(no subject)
Shapers' Veil is a fantasy novel full of adventure and majesty. It is also an experiential journey into healing. Several modes of healing are woven throughout the story. The most familiar to human readers is herbal medicine as practiced by the healer Gydana.
Born into the potter's trade, Gydana was accepted among the nomadic Adeladans after showing kindness to a headman's grandson. From the tribes she she learned healing arts, including midwifery and the uses of plants. Herbs that give comfort and support natural healing are always her first choice, but she knows well how to make a potion strong enough to poison an enemy or even to drug a recalcitrant immortal.
Kawi found Gydana on a bench outside the hut, tying herbs into bundles. A pile of plants lay at her feet on each side of her. No, on one side was a pile of plants, on the other was the shadow cat mimicking a pile of plants.
“What’s wrong with me?” he said. “What was that smell?”
“Dolcy herb. It helps you sleep. I didn’t want you to wake up and hurt yourself.”
“How long have I been lying there?”
“We’ve been here two days. Don’t you remember?”
“Two days!” He sat heavily on the bench beside her. Woman and cat and herbs swirled and spun in his eyes. He fought to remember past his grogginess. “I recall you threatened me with something.”
“Because you wouldn’t stay still. I told you you have to stay still. You have to let the wound knit.”
He leaned his head into his hands. “You have poisoned me.”
“I medicated you. It’s good for you. Relax, it’ll wear off in a couple of hours. I’ll get you something to eat and we’ll have a look at you.”
Born into the potter's trade, Gydana was accepted among the nomadic Adeladans after showing kindness to a headman's grandson. From the tribes she she learned healing arts, including midwifery and the uses of plants. Herbs that give comfort and support natural healing are always her first choice, but she knows well how to make a potion strong enough to poison an enemy or even to drug a recalcitrant immortal.
Kawi found Gydana on a bench outside the hut, tying herbs into bundles. A pile of plants lay at her feet on each side of her. No, on one side was a pile of plants, on the other was the shadow cat mimicking a pile of plants.
“What’s wrong with me?” he said. “What was that smell?”
“Dolcy herb. It helps you sleep. I didn’t want you to wake up and hurt yourself.”
“How long have I been lying there?”
“We’ve been here two days. Don’t you remember?”
“Two days!” He sat heavily on the bench beside her. Woman and cat and herbs swirled and spun in his eyes. He fought to remember past his grogginess. “I recall you threatened me with something.”
“Because you wouldn’t stay still. I told you you have to stay still. You have to let the wound knit.”
He leaned his head into his hands. “You have poisoned me.”
“I medicated you. It’s good for you. Relax, it’ll wear off in a couple of hours. I’ll get you something to eat and we’ll have a look at you.”