The herbalist simply couldn't wait any longer, as her curiosity wouldn't allow her to remain seated at the dining table any longer. With a swish of her skirts, Johanna rose from her chair, and picked up one of the sewing needles Adam had offered up, as a way to signify their association, and as a way to trace them if they became lost. After that, she departed from the dining hall.

      On the walk back to her room, Johanna wandered in her thoughts, trying to preconceive any idea as to who, or what, was killing the animals of the forest. She couldn't help but to wonder, if the possibility of the culprit could be a medical student? It would certainly explain the need for the precise removal of the heart. It was hard to say exactly the cause. Sighing irritability, Johanna silently scolded herself for trying to solve the problem, before understanding it. 

       As she came to stand before the oak door to her bedroom, Johanna lifted the key off her chaletaine, and unlocked the door. She pushed the door open, and stepped inside, and shut the door behind her all in one move. Standing in the midst of her room, Johanna surveyed her belongings, trying to determine what would be helpful to take on her trip to the forest.

       With much of an absent mind, Johanna tugged on a string that ran to the servants quarter, to her knowledge, every member had a string that would summon a servant if pulled. The string was situated by her door, and disappeared into the floor below. Then, Johanna proceeded to change her dress into a plainer style. She donned a simple, navy blue gown with a high-buttoned collar, with a black hooded cape in case the weather turned chilly.

          A knock upon her door revealed to be the servant who had her call as Johanna opened the door to allow the matronly woman in.

"Hello Miss Valerivicus, you rang for some help?" The woman appeared to be in her mid-forties, for her hair greyed around the temples on her head, and she had fine wrinkles around her mouth, and crow's feet at the corners of her eyes.

"Aye, would you have a horse and carriage prepared for me? I'm planning a journey to the outskirts of the forest, I'm going on account of Mr. Ware. Also, send word to the hunters that discovered the carcasses, as I wish to meet with any of them that are available." Johanna pointed out the names of two hunters named in the case file Adam had procured, the maid raised a curious brow at the names, but said nothing of it.

"Very well Miss Valerivicus, I will go and ready a carriage for you, I shall return for you when the horses are brought 'round. Is there anything else ma'am?" The woman had a wisened disposition, one Johanna noted.

"Yes there is one more thing..."

"Ma'am?"

"Please call me Jo, or Johanna, if you prefer. My surname is much too long."

"Yes ma'am. Anything else?"

"Ah yes, one more thing. What is your name?" 

"My name is Cecilia, ma'am."

"Thank you Cecilia, that will be all." With that, Johanna watched as the woman departed from her room, shutting the door quietly behind her. 

        In the meantime, Johanna continued in silence as she packed a small luggage case, one filled with various tools, such as tweezers, pliers, shears, several small vials to hold evidence, even a dagger that she stowed away in a hidden pocket in her dress. 

      Moments later, the maid Cecilia returned with a rapt knock upon her door.

"Miss Johanna, the carriage is ready for your departure whenever you are ready." Called Cecilia, and was greeted by a swing of the door as Johanna appeared in the doorway.

"Splendid. Please have someone send for me if I do not return by midnight, for then surely something terrible has happened to me." 

"Yes of course, Miss Johanna." 

       And with that, Johanna left the company of the maid, and departed for the stairs, her cane-sword in hand for an added measure of protection. The day was still young, and she would have several hours to investigate the case.