“I remember when ruled the world. A strange time, that was.”

Oreanen Vainen, the Emerald Sage

Forana and Bim found Zara sitting in an alcove in the library, reading from the book of laws she’d checked out.

She looked up from the book as they approached. “You’d think hillfolk law would be clean and simple, but it’s awfully dense, you know. Centuries of disparate regulations and standards and precedents all stacked up on each other. It’s exhausting to parse. Please tell me you have something straightforward for me. Lifting something, or hitting someone. That’s easy.”

They both looked chagrined. “Unfortunately,” Forana said, “I think it might be the toughest thing you’ve ever done.”

🟌

“You want me to do what?”

“Channel the power of the surrounding countryside into an alchemical elixir, which we can then use as a sample to replicate using more traditional alchemy. It can’t really be done any other way, at least that we know of, and we won’t have anyone else with a connection to the Old Magick like you have.”

“Why so sudden? You just made this connection. I’m still feeling out my new Class-- how am I supposed to use it for something so powerful when I barely know how it works?”

“Mostly because people are suffering.” Bim said.

“Partly because we want to see how it works.” Forana added.

Zara sighed, then spoke decisively. “Fine. I’ll do it. I need to push myself to grow, expand my areas of expertise, and help people, especially the kind people of this town. Give me an hour; we’ll do it on the south edge of town, outside, where I can have a direct connection to the earth.”

Forana, Bim, and the group of townsfolk Forana had trained in the basics of potion-making all gathered at the south edge of town, gear at the ready, about five minutes before ten. They got a fire going and placed a large iron cauldron over it, made their most refined Solution/Option B elixir, and let it simmer while they waited.

Zara arrived, walking at a leisurely pace, a few minutes late. “What’s with the relaxed energy? This isn’t like you.” Forana jibed. Zara just nodded to her and positioned herself in front of the cauldron.

“I’m trying to get into the calm, unmoving mindset of the hills themselves.” Was her only explanation. Forana gave Bim a look, but didn’t say anything.

“So, how does this go?” Bim asked after a few dragging seconds.

In response, Zara just held up a finger to her mouth, then grabbed the cauldron and tipped it over, causing its contents to spill all over the grass. Bim gawked at Zara, whose eyes suddenly burned a brilliant green color.

“You attempt to imitate the vitality of the slope and the valley, yet you neglect to study the land. Your work is incomplete, and impure. Know now how to make great works.” She heaved the cauldron back into place, moving slowly and deliberately, then took out a small knife from her pockets and made an incision in her thumb, causing blood to dribble into the cauldron. When the blood landed, it transformed into a luminescent grass-colored liquid that shined with magical power. After about a cup of the liquid was gathered, the green left Zara’s eyes, she stumbled back, and fell to the ground.

Level 25!

Talent — gained!

Bim, Forana, and the townsfolk gathered-- several of which had scattered in fear and awe-- took in the wonder of what they had seen. Bim and Forana then rushed to Zara’s side, Bim immediately dressing her small wound and giving her suggestions on how to be careful of not getting the cut infected when it heals over the coming days.

After a moment to breathe, the towering woman rose to her feet, and the gathered folk realized something.

She was an inch taller than before.

There was a lot to celebrate that night. Foremost of course was the fact that they had a complete, permanent cure for the Hill Fever, another was that Forana had leveled and Advanced her Class to , Zara’s new level up and strange, but eminently invaluable, Talent, and, something that Bim was very personally satisfied by, on top of all the other amazing news and the air of frivolity.

fulfilled!