2024 N : Needlethorn

 

In fantasy, common things from our world may need an alternative. This was evident in Fire and Redemption. Herb poultices and potions are not always sufficient and a more modern method of getting the medicine into the patient was needed. Glass has not been a large part of the world, so I discarded the use of glass needles. Instead I chose to create a more natural tool and needlethorn was envisioned.

Karst shifted within the narrow tunnel formed by the thorn-covered bushes. Muscles, cramped from crawling since dawn on hands and knees through the dense underbrush, burned with each movement. A swipe with the back of his hand, removed the sweat running down his face. Despite the early hour, the cool morning air had not yet reached into the depth of the thicket. The canopy of entwined branches protected the dark yellow shoots underneath and trapped the heat.

The tight confines made it harder to gather the needlethorn, but the new growth was what he needed. Only the thin, tapered leaves still untouched by the sun were suitable to get the fever cure under the victim’s skin.

Careful sweeps with a branch cleared most of the debris away from the area in front of him, but some of the pointed spikes remained stuck in the damp dirt. Collecting the thorns required such a delicate touch that gloves were useless. Even the thick leather mitts used when working around hot metal offered little protection against the carpet of sharp rocks, thorn-studded twigs, and razor-edged leaves from previous seasons’ deadfalls.

Since the use of plant needles was not a customary treatment, the women of Clan Vreis had to pick the memories of the gray-haired oldsters on how to prepare the medical tool. Inexperience and more than a few conflicting ideas caused several of the early batches to be unsuitable. Not enough heat and they bent when attempted to be used. Over-boiled thorns were too brittle and broke rather than piercing the skin. Which meant more ripped flesh to remove the fragments.

Whether needlethorn or a glass needle is better? I will tell you after the next injection I get.

~till next time, Helen

 

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