Finally, Lumen unclenched his jaw and began to walk. The entire twenty or so minutes were consumed by his thoughts, replaying the events over and over. More so, his episode faded so quickly and a foreign feeling swept him up like a gentle wave. He wasn't sure how or why, but it was as if he dreamt of the sensation in his body. A quiet hum vibrated through his core, with it taking his pain away.
Lumen hadn't realized it, but he was clutching his tunic, his knuckles white with strain.
Suddenly he was pulled from his head, lifting his eyes.

"Hey, Kid. What's your business here?"

Lumen stumbled over his thoughts for a moment, trying to organize them.

"Ah, sorry, I'm here to see the Herbalist. I just needed a few things." He muttered.

Lumen tried to lift a smile to the large man in front of him. He was taller, tanned skin from the sun, surely beaming on him daily as he guarded the humble village. On the other side of the open gate, a large woman, taught muscle spread over her body, her dark crimson hair tied into a tight ponytail, her long, fox like ears pointed up, listening intently to the forest around her. Feli'na were naturally larger, having muscular frames and athletic bodies. Still, he felt a bit embarrassed compared to her. He was a man, but still thin and much smaller compared to her.

The guards looked at each other before silently nodding to each other.

"Welcome to the village"

The guard said rather dryly. It wasn't his job to be friendly, but Lumen felt awkward as he shuffled past the entrance into town.

It was a humble village, nestled within the safety of trees. Brightly colored stones made up the paths and ground beneath him. Lumen thought it must match the leaves in autumn.
Lumen eyes scanned the area. A small wooden bridge closed the gap over a stream that cut through the heart of the village. He remembered the Herbalist shop was across the bridge somewhere, he hurried across, few people of the village glancing his way, some smiling and others minding their business. An older man passed him on the bridge with his basket full of deep leafy vegetables and bright squash. Life here was very quiet, and there wasn't frequent traffic from travelers. That being said, the medicinal shop here was renowned for being fantastic. It was due to the fact that this village was settled near bodies of water, deep within the forest. The Herbalists here had abundant flora to study. Lumen remembered hearing about it the last time he ventured here.

The villagers were proud of their accomplishments and their give-and-take relationship with nature. They often nurtured young trees and shrubs in the area, never taking more than they needed. Lumen thought it must be nice to live here, as he passed a small shop, a worn sign hung in the front. An elderly woman swept the honey-colored tiles of the ground with a worn looking broom.

Lumen stood in front of an old wooden building. Various bushes and vines clung to the outside of it, and a large weeping tree loomed over the shop from behind. He double-checked the sign before opening the wooden door to the shop, a chime heard through the fragrant sore. He was greeted by a tall man in flowing garb. Blue intricate designs decorated the cuffs of the dark green robe.

The man behind the counter was tall; his features looked sharp, and his eyes were slender. His long pointed ears parted his white hair. Lumen felt a sense of ease seeing the Elven man in front of him and found himself smiling as he went to speak

"Good afternoon" Lumen spoke as his eyes scanned various glass jars, wooden boxes, shelves locked behind the counter. The smell in the store was overbearing but not unpleasant. The tall man before him bowed his head in a kind gesture

"Greetings, How may we assist you today, anything in particular?"

His voice was smooth and deep; Lumen often envied pure blood Elves, they had such a sharpness and grace he could never capture. Despite his pointed ears, his soft features gave away that he was not entirely one of them. Still, the man before him didn't seem to mind. His smile unwavering.

"Ah, so" Lumen unbuttoned his pouch and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper with notes scribbled across.

"I was hoping you would have some of these roots and herbs"

Lumen handed the man the paper. The tall Elves long fingers took the paper, his eyes scanning it curiously before he spoke

"I believe we can assist you with this order, but I have to ask, is everything alright?" He glanced down at Lumen for a moment, who averted his gaze, feeling a strange twist in his stomach.

"Many of these are for pain, infection or fatigue.." Lumen felt the man's gaze down on him as he tried to smile politely.

"Oh, Yeah.. I realize it looks strange, but everything is fine. You never know when you may need them" Lumen tried to hide his uncertainty with a smile. The man in front of him didn't seem convinced, but didn't question him further. He turned his back to Lumen, and he could hear the clinking of glass, and the rustling of paper.

Lumens eyes drifted around the store, admiring the plants being allowed to grow how they pleased, thick leafy vines crawling the walls in the far corner. A small potted bonsai on the counter in front of him. He glanced at various labels and salves, many of the words meaning nothing to him.

The Elven man spoke as he turned around, presenting herbs wrapped within brown paper held tight by a thick string. A glass vial with beige powder inside it, and a small cork dish with a lid tightly fitted on top.

"Here is your request, this one is the salve for any open wounds" His hand drifted to the cork dish, before gliding seamlessly to the glass jar

"This is for pain, it's ground fine enough; it will dissolve in warm water. If you require it urgently place a small pinch under your tongue, but avoid taking too much as it can cause sickness and stomach upsets."

Lumen nodded as the other's hand landed gently atop the brown folded paper

"There's two different herbs in here, the one with the small red buds is for fatigue. You can cook with it or drink it as a tea. The other herb is a secondary one for body pain; use it the same as the first one. It can be used to treat burns as well, wet it and wrap it on the burn and it should improve within a few hours, do you have any questions?"

The man smiled down at Lumen as he processed all of the information. He was pretty sure he would remember most of what the man said. He shook his head, a slight smile on his lips.

"Ah, No thank you. How much for everything?"

The Herbalist wrote a few numbers to himself behind the counter before speaking

"Fifty three silver."

Lumen tried to hide his surprise. Fifty three was a lot for him, nearly two weeks worth of work from the farm. He had underestimated the cost, which was his own fault. He should have known a shop specializing in medicines would have a higher price.

He pulled out his small red satchel. Reaching his hand within, he grabbed a fistful of silver, then another. His bag barely having any weight left to it, his heart sank a little. The coins clattered as they spread across the counter in front of him. The Elven man carefully counted the pieces before bowing, flashing the youth a smile

"Thank you for your purchase, may you have good health"

Lumen smiled at the gesture, carefully taking his goods and storing them within the confines of his bag.

He exited the shop, hearing the clink of the bell behind him as he left. The sun had shifted in the sky. It must be later in the afternoon by now. Lumen made his way across the worn bridge, hearing the water beneath him, filling him with a sense of calm. He was soon at the gates. The same two from earlier nodded as he passed through.

'Be safe out there." The woman spoke to Lumen as he left.

"Thank you" Lumen nodded towards her as he followed the worn path, passing the wooden sign that pointed towards Iku'bo until it was just forest all around, no sense of direction.
Not having a compass in this area was nearly a death sentence. Lumen at least had enough experience out here. He usually had no problems navigating the forest. But he wasn't an expert by any means.

As he listened to the wind rustling through the trees above, streaks of sunlight breaking through unevenly as the branches moved in time with the breeze. He thought of his earlier interaction with the stranger from town. His episode melting away and his body being hoisted up by a strong grip. It's not that it seemed like the man cared, more like he happened across Lumen by chance.

Lumen didn't sense malice from him, but also didn't sense really, anything.

Lumen pondered the events, feeling relieved nothing had happened. He hadn't been hurt, and for that he was thankful. His body was tired and he hurried his pace towards home

It was evening, by the time Lumen got home, he tucked away inside, placing a dish of sardines on his kitchen floor for Biyo, who was already there, watching him intently until his food was placed for him. Lumen smiled at the impatience of a cat. Sometimes Lumen wished he could live in such a manner, to only eat and sleep. It sounded like a dream come true for him.

Lumen sat in the old wooden chair within his kitchen, staring out of his window at the warm colored sky, orange and pinks bled across the clouds above as the sun set slowly. His fingers tangled in the scarf he had purchased recently, he found it sitting in his lap as his slender hand swam across the fabric, carefully. He thought of his mother. A kind woman that loved deeply, and honestly. Claimed by disease a few years ago. Tearing a hole in Lumen's heart he feared he could never fill. She had wanted to bring him here in hopes they could live a normal life; despite this being a mostly human village, it was still his mother's home. She had been considered an outsider due to her love for an Elven man who had come through the village often.

Lumen's long eyelashes fluttered against his skin as his mind was swept away, staring at the scarf, intently, rubbing the side of his finger across the same spot repeatedly. Not a day went by where he didn't feel the gnawing pain, the loneliness of it all.

The unending orange of the evening sky illuminated Lumen's home, casting shadows across the walls. Lumen stayed this way until it was dark. Biyo decided not to leave his house tonight, flopping down beneath the table. Lumen's pouch rest on. Soon he found himself feeling tired, his forlorn eyes glancing up at the now dark window. He decided to seek refuge in sleep.

Lumen's body sank into the comfort of his bed. As he drifted away, he remembered the smell from earlier. Something akin to smoldering, smoky cinnamon swirled in his mind, and the pleasant reminder of the smell carried him to sleep.