East

I slept for three days. Never in my life had I done something like that. Not as a child, not after hangovers or finals … my body appeared to be trying to catch up for all the missing sleep from the past six weeks at once. I woke up in the morning each day, decided I wasn't done yet and went back to sleep.

When I awoke on the fourth day, I felt almost normal. Batu was gone, which didn't surprise me, and I went through a quick morning routine. By the faint patter on the roof, it was drizzling. I hadn't quite figured out if there was such a thing as rain gear here and dressed in a heavy over tunic to venture outside.

The day was gray and chilly, and few people were out in the rain. I had no clue what duties and activities occurred on sunny days that might not on rainy days. With some uncertainty, I wandered through the tents, following a path I thought was familiar towards Ghoajin's ger. I had picked up another skill completely by accident from my time in the plague tent: identifying and using medicinal herbs. Ghoajin had taught me during the long hours when we nursed the sleeping warriors.

I had learned to identify over a dozen different herbs by sight and smell, to combine them to form potent mixes in water or milk and to make at least one balm. I was eager to learn more from her.

Soon, I was pleased to confirm my sense of direction was correct. I reached her large white tent and stood outside the door. Thus far, people seemed to just wander into other people's gers, but I didn't really know if there was some sort of protocol I was missing or not.

I walked in.

Ghoajin was seated at the fire with two other women. She looked up, her smile swallowing her features. "I am pleased to see you well, Moonbeam," she said.

"Thank you." I sat with the others and watched. They were sifting dried herbs while one lady crushed some with a mortar and pestle. "I came to learn more about the herbs."

"Finally, you have found your skill, Moonbeam?" one of the women teased.

Aware my adventure was common knowledge throughout the camp, I nodded with a grin.

"It is a fine skill for you to master, since you cannot fall ill from disease," Ghoajin said. "You will do much good here, Moonbeam."

I hope so. I needed to feel like I was contributing to my new family, community and everyday life, even if I had learned they were willing to overlook my lack of practical skills because of my translating ability.