An alchemist has been brewing a potion for three months, and after taking meticulous care, it’s finally ready for the final step: the addition of a locally grown, fresh-picked herb.
Unfortunately, a combination of overzealous weeding by locals and imperfect weather means that the usual crop is not available.
The alchemist now has forty-eight hours to find the missing ingredient, and is becoming increasingly unhinged. -- Tergon
Months of steeping, fermenting, careful additions of each ingredient according to the instructions. The potion was almost done. The last, and easiest step - adding one dozen fresh leaves of ground ivy. A common weed that was everywhere in Lefthsyde.
Messalyn Chuffey had no concerns over that part. The rest of it had been a heart-stopping anxiety free-for-all, but ground ivy? The exemplary piece of piss.
Until the day came to get some. There had been a stand of it nine paces from Messalyn's front door, but someone had come by with their goats, and all that was left was stubble.
Don't panic. Just head to the next-nearest stand, Messalyn told themself as they set themselves on the path for the verge near Mrs Dewsbury's orchard. Stubble. All right. Fine. There's plenty more everywhere.
There was not plenty more. Every single stand of ground ivy was nibbled down to stubble. The last one still had Elli Sarenisse's goats in it.
"Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!" Messalyn yelled as they ran, far too late. The last of the leaves vanished inside a brindled nanny. "Gods. I needed those."
"But it's a weed," said Elli. "I'm doing the town a service getting rid of it."
"My panacea potion needs its leaves to be complete. Now I have to go foraging in the woods to try and find some."
"But it's a weed," Elli repeated. "It's no use nor ornament to anyone."
Messalyn whispered a brief prayer for strength an patience. "I'll give you the full lecture on its uses later after I finish the potion. You'll thank me when the Spring Sneezes hit." They charged off back to their home to put on their sturdy boots and foraging gear.
They had to go deep into the woods because of Elli's gods-damned goats had been browsing in there. Also known as stripping the entire area bare. Going deep into the woods had hazards beyond bears and wolves. The woods... had guardians. Creatures who could sense when their realm was invaded and see to it that a harsh lesson resulted.
The owl that lit on a nearby branch almost scared the crap out of Messalyn. They tried to tell themself it was just an owl, but then it hooted while looking directly at Messalyn.
It was easy for a hoot to become a Who goes? in their head.
"Forgive my rude feet and crashing manner," said Messalyn, just in case. "I seek only seven leaves of ground ivy, for a potion to see to the wellness of my people. I will take no more than that and leave as quickly as I came. I cannot promise no harm, since I am in a hurry and cannot take care. If it bothers thee, name thy price and I shall do what I can to pay it."
The owl took wing, alighting in a tree off the path, and spread its wings. It gave out a very un-owlish whistle.
"Shai protect my fate from what I am about to do," Messalyn whispered as they stepped off the path. There to find an abundant stand of ground ivy. Healthy and gleaming like emeralds.
Seven leaves in their basket, covered with a careful cloth so that they wouldn't blow away. Messalyn tried to ignore the owl following them all the way back out of the woods. At least the trees didn't move to confound them, nor did the path lead them deeper in.
The potion was saved. Thank the gods for the mercy of the guardian. Who had apparenly taken up a position on Messalyn's garden fencepost. Fully awake in the middle of the day.
By that afternoon, the final step was Allow to cool before bottling. Messalyn knew who would be getting the first bottle. Or... what was getting the first bottle.
It was always wise to pay the Fae for the mercy.
Only once that particular commission was delivered, would Messalyn head off to Elli's and deliver a lecture about ground ivy.
[Photo by Konstantinos Papadopoulos on Unsplash]
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