and then got on herself. They rode off. It was near sunset, when they found a cave to stop in. Hunter should be safe there. Islana hoped.

With the man safe in the cave, the huntress went up to River, and said, "I'll be back. Take care of our friend." With a nod towards Hunter.

Islana got her pack, quiver and bow on her, getting any extra equipment she might need from Hunter and with a goodbye to the man, the young woman headed off.

Time wasn't on their side, so she would be as quick as she possibly could. No time for anything but focusing on what needed to be done and praying she could find the ingredients.