I bit my lip as I scanned the brush, looking for the large ragged leaves of elcampane and the rough reddish stems of agrimony. I saw a stand of aspen trees not far away with thick brush at the base but no elcampane or agrimony within a ten meter radius. I pulled aside roots and leaves, looking for something. I reached the stand of aspens and pulled out a few types of grasses so I could see more clearly. There, under a pile of leaves and a fallen branch, was a tiny handful of limp agrimony. It wasn't much but it would have to do...I carried it back to the stream and soaked the weak plant for a second to mack it more palpable. I kneaded it into my hand to soften it. My red and gold performance costume was matted with dirt so I couldn't dry the leaves. I frowned at the tiny pile of crushed leave in my palm. This wasn't enough. My face was solemn as I held out the leaves to Akello, not wanting to look at her face. I hoped we were near some sort of city. There had to be a hospital if there was a city, and where there was a hospital there was medicine. If there was medicine, there was something to keep Akello from joining the twisted place in my mind with my parents. I felt my teeth break the skin on my lip. My hand was still out so I looked up at Akello. "It will help. None of us wants to lose you. If we can help...you have to tell us Akello!" I begged, a false hope shining in my eyes.