A Step Forward (2)

"You can have them," Tamara said when she saw Lia surrounded with notebooks. "But aren't they a little boring?"

Lia stared at the lady before her as if seeing her for the first time. Now she felt silly for even thinking that this woman was involved in the dark magic when she was too noble for that.

"They're interesting, actually. You always make those calming teas and fragrant balms from simple plants. I didn't know that you can make more from them." Lia smiled a bit.

When it came to dealing with Tamara, she maintained that aloof and distant personality the old Lia had to not raise suspicion. But Tamara was a difficult person to dislike. She was not overbearing or pushy and respected Lia's distance. If one were to turn a blind eye to her title, she seemed like a normal mother.

Lia returned her gaze to the books and found that these books were written like someone took notes in a lecture. She pointed at the one on her lap, "This book…"

Tamara peered over Lia's shoulder. "Ah, these are my notes from my studies and researches. The beauty of plants lies in their many uses which are helpful in daily life."

That sounded a lot like Lia's Pharmacognosy professor in college. An idea sprang from Lia's mind. "Then you can't be poisoned or something like that because you'll know right away," she joked, but Tamara did not laugh.

"The medicine I make can only save lives. I am not above anyone to be taking lives."

Pain crossed Tamara's features, but she quickly hid them.

"You're not really a witch, are you?" She thought for a while before she asked, "Are you a physician?"

Tamara seemed to be surprised but shook her head in response.

"Then why do you have this? But this… these are all lists… are you a herbalist maybe?"

Tamara laughed then waved her hand. "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. It's just that… it's been a while since I heard those words to describe what I do. No one ever called me that here. No, I'm not any of those. Right now, I'm just someone who likes to study plants and maybe use them to earn a living."

Lia heard the unspoken 'But I used to be one,' and felt aggrieved for Tamara. "The people are enjoying the benefits of your studies but have the nerve to say those rumors and shun you away?! I call that bu— unfair." Tamara poured her heart and soul in making medicine for fever or stomach aches and other ailments and sold them in town. Look what she got in return.

To her surprise, Tamara only smiled as if resigned to her fate. She turned to her table and started arranging her materials.

"Why are you okay with that?" Lia asked, aghast.

"People will believe what they want to believe. No words will reach them." She shrugged. "I don't care."

Lia felt as if they were talking about other people and not the townsfolk. She wanted to ask, but Tamara seemed to not want to talk about it.

"Witchcraft or not, people don't accept things they don't understand easily." Tamara turned her back. Lia took it as a cue that it was the end of the discussion. But she would not accept that.

"I want to learn."

Tamara stopped moving and turned back to look at her, wide-eyed. "What?"