Amber Flamehart's Arc

Chapter 1 of 4

Amber Flamehart crouched at the edge of an icy cliff, her mittened hands brushing frost from a cluster of pale blue flowers. She studied their silver-veined petals and smiled. These were what she had climbed here for. The Frostpeak Plateau held plants that grew nowhere else in the world, and she planned to learn every one of them. One day she would brew remedies no other healer could make. She tucked the flowers into her satchel and turned back toward the strange mushroom structure she'd found last week. It rose from the snow like a giant toadstool, pale blue with patterns like snowflakes across its surface. Inside, it was warm and dry. Perfect for a workshop. She had already moved in her mortar and pestle, a few books, and some empty jars. This would be her base while she searched the peaks. Back inside, Amber hung the fresh flowers on wooden shelves she'd built along the curved wall. The air was still and warm here, good for drying plants without scorching them. She'd created a small nook just for this, with hooks and racks at different heights. Each herb needed different conditions. Some dried fast, others slow. She was learning which was which. Through the rounded doorway, she could see the sledge ramp she'd packed down yesterday. The slope was steep, but the wooden rails kept supplies from sliding off the sides. Tomorrow she would haul up more jars and firewood. For now, she sorted her flowers and made notes in her journal. The work was slow, but she had time. The plateau wasn't going anywhere, and neither was she.