Role

Chapter 2

As he stood there grinding away at the mortar and pestle grinding the herbs,
Thaliyaus could feel a presence watching him from the window. A slow smile
spread across his face as he could see a reflection in the many glass bottles
before him of a shaggy headed little boy with wide eyes peering into the open
window. He had always hoped his son would take an interest in the ways of the
healing arts, but it was not something he was ever going to push upon him.

Without ever taking his eyes off his work, Thaliyaus gave a simple wave with
one hand to beckon the little boy into the room. A small giggle escaped from
the little boy at being discovered yet he disappeared from view briefly and
then remerged through the front door. An eager smile upon his face as he
stood there watching his father, trying to peer up over the counter to see
what he was making.

Pausing briefly, Thaliyaus reached down under the table and pulled out a
small step stool and placed it next to himself. Returning to the counter top,
he then placed a second mortar and pestle to his right along with a freshly
picked pile of herbs. Watching out of the side of his eye, Thaliyaus began to
explain what it was he was doing and as to why. How he was preparing
medicinal herbs as he does every morning for the day to come. With a cautious
and simple nod, the little boy watched his father in awe and took in all he
could and mimicked the motions. Though his face did not show it, Thaliyaus
could not but help feel pride in this moment in his son and a new generation
would begin their journey into the path of medicine.