“Right, well do you want me to lead you to Mr Defargo’s office?”
“Yes please, this place looks massive.” She said, upscaling the building beyond its genuine size.
“I don’t know if you can fight him though…” I said hoping to make her avoid him.
“That’s fine; I just wanted to see if he had any tips or tricks.” I led the path, walking through the straight hall and making a beeline toward his office. I knock lightly twice, I hear him tap twice on his table. The door creaks open to reveal Mr Defargo’s elderly figure sitting at his desk leisurely.
“Mr Defargo, I came to introduce my fiancé to you.” I said as I took a step to the side and making a flourish with my arms, Rachel slapped my arms downward, she didn’t like that. “Rachel Indallias, Daughter of Stephanie Indallias.”
“You didn’t have to introduce her mother…” He said surprised.
“I’ll be back later,” I say to Mr Defargo as I turn to Rachel, “When and where do I meet you?”
“I’ll wait in the court yard if I’ve finished talking…” she said trailing off as she welcomed herself into his office.
“Don’t worry Theo, she’ll be fine.” He said as I started to move across the hall.
“I wasn’t worried!” I shouted back to him as I turned the corner, the solid stone door which marked the emporium greeted me as I rung the small bronze bell mounted shoddily next to the door.
“Theo!” Piper shouted as she waved for me to come in. Her dirty alchemy lay on the table revealing her blue blouse. The room’s stench had been cleaned, the grate shined a dull silver. “I didn’t want you to remember me only as the stinky potion lass.”
“Wouldn’t have, I was half expecting the room to be in cinders.”
“Ah, that accident well I had to clean up after that anyway…” she said taking a pause to think of her next sentence. “So, I’ve got a parting gift for you.” She mentioned awkwardly as she placed a miniscule vial on the table.
“What is it?”
“A poison which will kill you instantly when you drink it.” She said maintaining a consistent tone.
“What is it really?”
“A love potion… This one’s effects are permanent.” She moved to stop me from replying, “Trust me, you’ll want this one.”
“Ok…” I replied, struggling for an adequate response.
“I’ve got some other ones, but that was the one that I wanted to tell you about.”
“Do I need the other ones?” I ask as she shoves a wooden carrying case into my arms. I unclasp the latch and open the aged wooden exterior; I look inside to see the vials, all neatly labelled. The velvet cushioning kept the lines of vials safe from damage.
“Why do I need this many?”
“Well… espionage, theft and recon really. The academy will give you missions where you’ll need to source your own potions and poisons.”
“Thanks for the warning…” I say worried.
“Have a safe trip and don’t accept a job as a teacher.” She said as if reliving past trauma.
“Is the academy really that bad?”
“N-No… maybe I’m exaggerating it.”
“Hope you are…” I said as I went to take my leave. “I’ll come back and visit if I need a restock.”
“I’ll miss you.” She said, “Not in the weird way.” She said attempting to clarify any miss interpretations.
“I’m already engaged.” I replied as I made my way around the brick hoof of a school. The door the Mr Defargo’s office hadn’t been opened once since I’d left to visit Piper. I heard ominous whispers seep through the door, curious I went to go see if I could hear anything.
“To conclude, the Mage of the Eternum seal is looking for a strong mage to help fight the resurrection of the old god.” Rachel said in a firm voice, I also felt a tinge of hope from her voice. Who’s this old god which they have to fight?
“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline, If it’s returning I’d rather not have anything to do with it…” he continued ominously.
“That’s a shame; I’ll go now Theo is probably waiting.”
“You should trust Theo more; he’ll be your biggest ally against the old god.”
“He needs more time.” She said desperately as she open the door to stare me in the eyes.
“Hi!” I said as she looked at me with a firm stare.
“What did you hear?”
“From when you started your conclusion.” I replied honestly, Rachel was too good at figuring me out for me to even risk lying. “I’ll tell you on the coach ride…” She said as she grabbed my hand, dragging me toward the rendezvous point.
Shanon.C