“The dormitories. Aren't those really small and like four people required to share one room?” Arthur asked not liking the idea of sharing a room with three other people. “I do like my privacy, you know.”
“I know that, but with this possible threat it might be a good idea to find safety in numbers. It might not be comfortable but it could save your life.”
Arthur could see in her face that Calavia was hurt by his comment about privacy. ‘Well that was rude, nice going.’ “Ok I will consider moving into the dormitories but if it is as bad as I think it is I will be leaving the moment the threat has passed.”
Calavia weakly smiled upon hearing Arthurs answer. “Good, I recommend doing that as soon as possible. There is a good amount of paperwork involved so it's best to just get it out of the way.”
“I will let you know of my decision.”
The two spent the next ten minutes chatting about other unrelated topics before Arthur excused himself with the excuse of needing to go to room eight for the job board. The tired man from the day before was gone and an elf woman was in his place behind the counter. Unlike the man she was quite full of vigor and showed no signs of exhaustion.
“Welcome sir, how can I help you today.”
“I am here to take on a task.”
“Of course, one second.” The elf reached under the table and pulled out the grey orb that the man used to show Arthur the available tasks. “Just place your hand here and all the tasks that you are authorized to complete by the guild will pop up like the HUD.”
Arthur did so and the list of over fifty requests appeared again that he scrolled through by using a bit of his mana. Most of the requests involved finding ingredients like he did the day before, only three were for a delivery specifically for different alchemical apparatuses. The best paying one offered a silver coin upon completion in person.
“What details were provided for this request?” Arthur asked as he gestured to the request from Georgius Calvus.
“That request came from Georgius Calvus, a mage who operates from The Elder Nymph close to the inner city, he sells all sorts of magical goods to the general populace. He is requesting someone pick up a new magic apparatus from Ice Wares Glass Smiths. There is a document that will verify that you are the courier.”
“Why doesn’t he just hire a courier from one of those companies I’ve seen around here?” Arthur thought back to how those companies looked to be doing quite well, that Black Horse Courier being the most popular.
“Mr. Calvus doesn’t like large businesses and he likes to help out aspiring mages like you get some money together.”
“Well in that case I will take this job and deliver the apparatus to The Elder Nymph.”
“Just give me a moment to get the documents together.” The elf reached under the counter and placed a few documents on the table that Arthur was required to sign. The most important document was a map of the city that highlighted both the Ice Wares Glass Smiths building as well as The Elder Nymph.
The glass smiths were on the east side of the city in the middle of the industrial sector where all the workshops were from blacksmiths to carpenters. It was a loud area with a section of poor quality housing to the south for the day laborers who worked the lower paying jobs.
Ice Wares Glass Smiths was working out of a medium sized warehouse with several furnaces blasting heat. The furnaces had no apparent fuel source until Arthur saw some large dark blue crystals all placed along the sides that lightly glowed.
The foreman was sitting at a table in a small section that had only storage and a handful of offices that were empty side from the one belonging to the foreman.
“Welcome sir, do you have any business with us?” The foreman was a dwarf with a thick dark beard and hair that had a few braids. He wore simple clothes like those of his workers.
Arthur handed the dwarf the document showing that he was a courier and what he came to collect.
“Oh I remember that order. It was a few glass containers he called beakers, three of these retorts, and another three alembics.” The dwarf looked up from the paper. “I don’t know if they were something that you use in alchemy or what but he gave us very detailed blueprints so we fulfilled his order.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“You think they are used in alchemy?” Arthur asked curious about these tools that may be used in alchemy.
“That's what I think they are for, but I know nothing about alchemy so for all I know they could be used as magic focuses.” The dwarf shrugged and began walking to the storage room. “You just wait here for a moment, I will fetch the glassware and then you can get going.”
The dwarf returned a few minutes later with two boxes that contained the glassware. He placed them on the table and turned to Arthur. “So how exactly are you going to take these? They are quite heavy to carry all the way to that store and I didn't see any horses.”
“I have a dimensional bag I can carry it inside of.” Arthur showed the amazed dwarf that he could even fit his whole sword into the bag.
“That is incredible. With just one of these I would only need a warehouse half the size of this one.” The dwarfs eyes lit up like stars as he looked at the magic bag.
“You might want to put the brakes on that plan, from what I know these are quite expensive. The only reason I even have one is because it was a gift from a friend.”
“Perhaps, perhaps.” The dwarf muttered a few incomprehensible words as he returned to his desk. “You have given me something important to think about lad, since everything here checks out you can get to delivering that glassware now, assuming you know the way.”
“I do, and good luck to you.” Arthur gave a small wave as he turned to leave.
“And to you too son.”
*********
Arthur quickly followed the map north west to The Elder Nymph located close to the inner city. Most of the people Arthur passed gave him room, his armor in most eyes making him a wealthy mercenary, or wealthy by their standards. Only a handful of people, mostly those who did not care did not give him extra space.
The Elder Nymph was a large three story building with the first two floors being made up of stone and the third of wood. A large sign depicting a potion bottle and the words along the bottom read “The Elder Nymph”.
Upon entering the building a small chime came from just above the door and a youthful voice called out. “Just a second.” Arthur looked up to see a small bell had been moved by the door when he had opened it.
Arthur walked up to the counter and placed the boxes on top as he waited for who he presumed was Georgius Calvus. Soon a young human man in his early twenties. “Hello sir, how can I help you today?”
“I have a delivery for a Mr. Georgius Calvus, would that by any chance be you?” Arthur presented the form he was given as it needed to be signed by Georgius Calvus to confirm the delivery.
The young man laughed. “No no, I am Aurelio master Calvus’s apprentice. I will go get him to sign that for you.” Aurelio walked away behind the counter and up a flight of stairs and shouted. “Master Clavus, a courier is here to deliver the apparatus you ordered!”
Soon the sound of someone rushing down a set of stairs was heard and shortly after a human man in his mid to late sixties wearing a black leather sleeved tunic and trousers with a matching long overcoat. Compared to his master Aurelio who was wearing very clothes with an apron looked quite out of place.
“Oh finally they are here.” Georgius Calvus opened the box and looked inside like a child receiving a present. He took out a beaker and inspected it from several different angles. “My my, they did just as good as last time. Now then for the confirmation of delivery.” Calvus took out a ink pot and a quill from his bag and signed the form and handed Arthur a silver coin ending his job.
But just as Arthur was about to leave Calvus spoke. “Oh one quick question young man.”
Arthur stopped and turned to Calvus. “Um ok, ask away.”
“Do you have any interest in alchemy?” Calvus asked with a slight smile on his face.
“Well it does look interesting, but I haven't had any experience with it aside from collecting some ingredients for someone else.” Arthur was a bit confused by the odd question.
“And what ingredients did you collect?”
“I collected some Blue Retten Caps, Yellowbark Moss, and Pokeweed.” Upon hearing his answer Calvus scoffed.
“Were they trying to make perfume with those ingredients?”
“Yes they were.” Calvus paused before he asked. “Was the request from a Axia Gellius?”
“Yes it was.” Calvus sighed. “That woman is so strange, she uses this disgustingly sweet perfume that she used to buy from me. I always made it bearable to be around, but now that she makes it herself she makes it too strong for any sane person.” Calvus complained while Aurelio nodded along.
“Anyways enough of that foolish woman, since you do have some experience in the general field of alchemy I would like to offer you an apprenticeship with me.”
“What? Why?” Arthur looked at Calvus. He had a calm expression on his face as if he just asked how his day was.
“Well since Aurelio will finish up his apprenticeship soon and I need to keep myself useful in my old age by teaching youngsters like you. So what do you say?”
“Will I need to forage for ingredients often, because I did that once and I never want to do that again.” Arthur recalled the day before when he spent a significant portion of time in the woods searching for the ingredients, he would have preferred just fighting goblins again because at least he would know where to look for them.
“Well you will for a bit, but I will teach you how to recognize important and useful plants as well as how to properly collect and brew them into potions.” Calvus handed a box to Aurelio to take upstairs as he spoke. “I will also provide you with the tools and knowledge on how to use them as well as a room for as long as you work for me.”