Herbalist in Pain

September 23 Truly, why must the most precious herbs cling so precariously to the edges of peril? From the break of dawn, I embarked upon the arduous ascent in pursuit of the Everlasting Herb. As the afternoon sun waned, I finally beheld it, perched treacherously upon a ledge. To leap across, to circumnavigate, or to employ a rope—all seemed equally futile. In the end, I resolved to enlist the aid of Rosie, my stalwart companion. Brave Rosie, you can do this. You are capable, are you not? With visions of us soaring from cliff to cliff, we took the fateful leap together! Or so I thought... But alas, Rosie halted abruptly at the precipice, and I was cast forward. Clinging desperately to the cliffside, my strength waned, and thus, I plummeted into the abyss below. I shut my eyes tight. Worthless steed. No carrots for you, not for a while. When I regained consciousness, I opened my eyes to find Rosie standing before me. And beside her, the Everlasting Herb, glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Is this fortune or misfortune, I wondered? Regardless, it was a brief yet profoundly painful ordeal for this humble herbalist.