[amanda784]

The half and half ratio worked much better. For one hour Nala had a speed increase of about ten percent. It wasn't much, but Nala didn't deal in any exceptionally strong potions. She had a feeling that it would be enough for the hunter. The potion making had taken up most of Nala's day. She fed the roosken and headed to bed.

[amanda784]

Nala spent the next day sitting and reading near the rooskens. Today they hung near her even before any food was introduced. Tomorrow Nala would attempt to sit in the enclosure with the rooskens. She had begun adding some calming herbs into their food and she had seen a significant difference. It wasn't enough to make them completely calm, but just enough to make them a little less wary of her.

[amanda784]

It was a good start. Nala felt confident in her new home. She spent her afternoon weaving baskets. They would be good for catching fish. Most hunters also knew how to fish. When on hunts, they would eat smaller animals or fish. Rarely, they were foragers. Some hunters didn't even eat meat. Instead, they would find all the nutrition they needed from plants. Nala was working on a book of plants by area found for hunters.

[amanda784]

The next day, Nala was able to sit in the roosken's enclosure. While they were not aggressive towards her they kept their distance. They were more afraid of her now that there was no fence in between them. She began to write in her journal:

Basantha~ Basantha Shrine

Basantha Shrine holds mostly magical plants. There are many magical species of flowers and Ivy around that area. The Shrine holds little normal plants. The plants most useful to hunters are as follows:
- Spring Ivy ~ this species of Ivy has especially useful healing energy, in small doses. Higher doses will induce vomiting.
- Sweet fruit ~ Despite it's striking color sweet fruit is normal. It can be found on many trees through out the shrine area. It has a high sugar content. Eat sparingly.
- White Lily ~ This flower has cleansing properties. It can be used as an antibiotic or to treat water.

A warning: Take only what you need from the shrine and if possible give back. When dealing in magic you must maintain a balance.

[amanda784]

Basantha~ Fe'gan mountains

This area holds little vegetation. It is best to bring supplies to this area rather than to rely on this area to provide.

Basantha~ Tuun Mountains

This area holds an immense amount of vegetation unlike the nearby Fe'gan Mountains. The most useful for hunting are as follows:
- Soft Moss~ Moss holds a high water content. Eating moss will provide both nutrition and hydration
- Green Mountain Flower ~ This flower contains a small amount of caffeine. Eat it in small amounts only. Too much will make you sick.

Nala put down her pen, happy with the beginnings of her book.

[amanda784]

It was likely the hunter would be back tomorrow. Until then, Nala was left alone with her duties and her thoughts. Nala was currently pregnant. She was due any day now. Nala had gone to a speed dating event and had promised another lucain children. He had promised to take them and raise them, but he had run off. Now, Nala was alone on the farm. Soon, she would have children. Their father was a hunter and wanted the children to be raised as hunters.

[amanda784]

Nala didn't care much whether or not her children became hunters. The only thing she cared about was that they made their own decisions on it. She would not hide who their father was nor his wishes for them, but would still give them the choice. She was hoping at least one would follow in her own footsteps. Studying plants and working in magic was an admirable choice.

[amanda784]

Nala was hoping for three children: one girl and two boys. She knew hunting was the primary source of income in evelon. Having two would allow for two hunters. Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that Nala would have daughter hunters either. She just assumed that having a girl would mean having a child who wanted to learn her own skills. Then again, she could have a son who was interested in working the farm.

[amanda784]

Nala was hoping for three children: one girl and two boys. She knew hunting was the primary source of income in evelon. Having two would allow for two hunters. Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that Nala would have daughter hunters either. She just assumed that having a girl would mean having a child who wanted to learn her own skills. Then again, she could have a son who was interested in working the farm.

[amanda784]

In Nala's head, her two boys would go out hunting. They would be a team as a family. Nala and her daughter would prepare and research for the boys and then the boys would hunt. Nala would spend hours with her daughter, teaching her how to pick what herbs to put into the mixtures. The boys would come home from hunting sometimes weary and upset, but other times overjoyed and full of energy. This was Nala's own little dream.

[amanda784]

Nala spent hours in her garden carefully clipping herbs. Then, she took her basket to the back porch where she would hang the herbs out to dry. In just a few days she would be able to jar the fresh herbs. This was a much more calm way of life then what she was used to. Still, she was beginning to enjoy the small comforts that came with the simplicity of farm life. It was quiet here and on most nights she loved it.

[amanda784]

There were other night where Nala missed the loud roar of the city. She had laughed more than, but it was empty laughter. Her happiness was fake and temporary, but there were days it had felt real. She had been the life of the party. Everyone wanted her around them. She was an expert at making others smile. That all changed when she became pregnant. She could no longer go out at all hours of the nights. Her friends slowly distanced themselves until there was no one left.

[amanda784]

The worst part was the last call she received from Jack. He had told her that even though he wanted children more than anything, there was no way he could include infants on his hunts. He had told her perhaps if they too became hunters they may meet one day.

It wasn't fair. Nala had not asked for children. Her pregnancy was a favor to Jack. She was not supposed to be left with all the responsibility. He had abandoned her with it all, but also gave her all the hope that raising children brings.

[amanda784]

It wouldn't be too much longer now. It was a matter of a couple months until Nala would give birth. Still, the passing days felt like weeks. Nala had never been so excited, yet afraid in all of her life. Nala knew nothing of being a mother, but she was confident that her herbs would make her children grow strong. Her biggest worry was if she could raise kind and gentle children. Keeping children alive was easy, but raising them to face this world would be harder.

[amanda784]

It was likely that her children would learn kindness from Nala, but she worried that she couldn't teach them other important skills. This world was cruel and cold. They would not experience any of it while here in the safety of the farm. How did she best prepare them for the hardships of the world? Nala had an idea, but it wasn't one she was overjoyed about. It held a small level of risk to it.