The pixies and I spend the next few days putting up posts and adding oddly cut boards as fencing. Lily had assured me the fence was an old-style fence. It had three rails that slotted into holes in the posts. The pixies used their magic to put the posts in the ground. I used my hands and tried using my telekinesis to place the oddly rough-cut boards in the holes in the posts. No nails were used at all, and I didn’t question the pixies on where the wood came from since the villagers hadn’t complained about any stolen lumber.

“Jase, why are you putting up a fence?” Mohe asked as he walked up to where I was working. I finished placing the top rail I had been placing and leaned against it. We had made surprising progress and had the two sides the villagers most often approached from done.

“A few people keep crossing the border of my land despite our agreement,” I answered. The pixies reported that Trinity and a few others had journeyed onto my land several times. “Perhaps you should remind the other villagers of our agreement.”

“Do you have any proof that people are crossing onto your land?” Mohe asked.

“Lily and the other pixies have seen them,” I replied. Seeing his expression, I continued, “and I’ve seen your new alchemist on my land once.”

“Ah…well, I’ll remind them of our agreement then.”

“Thanks,” I replied.

“Where did you get the lumber?” Mohe asked.

I shook my head and glanced up at Lily and a couple of other pixies flying above us. Grinning, I answered. “The getting place.”

“The getting place?” Mohe asked. The pixies burst into a giggling fit. Lily laughed so hard she nearly crashed into the fence as she lost attitude. I held out my hands and caught her.

“Lily, it wasn’t that funny.”

“Where is this getting place?” Mohe asked.

“Anywhere and nowhere,” I answered. “It’s something the pixies say.” Mohe didn’t look convinced. “Mohe, the wood is coming from the forest and is not stolen. How the pixies are shaping it and placing the posts is beyond my knowledge.”

“I…fair enough. You know this isn’t tall enough to keep people or deer out.”

“I know. It’s there to mark my borders and maybe discourage a bear as too much work to cross,” I answer.

“Good luck with that,” Mohe joked.

“Yeah.”

“Anyway, I’ll talk to the villagers tonight. We’re having a gathering to welcome Trinity. Do you want to come?”

“No. But thank you for the invitation. I plan on working to sundown and then washing off. After that, I’ll see about fixing something to eat or just crashing in bed.”

“You could have asked for help,” Mohe replied. This ticked me off a little.

“Just like when Jase asked for help with the cottage?” Lily asked out loud.

“Well…” Mohe started.

“Don’t. We all know nobody would show up to help us,” Lily said. I could feel anger coming from my familiar for the first time and it surprised me. Perhaps she was reflecting my anger.

“We’ll just finish the fence ourselves,” I added sending loving and soothing thoughts to my familiar. I felt her blush even if I couldn’t see her face. She returned the feelings.

“Alright then. I’ll be going,” Mohe said after an awkward silence. He started to turn to go. “Carla, what are you doing here?”

“I came to speak to Jase,” the woman answered.

“Trinity should be able to help your mother.”

“What she sold to me was expensive and hasn’t worked. Mother’s cough has gotten worse,” Carla replied.

“How much did she charge you?” I asked. I was curious.

“25 cents for a one-week supply,” Carla answered.

“Oh,” Mohe said. “Surely, she could make something else.”

I laughed as a spike of anger shot through me, and it was one that had not come from Lily. I was being turned to as a second choice and last option instead of a first choice even though Carla Shepard knew my wares worked and had seemed to like me.

“I don’t think I can help you,” I announced. Mohe and Carla both turned to look at me. Mohe looked confused while Carla looked hurt and confused.

“Why not?” she asked.

“I have a lot of fencing left to build,” I answered gesturing to the fence. I stretched the truth a bit by adding, “Besides, I don’t have any alchemical equipment anymore.”

“Trinity would probably let you use the equipment,” Mohe tried.

“Doubtful,” I laughed.

“You’re refusing to help?” Carla asked.

I was tempted to say yes when Lily flew up and stared into my eyes. She felt my anger and sent soothing feelings as well as love over our bond.

“Jase don’t let your anger and hurt control you. Be a duck and let it roll off your back like water,” my familiar told me. She smiled. “It’s for her mother. You would do everything you could to help yours.”

“You’re right, I said after a short pause. Lily’s smile grew brighter. “And Lily?”

“Yeah?”

“A duck? Really?”

“It works,” she shrugged. “Don’t blame me for all those old sayings your ancestors came up with.”

I laughed. Carla and Mohe turned to leave. Evidently, they misunderstood my laughter.

“Carla,” I called.

She turned to face me as did Mohe. “What?”

“What symptoms does your mother have?” I asked.

“A bad cough, fatigue, chills, and yellowish mucus that comes out when she has a long coughing spell,” the woman answered.

“Any fever?”

“None that we have noticed,” she answered.

“Could be a cold,” I mused.

“No. Sounds more like the flu or bronchitis,” Lily said.

“You’re a doctor too?” I asked.

“I’ve read the medical records,” Lily replied.

“Cheater. You’re using the network, aren’t you?”

“Could be,” Lily laughed. “Tea or an extract made from Echinacea would help.”

“Ech…what?” I asked.

“Echinacea is also known as Coneflower.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you say so the first time?” I asked.

“Lemon Balm tea, hibiscus tea, ginger tea, peppermint tea, chamomile tea, and ginseng root all would help as well,” Lily said ignoring my question. I grinned. “Lobelia extract drops would work too.”

“Yep. Definitely cheating,” I said. Lily returned my grin and stuck her tongue out at me. I turned my attention back to Carla. “What did Trinity give you?”

“Something called catnip and cayenne pepper. The catnip she told me to make a tea with and the pepper to mix with water.”

“The lobelia would be best along with the peppermint or coneflower tea,” Lily said.

“Will you ask the others if there is any lobelia nearby?” I asked my familiar.

“Sure.”

“Carla, I know of some things that should help to cure the sickness. I’ll go gather and process them this afternoon. I’ll bring whatever I make by when I’m done. We’ll discuss price then.”

“Ok,” Carla agreed. Mohe nodded his head at me. They turned and started walking back to the village. Carla stopped and turned back. “Thank you,” she called out.