“Her lungs are weak,” the healer finally said. “I can give her herbs, but the best thing would just be to keep her warm.” Miranda mixed some herbs with water and started it boiling on the stove. “It will cost more than usual, I’m afraid. Medicines are scarce since the Demon Riders started raiding the countryside.”

“Demon Riders?” Flick asked. Kyra leaned in to hear better. News of the barbarians was becoming too common for comfort.

“I’ve not seen them,” said Miranda, “but I have gone out there to help the injured. The survivors talk of folk who ride on the backs of giant beasts.”

“How bad are the raids?” asked Flick.

“They come quickly, they leave quickly. They go mostly for livestock, but they’re brutal to those who resist them. It’s a horrible sight to see.” Miranda sighed. “I help those I can, but many are beyond help by the time I get there. The caravans don’t travel as often since the raids started, and they’ve raised their prices for all their goods. Rare ingredients are all but impossible to come by. I could have saved some from infection if I’d had dryad hair, but the Far Ranger caravans no longer come here. They come too far, traveling over the Aerin Mountains, to risk losing it to barbarians.”

“Dryad hair?” asked Flick. Like Kyra, he was skeptical of the fantastical stories from across the mountains.

“One of the best remedies I know,” said Miranda. “Nothing on this side—herbs, roots, animals—comes even close. But the supply has just trickled off.” Miranda removed the boiling pot and poured its contents through a cloth, straining out the leaves. “But enough of this. We’ll scare the child. Just be careful if you leave the city.” She transferred the potion into a leather flask and handed it to Kyra. “Have her breathe the fumes whenever she has trouble.”

“Come here, Lettie.” Kyra opened the flask and stuck it under the girl’s nose. The child obediently took several deep breaths. “Feel any different?” Kyra asked.

Lettie nodded. “It hurts less.”

Kyra scrutinized the girl, surprised that the herbs would work so quickly. But there did seem to be a difference. The tension was gone from Lettie’s face, and she no longer winced with each breath.

“This potion should be good for a week,” Miranda said. “Would you like some herbs for more batches? It would be four coppers per measure.”

“How much would we need?” Kyra asked.

“We could try three weeks’ worth and see if she improves.”

Three weeks’ worth would be twelve coppers. Kyra did some calculations in her head. If she bought the medicine, would her money last until she found another job? It would be tight, but she could probably do it. She pulled out her coin purse and paid the healer, thanking her again as they left.