The children gathered close, forming a soft circle around the herbs they had picked in the dream-forest.

Their small hands worked with surprising care-crushing, mixing, kneading the glowing leaves and petals the way Elowyn had taught them earlier.

A strange perfume filled the cave.

Warm.

Ancient.

Alive.

"Let's taste it," one child whispered.

"For Mia," another added.

They each scooped a tiny bit and touched it to their tongues.

Instantly-

"AAAHHH-BITTERRR!"

"My tongue is ...