Pick leaves of low-lying shrubs in the woods between Braide Wood and Ferntwine. Hang indoors to dry. Some people use heat trivets to speed the process, but others claim it makes the flavor bitter.

Grind and mix with the bark of the honeywood trees. Sprinkle into a large bowl of water held at a boil on a heat trivet and cover to steep. Ladle into mugs using a special straining ladle.

Susan’s Adaptation:

Steep chai tea, with cloves and a dash of cracked pepper. Strain and serve.

In several of the Sword of Lyric books, there is mention of a table game using black and white stones, called “Perish.”

Here are the rules, so you can try this deceptively simple strategy game.

Game Pieces: 12 black stones and 12 white stones.

Set Up: Stones are set up in four rows of six stones. Stones should alternate colors.

R1: B W B W B W

R2: W B W B W B

R3: B W B W B W

R4: W B W B W B

Game Play: Opponents take turns switching two neighboring stones either horizontally or vertically. Stones that are diagonal cannot be switched, and once two stones are switched, the same two stones cannot be switched again for at least one turn.

For example: B W B W B W could become W B B W B W

Object: The object of the game is to surround one of your opponent’s stones completely with your stones. This means that all four sides of the stone are completely surrounded.

For example:

R1: B W W W B B

R2: B W B W B B

R3: B W W W B B

R4: W B W B W W

Here is an image of a game where white has just made the winning move and surrounded a black piece:

Variation 1: (Short Perish) – “Surround” the opposing player’s piece by positioning your pieces at four corners around their piece – rather than completely surrounding them.

Variation 2: (Complex Perish) – Create a larger board. 6×6 or 10×10