  &quot;Why did she leave?&quot; he asked another.
  &quot;It s a bit of a long story, Grandpa Ben,&quot; I replied, scratching behind my neck. &quot;But anyway, I have something to ask you, Grandpa Ben.&quot;
  &quot;Ask away, dear boy,&quot; he smiled as he crossed his arms.
  &quot;You see, my mother has been sick for quite some time now. She claimed that my aunt has been putting medicinal herbs in her tea to speed up her recovery but nothing s changed. She s still ill,&quot; I started. &quot;When I talked with the royal physician, he mentioned that there is an ancient plant that can definitely help Mother and he said it can only be found in the Mountain of Heavenly Falls. He said the name of the plant is ledoras.&quot;
  &quot;Ah, the ledoras herb. That plant has saved millions of lives, according to legend,&quot; Grandpa Ben answered as he nodded. &quot;It is said that its home is w

  I slowly stood with my hands up in the air. As I turned around slowly, she was wearing a cloak with the hood hiding the person s face, the head a bit down. The sword is still onto my neck. &quot;I mean no harm in this place. I m here out of desperation.&quot;
  &quot;Those who are in despair head into this mountain to die. Is that why you re here?&quot; she asked.
  &quot;I did not come all the way here to die.&quot;
  &quot;That, I believe. This isn t the place for a prince to lose his life,&quot; she replied.
  &quot;I m not a prince. I am but a lowly peasant,&quot; I lied to protect my true identity. I don t know who this woman is and what s her purpose here but I can t just tell her who I really am.
  &quot;Young man, may I remind you that this mountain used to be where the ancient gods would hide. Us gatekeepers of this mountain can spot an immortal from far away,&quot; she scoffe

  &quot;Mother, I don t care if she s trying her methods to cure you. It s clear that it s not of any help with your health,&quot; I hissed. &quot;You have to trust me. Give me permission to find you the cure that the Medicine King told you. I ll even start looking for it today.&quot;
  &quot;Your Aunt Bethilda said her herbal treatments have worked wonders with her. She s been administering it to me from the moment she arrived,&quot; she explained. &quot;We just have to give it time to take effect.&quot;
  &quot;Mother, as of this moment, we don t need more time,&quot; I moved closer to her. &quot;You re growing weaker by the day. If her treatments are truly effective, you should ve been cured by now.&quot;
  &quot;But Robert--&quot;
  &quot;Mother, please,&quot; I closed my eyes, trying to contain my frustration with her stubbornness. &quot;Let me help you. Let me find the cure.&quot;


&quot;Why did she leave?&quot; he asked another.
  &quot;It s a bit of a long story, Grandpa Ben,&quot; I replied, scratching behind my neck. &quot;But anyway, I have something to ask you, Grandpa Ben.&quot;
  &quot;Ask away, dear boy,&quot; he smiled as he crossed his arms.
  &quot;You see, my mother has been sick for quite some time now. She claimed that my aunt has been putting medicinal herbs in her tea to speed up her recovery but nothing s changed. She s still ill,&quot; I started. &quot;When I talked with the royal physician, he mentioned that there is an ancient plant that can definitely help Mother and he said it can only be found in the Mountain of Heavenly Falls. He said the name of the plant is ledoras.&quot;
  &quot;Ah, the ledoras herb. That plant has saved millions of lives, according to legend,&quot; Grandpa Ben answered as he nodded. &quot;It is said that its home is within the mountain that no one has ever successfully taken one. Those who attempted didn t return 

Chapter 43 Permission (c)