“嘶——” medicinal steam curled around my nose, thick and pungent enough to make my eyes water. I picked up a handful of herbs and stared at the bubbling pot, trying to figure out what sorcery made such repulsive stuff taste remotely like healing. The man lying on the bed moaned softly in the other room, though i couldn’t hear his words properly anymore. The sound was more like a dry cough with a hint of something else, something… irritable.

I signed him a few times, asking when the medicine would be ready. He just waved impatiently, neck craning to sniff the air himself. i sighed silently and started sorting the herbs, working mostly by touch. My fingers knew which root needed more time, which leaves were ready to be strained.

A sudden clatter from outside made me jump. i glanced over, and saw Old Wu rushing in, trying to push the doorframe out of the way of some kind of crate he was carrying. The crate wobbled precariously and nearly tipped over, but he managed to brace himself just in time.