[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 6: A Bitter Brew

[681]

The morning began with a chill in the air, and Saku’s mother had already set up their small kitchen with a selection of jars and bottles. Dried leaves and flower petals were spread across the low wooden table in neat rows, each one distinct in color and scent. As Saku took her seat, her mother gave her a nod that conveyed both encouragement and expectation. Today, she would prepare her first medicinal brew without guidance—a mixture meant to ease the aches and fatigue of the port workers who spent long hours hauling cargo and mending fishing nets.

Saku surveyed the herbs, trying to remember each one’s properties from the lessons her mother had given her over the years. She knew that ginger helped with circulation, chamomile eased tension, and a touch of mint would add a cooling freshness. Her mother quietly observed, arms crossed, a hint of a smile touching her lips as she watched Saku deliberate over her choices.

With a deep breath, Saku gathered the ingredients and began to measure them carefully. She added ginger root, dried chamomile flowers, a pinch of mint, and a few sprigs of thyme into the teapot. She felt a small surge of excitement as she poured the hot water over the mixture, watching the colors begin to swirl and blend.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 6: A Bitter Brew

[681]

As the steam rose, filling the kitchen with a fragrant warmth, Saku’s confidence grew. She allowed the tea to steep for several minutes, eager to make it as strong as possible to help soothe the muscles and aches of those who would drink it. However, in her enthusiasm, she left the mixture brewing longer than intended, distracted by her thoughts of helping the tired workers.

Her mother remained silent, watching with a discerning gaze, but made no move to intervene.

Finally, Saku poured the tea into a small ceramic cup and took a sip, expecting the delicate, soothing flavor she had aimed for. Instead, she was hit with an overpowering bitterness that made her cough and wrinkle her nose in disgust. Her face flushed with embarrassment as her mother stifled a chuckle, her eyes filled with both amusement and patience.

"It’s… not quite what I expected,” Saku admitted, forcing down a second sip to try and understand where she’d gone wrong. The bitterness was intense, almost medicinal in its potency, but the soothing effect she’d hoped for was buried beneath the sharp taste.

Her mother took the cup from her and sipped thoughtfully, nodding as if she’d anticipated this outcome. "You’ve learned an important lesson today, Saku,” she said, placing the cup gently on the table. "The strength of a medicine doesn’t always come from its intensity. Sometimes, a gentle touch is more powerful than force.”.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 6: A Bitter Brew

[681]

Saku lowered her eyes, feeling both disappointment and a fierce resolve to improve. "I just wanted it to be strong enough to help the workers,” she said quietly. "They seem so tired, and I thought… maybe if it was stronger, it would work better.”

Her mother’s gaze softened, and she placed a reassuring hand on Saku’s shoulder. "The right balance is the heart of a healer’s work,” she explained. "If a tea is too strong, it can overwhelm the body rather than soothe it. A healer’s touch must be both firm and gentle.”

She then gestured for Saku to start again, picking up the discarded herbs and arranging a fresh selection on the table. This time, her mother suggested she add a smaller amount of ginger and reduce the thyme, explaining how each herb should complement the others in a delicate balance, like members of a family working together.

With renewed focus, Saku prepared the tea more cautiously. She measured each herb carefully and steeped the mixture for a shorter time, watching it closely. Her mother continued to guide her, showing her how to taste-test as she went along to ensure the flavor was smooth yet effective. This time, the tea emerged with a gentle, earthy aroma and a much milder flavor.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 6: A Bitter Brew

[681]

Tentatively, Saku took a sip, and a pleased smile spread across her face. The bitterness had mellowed, replaced by a warm, soothing quality that lingered on her tongue without overpowering her senses.

Her mother nodded in approval, and Saku felt a swell of pride. "Remember,” her mother said, "a healer’s strength lies not in force, but in the ability to bring harmony. The herbs have their strengths; your role is to guide them.”

Saku understood now. She realized that healing required more than knowledge of herbs and their effects. It required patience, intuition, and respect for the natural qualities of each ingredient. Healing wasn’t about overpowering illness or fatigue; it was about working alongside nature to bring balance and relief.

Later that day, Saku went with her mother to the docks, carrying a flask of the tea she had prepared. The port workers accepted it gratefully, and she watched with satisfaction as they sipped, their tired faces relaxing into appreciative smiles. One older man gave her a thumbs-up and a hearty nod, praising the tea’s soothing effects.

As they walked home, Saku’s mother looked at her with pride. "Today, you didn’t just learn about making tea. You learned about the touch of a healer.”

Saku smiled, clutching the empty flask to her chest, feeling for the first time that she was truly following in her mother’s footsteps.

[End]

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[Nue Saku]

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Chapter 7: Under the Moonlight

[681]

The air had turned crisp and cold as late autumn settled over the port town, bringing early nightfall and a haunting stillness to the streets. Saku pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, glancing at her mother as they stepped quietly into the garden. Her mother had asked her to come out after dark for a special lesson, but Saku had no idea what to expect.

As they reached the garden gate, her mother handed her a small, silver lantern. "Tonight, you’ll learn about the plants that thrive under the moon,” she said softly, her breath forming small clouds in the chilly air. "There’s a kind of magic here in the dark that isn’t visible in daylight. And in this late autumn season, it’s at its most powerful.”

Saku nodded, her heart quickening with excitement. She had always sensed that the garden changed when night fell. By day, the plants seemed to absorb the sun’s energy, but under the moonlight, they felt mysterious and different, almost as if they were watching her instead of the other way around.

Her mother led her deeper into the garden, where shadows stretched long and ghostly between the beds. The moon cast a pale glow over the leaves, illuminating them with a silvery sheen. Even the most ordinary herbs seemed enchanted under its light, transformed into something otherworldly. Her mother knelt beside a patch of mugwort, brushing her fingers lightly over the feathery leaves.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 7: Under the Moonlight

[681]

"This is one of our most powerful night herbs,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "Mugwort is known for its connection to dreams and intuition. When gathered under the moonlight, it’s especially potent.”

Saku bent down to touch the mugwort, feeling its soft texture under her fingers. Her mother’s face was peaceful, her eyes focused, as though she were listening to something only she could hear.

"There are plants,” her mother continued, "that reveal their true power only at night. They don’t need the sun’s warmth; they draw from something else, something ancient and hidden.”

Saku felt a shiver run down her spine—not from the cold, but from the weight of her mother’s words. She realized that her family’s knowledge was filled with secrets and traditions passed down for generations, many of which only revealed themselves in moments like this.

Her mother reached for a small pair of shears and snipped a few sprigs of mugwort, handing them carefully to Saku. "Take this,” she said, "and tonight, place it under your pillow. Mugwort can help bring clarity to dreams. It’s said to open the mind to truths we can’t see with our eyes alone.”

Saku nodded, cradling the sprigs in her hand, feeling a surge of awe. She followed her mother to another part of the garden, where tall stems of valerian rose-like sentinels, their pale, drooping flowers catching the moonlight.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 7: Under the Moonlight

[681]

"Valerian root has the power to calm even the most troubled minds,” her mother explained, kneeling beside the plant. "It’s often used in teas, but it’s best gathered in the evening. The night gives it strength and depth, making it better suited to quiet fears and anxieties.”

Saku watched as her mother skillfully cut a small section of the root, her movements careful and precise. The soil was damp and cold beneath her mother’s hands, but she worked with practiced ease, showing Saku how to handle the plant gently so as not to disturb its neighbors.

After placing the valerian in her bag, her mother gestured to a nearby bed of lavender, its silvery foliage shimmering faintly. "Lavender is known for its calming scent,” she said, "but at night, the oils become more concentrated. It’s why we often harvest it in the evening—it’s more potent than, better for healing.”

They worked together in silence, gathering small bundles of lavender, the scent soothing even in the brisk night air. Saku felt her mind quiet, lulled by the rhythmic work and the steady presence of her mother by her side.

When they had finished collecting the herbs, her mother led her to a clear spot in the garden and gestured for her to sit. Saku settled onto the cold ground, crossing her legs as her mother sat beside her, the lantern casting a gentle glow around them.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 7: Under the Moonlight

[681]

"Tonight, we’ll meditate here,” her mother said, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Feel the energy around you. Listen to the plants, the earth, the night.”

Saku closed her eyes, breathing in deeply, her senses heightened by the darkness. She felt the chill of the air against her skin, smelled the fragrant lavender on her fingertips, and listened to the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. Time seemed to dissolve as she sat there, focusing on her breath, feeling the presence of the garden around her.

Gradually, she became aware of something she hadn’t noticed before—a subtle hum, like a quiet heartbeat, pulsing through the earth beneath her. It was faint, almost like the murmur of a distant river, but it filled her with a sense of connection, as though the plants were sharing their secrets with her in a language without words.

She opened her eyes to find her mother watching her, a gentle smile on her face. "You felt it, didn’t you?” she asked softly. "The life within the garden, the energy that binds us to it.”

Saku nodded, unable to find words for what she had experienced. It was as if the garden had opened its heart to her, showing her that it was more than just a collection of plants; it was a living, breathing entity, rooted in the earth and reaching for the stars.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 7: Under the Moonlight

[681]

As they stood to leave, her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. "Remember this night, Saku. There will be times when the path of a healer is difficult when the weight of knowledge feels too heavy to bear. But the garden will always be here, a sanctuary where you can find strength.”

They walked back to their home in silence, the moonlight casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets. Saku held the mugwort and valerian close to her chest, feeling both humbled and grateful. Her mother had given her more than a lesson in herbs; she had opened a door to the unseen, a glimpse into the quiet mysteries that her family had safeguarded for generations.

That night, Saku placed the sprigs of mugwort beneath her pillow, as her mother had instructed. As she drifted into sleep, her dreams were vivid and filled with images of the garden under the moonlight, the plants swaying as if they were alive, whispering their secrets to her. She awoke with a sense of clarity and peace, feeling as though she had taken her first steps toward truly understanding what it meant to be a healer.

The garden had given her a gift that night, one she would carry with her long after the autumn leaves had fallen, into the winter and beyond.

[End]

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 8: The Medicine Seller

[681]

Winter had settled firmly over the port town, covering rooftops with a thin layer of frost and turning the winding cobblestone streets icy and slick. The days were short, the air sharp and biting, and the crowds in the market had thinned as people preferred the warmth of their homes. Saku pulled her woolen cloak close, her breath visible in the cold as she helped her mother set up their modest stall with bundles of dried herbs and small jars of salves. Business had slowed, but a few loyal customers still came, grateful for the family’s remedies to ward off winter’s ailments.

As they arranged the last of the herbs, Saku noticed a stranger setting up a stall across from them. He was a tall, thin man bundled in layers of mismatched fabric, with a face weathered by the elements and dark eyes that seemed to dart around the market, assessing every passerby. Beside him was a wooden chest, its edges worn and covered with small dents and scratches, yet carefully locked.

The stranger, who looked to be in his fifties, unlatched the chest and began setting out small vials and jars filled with colorful powders and liquids—items that looked distinctly different from anything Saku had ever seen in the market. The vibrant colors stood out against the muted winter palette, catching her curiosity immediately.

"He’s a medicine seller,” her mother explained quietly, noticing her interest. "Traveling merchants like him roam from town to town, selling remedies and tonics you won’t find in ordinary places. They have their methods—some useful, some… not so much.” Her mother’s tone was cautious, a subtle warning in her gaze.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 8: The Medicine Seller

[681]

Despite her mother’s words, Saku couldn’t resist. As the morning passed, she found herself watching the medicine seller closely, observing how he interacted with customers, his voice smooth and persuasive, his movements calculated. His remedies were strange, each one seemingly exotic, and he had a way of talking that held people’s attention, painting images of far-off places and mystical cures.

Toward midday, the man’s eyes met hers, and he offered a small, knowing smile. Saku blushed, caught in her fascination. Before she could turn away, he beckoned her over with a crooked finger.

"Curious, aren’t you?” he said in a low, gravelly voice as she approached his stall. "I see the spark of a healer in your eyes.”

Saku hesitated, glancing back at her mother, who was busy helping a customer and hadn’t noticed. She nodded shyly, unable to deny her curiosity.

The medicine seller reached into his chest and pulled out a small, knotted pouch, his movements deliberate. "This,” he said, "is a rare root from lands far south of here. It’s called firethorn. A potent remedy, especially for fevers and chills. Just a small amount can banish even the fiercest winter fever.”

Saku’s eyes widened as she examined the pouch, eager yet cautious. "Firethorn?” she repeated, the name rolling unfamiliar and foreign on her tongue. She had never heard of such a root, and the promise of a cure for fevers was tempting, given how winter ailments were plaguing the town.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 8: The Medicine Seller

[681]

He nodded, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. "A little expensive, but worth every coin. Just a pinch brewed in hot water, and it’ll warm the body from the inside out. Perfect for cold winters like this.”

Before she could answer, Saku’s mother appeared beside her, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. "We appreciate your offer,” her mother said, placing a protective hand on Saku’s shoulder, "but we’ll need to inspect it first. Remedies that seem too powerful often have their risks.”

The medicine seller raised his hands, feigning innocence. "Of course, of course. A cautious healer is a wise one. But I assure you, I would never sell anything harmful.” With that, he handed Saku the pouch and gave her a small, respectful nod, watching as they returned to their stall.

Once back, Saku’s mother opened the pouch, carefully inspecting the dry, knotted root within. She lifted it to her nose, sniffing it cautiously, her face unreadable. "This firethorn root is indeed potent,” she said finally, "but if overused, it could cause dizziness, nausea, and even harm the heart.”

Saku’s eyes widened, a shiver running through her. She realized how easily she might have trusted the medicine seller’s words without knowing the full dangers of the root.

Her mother met her gaze, her tone gentle but firm. "Remember, Saku, every medicine has a balance. What heals in small doses can harm in larger ones. This is why you must always understand a plant’s full nature before using it.”

She took a small, rough notebook from her satchel, one that had been passed down through their family, filled with generations of careful notes. She flipped through it, finding a page on rare roots and herbs, and showed Saku the careful entries about firethorn root, with notes on its properties and the dangers of overuse.

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 8: The Medicine Seller

[681]

"People like him have their knowledge,” her mother explained, "but they often lack the patience to study each remedy deeply. He might not even know how dangerous this root can be.”

Saku nodded slowly, feeling both embarrassed and enlightened. She had almost trusted the stranger’s claims without question, drawn in by the allure of something new. The lesson was humbling, reminding her that there was no substitute for thorough knowledge and careful study.

Later that afternoon, as they were packing up to leave, the medicine seller strolled over, his hands tucked into his cloak, his expression amiable. "So, what do you think of the firethorn?” he asked with a curious gleam in his eye.

Saku’s mother smiled politely. "It’s a powerful root, but not one to use lightly. Sometimes, simpler herbs, ones that grow in our land, are the best choice for our people.”

The man tilted his head, a small smile tugging at his lips as though acknowledging her wisdom. "Perhaps you’re right. But power is always a tempting thing, is it not?”

As he walked away, Saku watched him with a mixture of respect and wariness. She realized that while his knowledge had value, it was no replacement for the grounded wisdom her mother had passed down. There were no shortcuts in healing, only endless paths of learning.

That night, as Saku prepared her evening tea by the fire, she thought about the firethorn root and the allure of quick fixes. Her mother’s words echoed in her mind: a healer’s work was about balance, patience, and respect for the natural order. There would always be tempting shortcuts, but true healing came from a deeper understanding—no matter how long it took.

[End]

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[Nue Saku]

[attr="class","wabisabi"]

Chapter 9: The Illness in the Port

[682]

The winter days after the New Year were colder than anyone could remember. Frost crusted the windows of every home in the port town, and the sea lay still and dark beneath a heavy, gray sky. The streets were quieter than usual, the holiday celebrations long faded, replaced by a somber, heavy silence that seemed to settle over the town like a second layer of snow.

Saku and her mother had noticed fewer people passing by their stall lately, and it wasn’t just the cold that was keeping them away. Word had begun to spread of a strange illness in the port. It had started as a whisper but had quickly grown into something impossible to ignore.

"It’s a fever,” one woman murmured to Saku’s mother as she bought a small jar of eucalyptus salve. "It came on suddenly for my husband, and now he’s too weak to leave the bed.”

Others mentioned similar symptoms—fever, chills, and a cough that seemed to linger far longer than normal. In the close quarters of the town, where people lived side by side, news traveled fast, and so did sickness. Soon, Saku and her mother were hearing about entire households laid up with the illness.

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[Nue Saku]

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Chapter 9: The Illness in the Port

[681]

One evening, as they sat around the hearth, Saku’s mother gave her a serious look. "Tomorrow, we’ll go to the docks. The workers have been hit hardest, and they’re less likely to seek help until they’re too sick to walk. If we don’t act now, this could spread to the entire town.”

Saku nodded, her heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and resolve. Her mother had taught her so much, but this would be her first time working to treat a sickness spreading through the town. She could sense her mother’s worry, though she hid it well.

The next morning, they packed their supplies—a mixture of herbs, salves, and teas they had prepared for fever, congestion, and coughing. Saku carried an extra flask of the bitter willow bark tea her mother had taught her to brew for lowering fevers. It was harsh on the tongue but effective, and she knew the port workers would need its strength.

The docks were unusually quiet as they arrived, the usual bustle of unloading ships and shouting workers replaced by an eerie stillness. A few men and women huddled together, coughing and shivering despite layers of clothing. When Saku and her mother approached, they looked up with grateful, weary eyes.

"Thank you for coming,” one of the men rasped, his voice hoarse. "We tried to work through it, but it only seems to be getting worse.”

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