“So, this Highway 221 leads to Stonecroft?” I asked from beside Napier.

“Yep, the blacktop divides the village in half. We’ll be there in directly. In fact, it shouldn’t be too much longer before we see some fencing and walls. From what the village elders told us once, they used stone that had fallen during a rockslide to create the walls when they decided to establish the village here instead of closer to the Blowing Rock ruins.”

“Did they say when the rockslide happened?” I asked feeling a little dread creeping up. I did not like the idea of large rocks just sliding off the mountain.

“No. The elders said it happened several generations ago.”

“Oh! That must have been during the great east coast earthquake of 22…” Lily started to say and quickly fell silent.

“Lily, what do you know?”

“What do you mean what does the pixie know?” Napier asked.

Lily hung her head. “A very unusual thing happened that caused the earthquake that caused the rockslide a very long time ago. I can’t say more.”

“Is the cause something that could happen again?”

Lily gave it some thought. “No. At least not for many years long past our deaths.”

“How long is that?” Napier asked.

“Long past when Jase’s great grandchildren have great, great grandchildren of their own.”

“Oh. Well, that’s more than alright by me then,” Napier replied.

“Me too,” I agreed. I was very curious about what caused the earthquake but knew Lily wouldn’t tell me unless I needed to know, or I learned some information that led to what she wouldn’t tell me. I shrugged and let the thoughts go as the wall came into view.

Most of the stones that made up what we could see of the wall were larger than I was. Some of them were even bigger than the wagon. Even the smallest I could see was waist high and probably weighed hundreds of pounds. “Geez, those are some big rocks.”

Napier laughed. “Yeah, it’s quite the sight.”

“I agree,” Lily said. Napier laughed again as I just stared at the wall. A few minutes later and the wagon entered the village.

Bob Greene approached Napier’s wagon just as soon as it cleared the gate. The merchant nodded to his wagon driver. Napier returned the nod.

“Jase, we’ve arrived. Once Napier parks his wagon, you’re on your own.”

“Alright. Can you point out the headman, mayor, elder, or whatever to me?”

“What? Do I look like one of the villagers? Find them on your own,” Bob replied and stalked back to the front of the caravan.

“Don’t mind Bob. He gets like this on these long trips. Just hang out in the square we park in. There is no mayor here as the villagers consider mayor a lowlander term. The headman or elders will find you since you’re filling the alchemist spot for them.”

“Mom had said there was a mayor.”

“The headman or chief is the same thing. He’s the leader of the village.”

“Thanks Napier.”

“Don’t mention it.”

*

I watched for half an hour as some of the villagers talked to Bob and his crew. After a while, Bob pointed in my direction, shook hands with an older man and woman possessing reddish brown skin, then walked towards a large wood building with a sign on it that read Stonecroft Inn. The man and woman eyed me for a moment and then started walking towards me.

As they came closer, I noticed both not only had the same reddish-brown skin, but their hair was as black as a raven’s feathers, their eyes brown and almond shaped, their mouths wide framed by full lips, and they had high cheekbones. Both also had slightly bent noses. I thought the woman pretty, even if she looked as old as my mother.

“It’s not polite to stare young man,” the woman said in lieu of a greeting.

“I…I apologize. I’ve just never seen people like you before.”

“You’ve never seen non-white people before?” the man asked.

“No sir. I mean, I’ve seen people with darker skin, just never with skin reddish brown before, and I think the lady is quite attractive,” I said before I could stop myself.

“You’ve stepped into it now,” Lily muttered. The woman’s lips quirked up at the corners while the man smiled.

“Yes, I agree that my wife is beautiful,” the man said stressing the word wife.

“Mohe, stop picking on the boy,” the woman said.

“Ok Ama, dear,” the man, Mohe, agreed giving Ama a smile. He turned to me. “Are you Gail Fisher’s son, Jase?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good. I’m Mohe Yargee, the chief of Stonecroft village, and this is my wife, Ama. She is our healer, or medicine woman, if you prefer an older term.”

Ama snorted. “My late mother, Shirley Catawnee, was our alchemist and the medicine woman term fit her better according to the elders. She taught Gail some things long ago.”

“Mother told me she had learned in Stonecroft, but she never said from who.”

“Some people don’t think it’s nice to speak of the dead,” Lily told me. “Perhaps your mother feels that way.”

“Perhaps,” I whispered back.

“Well, let’s see what you know,” Mohe said.

“What is Witch Hazel used for?” Ama asked. My eyes widened in shock at the sudden question. “Well? Tell us!”

“The bark and leaves can be distilled to into an extract used for bruises, sun burn, poison ivy rash, and insect bites.”

Ama nodded. “What about Thyme?”

“Thyme can be used to supplement the diet since it is full of vitamins and antioxidants. It can also help with respiratory issues and skin conditions.”

“Chamomile?” Ama asked after giving me another nod.

“A relaxing tea and a sleep aid.”

“Nettle?”

“Can be used for arthritis, hay fever, high blood pressure, and several other health issues.”

“Comfrey?”

“A salve for healing wounds, soften the skin, or help with muscle strains.”

Ama had nodded after each answer I gave. She grinned. “Indian Tobacco?”

“I…I’ve never encountered that plant before.”

“Not surprising. It doesn’t grow near the coast,” Mohe advised me.

“Indian Tobacoo is a light blue flower that blooms in late summer with purplish stems. It is used for a repiratory treatment when ground into powder,” Ama explained.

“Thank you for the knowledge.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied. “What about Blue Cohosh?”

“I’ve read about that one. The berries are used for rheumatism and to treat…women’s issues,” I answered. That last part caused Mohe and Ama to laugh.

“Papa, what are you and mommy laughing at?” a girl about my age asked as she walked up to us. If Ama was pretty, her daughter was beautiful.

The girl had the same high cheekbones and dark almond shaped eyes. Her black hair was longer and ran down past her shoulders. Her nose was smaller and straight. She also had a small mouth framed by the same full lips her parents possessed.

“Jase, don’t stare,” Lily hissed. I turned from the girl as her mother explained things to her.

“Jase, this is our daughter, Woya,” Mohe introduced his daughter.

“Woya, this is Jase Fisher,” Ama continued the introduction. “He is our new alchemist.”