Anne refused the adventurers’ attempt of returning part of her coins for not completing the order. They followed the priority of the list and got the most important materials, which was enough. The rest wasn’t urgent, so she would just wait for Ceres to return and commission it from her. Of course, it was easy to connect the dots, the abrupt interruption of their mission definitely had something to do with the two new guests, though she wouldn’t press on the matter.
Fortunately, Rick’s order was also amongst the things they brought, so the hunter should be leaving for the mapping journey soon. Anne listened to their recount of the wild dog hunt attentively, even asking some questions. She was happy for their small improvement, and also relieved that they didn’t choose to flee with her coins.
Now, the trio was so eager to spend their small treasure of 38 silver in reading credits that they even forgot the tiredness of the trip. Anne had paid them 40 coins for the service, and they earned an additional eight with the dog loot, but ten silver had been spent on some potions and food. In fact, if they had stayed on Riverend for one more day at least four other coins would have left their pockets.
When the group was fetching Rick’s armor and new spear, they almost couldn’t keep themselves from getting something new too. Thankfully, they knew how to prioritize, and advancing was at the top of their list, which equaled some good reading in the bookstore. Still, they decided to invest some coins in three potions.
Potiomancy could be as affordable as a night's stay in an average Inn or expensive as a masterfully crafted magic weapon. In honest circumstances, the craft would be priced according to the potion tier and quality. The most expensive the trio had dared to go was a high-copper comprehension potion priced at five silver coins. While the other two, fire and healing essence both of low-bronze quality, had cost them two silver each.
On the matter of comprehension potions, Anne was mildly against it. Even if the side effects were limited to temporary mental exhaustion and fatigue, repeated consumption would cause addiction and discourage hard self-study. However, Cyrus might be one of the rare people who would beneficiate from a one-time usage. His difficulty in becoming literate in the common tongue would soon drag his party down, and probably dissuade him from further studies. So, using a potion that could improve his comprehension for a couple of hours might work for the best and provide the final push to condense all knowledge that he had been accumulating.
The other two essence potions wouldn’t be as helpful as the expensive one since they would only provide the mage and the healer a temporary boost in power, and hopefully, mastery of their craft. Still, a one-use empowering potion might be what would save them from certain death.
Anne called Moruh to take away and store the items while serving them more tea. Once the blue catlike familiar appeared, he stole the attention and curiosity of Alanis. The poor half-elf had only seen similar creatures accompanying two or three of the richest people in Riverend. She wondered if the storeowner had got it by accident or if she was in the presence of a very rich lady.
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The bookmancer noticed the stare but ignored it with her usual kind smile, while the magic beast was more than happy to indulge in the attention. He jumped over the counter and caressed Anne with his head before spelling the materials to float behind him and leaving in a clear display of smugness.
The adventurers were used to it, so they just ignored the whole situation and continued to chat with the bookmancer asking her for guidance in their next step of studies. Anne made a motion to retrieve her notes since proper guidance would demand more than simple consideration, but a sound of conversation coming from inside caught her attention.
‘Spring should have found our new guest’, the bookmancer guessed. She better go and help with introductions; not everyone would be capable of identifying a treefolk as they were quite rare, and Spring’s communication abilities wouldn’t help much in smoothing the unexpected meeting.
Anne excused herself and disappeared into the storage room. As predicted, the dwarf, who now looked like a completely different person, was staring curiously at Spring while trying to communicate. The calm and respectful attitude towards the treefolk increased Dorothy's evaluation in the storeowner’s account.
“I, Spring… You?” The flowery being voiced while pointing at the dwarf.
“I’m Dorothy. Nice to meet you, Spring.” She replied sincerely, earning a response akin to a smile from Spring.
“Oh, I see you guys already met… How do you like the fresh up, Dorothy? Feeling a little more like yourself?” Anne said while noticing the differences in the woman.
Dorothy had a distinct wise bearing, but more of a friendly-advise one than conceited. The bath had relieved some of her tiredness and hidden the previous desperation. As for her clothing, the dwarf had made wonders with the plain yellow cloth, which she transformed into a simple knee-long dress with red laces marking her waist and breasts. ‘As expected of someone who could braid like that’, Anne analyzed.
“I hope Spring didn’t startle you.” The bookmancer commented as they returned to the study room.
“Not at all… The girl’s just a bit enthusiastic.” The dwarf replied. Dorothy understood what Anne meant by ‘startle’, but she wasn’t keen on intruding in another’s business, less yet in the business of someone who was treating her so well.
Anne got the cue and added another point of appreciation for the dwarf. Of course, she also noticed that the woman had referred to Spring as a girl, which also added a point for ‘insightful’. She was liking the dwarf, more and more.
When the two entered the study room, the trio was surprised by the transformation while Alanis felt a little better. The half-elf was trying to not think about how she destroyed their lives in Riverend, because if she did so, no amount of self-control would be enough to contain the tears.
“Why don’t you go inside and clean yourself too, Alanis?” Anne suggested. The girl’s state was clear to anyone who cared to see, and she could use some crying. The bath was the perfect excuse, though she was also in need of washing.
Alanis wanted to decline, but after seeing the dwarf nodding, she timidly agreed. Then, she left the room with Anne and Dorothy, embarrassed. The adventurers even felt a little envious of the pair since they never had the privilege of visiting the rest of the building.
“Well, I think these clothes should fit you nicely.” Anne explained as she returned from her room with the bucket and some clothes. Alanis was only a little taller than her, so their clothes should be around the same size.
Then, the bookmancer and dwarf left to give the girl some needed privacy. It was obvious that the half-elf would be crying herself dry, but it was something she had to go through alone.