“Are you ready to head into the village and see what the caravan is selling?” Lily asked me.

“Yeah. I have the list of alchemical equipment I want ready too.”

“What about things to trade or sell to them to pay for the equipment?”

“I’ll bring some coin and a couple of samples of my tinctures, poultices, and such,” I answered lifting my satchel and walked down to the basement.

“The sunflower seed oil would probably be something the merchants would be interested in,” Lily said.

“True. I’ll take some of the goldenseal tea and tincture along with the peppermint tea,” I replied making up my mind on what to take.

*

“I’m very interested in the oil. People always need cooking oil,” Marcus Ball told, the caravan master and lead merchant, told me. “I’m not sure about the teas and tinctures.”

“Why not? They’re healthy and will assist in treating or preventing sickness, rashes, and other illnesses,” I replied.

“They’re not potions. People want potions.”

“Potions aren’t real,” I replied laughing. Marcus shrugged.

“Maybe, maybe not. Personally, I’ve never had a potion work instantly, so you might be correct. That said, Trinity and your other fellow alchemists disagree as do most of the buying public.”

“And how many of these alchemists turn lead into gold?” Lily asked out loud. She was flying a short distance away with a few other pixies. “Perhaps the term alchemist is the wrong one for Jase and the others pursuing their craft.”

“Lady, that’s a good point…” Marcus said falling silent as he turned and didn’t see a woman near him. The pixies had flown up and landed on the roofs near us. His eyes widened in alarm. “Are there ghosts in this village?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” I replied.

“Then who said that?”

“Who said what?”

“A woman saying alchemist might not be a good term for you and the others that do what you do.”

“Maybe it was your familiar?” I tried.

“No. Duke is under my wagon,” the merchant replied pointing at a large hound. “Besides, you heard me say lady.”

“Fair enough. I still didn’t see anyone, and I’ve never heard the villagers mention any hauntings in Stonecroft. My cottage outside the village is the only place I’ve heard them say was haunted and I’ve not seen a ghost or heard an unnatural sound there at all.”

“Then how do you explain the voice?”

“Maybe it was all in your head. Are you feeling well?”

“I feel fine!” Marcus nearly shouted. The pixies laughed. I coughed into my hand to stifle my own laughter.

“Alright. Perhaps we can get back to talking about our deal?”

“Fine. It’ll cost you 500 cents for the alembic, aludel, retort, and stands. How many crucibles will you need?”

“Six should do and I’m sure you’ll happily sell me more if needed.”

“Indeed,” Marcus replied smiling. “100 cents for the crucibles.”

“No discounts for buying so much from you?”

“Perhaps. What else do you need? A sand bath, cupellation, or show globe?”

I shook my head. I was surprised the merchant knew so much about alchemical equipment. “None of those. The cottage has an oven that works well for heating when I require it. I will need a mortar and pestle though.”

“Hmmm. I have a mortar and pestle in one of the wagons.”

“You do?”

“Yes. It was one I bought off a would-be alchemist a few months ago. 25 cents for it.”

“I don’t like this merchant,” Lily told me over our connection. “He’s trying to take advantage of you.”

“Yeah, he is doing what any merchant would do with me since he knows he brought another alchemist here.”

“Maybe. Should we bomb him?” Lily asked suddenly.

“What? No!”

“Jase! Come on, it’ll be fun!”

“Nope. You guys can pull pranks after we conclude my business and l leave if you want.”

“Spoilsport!”

“Uh huh,” I replied dismissing my pixies desire for mischief from my mind and turned my attention back to the merchant. “Will you at least try the tinctures and tea samples I gave you?”

“Yeah. I’ll try them as we travel to Asheville and back if anyone gets sick, bitten, stung, or cut.”

“Thanks. Is Asheville where you’ll get the equipment?” I asked.

“Yes. How much of the oil do you have?”

“Just a couple more gallons. I can make a few batches while you’re gone though.”

“And how will you do that without the equipment you need?”

“The equipment makes it easier, but it can be done without it.”

“Sounds hard.”

“Can be,” I agreed.

“I’ll give you five cents for a gallon of oil.”

“That’s not fair at all. I’ve been able to sell 12oz bottles of it for three cents each. I’m sure you’ll get more than that for it when you sell the oil.”

Marcus smiled. “That’s true. I’ll do two cents per 12oz bottle.”

“I also have a cleaner made from the oil for two cents per bottle.”

“The same size bottles?” Marcus asked.

“Yep.”

Marcus stroked his beard. “I’ll give one cent per bottle for it. How much do you currently have?”

“Just a gallon or two.”

“Give me 20 bottles of each and I’ll take 60 cents off the price of the equipment.”

“I don’t have that many bottles,” I admitted. “What I have, I used for storage of dried leaves, roots, teas, and such.”

“I have bottles that I’ll sell to you for one cent each,” Marcus replied grinning at me. “I’ll even let you use a small hand cart to carry the bottles back and forth for free.”

“I really don’t like him,” Lilly said.

“Me either,” I silently replied to my pixie.

“Well? Is it a deal?”

“Jase! Don’t forget the tubing. You can cut it to hold 12 ounces.”

“Thanks Lily,” I silently told my familiar. I smiled. “I’ll pass on the bottles but would like to borrow the cart. I think I have something that will work just as well as the bottles.”

“Fine. But if whatever you use doesn’t hold up, you’ll have to pay for any damages it causes.”

“You’ll see in a day or two when I bring you 40 ounces then.”

“Don’t forgot your coin and we have a deal,” Marcus replied holding out a hand for me to shake. I took his hand and shook it. “I’ll have one of the lads bring the cart, mortar and pestle.”

“Thanks,” I replied. “Will 100 cents do as a down payment?”

“Yeah, that will do,” Marcus said. I handed over the coin.