Trudge trudge, the pathway rose gently up, toward the  mountains. The pass was open   rockslides and smowfall no longer a problem in this fine high summers day after the local lords had banded together to clear thepass, narrow and steep thoughit was. The trade caravan she'd travelled with had regretfully parted company with her two days ago, so she was her own pack - beast, and the cloak her family had had made foer her was her shelter, tent, night- blanket, and much else. It was fine leather on the outside, with a real silk liner, and another liner in her pack that was stout felt for the cold. The healers supplies, and her foodstuffs and such, were in the backpack, although her hunting bow was always ready. You had to eat after all, and a farm girl, (well, mostly farm-girl) was no stranger to blood. Or to hard work. Walking wasn't that hard work.

She'd graduated fifth in a class of twenty or so, lots of hard study and not a little plain work went into that. It would be dark before she reached the steps to the pass proper, but everyone knew of the cave at the bottom, paths led to it from all over. Travelers marks and signs covered parts of the walls, and there were the ashes of a fire long cold where a circle of stones was, her hair blew up in the draft. A mgood place to camp. Tomorrow she'd brave the pass, and see what lay on the other side.

RATE THIS CHAPTER!

Author guidance for This story

Shanel is the 1st of her family to become a traveling healer. Healers healed all, men, beasts, intelligent creatures (goblins, elves, anything and everything.) payment could be a fresh killed game aninal or a fistfull of gold. Payment was always forthcoming, or else the healer wouldn't heal again! Travel was risky but rewarding, especially for a female human. She hoped to make a name (and small fortune) for herself before settling down with someone. But the travels would help her actually find that someone! With a Talent for healing and itchy feet, it was the best of all worlds to her mind.

updated Mar 11 '11 by smwright