Chapter 9 - A Half Fulfilled Quest
The sun was out the next morning, bright and cheerful as ever. It was all Hollie could do to push through the aches and pains and get herself out of bed. Though she’d given herself a quick scrub the night before, she still felt as if the dirt and rain and wet leaves of the forest clung to her. She’d been too tired to draw up a proper bath, and she still felt too tired to do so now. But perhaps breakfast and a cup of tea would change that.
She shuffled down the stairs, her feet heavy and reluctant to move. Running low on supplies, she cooked herself a few eggs and toasted a piece of sourdough, then collapsed on the old couch by the fire and drank some tea.
Her eyes were watery, and she found herself sniffling her nose every other minute. And then, a very loud sneeze escaped.
"Ah-choo!”
She coughed and sputtered and sneezed again.
“No! I can not be coming down with a cold!” she lamented. “I wouldn’t even know where to be begin with getting medicine. Or making it. Or whatever it is people do around here.”
She was feeling cranky and cantankerous again.
“And I’ve got to get the Spotted Redcaps to Foxley Cross today. And—” another sneeze cut her off. “And with only two Redcaps, I won’t have completed the quest. Or have earned any money.”
She let out a long, defeated groan and shook her head. The only thing to be done was to journey into town and bring Mr. Grimsworth the two Redcaps she had managed to gather. Hopefully two would be enough to save the sick one, even if she didn’t get any money out of it.
“Right, well let’s do this then, shall we?” Then, looking around at the empty house, added, “I guess talking to yourself is just something everyone who lives alone does, huh? Maybe I should get a pet. Like Mr. Grimsworth and his cat.” She smiled to herself. “Then I’d feel a little less crazy and at least have an audience.”
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The journey into town felt to Hollie as if it took twice as long as before. She wasn’t walking at her usual pace, and the cold she was catching made her feel tired and spaced out, like she was walking through a dreary haze. She didn’t appreciate the peaceful stream that turned into a long, sinewy river glittering in the morning sun, or the bees and butterflies that darted from one colorful wildflower to the next, or the scent of grass, green and still glistening with yesterday’s rain. She was too busy willing herself to put one foot in front of the other, knowing that if she did so, she would eventually reach Foxley Cross.
And so she did. With her wicker basket in hand, she trudged down the main road, past Alice’s shop and the Willowroots’ inn, and through the shaded, narrow lane that led her to Mr. Grimsworth's great, looming house. Then she knocked on the door.
It was opened, quickly this time, and Hollie found herself standing before a smiling Mr. Grimsworth.
“Ah, Hollie!” he said. “I’m so glad—”
But he couldn’t finish his sentence before Hollie let out her biggest sneeze yet.
“Oh, my dear girl, it sounds like you’ve come down with quite the cold!” He ushered her inside and shut the door behind them, then looked her over closely. “Puffy, watery eyes. Red nose.” He raised a hand to her forehead. “Thankfully you don’t feel as though you have a fever. But still, it would be best if we got you some proper care now, wouldn’t it? I’m sure Althea Thistledown will have something at her shop to help you. We’ll swing by there shortly and pick something up, how’s that?”
Not waiting for Hollie to answer, he guided her into the sitting room and motioned to the couch.
“Take a seat, or lay down for a spell. I’ll get some tea ready for you.”
Chamomile Tea [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53847959711_bfb86b96d2_b.jpg]
Hollie did as she was directed and set down the wicker basket before collapsing on the couch. For the first time, Mr. Grimsworth noticed that Hollie hadn’t come alone.
“Why, the Spotted Redcaps!” he said, a startled expression of amazement on his face. “You managed to find them! Hollie, this is absolutely splendid!”
Hollie could hardly bear to meet his beaming eyes.
“Well, actually,” she stammered, “I was only able to get two. You see, the rain wouldn’t stop coming down, and the lightning was so close and thunder so loud, and there was this—this—wolf! And I—”
Mr. Grimsworth's face changed immediately. But it wasn’t full of anger, only concern.
“Hollie, did you go out during the storm yesterday?”
She gave him a sheepish look and shrugged her shoulders. “Yes.”
Mr. Grimsworth furrowed his brow. He paced across the room, waving his hands erratically and chiding Hollie for her foolishness.
“Whatever were you thinking going out in a storm like that? The rain and wind and cold—and the lightning—is bad enough. No doubt it’s how you’ve caught that cold of yours. But a wolf? What did it look like, Hollie? Tell me.”
Hollie was taken aback by just how quickly Mr. Grimsworth could transform from a warm-hearted, genteel gentleman to one who looked half mad. But at least he seemed mad with worry instead of anger.
“It was big. Really big,” she said, then described the full encounter, with the thunderous growling and the mysterious glowing lights that appeared and chased it away.
Mr. Grimsworth stared at her, his brows knitted together intently, taking every bit of it in. When she’d finished, he rubbed his beard thoughtfully for a moment before responding.
“That was a very foolish thing you did, Hollie. Very foolish indeed! And you almost paid for it with your life.” He shook his head like a disappointed school teacher. Hollie’s cheeks turned scarlet. She felt ashamed and embarrassed. She didn’t like the feeling of letting Mr. Grimsworth down.
“What you encountered was a thunderwolf,” he continued. “They aren’t animals that walk the wilds on an ordinary day. The only wolves you would normally see in the woods are your unexceptional, plain as day, regular old wolves. But during a storm—and especially a storm as charged and powerful as yesterday’s—well, all that magic in the atmosphere stirs up all sorts of things, one of them being thunderwolves.”
Thunderwolf [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53848992395_cda02988a0_b.jpg]
Hollie didn’t like the sound of that. She was used to rain and lightning and thunder being just that. Rain and lightning and thunder. Nothing more.
“Are you saying that here in this world storms are magical somehow?”
Mr. Grimsworth gave her a curious look.
“Why, of course they are! What do you think lightning is, if not magic?”
“Well, I thought—” she stared at him blankly. “Isn’t lightning just electricity?”
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Mr. Grimsworth was flabbergasted.
“Electricity? You mean that funny little thing that happens when you rub a piece of silk against amber? Ha! If that isn’t the strangest idea I’ve ever heard!” He shook his head in disbelief, then continued, his eyes lighting up, eager and excited. “Lightning, Hollie, is one of the wildest forms of magic. The smartest mages of Balnochy have yet to tame it, or really even understand it, though they have managed to capture some and fiddle with it enough to figure out that it seems to be alive. At least in its own strange way.
“Mage Bartleman's theory in fact is that the atmosphere is positively teeming with sentient, invisible life forms, and Mage Trembleby is of the opinion that the atmosphere is the source of all magic itself. And then there’s Professor Grimbleleaf's intriguing hypothesis that—”
He stopped abruptly when he saw the confused, glossy-eyed look on Hollie’s face.
“Anyhow, never mind all that,” he said, clearing his throat. “The point is that storms are charged with magic! And all sorts of magical things, good and bad, can come with them. Including thunderwolves.”
“I had no idea,” Hollie said. “Storms don’t work the same way where I’m from. Or at least I don’t think they do.”
“Of course you didn’t know. How could you? I apologize for going off on you like that.” It was Mr. Grimsworth's turn now to look like a chided schoolboy. “It’s only—going off alone into the woods in the middle of a storm like that when you’ve really no idea what you’re doing isn’t exactly the safest thing. Especially as a [Cottager]. That’s more along the lines of what a [Ranger] would attempt.”
Hollie nodded her understanding, then sneezed once more.
“Tea. You need tea. Rest here for a few minutes while I get the kettle going. And after that,” his eyes fell to the wicker basket at Hollie’s feet. “We’ll have a look at the Spotted Redcaps you brought.”
At that, Mr. Grimsworth turned towards the kitchen and left Hollie alone. She leaned her head back and let it sink into the soft, cushiony pillows. Comfortable and safe in Mr. Grimsworth's sitting room, and overcome with exhaustion, she closed her tired eyes and quickly drifted into a peaceful sleep.
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When Hollie woke again, the midday sun was shining brightly through the windows. A cup of tea, now cold to the touch, was on the table beside her, and the wicker basket with the Spotted Redcaps were gone.
“I really must not have been feeling well,” she said to herself.
There was a gentle meow in response, and Hollie noticed Geoffrey lazily meandering toward her from the kitchen. He nuzzled against her leg, and when she leaned over to pet him, he arched his back and a loud, rumbling purr began to sound from his puffed up chest. She couldn’t help but to smile in response.
“What a sweet cat you are,” she told him. “I should ask Mr. Grimsworth about getting a cat for myself. Do you know where he might—achoo!” Hollie sneezed into the sleeve of her shirt. “Where he might be?”
Geoffrey walked toward the stairs, looked back at Hollie, and meowed at her to follow.
“Smart fellow,” she said.
Geoffrey led her upstairs to the study, and there she found Mr. Grimsworth huddled over the three Spotted Redcaps on the table. The two she had found were looking over the sick one and chattering together in their strange language that sounded to Hollie like the squeaking of mice. One of Mr. Grimsworth's journals was open, and he was flipping through the pages, showing the creatures the sketches of plants he had drawn.
“How about this one? Butterfly’s breath? No? Maybe ambit's weed? That has some interesting medicinal properties. No?”
He turned the page and the two Redcaps squealed excitedly and pointed.
“Silver bells? Is that it? That would work?”
Silver Bells [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53848554031_00692ce78c_b.jpg]
The Redcaps jumped up and down, nodding their large caps in agreement. Mr. Grimsworth clapped his hands together and howled with excitement.
“Yes! What a relief! We’ve got plenty of those in the woods just outside the village walls. Thank you, my good fellows, for your help. We’ll get him set to rights in no time!”
The two Redcaps turned their attention again to their sick companion. Mr. Grimsworth noticed Hollie standing in the doorway.
“Hollie! Did you hear? We’ve found the cure for our ill little friend. Apparently he’d eaten something poisonous. But I can use the blossoms of the silver bell flower to make a tea to help him.”
“That’s wonderful!” Hollie said.
“And I couldn’t have done it without you, dear girl!” Mr. Grimsworth beamed at her. “Now, let’s get you over to the apothecary and get some medicine for that cold of yours. And we’ll mark that job off the Quest Board and get your payment.”
“But I only brought you two Spotted Redcaps,” Hollie protested. “Not three like you asked.”
Mr. Grimsworth waved away her concerns.
“I didn’t know how many I needed exactly. Just more than one. I figured with a few of them, they might put their heads together and come up with a solution. But it worked out just as well with two! You’ve more than earned your 75 balnochs, Hollie.”
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Briar and Berry Apothecary Shop sat on the village square, next to the Guild Hall. It was a homely building, small and built of honey colored stone, and bordered by several leafy trees. There was a garden in the back, filled with an array of bright flowers and herbs. The colors and the sweet scents drew the attention of several butterflies. They fluttered about, drifting happily from one pretty plant to the next.
Apothecary Shop [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53848914629_246a67a534_b.jpg]
“I would love to have a garden like that,” Hollie said. “There are so many plants and flowers around my cottage, but they’re mostly overgrown with weeds or half dead. I don’t even know what they are, or how to go about making it look anything close to this.”
Mr. Grimsworth laughed.
“All in good time, Hollie. It takes patience, and observation, and learning by trial and error. But Althea is a master gardener, and I’m sure she’d be able to help you get started.”
Inside, the shop was just as fragrant as the garden. Light and airy, the sunlight spilled in through the large, open windows. Shelves along the wall were filled with bundles of dry herbs and tinctures, packets of seeds, satchels of dried leaves, and glass jars swirling with colorful liquids. A woman stood behind a counter, which was really more of a large work table, grinding away at something with a large mortar and pestle.
“Good afternoon, Althea,” Mr. Grimsworth said. “This here is Hollie Townes. She’s new to the area. To all of Balnochy actually. Anyhow, she was helping me out on a job and went off into the woods yesterday in the middle of the storm and caught herself a terrible cold.”
As if on cue, Hollie sneezed loudly, then wiped her watery eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized. “It’s nice to meet you. You’ve got such a beautiful shop. And garden!”
The woman smiled. She had a quiet, serene look about her. She was older, not enough to have many gray hairs, but enough that a few laugh lines could be seen around her eyes and mouth. Her hair was a strawberry blond that fell in long, loose curls, and her eyes were green and bright and peaceful.
Althea [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53848992510_4ee95a3836_z.jpg]
“Thank you,” she said, her voice as calm and cool as a gentle morning breeze. “I’ve always had an affinity for all things good and green. Flowers, plants, trees, herbs. Just the sight or scent of them can often be healing. Now, this cold of yours. I have exactly the thing for you.”
She left the counter and made her way to a shelf on the left side of the shop. The way she walked, her simple, beautiful dress flowing behind her, brought to Hollie’s mind the image of a fairy from an old story. She couldn’t remember what story exactly, but Althea seemed the type of figure one might stumble upon in the woods, living alone in an enchanted cottage, and ready to supply the hero with some sort of magical charm or potion to aid him on his journey.
“This here is a mix of cottontide moss, twilight thistle, and silverleaf lavender. Brew it to make a tea, and be sure to drink three cups of it before day’s end. Not only will it drive away all of your symptoms, but it will clear your mind, help you to sleep well, and wake up feeling renewed and refreshed.”
“Wow, thank you!” Hollie said, taking the satchel from Althea. “How much is it?”
“15 balnochs. There’s enough there for seven days of teas.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t have that—”
“It’s on me,” Mr. Grimsworth said. “She was out in the storm because of me, so it’s only fair I pay for it.”
Hollie was about to protest when Mr. Grimsworth gave her a smile and a look that told her he was going to have his way.
“Thank you,” Hollie said, and he gave her a wink.
They left the shop and made their way to the Quest Board. The notice for Mr. Grimsworth's job was still there, along with the words “Accepted by Hollie Townes”.
“Quest Board, please remove the job: Gather 3 Spotted Redcaps for Mr. Albus Grimsworth and resolve it as having been successfully completed.”
At the command, the notice disappeared, leaving an empty space on the Quest Board where it had been. A trumpet sounded and letters appeared in the air:
[Job Completed: Gather 3 Spotted Redcaps for Mr. Albus Grimsworth
Resolution: Success
Pay: 75 balnochs]
A second trumpet sounded, followed by more words.
[General XP Gained: 30,
Would you like to apply it to Cottager or Ranger class?]
"Umm, [Cottager]?” She turned to Mr. Grimsworth. “Reaching [Cottager Level 2] is the first goal of my quest, even if the job did seem more Ranger-ish.”
Mr. Grimsworth nodded his approval.
[Cottager XP Gained: 30,
Points Needed for Next Level: 5]
“Good for you, dear girl!” Mr. Grimsworth congratulated her and gave her a pat on the back. “You’ll find you have 75 more balnochs to your name now. I’m sure you’re probably needing more supplies?”
“Yes, I am running low,” she laughed.
“Well then, Chipping's should be open. Now, I’ve got to make my way outside of town to find some silver bells for our little friend. Hollie,” he took her hand and gave it a firm shake. “It has been a pleasure working with you. Please do come to visit soon. And remember, if you’re ever interested, I’d be more than happy to teach you some basics of nature journaling. Just let me know.”
“I will,” she said with a smile.
He turned and walked away, leaving her in front of the Quest Board. She’d head to Chipping's in just a moment, but a few more jobs had been posted since she’d last looked, and she wanted to see if there was anything else she might be able to tackle.