Gavin has extra pep in his step because the queen has received his compliment without insult.
Gavin passes gorgeous scenery on his way to the well,
…but right now he is not to be distracted by it. He is on a mission to make sure his queen keeps that bright smile on her face.
Apothecary Samantha is waiting at the well just as she said she would.
“Your potion is nothing short of a miracle. Her majesty has given me permission to order a large quantity at once.”
“I had no doubt that you would marvel at its healing powers.”
“How many simoles will this shipment require?”
“For you, I shall ask for only 50 gold simoles!”
“For you, I shall ask for only 50 gold simoles!”
Gavin hands over the simoles at once without reluctance.
“How soon will I receive the goods?”
“I have a large supply on my ship. I shall have the amount delivered to your clinic today,” Samantha says; her eyes never leaving the bag of gold.
“I have a large supply on my ship. I shall have the amount delivered to your clinic today,” Samantha says; her eyes never leaving the bag of gold.
Moments later, Gavin enters the clinic. “Bloodletter Gavin! Thank the Watcher you are here! The patients’ symptoms have returned!” Nurse Jolene says.
Gavin feels as if he has been hit in the back with a stone boulder as his eyes find the second villager and sees that just like the first, her symptoms have returned.
“I have been scammed!” He shouts in anger before hurrying out the door to confront the scammer Samantha before she can leave with his gold.
He arrives at the well and his eyes desperately scan the area for any sign of Samantha.
The apothecary Samantha is gone.
Gavin can just imagine the look on Lady Chalyela’s face just before he is thrown into the pit of the beast for lying to the queen.
Gavin needs a drink, but his cask is at the clinic and he cannot bare to walk all the way there without something to calm his nerves.
“Maybe fresh water from the well will do,” Gavin says grabbing the bucket full of well water.
The well water is warm from being below the hard earth for so long.
It is not alcohol, but surprisingly it refreshes Gavin and helps him to think clearly.
Gavin realizes that the Eastern potion worked to heal the villagers just long enough to fool him into believing that it works. If that is indeed the case, it does contain some healing properties.
Maybe all is not lost. If he can come up with some concoction to aid the healing properties already present in the mysterious potion, he just may be able to create a cure.
Now he prays that the apothecary actually delivered the shipment before disappearing with his gold. He walks quickly to the clinic.
“Nurse Jolene! Has the delivery of Eastern potion arrived?”
“Aye sir. Here it is,” she says handing over a package.
“What will you do? It does not work,” Nurse Jolene says with concern.
“I have an idea,” Gavin assures her.
“I have an idea,” Gavin assures her.
With much haste, Gavin goes to his cauldron. He pours in the Eastern potion. Drawing all of his medical knowledge, he adds various herbs.
Not being completely sure of the contents in the Eastern potion puts Gavin at a disadvantage. One wrong move and the entire contents can explode in his face.
Gavin mixes everything thing together and gives it a good shake.
The new experimental potion comes out perfect.
Gavin’s focus is off as he begins a new batch of potion.
He knows that he should stop and take care of some of his pressing needs, but he decides to press his luck.
He mistakenly adds the wrong herb causing a chemical reaction and a small explosion.
