I straightened up, holding the delicate white flower in my hand, the first herb successfully found. It had taken longer than expected, but there was a certain thrill to the small victory. I tucked the flower carefully into my satchel, making sure it was secure before pulling out the map again. There were still five more herbs to find.
The map was rough, the marks and drawings hastily scrawled, and I could only make out vague areas where the remaining herbs might be. I set off again, deeper into the forest, feeling the weight of the task ahead.
The trees thickened as I walked, their trunks towering high above me, blocking out much of the sunlight. Shadows danced on the ground, and the air grew cooler with every step.