Deacon opened the door to the alchemy lab to find barrels of ingredients stacked two high in the center of the room. The barrels contained mainly the ingredients for basic healing potions. He had one quest yet to be fulfilled that would bring in the ingredients for regeneration potions. That would be the big-ticket item. The two silver rewards obviously appealed to some. He may have to up the stakes for the regen quest. The first thing they needed to do was label and identify all this stuff.

  “Lesson one,” Deacon said, “Proper identification of ingredients. Let’s sort these barrels in the order we need to use them to make a standard healing potion.” Deacon said as he started moving deeper into the lab.

  “I brought in these two. I already know what they are.” Said Anry.

  “This one is mine.” Added Lillian strolling over to a barrel.

  The three adventurers spent the next three hours sorting and mixing. Eventually Anry created his first successful potion. Not to be outdone, Lillian had her first success shortly thereafter. Deacon was focused on an experiment in his corner of the room. Back on earth he could just go to a pharmacy with a prescription and get a bottle of pills. That was just advanced alchemy, wasn’t it? What if he could create pills in this world? Pills were just pressed powders with a binding agent. He might even be able to use honey as that agent. Deacon ran down to the cantina and brought back some honey and syrup. This whole time Anry and Lillian would fail to create a potions and hoot and holler at a success. In the final hour Deacon jumped off his stool with a high-pitched squeal.

  “What’s wrong?” Lillian asked running over and pulling a dagger.

  “Be right there.” Anry said as he stoppered his fifth success.

  “Nothing to worry about, I just had a thought earlier and It worked.” Deacon replied as he turned around in his chair to hold his hand out. It was covered in in powder but in the center was small lump.

  “What is it?” Lillian asked.

  “It’s an Internal Healing Pill. Go ahead, Inspect it.” Deacon said.

New Item- Internal Healing Pill- This pill will work to heal wounds from the inside out. Lasts ten minutes or until metabolized.

  “I’m not sure that’s as valuable as you think. Potions are instant.” Lillian said.

  “No, no he’s on to something. You could take this before going into battle to prevent serious internal damage. Its his first attempt so its probably the weakest it will ever be. I just got the skill notification for Alchemy!” said Anry.

  “How is that possible? We have only been at this for a couple of hours.” Lillian barked.

  “Well we have an instructor that created something new in our presence and dedicated tools. Can you think of a better way to learn?” Anry replied.

  “Here is the problem I ran into. I lose a significant amount of potion when I dry it up with the burner to make the powder. You can just press it into shape with the back of a spoon when you add the bonding agent. The powder itself would be good for wounds to aid in natural healing.” Deacon said pointing out the holes in his process.

  “Blood congeals. Maybe you could use that to bind the powder…no then the powder would just go to work on the blood. Oh! I just got the notification.” Lillian said.

  Congratulations were shared all around when a knocking came at the door. Deacon got up to go answer it before turning around and instructing his students to turn down the magical burner he was using. Proper workplace safety had to be adhered too. Deacon reached the door to find Ralph standing there, arms folder.

  “Hey Ralph, back already?” Deacon asked with a smirk.

  “We’ve been waiting for hours. When will you be done?” Ralph asked with irritation.

  “Sorry, sorry. We’ve made good progress today. Anry and Lillian, feel free to use the lab until the end of the day. When you are done bring your successes to the guild shop for your guild points. I would love it if you could dedicate some time every day, but I know quests will get in the way. Try to at least make a case a week. There is no time limit on the lab, ok?” Deacon asked. They both nodded furiously and turned back to the tables.

  “Can we go now? It’s after three in the afternoon.” Ralph asked.

  “Wow, impatience does not look good on you.” Deacon said as he stepped into the hall sliding a box of potions into his bag. They traveled down the stairs back to the cantina where a bright-eyed Genevieve was sitting at a table with Elle and Sophie. Deacon waved hi to her as they crossed the room.

  “Thanks for coming Genevieve. I trust the others have filled you in?” Deacon asked.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “They have my lord.” Genevieve said.

  “My lord?” Sophie asked giving Elle some side eye.

  “We are minor nobles in Mulvarian society. Long story, I’ll tell you another time. Deacon, why didn’t you tell us Elder Ruby was here?” Elle asked with an accusatory look at Deacon.

  “Honestly, I was in the middle of being dragged to an illegal fight pit when I figured it out and my first thought wasn’t run to Auntie Elle and let her know about the old bag who’s made it her life’s work to piss me off.” Deacon snapped back.

  “Ok, unpucker your waste shoot, lad. She’s just concerned.” Said Typhus sauntering over with a turkey leg in his hand.

  “You go nowhere without us from now. Understand?” Elle snapped giving the sass right back to him.

  “Well that should be easy since we have to be at Armand’s tonight. I need to pick up my new clothes and pay Eugene a visit.” Deacon thought out loud.

  “This is all very cute but wasn’t this about Amanda?” Sophie asked.

  “Right, I understand what the problem is and if you can get her to the temple, I’m positive the Lady Astrael and I can purge the ring from her hand. We were able to do it with that knife, this shouldn’t be any different.” Genevieve said emphatically.

  Just then Jacob entered the cantina with several badly wounded adventurers vigorously explaining where they had been. Jacob saw Deacon out of the corner of his eye and started heading over. Felling his stomach drop, Deacon's first instinct was to get up and run. Typhus stood and hurried over to Jacob. When they reached the table Jacob asked for potions. Deacon grabbed the box he had from his bag and handed them to Jacob. He then lay one of them down on the table and lifted Deacons new pill up to his eye to inspect it. Jacob looked over at Deacon with wonder before force feeding it into the injured cat man.

  “What’s going on?” Deacon asked Typhus.

  “Seems the crew of twenty or so adventurers Jacob sent to check on Philo’s Wandering Maze ran into some trouble. Something about the doorway throwing rocks of random sizes at them.” Typhus replied.

  “Rocks you say?” Deacon asked nervously.

  Shortly there after the group, with the exception of Sophie who opted to walk Genevieve home, were on their way to Mentalba’s shop. As a group most people steered clear of the shirtless man and his three cohorts. Deacon made a quick detour toward a bathhouse. Now that he could read the signs it was becoming a little easier to navigate. He paid for a quick dip and scrub but quickly excused himself when he realized there was a Coming to America situation brewing. Now cleaned up he put his latest pair of loose-fitting pants back on with the slash hole in the leg. Deacon could not wait for some real clothes again. Ralph just stood there outside the entrance tapping his foot. Deacon sped up the dressing process.

  “Look I get your anxious about saving her, but we don’t even know where she is. I assume Ruby will take another shot at me so just stick to me like glue and you’ll get your chance.” Deacon said trying to calm Ralph.

  “But you stopped in a brothel!” Ralph yelled drawing the attention of everyone on the street.

  “Yea that one is on me. Didn’t know at the time.” Deacon said. Typhus just giggled to himself, and Elle just looked embarrassed.

  They finally made it to the tailor noting there was a mannequin in the window with a sign at its feet that said, “New Designs”. Deacon immediately recognized his hoody design as well as one of his suits. Opening the door he could see all four tables were a blur of motion as Mentalba finished up with his latest customer. Once he saw Deacon, the sea elf nearly jumped for joy. He rushed right over and dragged Deacon in front of some mirrors. Mentalba remeasured him then brought over the first suit.

  “This should fit perfectly my lord.” Mentalba said shimmying Deacon’s pants off.

  “Hang on I can dress myself.” Deacon said in protest.

  “Is it lunacy everywhere he goes?” Ralph asked Typhus.

  “You have no idea. He is both the worst thing and the best thing that has ever happened to me.” Typhus replied with a tinge of pride in his voice.

  “Thanks to you, I’ve had lots of young lords stopping into my shop. As soon as I put those designs you sold me up in the windows its been nonstop inquiries. Even if they don’t want that they don’t leave without buying something. It has been wonderful. Do you have anymore?” Mentalba asked.

  “Not currently but I have plenty in my head. Have you ever heard of overalls?” Deacon asked as he put the new shirt on with matching vest. Looking into the mirror Deacon felt like his old self again. He remembered spending time in conference rooms in high rise buildings pointing out one set of numbers from another. He almost missed those days. Almost. He snapped back to reality when his reflection was quite a bit more buff and chiseled than he ever was, the shocking white hair in cornrows were also a new edition to his self-image.

  “Now I had the self-repair feature added just like you asked. It won’t hold up to a full barrage of magic users, but cuts and tears should repair over time. I packaged up your alternate colors over here as well as your hoody. Is it because there is a hood sewn in? It just seems so unimaginative.” Mentalba said.

  “Call it whatever you like as long as you keep making deposits with The Teller in accordance with our bargain.” Deacon said smiling as he slipped the packaged-up clothing into his bag.

  “Of course, my lord. If this keeps up, I’ll have to take an apprentice and open another location.” Mentalba said cheerily waving goodbye.

  “Well don’t you look…different.” Elle said eyeing the new clothes.

  “Boots don’t match.” Typhus said.

  “That’s our next stop. How much time do we have before we have to be at the keep?” Deacon asked.

  “A little over two hours, depending on where we end up next. Should be easy enough to get there on the main road.” Elle responded.

  The group finally made it to Eugene’s shop. It was dark inside but when Deacon knocked on the door it swung open and illuminated the interior. There were shoes, boots, and ladies heels lining the walls. Behind the counter in the back Eugene arose as if coming up a flight of stairs.

  “Didn’t expect any customers this late in the day. How can I help you? Oh its you.” Eugene said.

  “I hope you are doing alright. Didn’t have any trouble, did you?” Ralph asked.

  “No I managed to hunker down here. I’m pretty sure after the display you two made out of the Taurant family fence, the last thing they were worrying about was an old cobbler. Now I assume you want some new boots to go with that fancy outfit Mr. Deacon?” Eugene asked.

  “That I do. Something that won’t stick out too much but remains functional for field work. I get into trouble a lot. Not so much today. Maybe all the crazy is taking a holiday.” Deacon said jokingly.

  “Well I have a few items that might work. I was planning on having a two for one sale since it’s the full moon tonight. You know, wolf, night, moon, shoes.” Eugene said.