Chapter 8: Of Potions and Ponies
My body felt numb as I left the village, ignoring the stares digging into my back as I journeyed down the winding path. Arriving at the small cottage I'd discovered a couple days ago... I crouched next to the stream and took off, cleaned, and strapped back on my armor piece by piece.
My mind was devoid of thoughts as I washed my armor, cleaning off the remains of my past sins. After all, how was I supposed feel? Angry? Sad? Relieved? So many conflicting emotions raced through me I couldn't help but feel lost.
Scrubbing particularly hard on a patch of dried blood on the pauldron currently in my hands, I froze at the sound of soft hoofsteps behind me. My breath only hitched for a moment, before I turned my gaze to meet another. The same yellow pegasus I'd seen before.
My tense muscles relaxed, 'This one couldn't hurt me even if she tried' Remembering her feeble attempts at opening a birdfeed bag, I took my attention off her and continued to clean the armor off.
Silence reigned for a few moments as I sat there scrubbing furiously, trying to get a ray of silver to shine through the dark red blood until the soft clicks of hooves sounded behind me again. Doing my best to ignore the nearing sound, yellow peeked at the edge of my vision. Sparing a glance over, I saw her sitting on her haunches and looking at me with curiosity and worry... and maybe a hint of fear.
"Nus la verra?" She asked with a hushed voice, glancing at the blood covering my armor.
Rolling my eyes, I let out an annoyed groan. "Can't understand you..."
She must have understood my tone because as soon as I finished her ears splayed back, as she began to hide behind her long pink mane. Ignoring her, I continued to clean my armor piece by piece, until my stomach let out a low grumble. Stopping my little wash cycle, I secured the piece back to myself and shifted my seating a bit so my legs were crossed. As I did, the equine sitting next to me gave a gentle flap of her wings and slowly hovered back to the cottage nearby.
Sighing in relief at being alone once more, I pulled out my pouch and untied the top before rummaging around for something to eat. One by one I pulled out the red apples I'd gotten from the farm, just as fresh as the moment they were placed inside. Tearing away at the apples, I sat back and just took in the area around me.
With the noise of flowing water pleasantly accompanied by the sound of birdsong, I found myself closing my eyes and leaning back a bit so my face was bathed in the suns warmth. For a moment, I could swear the ever present chill receded just a bit from the brief moment in the sun.
'Syrus would love this place...' I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to Azeroth, and my only friend I'd made there.
I could feel a swell of emotion in my chest, but as always it subsided quickly... replaced by an empty cold. Before I could enjoy the moment any longer, a certain smell pulled me from my thoughts.
Now, while the apples were pleasant for sure... I still needed some source of protein. Surviving on nothing but apples and greens won't do... something I should probably have asked Celestia. That manticore meat helped keep me going for a few days but I could feel my body growing sluggish, sustaining two forms does weigh on the body.
Slowly opening my eyes, I turned my gaze towards the source of the smell and took in a bizarre sight. For a moment, I was sure I was about to witness that poor yellow equine get mauled by a brown bear... but to my confusion something even stranger happened. The bear, after receiving a quick scratch under the jaw from the yellow pegasus, lowered it's head and took two fish in his mouth before sauntering away.
Blinking a couple times at the sight, I pulled myself to my feet and brushed any loose dirt off me. Slowly I made my way over to the equine, trying my best not to scare her. One of her ears fluttered for a second, before she turned and locked eyes with me. I let out an annoyed grumble as she hid behind her mane anyway, pulling back a bit.
Rubbing my hands together, I thought about how to ask her as she watched me timidly. First, I point towards the bear as it walked away... then used my hands to mimic a swimming fish. She just stared at me, her eyes flicking back and forth from my hands to my face. I sighed again, this time a bit louder eliciting a small squeak from her.
Bending down to pony height, I made the swimming motion with my hand again before lifting one of my lips to reveal my teeth in as relaxed a manner as possible. In a flash her eyes lit up, a small gasp escaping her before she took off fast... faster than I've seen her move yet.
'Well... either she understood me or thought I was going to eat her...' I thought as I sat there awkwardly, watching her zip into the cottage.
After flying through the door and leaving it ajar, barely a moment later she came zooming back out with two fish in her mouth. Gracefully gliding over, she touched down just ahead of me before cautiously walking the last few feet. Stopping just before me, she dropped the fish from her mouth as her face scrunched up into disgust. She sputtered a couple times, trying to spit out the slimy taste presumably.
I couldn't help but let a small smile creep onto my features at the display, as she looked back up at me hesitantly. Reaching down slowly, she flinched as my fingers made contact with the top of her head. However, her surprise quickly devolved into a lazy smile as I gently scratched behind her ears.
'You know what, I like this one' I thought with a faint chuckle.
"Achoo!"
Suddenly, the small pegasus let out a tiny sneeze before shivering a bit. My smile dropped quickly as I pulled my hand away, getting her to blink a couple of times and look back to me... a small blush appearing on her face. Bending down, I picked up the fish and slid them into the pouch before looking back to her. She looked back at me shyly, her front hooves anxiously moving up and down a bit. With a moment of hesitation, I pushed a bit further into my pouch and plucked a few gold coins from inside. Giving them a small toss in my hand, getting them to clink together I looked back to the equine who now adorned a look of curiosity.
"Thanks Yellow." I said, knowing she couldn't understand me anyway.
Watching my movements carefully as I placed the coins in front of her, she slowly reached down and took one. Examining it closely for only a moment she quickly returned my gaze and shook her head, gesturing them back to me.
Waving her off, I made it clear I wasn't taking them back. It wasn't the currency they use but they must have considered gold at least valuable if the royalty wears it. Looking down hesitantly at the coins one last time, she brushed them into her hoof before sliding them into her mane.
Standing back to my full height, I began to make my way to the forest... mouth watering at the thought of fire roasted fish. Even if I only had simple spices on me. Taking a peek back, I could see her watching me leave before she gave a slow wave. Hesitantly I lifted my own hand, awkwardly waving back.
'Consider yourself in my good books Yellow' I thought with a nod, before locking my gaze ahead.
Leaves crunched underfoot as I made a steady pace through the forest with map in hand, heading for a landmark I came across when I first arrived here. That Zhevra's hut. I didn't feel quite ready to talk to more royalty today so... I figured my forest neighbor would be a good place to start.
'After all, don't want my throat slit in my sleep, safety first, food after' I reminded myself, pushing my hunger pains out of my head. 'Also.. she seems to have some kind of connection with the Purple Princess'
The trip was short and before I knew it I'd arrived at the hut, with the smell of something strange filling the air. The hut reminded me a lot of the village library, being built inside of a tree which seems to be the local favorite design choice besides sticks and hay.
Scanning the area, I couldn't see the zhevra around anywhere but knew it was here as a dim light shone from the window I'd peered into before. I wasn't sure why... but something felt off.
Quietly, I moved towards the hut... carefully stepping around scattered foliage and loose rocks. Coming up to the door, my eyes widened at what I saw. The front door's handle had been bent at an awkward angle, and deep gashes ran through the wood. My nose flared at the smell I now recognized, blood.
Slowly sliding my axe from it's holster, I creeped towards the door and pushed open a crack. Just inside, were two... griffons?
There was no mistaking it... these two were definitely griffons and exactly as I remembered it. However, their demeanor was different... more intelligent.
'Intelligent Griffons too? Weren't just for show on the map after all. Seems the races of these lands are just as varied as Azeroth's' I thought to myself as I squint my eyes trying to get a better look.
Both had a short sword on their waist, one reddened with blood as they both frantically searched the interior of the hut. They muttered incomprehensible words of anger to each other as I tried to get a better angle on the rest of the area.
In an instant my eyes locked with something severely contrasting the room around it... stripes of white and black sullied by crimson blood. Laying in the middle of the floor was the Zhevra I'd seen before, unmoving. I couldn't see her injury from here but I could see the growing pool of blood under her, and knew she didn't have long if she was still alive.
The two had since stopped bickering as the one with the bloody sword moved over towards the Zhevra, attempting to tie a rope around her hind legs. Seeing my chance, I slowly pushed the door in just enough to slip through. To my satisfaction the door didn't even squeak a bit which made my job all that much easier. Silently entering the hut, I quickly began striding towards the middle of the room and the hunched back of a griffon. My axe tightened in my grip, as I slowly lifted it over my head and readied my swing. He must have noticed something because I saw his feathers flutter for a second... before he turned around with a frozen expression.
He didn't even have time to register what he was looking at, before my axe struck his exposed neck and sliced through like butter. The bones didn't even resist... just cleaving right through.
'Hollow bones...' I could feel that sick satisfaction flood over me again at the display.
Blood gushed from the now headless corpse before crumpling to the ground, head rolling to a stop shortly after. I pulled my gaze to the other griffon, now at the back of the hut staring at me in surprise with bottles in his claws. In a flurry of movement, he pulled his sword free from it's holster as the the bottles crashed to the ground... multicolored liquid absorbing into the dirt. I could see him shaking from here, his eyes flicking between me and his headless companion hemorrhaging blood nearby.
He asked me a shaky question, I didn't even bother answering and instead raised my empty hand towards him. The temperature of the room dropped suddenly, as his eyes shrunk to pinpricks. Dropping his sword, he grasped onto his head and howled in agony, clawing feathers off his head trying to ease the biting cold in his brain.
The spell's effect quickly ended as his eyes shot open... however it was already too late. Having crossed the distance in a flash, I smacked the sword away with my axe before gripping his neck with my empty hand. His wings began to flap wildly, as his talons struck my breastplate but failed to do more than scratch it. Holding back the urge to bury my axe into him, I holstered it and clenched my hand into a tight fist.
Holding back a bit, I swung my arm around and clocked him right in the head... a loud crack sounding through the hut. His whole body fell limp, and for a moment I worried I'd still killed him... but quickly dismissed the thought at his slow labored breathing.
Loosening my grip, his body fell into a pile infront of me as I turned to the Zhevra I'd been coming to see in the first place. And that's when I saw her eyes were open and looking right at me in fear. She was still on her side, the body of a griffon laying right next to her... the pooling blood having turned the dirt around her a dark shade.
Across her chest, from the right leg to her left shoulder was an ugly gash which bled profusely.
'She's probably in shock, doesn't even know what's happening' I thought as I quickly dug into my pouch.
Fishing out the same herbs I used for my last potion, I grumbled angrily at my remaining stock. After retrieving the required ingredients I set to making a Runic Healing Potion, mixing together the reagents with practiced efficiency. I gave the swirling red vial in my hands but a glance before crouching down next to the Zhevra, who did nothing but lock her gaze on me.
Sitting on the damp red dirt, I slowly lift her head and placed it on my lap before gently tipping the vial into her mouth. It quickly poured down her throat, and I could hear her cough a couple times as it went down... burning like hellfire the whole way as she lay there trembling. As soon as it started, it stopped as her body quickly settled and she lay there motionless, eyes closed peacefully.
Lifting her up, I held her in my arms as I walked towards the bed I'd seen carved in the wall and lay her down on it gently. Noticing the rope still affixed to her hind legs, I untied it quickly before turning my gaze to the unconscious griffon... a small smile spreading across my features.
As quickly as I could before the griffon awoke, I dragged him outside and towards the nearest tree... before securing him against it. Scanning the area, it didn't take long to find something to sit on as I planted a small log just a few feet from him. Reaching into my pouch, I retrieved the box containing the magic necklaces Celestia was so kind to give me.
Clipping it around the griffons neck, I sat on the log and put the other on myself... before starting my wait. I didn't have to wait long, as the griffon began to stir in place before quickly devolving into a struggle upon realizing he's restrained.
"I wouldn't do that." I stated quickly, getting him to freeze and lock eyes with me.
I could see fear plain as day, before he scowled at me weakly in an attempt to look tough but was invalidated by his pummeled appearance. "V-vile creature! What manner of construct are you?" He asked struggling a bit more in his binds.
I could see the damage my single punch had caused now as I looked at his poor excuse for a threatening gaze. His right eye was completely swollen shut, and his beak was bent at an awkward angle... blood steadily dripping from the corner of his mouth.
"If you come loose from those knots you'll be seeing your friend faster than you can blink. Understand me bird?" I finished with a sharp growl, standing to my full height axe in hand.
The griffon reeled back quickly, shrinking into the tree. "N-no please! I d-didn't mean for a pony to get hurt I was just here f-for the potions."
Tilting my head a bit, I raised an eyebrow. "Were you now? The dying Zhevra in the hut says otherwise."
He looked at me in desperation. "S-she wasn't supposed to b-be here! That's what he told me!" He cried back, motioning to the hut with a wing. "I didn't know he was a poacher! It was supposed to be a quiet job!"
My fingers rapped against my axe handle as I kept my eyes on him, his own gaze nervously locked onto the tapping digits.
"Let me make something absolutely clear." I warned, lifting my axe a bit eliciting a nervous gulp from him. "The way I see it, you have two options. Either when that Zhevra wakes up you'll tell her to go get the guards from that village," I pause, motioning my axe in the correct direction. "Or, I'll judge you myself. And I'm sure you've realized already but... my judgment is quick."
He didn't say anything, just wilted under my gaze. Moving away from him, I slowly backed up towards the hut before sparing a glance inside. The headless body of the other griffon was still laying there, but I could see the striped form of the Zhevra shuffling a bit in the bed. With a short nod to no-one, I made my way back over to the bound griffon who hadn't moved an inch, watching me nervously.
Planting myself in the log across from him, I slowly slid my axe back into it's holster and crossed my arms. I waited patiently, the only sound coming from the panicked griffon not daring to say a word as he nervously shuffled in place. Eventually, the sound of hooves slowly clicked behind me, pulling my attention back to the door and a very scared Zhevra.
I could see her recoil a bit from my stare, but otherwise not move. In one motion, I spun around and unsheathed my axe before pulling it close to his throat... a couple feathers slicing off from the brief contact.
"Well?" I asked, squinting my eyes.
Swallowing loudly, he flicked his eyes back to the hut. "P-please! Go get the g-guards!" He yelled to the zhevra behind me.
A few moments of silence ensued, until I could hear the sound of hooves galloping away. "Smart choice." I said with a short nod.
Standing from my spot, he flinched as I reached my empty hand towards his neck... before unlatching the necklace and pulling it off. In an instant, the warmth faded from my chest once more as I slotted them away back into my pouch. The griffon sat petrified as I tied the pouch closed, before sitting back on the log and watching him intently.
Only a few minutes later I could hear the sound of multiple ponies coming my way, and from the increasingly panicked look of the griffon, he could too. He started fidgeting in place and frantically looked around for a way out, the reality of the moment finally setting in. It was too late, however, as a small group of golden armored guards broke into the clearing and skid to a stop at the scene.
I gave them but a short glance, before I stood and walked away from the bound griffon before leaning against a nearby tree. A moment later, the zhevra returned and frantically pointed at the griffon's tied up form. A couple quickly broke out of their stares and hesitantly moved to the griffon.
I watched in fascination as they bound his wings down with a piece of thread which wrapped around his barrel, before glowing dimly. The shaken griffon did little to fight them, and before long was trudging off towards the trio of guards which still hadn't moved since they arrived. There was five total, only two had been brave enough so far to actually do anything. One of them hesitantly motioned towards me, and then turned to the zhevra asking something.
There was an awkward silence as her gaze locked with mine, before breaking away and shaking her head at the guard. Gesturing to the hut, one guard gingerly made their way to the aforementioned house. Giving me a wide berth, he made his way to the front door and nudged it open. In an instant, he reeled back and ran to the treeline... before emptying the contents of his stomach.
I gave a quick roll of my eyes, but kept my mouth shut. After all, it would just sound like unintelligible gibberish anyway. The green looking guard motioned to the hut as the rest gulped and closed the distance themselves... before having similar reactions.
As amusing as it was to watch a bunch of ponies get nauseous over a bit of blood, I didn't let any of it show. Instead, I waited patiently as the guards filed in and out of the hut and cleaned the remains of my 'fight' from the area. Although I did give a small chuckle at the mortified look on a pony who carried out a small black bag in his magical grasp.
A couple of them looked at me hesitantly, like they wanted to approach me... but all kept their distance. After a couple hours of watching them talk amongst each other, and question the zhevra who couldn't stop glancing over towards me... they finally departed.
As I watched them leave, I could see the zhevra watching me with uncertainty as she shuffled her hooves back and forth, until she asked me a shaky question and motioned towards her hut. I raised a brow at her as she slowly made her way to the battered door, motioning me to follow.
Kicking off the tree I'd been leaning against I followed her to the broken door, before bending down inside and really taking it in. The blood still stained the ground, and I hadn't noticed it before but the cauldron that was here before when I had first arrived was gone. The body was gone too... along with it's head. All around the area were various bottles and ingredients... along with the odd mask decoration. On the other side of the hut I could see the zhevra pouring something hot into two cups.
She said something else to me as she sat at a table, motioning to the seat across from her. In one swift movement, I pulled the chair back and plopped myself into it while retrieving the translators from my pouch. Quickly clicking one around my neck, I slid the box across the table to the zhevra.
Her eyes darted from me to the open box, before slowly sliding it to herself and examining it closely. I watched as she traced her hoof along the edge of the sapphire, before her eyes opened wide. Without any further hesitation, she yanked the necklace out and secured it around her neck. The moment it clicked in place, I felt that familiar warmth permeate my breastplate as I leaned back in my chair a bit.
"Feeling okay?" My voice echoed bluntly, eliciting a small twitch from her.
"...yes. I think I'm... okay, now." She spoke hesitantly, like she was trying hard to get the words out.
I raised an eyebrow, motioning to her. "Are you sure? You're not talking as well as I heard you before."
Nodding a bit, she bit her lip with a look of intense concentration. "Yes... apologies. I cannot speak... how I normally would. Translation magic... not good at translating... my peoples dialect."
"Why?" I asked, my curiosity already bumping its way into the conversation.
Thinking hard for a second, she squinted a bit as she spoke. "Words that rhyme in my language... might not in yours?"
I didn't quite understand what she meant by that, or why rhymes had any importance in the matter... I gave a small nod anyway which seemed to satisfy her.
"You can read the runes on this?" I asked, tapping the necklace, getting a nod back.
I leaned forward, grasping the small cup and pulling it to my nose as the pleasant smell of ginger filled my senses.
"What did you... give me?" She asked as I took a tentative sip of the tea, before raising a brow at her.
"You mean the potion?" I asked getting her to nod quickly. "It was a Healing Potion, specifically a Runic Healing Potion." She tilted her head at what I said, but before she could speak her mind I continued. "That can wait, I feel like we should address this first." I emphasized towards the large splotch of drying blood in the middle of the room.
The zhevra grimaced and lowered her head, ears splaying back. "Poachers..."
I cursed under my breath and could feel my blood start to boil.
'They were going to eat her! I was holding out hope till now it had been a mistranslation, but to hunt and feed on another intelligent being... decapitation was far to kind an end for that creature' My inner voice fumed in rage as I closed my eyes, slowly controlling my breathing.
Despite my best efforts I could feel my anger swelling. 'I shouldn't of let that griffon go' A dark voice ebbed at the back of my mind. 'I could shift, It's been long enough.. he deserves it' The temptation tugged at my will as my eyes began to scan for the quickest way out. 'Should still be in the village being processed...'
"So..." A voice snapped me from my thoughts as I locked eyes with the Zhevra again. "That potion you gave me... you said it was a Healing Potion?"
At her question, I blinked a couple times before I noticed my hand had slowly dropped to grip the hanging axe on my waist. Quickly pulling my hand away... I support myself on my elbows at the table, my hands curling under my chin.
"Correct, a Runic Healing Potion... you have those here correct? The griffon had mentioned them." I answered her question, the distraction quickly pulling me back to clear thoughts.
She nodded eagerly, "Oh yes, we do. But... I've never heard of a Healing Potion before, or a Runic Healing Potion... whatever the difference is." She paused for a moment, lining up her thoughts, "Crop growth potions and maybe medicinal potions for the cold but... to purify a potion to the point of potent healing has never been done before!"
'Crop growth?' My curiosity peaked at that, but I held back my interest for now.
"There's not much purifying to do, just mix the herbs in under the right heat... and the right vial. That's important." I stated, planting my pouch onto the table.
This seemed to catch her attention as her eyes locked onto the container. Ignoring her stare I untied the top of the pouch, before reaching far into the bag and retrieving a few examples.
Pulling out a couple herbs, I saw her eyes light up at the sight of them. "Goldclover," I said placing the first herb, a small golden clover, in the center of the table. "Icethorn," I continued, placing another herb next to it... this one looked like a piece of curled ice but with the texture of grass.
Finally, I set down a small empty vial next to the herbs. "And an imbued vial, equally as important as the herbs. The vials have varying amounts of magic stored in the glass which is released when you seal and swirl them, of course you need the correct ingredients and the right spell-matrix in mind. Thus, causing a magical reaction creating the potion you want." Finishing my explanation I brought my eyes back up to a dumbstruck look. "Did you catch that or do I have to repeat it?" I asked eliciting a quick shake of the head.
"No! It's just... genius! We've never thought about... enchanting the vials. This could change everything!" I could see her smiling with excitement. "Could you teach me?"
Raising a hand, I quickly shot her down. "Hold on Zhevra, I don't do apprentices. I don't even know your name yet."
This seemed to deflate her a bit, but she didn't let it show long before a small smile spread across her face. "I'm sorry, my name is Zecora. And I'm not a... 'Zeevrah', I'm a Zebra." She paused, reaching a hoof across the table. "And... thank you for saving my life."
I looked at her hoof for a moment, before slowly reaching across and grasping firmly. "Dalandor, and its fine. There's a difference between hunting and murder." I finished with a quick shake, before letting go.
As I pulled away, I could see a look of sadness cross her features. "Zebra and Griffons have a long and dark history. You'd be surprised how much one is willing to pay for black market zebra meat... even in Equestria." That final line held an enormous weight, that much I could tell from her pained expression. "I'm glad you showed up when you did." She added, forcing out a sad smile.
"I see..." I said slowly with a small nod, before gathering up the examples I'd placed out. "I'm sorry that happened but, I must admit the reason I showed up tonight and helped you was by a spur of the moment decision... nothing more. You're lucky to be alive." I stated bluntly, securing a cord around the pouch.
I could see her eyes flick from the pouch to me again, before she slid her cup out of the way and leaned on the table. "Please... I request you teach me more about this alchemy. Such sources of knowledge are few and far in-between, I will give you anything!"
My eyes opened in surprise, looking at the begging form of a... zebra in front of me. Blinking a few times, I let out a groan as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"I... don't do apprentices. I only came here tonight to learn how to deal with Twilight since you're the only other pony I'd seen her with." The hint of annoyance apparent in my voice.
However she just tilted her head towards me, confusion obvious across her features. "Twilight? But when...?" She paused for a moment, trying to recall something.
Raising an eyebrow at her, I motioned to my body. "I lose a little hair and you don't recognize me? Recognize the armor?"
A few quiet moments went by as her eyes scanned me up and down, until a grim realization took over her features. "Y-you're the beast..." Her voice quivered a bit as I let out an annoyed growl. "You-"
"Hey!" I cut her off quickly, causing her to flinch. "Don't see me calling you an animal do you? Watch your tongue." I warned, pointing a finger at her. "I apologize for my previous appearance. I'd just arrived and you were one of the first things I'd seen, I usually try to stay human unless I have to."
Nodding slowly, she quickly calmed down. "While I don't quite understand what all of that means, I apologize for my language. I meant no offence." Tapping her hoof a couple times on the table, she perked up again. "What do you mean... just arrived?"
Rolling my eyes, I let out a sigh. "I guess to you, I'm an alien." I stated bluntly, getting a mix of looks from her. "Which is also why I'm not teaching you anything. I'm limited on supplies from my home, specifically the herbs."
The shock was still fresh on her features, but she shook her head and composed herself enough to talk. "A-Alien?! I... can't you just plant more?"
"Yes I am." I said simply, "And no, I cant." I continued, shaking my head. "Azerothian Herbs require extremely specific environments to grow. Even the best gnomish tech available couldn't replicate the growing process... but I heard some goblins were getting close..." My explanation slowly trailed off as I receded back into thought for a moment, before snapping back to reality and locking my gaze with a confused stare. "...what?"
"Couldn't you just... use a potion to replicate it's environment in the soil? Ponies do it all the time." Her answer caused my hopes to rise quickly.
Leaning forward on the table, I readjusted my seating so I could get a little closer. "You have potions that can do that?!"
Taken aback a bit by my change in volume, she hesitated for a moment before nodding quickly. "Y-yes. Like I said, almost all our potions are used as practical applications in farming and very simple medicine."
Slumping back into my chair, I scratched at my chin in thought.
'They do have potions here but... while all of Azeroth's breakthroughs are centered around combat, these ponies have branched out just as far in the opposite direction of alchemy' I couldn't help but have a smile spread across my face.
"Tell you what." I started, getting her ears to flick to me. "I'll do it." At those words, her eyes shot open and I could see her take in a sharp breath. "On three conditions." I continued, pulling her attention again.
Lifting up one finger at a time I began, "One, you refer to me as Dalandor or Master, but never the latter when we're not in a lesson. Two, show me how to make this 'Farming Potion' you mentioned, and three..." I paused for emphasis, lifting a third finger, "Teach me your language. This thing wont be practical in the long run." I finished with an annoyed groan, tapping on the offending amulet on my chest.
The air was thick in silence as Zecora thought hard on the offer, before steeling her resolve with a nod.
"I accept."
