Night fell as we walked, the moon rising like a silver coin behind clouds. The body's muscles began to ache—a dull throb starting in my lower back and spreading to my shoulders. I'd never experienced fatigue before. It was... inconvenient.
"Great lord?" Taro's voice cut through the darkness, still maintaining that careful distance.
"What?"
"This one notices you favor your left side. Did this one's great lord sustain injury?"
The boy was observant. I hadn't realized I was limping.
"This body is unfamiliar. It requires maintenance I don't yet understand."
"I could prepare a compress. With herbs. My father taught me..."
I stopped walking and turned to face him. He immediately dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the dirt path.
"Rise. Show me these herbs."
We found a patch of wild mint and yarrow near a stream. Taro's hands, though still trembling, moved with practiced efficiency as he crushed the plants between stones and mixed them with water from the stream.
