CH 4 – Knowledge Obtained

Savin awoke with a start, a witches' dreams were not what most would call friendly.

Slowly lifting herself from the bed she glanced over to the many piles of books and notes on Physic. Marcellus had recently decided that she was to study Physic and he would teach her the basics in Alchemy. So for the past 3 weeks that is precisely what they had done.

The Alchemist and his ways grew on Savin, (even though she might not admit it) it was hard thinking of leaving such a wonderful place. She had never been anywhere this peaceful yet oddly hectic, and she loved every second.

Physic was quite interesting in it's own ways, what the Wendron's called Physic was very different in comparison. Marcellus also recognised this as a great advantage to their plight, her perspective of the subject brought many new aspects in understanding the tincture.

Once Marcellus trusted Savin enough to reveal it's true nature, the tincture itself became a weighty surprise. No one had ever made a tincture of eternal life before, even Savin's Coven had tried many, many times before but to no avail.

In the next week both Marcellus and Savin had hoped to finally know exactly what was needed to create such a potion, and how.

Savin, once changing into her borrowed Alchemy robes, set down the (recently learnt) tunnels to find Marcellus. The past three weeks had been tiring for both of them, and she was hoping to catch some sort of break, at least within the hour.

"Ah, there you are Miss Juniper." Marcellus greeted her with a smile, looking up from a particularly dusty book.

"Marcellus, have I not told you to call me Savin?"

After a long coughing fit from his dusty surroundings he replied, "that seems to be no fun."

Savin laughed and leant over the podium to closely look at the large golden bound book. Which she now noticed was so dusty that it was hard to even read.

"I think, perhaps.. I've found a very complex way of making the tincture."

"But a way no less.." She sighed, there would be no breaks today.

"Let's get started then shall we?"

Another sigh, "yes, let's."

Marcellus started by showing the formula to Savin, with all the newly required information intact.

"Complicated may have been an understatement" The Alchemist said after seeing the witch's aghast face.

"It sounds impossible.."

"I think it is suppose to. Otherwise everyone would live forever."

She sighed once more, "point taken." She looked over the ingredients once more "wait, this berry is only found in the forest."

"I was trying to avoid telling you this actually.." An apologetic smile spread over his lips, "pray, come with me?"

"Back into the forest? If the Wendron's find me ill be killed."

He held up a hand as if to stop her, "and that is why I am coming with you."

Savin was lost in his triumphant smile, "you have no idea of what is in the forest do you?"

"I have a vague idea.." The smile still lingered, somewhat.

"Oh great, were going to die."

"Don't be so pessimistic Miss Juniper, we will be able to do this with ease!"

Savin wasn't so confident, "okay genius, so how do we get out of here then? You are travelling with a fugitive."

His face became puzzled and after a long moment he answered, "the ceremony, well be able to sneak through the palace. It'll be busy with all sorts of people I'm sure." His voice was quite serious, and suddenly Savin regained some confidence.

"Ceremony?"

"Yes, my sister Esmerelda has set up a ball to try and convince Etheldredda she is ready to be queen." He stopped dead with a wince.

"Your... Your? The son of the queen!" She hesitated with question, "do you not know your mother has been trying to kill me for the past 3 months?"

"Yes I know... I thought that perhaps if you helped me I could keep you safe in exchange." Savin wasn't convinced.

"She's insane, just as the castle assumes. I would never help her capture you, nor anyone else."

She smiled at Marcellus' sudden kindness, convinced once more. "Okay then. Walk me through this plan of yours."