something in the air

I'm so close now, I can sense it. Her footprints led me to a lake set amongst the trees. I could smell her perfume there, sense her recent presence.
It must be my lady who was here such a short time ago. Who else, during such a trek, would stop to draw a picture of a unicorn? I reached out to the drawing, and realised it was the same gesture as when I would reach out to her, to stroke her cheek. I ache for the chance to do that again.

She left some of her equipment here, she must be getting so weary from the journey. I collected what I could of the scattered gear.

I think she's losing her sense of direction. Clearly, she roamed around the banks of the lake for a while before setting off on some random course. So now, instead of having at lease a vague idea of her course, I'll need to track her. That will slow me down ...


... later ...

This isn't good. I've been managing to follow her random wanderings, but I think she's in trouble. I found a dead snake on her path. That type is rare, but if it has bitten her ... the effects can be serious. And it must have attacked, else why would she have killed it?
She's lost some more small items, they must have fallen from her pack as she pulled out her herbs. More worrying, I've found one of her rings which must have fallen out at the same time. If she didn't notice that, or check her pack before setting off once more, is the poison starting to work its harm already?
I hope she thought to cut the bite - that'll let out some of the venom. But the usual healing herbs that clerics carry won't help in this case. I need to check through what I'm carrying - perhaps I'll find something useful.