They found the first Riverleaf near a slow-moving stream.
Broad green leaves.
Blue veins.
A soft glow when touched.
Fenric knelt and carefully cut the stem.
"Don't pull it," Liana reminded him. "It ruins the root."
"I know," Fenric said. "Seraphina drilled that into me."
They worked quietly.
Fenric moved slowly and precisely.
No rushing.
No wasted motion.
After that came Stonebark.
Thick, rough plants growing on tree roots.
Hard to cut.
Easy to damage.
Fenric adjusted his grip and applied a thin layer of Aura to the knife.
Not power.
Stability.
The bark came off clean.
Liana watched him for a moment.
"You're treating this like combat," she said.
Fenric shrugged. "Control is control."
By midday, their pouch was nearly full.
No monsters appeared.
Only insects and distant birds.
"This is… calm," Fenric said.
"Enjoy it," Liana replied. "It won't stay like this forever."
They finished the last bundle and tied the pouch shut.
