Career Change

Writers: Leigh M-F., Yvonne
Date Posted: 18th March 2017

Characters: Jisalle, Nohria
Description: Jisalle makes Nohria an offer, and the drudge makes an important choice.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Zelanka.

Her head was made of pain. She really shouldn't have had that extra pint last night. And she was low on willow salic again, so Nohria was using the time before her shift to visit Jisalle's office. But no one answered when she knocked, which was cause for curiosity. The door wasn't locked, so Nohria walked in. "Jisalle?" she called. "It's Nohria. Are you in?"

Still no answer. Perhaps the herb-woman had stepped out to get something she had forgotten. Nohria shrugged and began to look around the office for anything she might find useful.

All of the tiny drawers that held powdered herbs were locked, as were the dark wooden cupboards that held the finished tinctures and bottles of ointment. The large, scarred worktable in the middle of the room was swept clean save for a small vase of fragrant white flowers that were oddly out of season. The only things within easy reach were a pair of shears and a basket left on the edge of the table nearest to a closet door. Although the band of light around the edge of the door meant that it might not be a closet after all.

Not really caring about the brightness of the light, Nohria went to the door, anticipating a supply closet that might be easily robbed in the future. What she got was one of the biggest surprises of her life.

It was not a closet: It was a large room lined with windows, letting what light that was currently peeking through the snow onto a staggeringly impressive indoor garden. The medical herbs there were rampant despite it being Winter, drawing a delighted gasp from the bandit. What a wonderful idea, to grow herbs indoors! Was this where those flowers came from? Overcome with amazement and unexpected joy, Nohria forgot herself and immediately began looking the plants over for any signs of ill health, testing soil for appropriate levels of dampness, and trying to think which herbs might be ready for larger pots.

"Like what you see?"

Nohria would later say she did not squeak, squeal, or cry out as she whirled toward the voice, since that was undignified. She would claim she only gasped. But she and Jisalle would know the truth: Nohria yelped like a naughty child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. The noise and motion made her head start throbbing again, and Nohria had to lean on a table for support. "Ancients, who taught you how to be so stealthy? The barn felines?" she asked, rubbing her left temple.

Jisalle laughed and entered the greenroom, pulling the door shut behind herself to keep in the warmth. "I think that's the first time I've ever been called stealthy in my entire life. So-- what do you think of our conservatory?"

"It's the most wonderful thing I've ever seen in a Hold," the bandit said fervently. "Herbs indoors, and they aren't sick or dying. I guess all those windows were a worthy investment," she added, motioning to the rows of glass in the walls with her free hand. "Do you care for everything by yourself?"

"Myself and the other herbalists, and sometimes the healers when they feel the need to sit somewhere warm for a bit." Jisalle shrugged, but it was obvious she was pleased. "It's not really that hard."

"Perhaps not, but there is a lot of detail involved." Nohria motioned to a small plant with a delicate scent. "This little one needs some shade and minimal water to prevent root rot, and that tall plant in the corner needs plenty of sun. And over there, those herbs need some sand in their soil." She looked about. "I don't suppose you have anything good for hangovers that I just haven't seen yet?"

Jisalle quirked her lips. "Remind me - where are you working again?"

The bandit hesitated. "I- I work here in the Hold, cleaning and delivering food," she said. "Why do you ask?" She couldn't guess Jisalle's motivation behind the question.

"Because you're wasted there!" Jisalle gestured for Nohira to follow her through the door. "And I've got some willow salic you can have, although you should really be going to the healers for it."

"I know I am, but I don't have any other options," Nohria muttered as she trailed after the other woman. "Practicing herbalism or women's specialty healing in secret isn't as fun or easy as it sounds."

"You're a midwife too?" Jisalle asked casually.

Fardles. She really had to watch what she said around this person. Nohria just nodded, since she couldn't backtrack and get away with it. "My grandmother taught me. I would help with contraceptive teas, tracking fertility cycles, planning the best times to conceive, advise on fetal health, assist in the births, and even provide minor services afterward if the family involved needed it." Regulating population growth had been extremely important among the bandits; they had a policy of adults outnumbering children so there were more able bodies to divide chores fairly and get more done, and travel a little faster. "My husband liked to joke that was why I never wanted children; too much exposure to others' offspring." That was also true. But then, Ardihan had never been very parental himself.

"I have two, you know." The herbalist grinned at Nohira when the other woman looked confused. **Must be the hangover.** "Children, I mean. Here." She handed the bandit two white tablets from the dark jar she'd pulled out of one of the locked cabinets. "Willow salic, as requested."

"Thank you so much." Nohria claimed the pills, let saliva collect in her mouth, then tossed the tablets in and swallowed hard before her gag reflex realized what was happening. That was not a fun way to take pills, nor was it particularly easy, but she was used to it from her time with the bandits. "I suppose I should go prepare for my next shift. Thank you again for your time, Jisalle."

Jisalle eyed her critically. "Do you have references? From your last Holding?"

Wait, what? References? What was going on here? The bandit thought fast. "I'm afraid not. Many of them fell when Amethyst Cliffs did, and my cousin in-law is no longer sharing words with me because I tried to convince her to try dragonriders' tea. I'm afraid she would not speak favorably of my skills."

"Hmm." That was problematic, but not unusual. The holders from Amethyst Cliff scattered after their Hold was shaken from its foundation. Jisalle tapped a finger against her chin as she thought. "How about I speak to the Healers and the other herbalists. We could test you!"

Nohria could only gawk. Test? What? Was- Was this- "Are you saying you want me to work for you as a midwife or herbalist?" she asked incredulously.

Jisalle laughed. "Yes, you dimglow!" she said, not unkindly. "I told you, you're wasting your knowledge as a drudge. You should have said something to the Headwoman when you got here. And really, what with the Craftban it's easiest to just work as a herbalist and leave the midwifery to the Healers. But never mind that." She waved her hand like she was waving away a fly-by. "There's plenty to do in the apothecary. I'm tired of making all the tooth powder myself. We could use an extra hand."

Tooth powder. How meaningless and boring. But if there were other things to do, and unlimited access to herbs she couldn't easily find herself- Nohria made a snap judgement. Uncharacteristic of her, but this was too good to pass up. "When do I start?"

"Give me some time to talk to the other herbalists and run this test idea past the Healers. So... maybe a few days, and I'll have a test day for you?" Jisalle paused. "And the Headwoman. I'd have to speak to her too."

Great. Zelanka. Hopefully that wouldn't be too big a problem. Nohria just smiled and noded. "Let me know when, then. I'll be ready."

Last updated on the April 25th 2017

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