Chapter 43
Despite everything going on, I was determined to do something creative today. Actually, provided nothing went wrong, (it was here I paused my work, and lightly tapped the wooden armrest I was carving), I was planning on visiting a bunch of people I felt needed a reminder I existed.
Since I hadn't figured out magical long distance communication, and cell phones didn't exist, I felt almost obligated to visit some of them.
Of course, I had to create a reason to visit some of them, but at least it was an excuse.
"Kodori?" Wiene was standing at the door to the workshop, Chime in her hand, the little micro rabbit soaking up the gentle pets the dragon girl was giving, "Is is safe to come into the workshop?" Her bright golden eyes were like little mirrors as she looked around without actually entering yet.
Welf was hammering away in the back, where all the 'highly dangerous' stuff was. The forge and simple machinery mostly. Like grinding wheels and the like. I was in the 'bigger items' area, where I was working on the replacement chair for the guild master.
"Just don't pick up any tools." Welf and I were practically religious in our care of the chisels and other sharp tools. "And careful not to step in that pile there." She hadn't figured out shoes yet, and I'd just swept a bunch of sawdust and the like into a pile.
"Okay!" She said, entering and all but tip-toeing over to me, standing just out of arms reach. "What are you making? It's a chair, right?"
"That's right. A fancy one." I replied, shifting a little so I could carve and keep half an eye on the girl. "I did something bad, so I have to fix it." I explained.
"What did you do?" She looked down suddenly, and tip-toed over to the door, setting Chime down, then returning.
"Well, I got angry, and broke the Guild Master's chair." I said, smiling slightly at what happened after, "Remember how I said 'just because you can, doesn't mean you should'?"
"Yes. I asked Bell for a hug! And he gave me one! He liked that more I think?" She said.
"Good girl." I replied, wishing I'd seen that, "Everything you do, everything!" I stopped working to look at her, "Has a consequence. If you ask for a hug, you might get a hug. But if you just hug someone, they might not like it. See?"
I watched her face kind of bunch up, like Lilly's when she was thinking something unpleasant. "So... You broke the chair, and have to fix it?"
"Exactly." I said, "It isn't always so simple. But always think before you act. If you surprise some one, will they drop what they are holding? Will they be okay with the surprise?"
"Like Chigusa? She doesn't like surprises, right?" She knelt down, still keeping a respectful distance from me, and I resumed my work, tap-tapping the hammer against the chisel to carve out a long sweeping curve in the wood. "It looks pretty." She said after a moment.
"Thank you." I replied, smiling. Monster or not, she was so... Alive. Her energy was infectious and I couldn't help but feel better with her around. Even her questions, though childish, were thoughtful. Never simple 'why' or 'what', but 'why should' or 'what if'.
"Am I a monster?" She asked suddenly, the question nearly making me miss the end of the chisel.
I looked at her, the poor girl's face was serious, and a little sad. "Honestly, I don't think so. Not how you are thinking of it, at least."
"What do you mean? Bell called me a 'vouivre'. That's a dragon right? Aren't dragons monsters?" I was surprised at how quickly she was developing such straight forward logic. "I have scales... And..." She touched the tear shaped garnet stone on her forehead.
"I think the word 'monster' is too... Big. Like calling everything on the table 'food'. I think, you are a Vouivre. Just like Bell is a Human, Lilly is a Pallum, and I am a Renard." I tried not to laugh at the irony of never having had children of my own, yet at some point taking care of all my little cousins at one point or another, trying to answer all the 'hard questions' while the parents were at work.
"So even though I was born in the dungeon?" She was still unconvinced, so I thought up a different tactic.
"Think of it like this. Say you were... That bird over there." I pointed to a bird just outside the still open workshop door. "It's entire life amounts to five things." I held up my hand and counted points, "It's born, it eats, finds a mate, has children, and some day, dies." She nodded, though she was still looking at the bird, as it hopped about the yard poking at the lawn with its beak.
"That's it?" She asked.
"Unless something bad happens, and it skips to the end. Yes." I replied, returning to my work, picking up some fine sandpaper.
"That seems kind of... Sad? No... Simple?"
"Yes. That, is the life of 'instinct'." The wood, a hard wood that looked a little like walnut, an almost dark chocolate colour, just needed sanding now. "In the dungeon, what Bell and I fight, what we kill down there." She flinched a little at the word 'kill', but her attention focused on me again, "That is all they do. They are born, live, breed, and die." I shifted over again, mostly to get into the details I'd carved in with my sandpaper, but also to let my tails swish over to the girl and visit. "But you, while born in the dungeon, are not a simple beast. Not a 'monster'."
"Because..." She was so deep in thought, that her hands only touched the fur of my tails, not petting them, "I can do other things?"
"Exactly." I smiled, "You can choose what to eat. Find a mate, or not. Have children, or not. Sleep all day, or play all day. Read a book, draw a picture, make more bread. We can 'choose'. We are not slaves to 'instinct'."
She thought about this some more, this time picking one of my tails and hugging it close, "And die?"
"We all do someday." I said gently, "Part of being alive, is to one day die." I put the sandpaper down and shook my hands off, picking up a clean rag and getting the dust off the wood for its final varnish, "But, our choices, what we leave behind, the friends we make, the family we have, the stories told about us. That's how we keep living."
I was pretty sure these were thoughts far too heavy for her, but she surprised me again and nodded, gathering up another tail to hug, her golden reptile eyes sparkling at me, "I can choose. So I'm not a 'monster', but a 'person'?"
I couldn't help myself, but I remembered to follow my own advice at least. "Wiene? Can I give you a hug?"
"Yes please."
"You sure we have to send this back?" Welf asked as we walked towards the Guild building. "I mean... You won it, fair and square."
"You took me home, Ma'am." Marius chimed in seriously, though I was beginning to suspect his 'joking voice' was the same as his 'talking to an idiot superior officer' voice.
"Very true." I said, looking back at the two men, "But, I made a promise. And who knows, I might visit Rakia one day. Just to say I did. And maybe keep you safe on the way home." I said to Marius, "It wouldn't do to have you live an entire year, braving the dungeon, only to have you get killed by a some random hazard on the road."
"See? She does care."
"It's only because I can carry all of the things when we go shopping." He emphasized this by gently settling the chair on his back.
"Don't give her ideas, or you'll have to do it again."
Rolling my eyes as the two bantered behind me, I rolled my shoulders and patted my armoured coat's pockets, "Speaking of things, think we can convince them to give us that permit?"
"It's on our property. And unless we screw up a water pipe or something, yeah, we should be good." Welf replied, "I'll be sure to ask Lady Hephaestus for advice on that, maybe get some help."
"Excellent. That leaves me to get the permit, then head over with Marius to get materials sorted out." I replied, looking at the tall Rakian. "I'll bring you along to meet some of our friends, outside the Familia."
"Say 'lo to them for me." Welf said as we got to the Guild building, the smith simply walking on towards the tower.
"Enjoy your visit with Lady Hephaestus." I called back.
"Is he truly courting a Goddess?" Marius asked, falling into step beside me as we approached the double doors of the guild hall.
"You've probably noticed, but Welf doesn't do things in halves." As usual, the front area before the desks was spotted with random adventurers. New faces, a few I had seen before, and of course, Eina and her two partners at the front desk.
"Welcome..." Eina paused, seeing the taller man behind me with the fancy chair carefully strapped to his back. "Ah, I suppose that answers that question. You must be Marius?"
"Yes Ma'am. And you must be Eina. Everyone at home talks quite glowingly of you, though words can only go so far when I finally meet the person herself." He gave her one of his rare smiles, "A pleasure."
I raised an eyebrow at just how smooth he said that. Even giving her a formal, if somewhat limited bow with the bundle on his back. Eina's two assistants smiled and tried to hide it behind a hand, while the half-elven woman blushed slightly.
"Is the boss in?" I asked, trying to rescue Eina from her blush, "Oh, and I'd like to ship something out of town... How does that even work anyhow?" I rolled my shoulder to indicate the rectangle box on my back, containing Hyakinthos's sword and my little 'look but never have' sculpture.
"Oh. Ahem." Eina switched back into her official reflex of answering questions, "Simple letters and the like get sent out by cart, though that parcel might require a third party. I can give you directions to the usual place that deals with that, if you wish."
"Best teacher." I said with a grin, "Oh, Marius? You written a letter home yet?"
"Hm, no ma'am. Hadn't thought about it, being the new guy keeps me busy." He mumbled. "I really should though. My mother is probably worried about me."
Eina and I watched his handsome square jawed face blush just a tiny bit, "Well, I would be happy to give you some paper and a place to write. Miss Kodori has business upstairs, and might be a moment." Eina said, her usual smile back in place as she put a couple of sheets of paper on the desk and a small quill and ink jar.
"Much appreciated Ma'am." Marius said to her, kneeling and undoing the knot holding the chair on his back, "Ma'am?" He said to me.
"Right then." I said, taking hold of the chair and lifting it as it came free. "As usual, you're amazing Eina, I know the way, so I leave him to you."
No one really gave me a second look as I walked towards the Guild Master's office. The employees gave me a smile and a wave, and gave me space to pass as I followed the hallways towards the nice wooden double door of the Master's office. My ears picked up a quiet conversation inside, though it sounded as if he was talking to himself. Almost like a phone call.
Being the polite person I (usually) was, I tried not to eavesdrop, but my ears made it very difficult. With my arms full of giant chair, I couldn't even cover them up.
"I do have a little more free time now."
...
"We can only keep so close an eye on things. We can only cover so much ground before it gets too dangerous..."
...
"You know we can't trust the adventurers with this."
...
"The situation is too delicate. What if you're wrong?"
...
"You're... You're serious aren't you?"
...
"Two of them? How...
...
"Very well. So long as they don't make a mistake, we can keep attention away from them."
...
"They do seem capable." Royman sighed then, "Yes Fels, I understand. A little more time is all we can hope for."
It was then I heard what sounded like a drawer being closed, and one of the Guild Master's deflating sighs. I shook my head, counted to ten, made it twenty, then thirty, the half conversation playing though my head again.
I shook my head, tucking my thoughts on the matter away for now, and tapped on the door.
"Hm?" Some paper shuffling, the distinct sound of a metal latch clicking into place, then, "Come in."
Balancing the chair with one hand, I turned the doorknob and nudged it open with my shoulder. "Good morning Royman." I said casually, making sure not to ding the chair on anything as I brought it in. "I brought you a new chair."
He was looking a lot better than last I saw him. In the short while since I'd seen him, he looked to have lost ten kilograms at least. He was still overweight, but his shirt fit, and he wasn't looking as... waxy. Even his hair was starting to fill out again. Understandably, he was looking a little nervous, as he was just talking about me and my Familia, but I ignored that. "That... That was rather quick. I'm surprised you actually made it at all really." He said honestly, motioning to the replacement he had me sit on as we had our second talk. "Let me move this, set it down here..."
We got to unpacking the bundle, to reveal the chair. Not to brag, but I thought it was even better than the one I had broken, though partially because I could sit in this one and not have to have my tails bundled behind me uncomfortably. I matched the colour of the fabric to the last one as best I could, and made sure not to make it move fancy than his chair, he was an important person after all.
"This is good work." He said appreciatively, "If I didn't know better, I'd almost want to put the feet in some soil."
"I've an elven friend." I replied, sitting myself down in the chair, "I took some inspiration from her furniture." Most of the lines I'd carved into it mimicked a smooth barked tree. "But, I've a little business, if you'd like to sit down. You're looking better, by the way."
"I've you to thank for it." He said bluntly, "Aside from a few grumbles, and a bit more paperwork than I'd like, your ideas on," He sounded out this word for me, "Reorganization," I nodded in thanks and he continued, "have sped up, and smoothed out much of the choking points we had. Some of my employees are trying harder, now that I've put in places to get promotions, and we've expanded slightly to cover some blind spots we had."
"Good. I'm happy that's working out then." I replied, spotting the little wooden fox I'd made last time I was here, though this time the rest of it had been inked black.
"So, new business?" He asked, "You -are- sitting in the chair."
"I suppose I am." I grinned, "I'd have asked Eina, but since I'm here. I'd like a permit to do some digging on my Familia's property."
"Oh? How deep?"
"Not too far. I was planning on putting in a pool. And since we have a large yard that we basically use just for training..." I trailed off as he pulled out a key from a chain around his neck.
"In that case you'll need..."
"Ma'am?" Marius said as I retuned, "You look... frazzled."
"I hate paperwork." I said. Now, included with the box on my back, I had a couple of rolls of parchment under one arm. "I had to fill out some forms, and go over some of the plans from the city archives."
"Ah. But mission accomplished?" He asked, offering a hand, into which I placed the rolls of parchment.
"Yes. We've got maps for the pipes, where not to dig, and permission to 'alter the landscape of the Hearthstone Manor in a minor, up to a major, capacity'. So long as it does not exceed the boundaries of the property lines or damage surrounding or on property infrastructure." I quoted from the permit itself, that was tucked into my coat's pocket. "I need to practise my writing. I am so slow at it still." I waved to Eina as we left, and looked over to Marius as he fell into step beside me, "Speaking of?"
"Yes Ma'am." He held up a sturdy looking envelope with a neatly printed address on it. "I also have directions to the mail office." He handed me a bit of paper.
"Oh, I know this place." I chuckled, "It's a little walk, but since I want to get this sent off before I have second thoughts..." I shrugged my shoulder to indicate the box. "In the mean time, I'll tell you about my first trip there."
"I do like story time." Marius said with his usual seriousness, "Ma'am."
I caught him smiling ever so slightly as I rolled my eyes at him.
"You are a brave woman." Marius said as we got closer to the gate, "I've seen Ma'am Arnya throw some one my size and just miss the shop wall on the other side of the street."
It was the same gate I'd made my very first outing to, to pick up the waggon and Lunoire that one day. I could even see that same bored looking draft horse, waiting for something to do, off in the distance.
"Well, I couldn't resist. Speaking of though..." I made a little detour, "I'm going to order some meats, have them sent over."
"Hm, taco night isn't until..." Marius thought, "Two days?"
"Oh, suppose I'll cover that too."
The old man and I shared a few pleasantries, Marius was introduced, and orders were placed. I payed a little extra for the delivery, and gave him a proper Hostess bow for his service.
"Having worked with Takemikazuchi Familia, never mind being part of it... Everyone seems so..." Marius was still suffering from a little culture shock it seemed.
"Friendly?" He nodded, "It's what happens when its less a military state and a... oh damn... word... umm... money... state? No..."
"Capitalistic." Marius supplied, "Where people can earn their way through merit with fewer rules and restrictions."
"And mix in a healthy dose of socialism." I added, "The guild taxes the Familia, and the Familia keep the city from falling to bits. Pay is good, people are fairly happy, and unless you stick your head out too far by say... almost burning down half a block..." I shivered, "Still have dreams about that."
I stopped in front of the horse as we neared the gate. Now that I could read, I noticed the 'Mail services' sign on a building attached to the wall of the city itself. "Hanging in there?" I asked the horse, earning myself a snort and a friendly, if a little smelly, lick on the cheek. "Good." I said, giving the beast a friendly pat over the nose and side of its head, before backing up and heading towards the building.
"What language was that?" Marius asked.
"Funny enough, there is no translation for the name of the language in this one." I chuckled, "It's pretty much the basic language where I'm from though."
"Hm. I've heard you speak it before, but only to Lord Takemikazuchi and Lady Hestia." He replied, scratching his chin.
"Since it's my native language, I speak it to them so I am understood. I still occasionally get my words turned around, or simply don't know a word yet in this language." I shrugged. "Lets hope they don't charge too much." I said, pushing open the door to the building.
They did charge a fair amount. Not quite a shocking amount, but really damn close. Then again, unless you went yourself, they were the only mail service sanctioned by the Guild, and could charge what ever they wanted really.
"Mission accomplished." Marius said with a frown, "I may have to cut my spending to cover the cost of that..."
"At least its almost sure to get there." I said, "And we can go to the dungeon some time soon, once things settle. It's not like we don't have a pool of money, for 'rainy days'."
"Fair, but I'd rather not resort to that. Takemikazuchi Familia use their half of that to send back home, and... I feel like I'd be intruding on that."
"Good on you for thinking that. But you're also part of the Familia, and they'd be glad to cover a few minor expenses." I replied with a grin, "They are good people."
"They are." He nodded, "So, what's next on your list?"
"Ah, this way. I want to mix the glue for the stone myself, but, I don't know how." I chuckled, "And since I haven't visited Nazza, our more or less exclusive potion seller, in a good while, I figured I'd ask if she knew."
"Nazza... This high, droopy ears, chienthrope, shy about her metal arm?" He asked, making a 'this high' motion with his hand.
"Ah, you've met her."
"In passing. Only heard her name and glanced at her." He admitted, "Was with a tall blue haired God."
"Lord Miach." I said with a smile, "Tall, handsome, and totally oblivious to the poor girl. Or any girl really."
"I've noticed that's a bit of a trend." Marius said with a frown. "I've also noticed, you're rather plain with how much you respect the Gods."
"Lord Miach is a good person. Hermes is a jerk. Ishtar was a bitch." I laughed at Marius's reaction to my language. "What? They come down here for amusement. Fine. I understand that paperwork, no matter where you are, is boring." I pointed a finger at him, "But if they expect me to respect them just because they are a divinity of some kind? No. Our world, our rules."
The big soldier chuckled, "Fair enough. Lord Hermes does seem a little..." He searched for a word, "Smug."
"He knows an awful lot, and only lets things out if it's interesting. But he's nearly gotten us killed, and helped us save people." I explained, turning another corner, the brickwork of the surrounding buildings getting older, more faded.
"Miss Haruhime mentioned some of that story." Marius said, "Including some of what Lady Ishtar tried to do."
"Yeah..." I sighed, "Glad some one else told that one." I didn't say, but I did still have the occasional dream about that one too. More of a nightmare, but... "Ah, there it is."
The Blue Pharmacy. The faded sign and worn storefront spoke not of neglect, but gave more of the impression of 'well travelled'. Odd to think that of a building, but that's what I thought of when I looked at it. I knew they were still a bit poor, the crippling debt brought on by Nazza's silver arm was nearly as bad as Hestia's debt for the black knife She had commissioned for Bell.
Entering, a small bell above the door ringing, I was nearly knocked over as a someone hugged me. At least, it felt like a hug. Nothing tried to stab me, there was no pain, but... Who the heck?
Looking down, I saw the top of a head of long dark hair. My nose detected a faint herbal soap, and the body pressed to me was slender and a little cool.
"Cassandra?" I asked, my arms returning the hug out of reflex before I put my hands on her shoulders and lightly pushed her away, "What?"
Of the two former Apollo members, Cassandra was a bit of a seer, and almost cripplingly shy. Looking across the shop, over the shelves, I spotted Nazza and Daphne looking at me from behind the counter. Looking back down, Cassandra was starting to go all shy again, backing up a half step and bowing.
"Thank you for the hug?" I tried, before the girl almost tripped over something in her retreat back to Daphne.
"She's been expecting you all day." Daphne said, giving her 'could be, but not' sister a hug.
"Oh... Well, she should eat more. She's cold." I smiled at them, "Oh, right." I finished actually walking in, getting out of the way of the door. "This is Marius."
All three sets of eyes turned to the man as he stepped in behind me. Nazza gave him a once over, her tail swishing exactly twice behind her, while her droopy ears tilted forward a little. Daphne gave him something that wasn't quite a glare, and Cassandra said, very quietly, "Returns to blood and glory."
I raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment, my sharp ears picking up the whisper, while Marius seemed to not have heard it. "Marius, this is Nazza," She waved, "The one who doesn't quite hate everyone is Daphne," She did glare at me, "And the quite one is Cassandra." She did manage a very small wave.
"A pleasure, ladies. I am Marius Victrix Rakia. Crown prince of Rakia. But, you can call me 'the new guy'." His voice, as always, was serious.
This got a smile from the three of them, though only Nazza commented, "I remember you... Only other person taller than Ears in that mansion of yours, aside from Lord Takemikazuchi." She waved to indicate me as 'Ears'.
"He can also carry all the things." I commented with a chuckle, "So, as my mentor in the alchemical arts," I leaned on the counter top, "Would you know how to mix something that can glue stone together, and last underwater?"
"That was cheaper than expected." I said as The Blue Pharmacy vanished from sight behind us. "Though, Haruhime might be a little mad at me later."
"I'll tell her you got a good price because of it." Marius offered, "Your tails do look quite glossy now."
Glancing behind me and scooping up one of my tails, I gave it a once over and a pet, floofing it out once before letting it go. "Once I told them I could mix my fur into iron for enchanting, Nazza got very energetic all of a sudden."
"She doesn't seem like one who is... Energetic. Or even enthusiastic." He replied, sniffing, "Where are we going? Smells like... Beer?"
"Soma Familia." I said, "Remember that 'burn down a city block' comment? That was around here." I waved towards a couple of red brick chimney peeking up above the three floor houses we were walking past, "Bell and I got in an... argument on how Lilly should be treated. Zanis, their former captain used a magic sword against Bell and I. I protected him, he beat the crap out of Zanis. It was quite satisfying to wake up to that."
"You survived... Well, I suppose it lends to how you basically lived through taking a bath in drake innards." He shivered, "So, if your two Familia got into an argument, why are you visiting now?"
"Well, after... Oh, Chandra must be trying something new..." I sniffed the air, then explained, "Chandra's the new captain. Nice guy, handy with burn treatments. Anyhow, Soma and I got into a debate for Lilly's freedom. And He gave her a test to earn it. Thankfully, she passed."
"She drank His wine, didn't she... Brave girl that." Marius said, "Also explains why she isn't much for drinking wine."
"I was offered some, but passed. I suspect after drinking the literal master craft of the God of Wine, everything else would be rather bland." I nodded, "So yeah... She drank some, and refused any more of it. And Soma let her go. After that though, I gave Soma a little strawberry bush, and he made some wine for us, after the war game."
"Oh? That sounds pretty tasty, how was it?" The main building of the Soma property was in view now. A little run down, multi-floor house with a couple of watch towers and large warehouses on either side. The smell of spirits and grain was much stronger now, but it wasn't unpleasant, not like how I remembered them from my old world.
"Well, as a spirit, it was rather weak. A bit more than beer I'd guess." Unlike back home, the percent alcohol content wasn't on the label. "The taste was sweet, and quite mild. Even the children liked it."
"You gave some to the orphans?" Marius looked a little puzzled, "Isn't that, I dunno... Bad?"
"There was only a single bottle. And not enough to get anyone drunk. Besides, it was Soma's first try, and he wanted as many opinions on it as possible." There was a single, very bored looking man sitting at the front door. He eyed us both, perked up a little, stood, and stepped forward.
"The Demon Fox." He greeted. He was a bit scruffy looking, but not unclean. I didn't know him, but he at least showed no hostility. "And the Rakia Man."
"I have a nick name?" Marius sounded surprised.
"You walk around with her, and you went drinking with a few buddies of mine." He shrugged, "I drew the short straw for door duty. So I get to ask the hard questions." He chuckled, making a show of frowning and leering at us, "Wadda ya want?"
I couldn't help myself, and I had to laugh. I hadn't expected a friendly greeting, and certainly not a comical one. "Oh, just wondering about Lord Soma, and Chandra. Is the captain about?"
He looked a little pained for a moment, losing the leer and grumpy face, "Well... Chandra is around someplace, but Soma... Well, ever since you and him had that talk, he's been even more absorbed in his work."
"More? Is that even possible?" I asked, eyebrows raised, "I mean..."
"No no, not as bad as before. He at least takes regular showers and eats a little more. But he's expanded the indoor orchard upstairs, and the entire building smells like a fruit salad, like... All the time. It's weird, seeing so many different out of season fruits growing in one place, so... Perfectly."
"Huh. Well, that was unexpected." I admitted.
"Oh?" Another voice, one I recognized, deep and heavy, "Fox! Whatta you doing here?"
Looking over to one of the warehouse doors, I spotted the stocky figure of a dwarf. Stained apron, bushy beard and one missing eyebrow, it was Chandra. "Visiting. A small vacation, kind of. And introducing the new guy." I hooked a thumb at Marius, who gave the dwarf a small bow.
"I'm the new guy. Or Marius." He answered as he bowed, offering his hand, "Pleased to meet you."
"Tall, but polite, I'll give him that." The two of them shook, and he turned to me, "I'm not sure if I should be angry, or happy with you."
"Lord Soma getting you to help in the garden?"
"Not really, I have trouble growing grass in an open field. But that new orchard isn't cheap! Have to organize more dungeon time, and that takes away from brewing time!" Chandra grumbled, "But I'll admit, we can sell some of his experiments. Not for much, but his reputation for wine makes people willing to at least try his other stuff."
"Speaking of." I grinned, "I was looking to set up a small kit for brewing. But, aside from an alchemical setup, I'm pretty sure I don't have the right tools."
Marius looked surprised, and so did the two Soma Familia members. "Seriously? An alchemical kit for brewing? Oh... I think my heart just froze... Come with me, I'll give you the tour." Chandra all but pulled me along, "Brewing with beakers and test tubes... Bah!"
"I thought you didn't really like drinking?" Marius said as he adjusted the small crate that was now strapped to his back, "You're also, from what I've heard mind you, an, and I quote, 'a lightweight who can only hold her drink because her grip is unbreakable'."
"Ah, that would be Welf." I chuckled, "I just don't have much of a taste for the stuff honestly, so I have no tolerance." I shrugged, then laughed, "But do you have any idea what you can do with whats on your back?"
"Make beer. And maybe some mild spirits?" Marius sounded puzzled.
"That too. Do you know how brandy is made?" I asked, getting a shake of his head in reply. "You basically take wine, any wine, and heat it up. The alcohol, the stuff that gets you drunk, will boil first. You take the vapour from that, cool it in another container, and you have brandy."
"Distill it... I see. So you plan to make brandy?" He asked, scratching his head. "Without really knowing how, it would probably taste terrible."
"No doubt. But there are other things you can distill," I used the new word, smiling, "Potions? Make them into a paste for local treatment. Distil some of that terrible stuff Welf drinks to clean wounds."
"Just don't tell him."
"Just don't tell him." I agreed, "You can make candy, in a round about way. Or if you're careful, pills, instead of potions. It will take a few tries I'm sure, but could you imagine a jar of healing 'potions', instead of a single little bottle, you have ten in a bottle."
"They would probably taste terrible, but that would be handy, and less risk of them breaking and spilling." Marius 'hm'ed and chuckled, "It's a shame that healing potions are so hard to come by in Rakia. We have an entire branch of people for researching this sort of thing."
"But without something to research, they'll never know to look into it." I said, getting a nod, "When you return, I'm sure we can put together a bunch of things for them to look into."
"You're very kind to do so Ma'am." Marius replied, "Just have to survive the year."
I stuck out my fist, and he gave my knuckles a tap with his own. "Stick with us, and you'll go far." I chuckled. "Now, lets go find some stone..."
Notes.
I think I'll stop there. Yeah, getting some world building done, setting up plot.
I'll try not to drag on the 'filler' too long. :) It all has a purpose, don't worry.