Chapter 7: The Potion

The Dark Dragon reviewed with Councilwoman Chang: "His grandfather hardly goes out with him anymore. And he is on very sketchy terms with the Council. Our chance to make him a Follower may have past, but I will soon be able to have him alone." He showed all his teeth in a half-smile, half snarl. "He is one of the only ones who knows about me, thanks to his Master. We must drive him over the edge- the Council, under your direction, will never believe I have returned. We will take his sanity, and you will convince them to strip him of his dragon powers." He snickered. "Of course, that stunt he pulled at Halloween only helps us. Introducing humans to magical creatures? What was he thinking? Humans care nothing for other species- they exploit the creatures they have already. Should they find out about us, the Huntsclan would spread, and magical creatures would all but be wiped out. Only the dragons would be able to-" There were murmurs around the cave. "And the gryffers," he corrected, "would be able to stand up to the humans."

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Fu met Amberwing in the Magus Bazaar again. "So the problem with my potion being so similar to the dragon shape-shifting potion is that my ingredients have too much combination magic- they need dragon's magic to combine with. I need more inherently magic materials to add." Amberwing reviewed with Fu.

"Yep." Fu nodded.

"But they are usually more expensive, aren't they?" she drooped her head. The Dark Dragon had one of his Followers scrape up some money for Amberwing to take with her. After she ran out of it, though, she would have to barter what she had. She had worked so hard, but she might just have to go back to him empty-clawed.

Fu considered her. She was obviously really excited about this potion. She wanted to prove that gryffers could be almost as good as dragons. She was enthusiastic and curious, and with time could become a great potionsmaster. "So, what will you do with the potion once you make it?" he asked.

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The Dark Dragon roared, "Today, magical creatures are forced to live in secret!" He paused and the murmuring grew louder. "Well, under my rule, we will be on top, and the Huntsclan will be exterminated like the vermin they are! And gryffers will have the rights to my Council that they deserve!"

Shrill cries of excitement echoed around the cave. As they subsided, voices emerged:

"We will soon be able to shapeshift Master . . ."

"We will fill the ears of dragons with whispers . . ."

"With doubts . . ."

"Why do we let Huntsclan live?"

"The Council is wrong . . ."

"The humans are inferior . . ."

"Maybe some things should change . . ."

"We should rule the humans . . ."

"They won't know what's coming . . ."

"The gryffers could help us . . ."

"There will be some slaughter . . ."

"But the freedom that comes afterward will be worth it . . ."

"All we need is Amberwing's potion."

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"Well, I might check out Jake's school." Amberwing answered. "He acts like his life there is incredibly boring compared to his dragon duties, but what they teach there is fascinating. I know so little of the human world." She was only half-lying, anyway. "Maybe I will go to their- what is it- public library?"

Fu nodded. "I know you have higher goals than that." He baited.

Don't worry, dog, I'll put it to good use. "Well, it would be great if the Dragon Council would consider letting gryffers serve." She said truthfully. The Dark Dragon already does. "Isn't it a funny thought," she mused aloud, "If a gryffer had a dragon master?"

Fu chuckled. "Of if a dragon had a gryffer master."

Amberwing positively glowed at that comment, no feigning.

"But if I don't get the potion finished, it won't matter what I think will happen." She looked upward and sighed dramatically.

"Tell you what," Fu clapped his paws together. "I know some cheaper inherently-magical ingredients. You can try them out in your potion. Oh, and-" Fu stopped. "I should tell you. You know that shady looking gremlin in the market?"

"Yeah."

"I wouldn't buy my ingredients from there if I were you. "

"Are they counterfeit?"

"Oh, no. He would be found out if that were the case. His prices are always cheap and he always has everything in stock. That usually indicates less than desirable sources. Possibly even Huntsclan."

"Why don't you get Jake to check it out?"

"The Council doesn't authorize Protectors to act on suspicion. I have to have some proof. But his source may be miles outside New York. I can't pull Jake out of school to go on an extended mission unless I get a report that Huntsclan are involved."

"I can't believe that shopkeepers would buy anything from Huntsclan."

"As I said, it's the cheapest and most reliable source. And there is most likely a middle man- so he might not even know. But the Protectors don't have nearly enough time to inspect every source of magical supplies."

Because they are too busy living their "human" lives. She thought acridly. Perhaps I shall do an "investigation" of my own.

"Well, thank you so much for helping me. How can I repay you?" Amberwing covered up her annoyance with a chipper voice and her sincere gratitude for Fu's help. The poor fool.

Fu rubbed his chin. "Well, you're going to have to pay or all of this yourself, anyway."

She nodded. "Of course, I know." Her head shot up. "But how about I bring whatever I don't use to your potions shop. Where is it?"

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REVIEW PLEASE!

Oh, Fu, you have no idea what you're catalyzing here. D:

Okay, I've covered some beliefs, politics, and now a little bit of economics of the ADJL world. I gotta tell ya, this is so much fun!! :oD

Watch out, Huntsclan, Amberwing has appointed herself deputy of ingredient inspection. And she'll do a lot more than slap a fine on you. :)