Submitted: 14 January 2000

Falling Tears and Sassafras Tea

by Naresha Zahra

"Thank you" she said as she took the steaming mug of tea. Baresh noticed a slight quiver of her bottom lip as she spoke.

"I am Baresh, the barkeep. I don’t believe I have seen you here before."

"No, I have never been here before. I am Naresha, an empath." Naresha held the mug with both hands as she slowly sipped the tea.

"You seem troubled Naresha, if I may say. Many of my patrons find a little comfort from confiding in me."

A weak smile crossed Naresha’s lips as she began her tale...... "Earlier today I was in the company of my beloved Solrac, a friend Zuellier, and a new acquaintance Aethelia. We were up near the mines. Solrac, Zuellier and Aethelia were making sport with the reavers and wind hounds. I was along to cheer them on. While they were engaged in battle an adventurer whispered to me that my assistance was needed in the tunnel. I told Solrac I was going with him to help a deader but I was later to learn that Solrac had not heard me.

When the adventurer led me to the deader he waved and continued on his way - not being a part of this group gathered. I was unable to perceive much life energy in this place so I requested that we move the deader.

As we discussed this the reavers attacked again. The others in the group battled the reavers to protect us so that the deader could be healed for raising. Then a cleric arrived. She being more experienced than me could perceive better energy and didn’t want to move the deader. She said if I wanted to go to a better place I could go look for one. Meanwhile she began applying salves and forcing herbs into the deaders mouth. I was unsure of which way to go as this was only my second time to be there. The first being the day Solrac was disintegrated there. Happily, I met with more adventurers - the names of whom I can not recall. They were directing me toward the tunnel entrance when a reaver attacked me viciously. Those same adventurers came to my defense but not before I received many blows from the reavers ax.

I thought to cast a sphere of protection spell and was able to retreat from the attack. Dazed and battered I attempted to find my way back to Sorlac, where I knew that I would be safe.

I was battered, wounded and lost. Fortune smiled on me as I met more adventurers of whom I asked directions back to the pond where Solrac and the others had been. Seemingly unaware of my distress they asked for healing.

Baresh, I love to heal - I heal for the simple joy of healing - I have never thought for one second that I would want to do anything else but I was too distraught to be of any use to anyone else. Nevertheless, he persisted in his request for healing and I did as he asked. I asked again for directions but the adventurer didn’t seem to hear me as he just turned and walked away.

I knew that my safety, and possibly my life were in my own hands at this point. I tried to clear my mind and remember the way that I had come just a little while ago. Fortune smiled upon me once again as I stumbled into the very clearing where Solrac was. I practically collapsed into his strong arms.

As I began to tell Solrac of the terrible experience passing adventurers kept whispering to me for healing. Baresh, I tell you I was more battered and wounded than they and clearly I was distressed but still they persisted. Even Solrac intervened and asked me to help them.

I healed not one but two adventurers as I fought back, unsuccessfully, my tears. It was then that I quietly asked Solrac to take me to safety and quiet."

Naresha finished her tea. She reached out and touched Baresh’s hand and said, "You are a little like me Baresh. I perceive that you too have taken many internal wounds from the patrons that come in and out of your bar."

Naresha paid for her tea and as she turned to leave Baresh saw that a single tear ran down her cheek. He touched his hand where Naresha had touched him and felt a warmth that didn’t disappear until long after she was gone.