More than enough time had passed for the Moon Doctor to feel prepared to begin her lessons. That time had been spent scrounging up the last of her herb supplies from the various hiding holes that she had kept Zaffre busy maintaining the stocks thereof, and collecting fresh samples where she could. It was far from an encompassing example of her knowledge, but she could only do so much when winter seemed to drag on forever in the absence of Sun and Earth and Time.

Pacing through the trees, she called out beckoningly, calling her pupils to her side. Her gaze was alert for the signs of her nurses, her acolytes, expecting them to be eager for whatever knowledge she would share with them. Expected them to come as promptly as possible to her call.

Her goal was a clearing near the cliffs, sheltered by thick underbrush to keep out the winds, warmed by a fire that cast flickering light over the hard stones that dragonfire had cleared seasons past to make way for this campfire, that attentive hooves and creative minds still kept clean even now. She chose it because it had a shelf of rock just a few inches higher than the regular ground, more than sufficient towards her plans.

Standing beside this shelf, she nosed through the bag hanging from a harness slung about her shoulders, selecting out a few samples of each plant she'd brought to show her students to place at intervals on the shelf of stone. Deliberately she kept any unwary hooves from venturing too close, gesturing for those who gathered to stand in a semi-circle before her and the herb-laden stone, the fire at her back and casting its glow over the various herbs. Leaves, twigs, roots, and bark, mostly dried, but of a wide variety.

"Most of you are aware that I intend to teach the protectors and any of the rest of the herd a little bit about herbs. But their knowledge will be scant after what I mean to teach all of you.

Not only will you be prepared to tend the bruises and cuts that our protectors incur defending our home, but you will be able to assist a pregnant mare, treat sickness, calm anxious horses, and more. You will know not only how to use these herbs, but where to find them, what they look like, what they smell like.

And perhaps one or two of you will rise to become full healers, and learn to wield the Moon's magic to heal broken bones, mend muscle, cleanse infection, and put back together whatever has gone wrong with your patients. But that is not something the weak of heart should strive for, since some terrible wounds arise not only from war, but childbirth and simple accidents. You will see friends and loved ones hurt, and be expected to remain calm in order to heal them."

Her gaze swept over them, lingering over each in turn. Seeking for signs of discomfort, signs of determination. Even as early as now she could perhaps tell who would be the most promising.