To The Mountains

Theron is wearing his usual gear for hunting. He also brought his bow and arrow. He has an extra bag for whatever they will bring back from the mountains.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountains, he carefully selected two long and hard wooden sticks from the grounds which will help the two ladies on steep areas of the mountain.

They've been hiking for so long that Calla is beginning to think Theron wants them to regret this decision. Theron brought them to an area a little bit denser and what seems to be a virgin trail with a lot of herbs. It took them a long time to get there.

At one point, they stopped at a wall of thick vines and the surroundings looked like a dead end.

'Are we lost? Should we go back?' Meara asked in her heart.

But before Meara could say it out loud, she saw two stone grave markers adorned with sympathy flowers of lilies, roses, and carnations and Theron standing solemnly in front of them. There are a few big rocks suitable for resting nearby.

Theron looked back at Meara's confused face.

"Meet my parents." He introduced the graves. "I visited them the other day. They frequented this secret place when they were alive. My grandpa told me they liked this place very much and used to hike in this part of the mountain. They are both orions. Yes. Even my mother. She's not like any other woman." He said proudly.

The two ladies uttered a sincere prayer. When they were done, Meara asked Theron.

"What do you mean secret place?"

Theron chuckled and with his two strong arms parted the thick vines behind the graves and led the two into a cave-like entrance before reaching a vast land.

"What do you think?" He spread his right arm and a lush area of green, violet, red, and blue vegetation, and herbs were presented before them. It spans about a hundred meters of colorful flowers and plants on various slopes and flat areas. It seems to have been planted by the mountain God carefully outlining different varieties for easier harvesting. On the outside, its beauty is hidden by the hardwood tall trees like a protective layer guarding the treasure inside.

"Oh, my God! This is it! This is it! There are lots we can use and sell in the pharmacy in the city!" Meara was so excited. She put out the book and showed it to them.

"Look, most of the herbs here are considered rare. In this book, you can check how to harvest it and even the specifics of each plant. Come and check it if you are not sure." They settled their things on a big flat rock.

Calla brought out two small knives and handheld shovels from their bag. She handed over one set to Meara. Right now, they were not asking for Theron to help them gather herbs. They just want him to take them there.

"I will go around the area and check if there are hidden dangers. This place is relatively safe since herbs and flowers naturally deter most pests and small animals, even snakes. I will be back as soon as I check the surrounding areas. Don't go too far. Or just… Stay here since this is a remote area."

Meara brought out steam buns from her bag and asked Theron to take it. He only took one.

"I will be back to eat with you later anyway, I will just take one."

"Okay take care." Meara reminded him.

The two carefully checked the book and the treasure in front of them. They have decided to get a few rare medicinal plants and bring some for transplant in the courtyard.

The two ladies enjoyed the morning exercise. The forest was cool and the sun's rays were just slipping through the canopy of trees above. They cannot even get sunburned. Their lungs are filled with fresh mountain air. This place promotes healing.

One particular area abounds in beautiful deep black-violet flowers about 4 square meters. This is the legendary Celestial Saffron. The flowers were so grouped together, that there should be more than a thousand flowers in that group. The use of this plant is endless. In the medical world alone, it covers gastric and sleep disorders, heart diseases, and emotional fluctuation associated with anxiety and depression. It can also be used as dye, spices, and even perfume. There is a big difference with the regular saffron which is already rare in itself. This is a hundred times more potent than the regular saffron. The petals have a black lining that gradually merges with violet. The regular one has three golden threads while the Celestial Saffron contains 6.

Calla carefully harvested it by hand. A bit laborious but it was what was written in the book. They filled one basket just for this, each flower was kept on the wax paper used in food stalls. In the end, there were still a lot more after the basket was filled. They were not greedy. Just enough to see how much this will sell after they bring the raw into the city.

Meara left Calla so she could see other areas. This is a treasure trove. Right now, she has already uprooted 3 rare medicinal herbs about a foot in height for easier transportation. However, it's time to start looking for rare plants which could sell a fortune. Some of the herbs here were also planted in her courtyard so she wants to choose carefully.

At the far end away from where Theron went to check earlier, she noticed a few wild gingers and foam flowers around an area where plants with red berries and 16-inch tall were flourishing. They were all more than two meters apart which ensured enough air circulation and of course, considering this "magical place", everything is conducive to growing ginseng. Once she realized this, her heart beat furiously.

'Ginseng?!'

She carefully looked at each plant closer to her.

'Indeed!'

Then she thought deeply.

'This is an unexplored part of the mountain as far as I know. How old could the ginseng here be?…'

Meara checked the book on how to harvest the ginseng. She looked for plants with at least three five-pronged leaves and deep red berries in the middle. Once again, she realized, all have five five-pronged leaves and deep red berries.

'Plants here really grow uniquely! Everything's extra!'

Meara stood while looking at all these ginseng plants. To harvest this, knowing it will be tedious and will take quite a long while, she needs help.

She called Calla who was currently harvesting her second full young herb to be transplanted back to the courtyard. Meara shared her concerns and together they stared at the treasure in front of them

"I'm back!" Theron said, disturbing the concentration of the two.