SUMMER TWO YEARS LATER
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Paperwork, Paperwork…, “ I’M TIRED OF THIS PAPERWORK! “ He shouted as he used a wind spell to blow everything off his desk the tornado of papers cascaded.
“ Are you done, sire? “ a calm voice asked nearby he looked up at his secretary standing at the door random pages brushing past her as they fell and she had more paperwork…
“I'm never done it seems, “
“This dungeon was supposed to be a boon, “
“not more work…”
“ I’m tired of all the processing, let someone else deal with it,” he replied, annoyed.
“ We have been sir, but you still need final approval even if others are overseeing the budget “She watched her boss he was a mean little gnome when he was forced to work…
He wasn’t always like this, but since he started spending more time with his family.
He got more annoyed not being able to see them in the evening she sighed and bent to pick up the stray paper.
“We only sent you the final draft, sir.”
“Most of the projects have been overseen and approved.”
“But with the dungeons opening and the new guild hall being staffed,”
“ We need you to confirm the budgets for the staff. “
“and approve the pay for dungeon drops.”
He waved his hand. “That’s nothing new and you know it, “
“We should have already had this done years ago. “
“Why is it still being processed? “ he grunted, watching her pick up the papers.
“ Because you kept spending time with your nephew and niece at the shop and eating dinners at their house'
“ saying you worry about the details later”
“ and telling me to put it off till necessary, sir. “ he looked at her dumbfounded.
“ For two years? “I don't believe it.
“ Yes, sir, “ she replied calmly
“One year, four months, nine days, if you want specifics.”
Most things we were able to do had no issues. “
“such as building the guild hall and approving new residents and shops
But the taxes, finer details of contracts,”
“ and larger-scale future projects required the mayor’s final say. “ he scratched his chin, listening, watching her as she stacked the pages neatly on his desk he looked at them dumbfounded as if they came out of nowhere.
“Can’t this wait till tomorrow? “ he asked, not wanting to deal with it.“You said that yesterday, sir.”
“ and this does need to be done “
“The new staff have already been here a week, and it is not good if it affects their pay, “ she replied calmly.
He sighed, defeated. “What the point of power if you can’t be with your family? “ he whined as if he was tortured she sympathized to a point but knew he was being dramatic…
He has seen them every other day for a while now, since he wanted to be closer to his niece and nephew.
He made it a habit to spend dinners with them when he could or check on his nephew’s alchemy progress. “ If you want, sir, I can sign these documents like the others.”
“If you trust my approval… “She did not like overseeing important documents like that without oversight, but it seemed her boss cared little for oversight and trusted she wouldn’t allow corruption.
He beamed and hopped down from his desk, though she towered over him, he patted her calf, “That’s why I need you! “ He beamed
“You can take tomorrow off! “
“I promise today is the last day, I swear!”
“ Wolf is near a new breakthrough. “
“I wanted to be there when he does.”
“and Leena, sweet Leena!”
“She has gotten so pretty, you should see her.”
“ I will need to keep an eye on all the wannabe suitors trying to win her heart! “ He kept rambling about the joys and positives of his family and she just nodded this wasn’t the first time this happened she was just hoping she could force him into doing more work but he was still too aloof about work it seemed.
“ Have a safe trip, sir “ was her last word to him as he left to go into town and see his family.
She sat at the desk and sighed the first paper was approval for the new staff in the guild hall.
It was a boon and simple thing to approve, it seemed the guild master from the city wanted to oversee the new branch and was bringing one of her staff and son.
It made filling the last few spots a simple affair the city was able to handle her departure with little fuss it was getting our-sided paper done the only real issue.
With that signed and filed, she went to the next major page approval of additional residents, again easy overall, just more sign of the agreements.
But she wanted him to least understand their growth vs dismissing it. The papers went quicker with time it was not as hard as her boss liked to make it seem and she was done within the hour she smiled to herself least I get tomorrow off she thought seeing the silver lining.
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Wolf was balancing a vial in his hand, watching another vial boil he knew he was close he had been trying to improve the existing mana potions, as it stood, they cost too much for the mana they gave.
He wanted a low-cost version to help those with low mana cast more cheaply.
He let a drop slowly drip in and watched the boiling liquid was purple, the vail was green, and the color he needed was blue…
The boiling liquid was an existing concoction known for boosting one's defense vs. blunt attacks. The purple vial was a mix of stamina and mana potion for rejuvenation. It wasn’t cheap, but he was trying various things to shift the magic from its current buff stats to a mild mana potion, and this was the closest he got so far…
He felt it was close as he drips more drops waiting for the change.
Every time he tried in the past, it had varying effects, from destabilizing the mixture and becoming nothing to a strange poison mix that just upset the stomach. Luckily, nothing fatal, but it was still unpleasant. A bead of sweat dripped, and he kept waiting before adding another drop. How many was that now? Six drops, he knew one more would be the limit, he was about to risk it when the boiling stopped, surprising him that was new. And it changes colors to a light blue…..
“ No… I don’t believe it, it worked? “ he started laughing setting the vial down and turning off the burner he tested the heat in the bottle it was cool to the touch amazing somehow the shift cooled down the mixture he made the notes in his book wanting to keep some notes.
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Defense potion: set to boiling, add rejuvenation potion: drops slowly, just 6 will make
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He stopped writing, will it make the potion? He hasn’t tested it yet… only one way to know for sure. “ NINA, CAN YOU HELP ME FOR A SECOND PLEASE. “In the distance, he heard her reply, “ OK. “ he knew she would be here soon and waited.
“What’s wrong, brother? “ She wasn’t concerned just curious about what he needed he was holding a light blue potion. She seemed to recall he was working something like that then gasped “It worked ! “ she asked excitedly.
“ I dunno, “ he replied. “ I hope so, but my magic is always stuck in me, I can’t use it, but you can use yours till you feel a bit weak and drink it to see if you notice a change. “
“ Hmm, “ she was concerned, it took a lot for her to feel any drain in mana. “ I can try, but I never really feel mana loss. She felt bad not being able to help her brother.
“ You make me jealous “ he replied he meant it too though not with malice “Are there any drain-type skills you can do? “ he saw her lost in thought for a moment before replying.
“ I guess if I rapidly shift rock in and on my body it can be a bit of a drain I never tried to do it for long tho ?”
“It's enough, please try, “ he pleaded.
“ Ok, “ she focused her power, it flowed like water through it was stone in her body, and out it swam over his skin. She made large chunks like armor and focused on pieces like gloves. She never really cared to do it much; it always reminded her of her past.
When they only cared about her power, though she knew Wolf was different, it still bothered her having it was unresolved
he watched with assent as he stared in awe at what she thought were simple tricks but for him, she knew it was a dream he couldn’t reach so she tried to add a bit of flair and make it flow faster and with more patterns it was also fun to push her self a little she never wanted to do that before.
He watched in awe, stone flowing like water, and as just as freely this, this is real magic… not what I have. She shivered after a few minutes and stumbled a bit. He started to get up to help her. But she raised her hand, warding him off.
“I’m fine, wolf,” she said. “That winded me a little and made me dizzy, but I’m already recovering, just feeling a bit drained for the first time. Want to hand me the drink? “ He was still a little worried but trusted her and handled the drink.
“It’s untested, so be careful.”
“The worst should just be cramps and maybe running to the bathroom, sorry if it goes that far,” he said, slightly abashed. She laughed at that, taking the drink.
“Well, then let’s hope I don’t poop this out or throw it up,” she said cheerfully. He was grossed out by how casually she made the statement, but kept quiet;
She would be the one suffering, not him. As she drank slowly, she looked to the side. He waited for any effect as she closed her eyes. “Hmm… it tastes nice?”
“ Beyond that, I think I feel it healing my mana.”
“ I don’t think I’m the best to test this wolf. Sorry,”
“ I tend to regain mana fast, I think… “She felt bad that this wasn’t working
“It’s fine, thank you.”
“ No major side effect is good, and it is a weaker mana potion; even if it did work,”
“The effect will be lower vs. a strong one.”
“ I will keep it as a test. “
“Maybe Uncle will stop by again today.”
He has fewer regions. I heard him complain before about the cost of mana potions, so he can’t test it.”
“Funny enough, he was why I even tried to make this.” She rubbed his head with a smile.
“I’m still proud of you, brother.”
“I was helping with dinner before you called.”
“ Also, Nebo is home today from a delivery in the city.”
“So it will be a big family dinner,” she said with more enthusiasm than before. After a bit more experimentation to make sure it was stable and repeatable and bottling the new potions,
there was a knock at the door; he heard Len say she would get it in the distance, followed by the laughter of a familiar voice.
“You’re growing more every day, child!”
“I missed you.”The happy voice spoke “Uncle it’s been a day, two at most since we last spoke; I don't grow that fast…”
“Nonsense, child, I see it clearly you will be stepping on me and over me easily in no time!”
“ I do miss the days you were small enough to hold sweet little thing as big as me, even as a baby! “
“Uncle, how many times are you going to repeat those same jokes they stopped being funny a year ago…”
“Nonsense, child, “
“I see Nebo trying to hide a smile. “
“At least he gets my humor. “
“Where is your brother? At least he understands me!” I managed to reach them at that point. Hearing the events unfold from the room, it seemed Nebo and Len were in the living room Guess Mom and Dad we still working in the kitchen. “Wolf, my boy, have you mastered being an alchemist yet?”
“ I can always use a grow potion if you’re interested in my business.” He laughed at his joke and enjoyed being with his family
“Nice timing, uncle, I do need your help.” I proceeded to show him the light blue potion; he took it, examining it, and others were also curious what its effect was. Before I could speak, Nina excitedly said what it was.
“It’s a mana potion! “
“Well, a weaker one, “
“but that by design,”
“It’s a cheaper version to help reduce cost.” I glared, mildly annoyed; she explained it before me, but she did help me test it, so I bit my tongue. Uncle was watching me, expecting me to reply, he had concerns, but more for details than anything like doubt.
Wolf sighed but focused, not letting Nina’s overexcitement ruin the moment. “Uncle, it’s as she said,”
“A new mana potion. “
“But her mana is too strong to test its effect. “
“I was hoping you could help me know how well it works.”
“There are no side effects we can see.”
“ I made sure I only used safe, tested versions of healing and mana potions. He nodded and smiled, looking at the bottle in his hand.
“I did rush to get here.”
“ It tends to be hard for my legs to move quickly, so I used wind magic, which helps me move more easily and also gives me a nice boost!”
“ So if I could get mana back easily and cheaply?”
“ Why would I say no?” He opened the bottle, smelling it; there was a pleasant mint berry faint, but it was their usual mana potions that had a strong medicine-like scent, so this was different.
He drank it easily enough, waiting for the effect. It was incredible; he felt his magic return, which surprised him. This was supposed to be a weaker effect? It feels like a normal mana potion ?! It also scared him to think how much mana the beastkin have; she did not feel its effect… scary.
Wolf waited, watching his uncle with a serious face drink the potion; it went from a face unknowing what would happen to a happy, surprised look from his uncle. “Well, do you feel anything?”
“My boy… this?”
“ This is amazing and is worth selling; dunno why they have not marketed this before!”
“Think it because it’s cheap.”
“Well, that and those with money tend to want the best, not the cheapest; they probably don’t want to risk a weaker potion when things go bad, and you need mana now.” He mused to himself, picturing a bad outcome where the mana potion he made cost lives vs the better one saving them…
“Nonsense!”
“ They don’t have a choice, that's why! “His uncle saw Wolf’s defeated look and wasn’t having it. “ My boy, this is an amazing thing.”
“ I promise not everyone needs power.”
“Sometimes they just need a boost.”
“ This alone gave me back at least an hour or so of mana, and that was one drink! I can use this for hours and fly all day! He started laughing at that thought, zooming around, not worried about Mana. Mom and Dad, hearing all the ruckus, joined everyone in the living room, wondering what was happening.
Wolf shared his invention with them, with everyone agreeing it was a major change and proud he made it.
Even Nebo was looking forward to marketing it to the city to help spread his achievement when he mass-produced more.
“Ok,” Dad said, “we’re all riled up, but let’s eat, and we can talk about this more over dinner; your mother worked hard to feed us all. Let's not let it get cold.”
Mom playfully swatted Dad, “It’s nothing new; that we haven’t eaten many times before.”
“ Though I did make a couple of jam pies from the berry jams we have been saving, so that will be a treat!”
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It was a rare event; everyone was at the dinner table. The table used to not fit them all, but they planned for huge gatherings since it kept happening, and expanded it to hold up to eight people.
It made dinner a little more cramped in the room, but it was still amazing to have so many in one spot: his mom, dad, both his sisters, Nina and Lena, and his brother.
He didn’t really feel close to Nebo, even though he accepted his sister as family, but they were family too, he guessed,
and his uncle even managed to swing by, so in all, there were seven of them feasting tonight, a rare sight as they always seemed to be busy. There was so much cheer and drinking with playful banter, everyone was… happy. Mom excused herself to bring the desserts to end the evening on a high note.
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Elinor was so proud of her kids; they managed so much in so little time. Her daughter is always helping with the shop, and her son is always trying to make something new.
They grew up so fast it made her weep a little, drying her eyes. She was also proud of her stepkids, Nina and Nebo. It started as more of a consoling thing to make them feel welcome and ended up feeling like her own kids.
The fact that they both love her like a mom made it easier for her to accept them. They were abandoned, from what she was told; she wasn’t sure how true it was, but she didn’t mind being their new mom. She heard her husband laughing in the distance; maybe, he had too much to drink; he was usually more reserved…
Uncle Victor had that effect he had been trying to get more involved. Lately, she didn’t mind it was nice it reminded her of old times when they all would adventure…
She grabbed the tray with the cooled pies and turned to bring them from the kitchen when she heard a loud clang! Surprised she looked down, wondering what the noise was, and saw she dropped the tray “Odd? I can’t feel my arms.” She was halfway to the table when it happened She looked up to see if anyone noticed but all she saw was darkness and then nothing…
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Clang, over the laughter, he was first to notice something wrong…. When he looked to see what happened, he saw his mom starting ahead and then falling…
It was absurd; he was seeing things. It was only after hearing her body’s thumb did he shook him into action.
The whole table was a swarm of movement, everyone trying to help everyone in the way… it was, chaos he was scared… what was happening! It seemed Dad and Uncle were calm and shooed everyone back nina grabbed him for comfort and Len was near Dad and Uncle trying to help Mom.
“I’ll get some water and rags, “Nebo said while running to the kitchen
“No need,” uncle responded. “It’s the weakness curse; I’ve seen it before many times; we’ve been trying to avoid it. It seems this new dungeon will dam this village too…”
Wolf was lost in thought, a curse? The dungeon was why? Is Mom dying?
“Can you save her?”
“ Will she be ok?” He asked in a weak voice. Nina gripped him tighter, trying to help him, and Len, seeing his distress, came to hold him, too. It was then that Nebo spoke up.
“It’s rare, but it happens.”
“It’s not fatal unless they get unlucky, hurting themselves. “
“But the cure is very rare. “
“So people with low magic try to avoid the dungeon as that was known to cause it.”
He watched Dad gently lift her. “Son, we’re going to the church, they might be able to help her clean up here while we’re gone.”
“NO,” Wolf cried. “I WANT TO GO TOO.” He knew he was acting like a child, but he didn’t care he couldn’t lose his mom, not like this.
“Wolf… His uncle said Slowly it hurt all of us, but more people in the church would only hurt her recovery and slow the priest down.”
“I promise you, see her tomorrow when she awakens; it just weakens in the body and makes you always tired but never kills. I wouldn’t lie to you, child, I swear.”
“Come on, brother, me and Nina will help and will stay with you, ok?”She sounded calm, but he could see the tears in Len’s eyes and felt the tears from Nina.
This was supposed to be a good day. Why?… the rest of the evening went by in a slow blur; the food and drinks so full of flavor now were bitter and flavorless, a grim reminder of what they had lost,
the pie staining the floor mixed with his tears as he slowly cleaned it, dad, Uncle, and Nebo left for the church. He was bitter that Nebo got to go, but he was older and more mature…
He probably went so someone could rush back to let them know if she woke, but it still wasn’t fair. A few hours passed with no news, even as it got later, none of them wanted to sleep.
They huddled together in the living room, taking comfort in each other's touch. They were warm, but he only felt cold. Why can’t I have the power to help? I was told I had amazing power and could do nothing…
“ The gods are cruel,” he finally spoke
“Don’t be like that, brother,” his sister gently admonished him
“The gods bless us, and they did not hurt Mom. “
“she just wasn’t strong enough for the magic, is all.” she trailed off, new tears falling from her eyes he didn’t care why he knew he needed it changed…
it was too late now, but when the sun rose? He was going to see Herbert he trained for years for this day he would save his mom at any cost….
The night passed slowly, none of them waiting to sleep or talk, but the gentle comfort of those who shared your pain and loved you rocked them to sleep; none of them dreamed; they just passed the time with the darkness till there was light.
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He rubbed his eyes. It was another late-night trying and failing for a solution. He did a quick search of the shelves near the table to find something to help.
He had a few stamina potions; they helped, but not with Fatugie; there was a different powder for that, an amazingly simple idea from the boy who apprenticed under him to help pep him up.
He wondered how the boy was; it had been a while, but this project was more important. so much time spent, and no closer to solving it… He drank the mix to help wake up, despite looking like lemon; it was not tart nor sweet; instead, it was an odd, bitter bland,
he thought while drinking the mix, but the taste never lasted long enough for him to care; the effect was what he wanted, not flavor. A gentle knock was at his door, he wasn’t sure if he even heard it; more herbs at this hour. What hour is it?!
It was hard to know the time his darkness magic tended to hide what little light from outside, and he never cared enough to learn to control it. Magic was a means to an end, nothing more.
Another knock, less this time, even lighter, maybe? Guess they don’t want to bother me; it must be earlier than thought…
He yawned the potion slowly taking effect; he wanted to see who was here; this time he was short on moss; it was never enough; hopefully this shipment had more As he opened the door, he was surprised to see a young man he looked familiar, black hair, tall, but no package? Is he not bringing me herbs? The young man looked up at him with a sad face; he looked fragile. He knew this kid, but from where?
“Mr. Herbert, sir.”
“ I need your help.”
“ I mastered the craft like you told me to a year ago, but I need you to make me a potion to help my mom.”
“ Eh? O, IT’S YOU, CHILD! “
“It’s been too long!”
“ And you say you master the basics of alchemy?”
“ Wonderful, wonderful!”
“ I will need to see your notes as proof, but I trust you, and that can be done in time.”
“ What was that need help?”
“ I suppose I knew a few brews if she had a minor sickness; that wouldn’t be anything hard to cure,”
“Though the church handles major healing, unless it was something that needed a potion immediately?” He looked around, squinting; he did not see anyone else, so he did not bring her.
“I was told it was a weakness illness caused by dungeons; there is a potion for it, right?”
“Their one for everything?” he asked hopefully. He looked at the old man with bags under his eyes, seeing it took him a minute to process what he asked, then a defeated look appeared, and he deflated, knowing the next words were not going to be good.
“Boy,”
“What do you think I have been spending my life trying to make all these years? “
“There is a cure, but the time and rare herb required”
“Nobody wants to make it.” He rubbed his eyes, still feeling the lack of sleep. “Only one alchemist in the city can make it, and he contracts out the cure for one a month,”
“And even then, he tends to sell it overseas or in other lands for profit. And again, nobody likes to make it.”
“ I’ve been looking for cheaper alternatives or, at the very least, making more than one a month. “
“They're suffering in the city already.”
“Now it spread into this village, it seems. He frowned, knowing what was to come.
“Why would they allow that?”
“ Do they not care? “
“It is not that simple, boy. “
“The king cares, and so do the mayors in the villages.”
“But the weakness never kills, and the churches support the people.”
“That part of what keeps so many gray robe priests busy they can also recover in time.”
“ Really!” he asked, hopeful it wasn’t as bad as he thought, but he saw Herbert shaking his head and deflated once more.
“Beastkin naturally recovers 99% of the time within a year or two at most.
“very rare; any suffers more than that “
“But humans?”
“ Decades can pass if they are poor waiting for a cure and many pass always suffering…” he wanted to comfort the boy but this was something he struggled with for decades, not being able to help At least now he won’t be alone trying to save others.
He sighed, feeling defeated. “Thank you anyway.”
“ Sorry, I bothered you.” he turned to leave.
“ Eh?! Where are you going, child?”
“You want to make a cure, no?” He wasn’t sure why the kid was living.
“You already said you couldn’t make the cure?”
“ And spent years trying; me being here won’t help anyone…”
“If life were that easy to solve, there would be no problems…”
“ I never gave up,”
“ hoping for the day I could solve it… “
“I admit I failed.”
“But I still have my notes. “
“And you will have yours.”
“ If we keep trying, we will be that much closer to a cure.”
“ The gods will let us heal them, but only if we don’t give up.”
“ Surely you know that?”
“ You have been doing alchemy this whole time!”
He still felt lost. “Okay, let me get my notes.”
“ I will see if anything helps, but I never tried to find a cure. I never knew this existed.”
“It’s fine that your notes are incomplete.”
“ I will review them anyway.”
“ Mine will give you decades of knowledge at your fingertips; your notes will just be me checking your progress more than anything.” Wolf wasn’t sure how he felt…
He came here waiting to save his mother but maybe instead he can save more. He wasn’t sure if he could.
Herbert tried for years, but as he looked at his hand, he felt the stir of power it was there it just didn’t listen to him… but now…
Wolf left Herbert’s home unfulfilled. He wanted a resolved outcome that would save his mother; instead, he had more of a burden, one he did not need to fulfill, but he still felt obliged to.
His sisters managed to get some sleep, and they all wanted to check on Mom, but Nebo told them there was no change…
And it was best to let the adults work out the details two days passed with unknown fears before they heard the words they desperately needed to hear She was awake…10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhsAZ6Cyoe
