Thankfully, I didn’t run into any of the villagers that didn’t like me, and I found the cooper’s shop near the smithy. To my surprise, Hank Cooper was only a few years older than I was. I expected him to be an older man. His familiar was a woodpecker named Chip.

I’m sure Lily would have made a joke about the woodpecker needing to be named Woody instead of Chip if she had been with me. That thought made me miss my familiar. Lily sent reassuring and loving feelings to me over the bond. I returned them as I felt her loneliness mix with mine.

Shaking off those feelings, I turned my attention to the cooper. Hank was a large man with red hair, though he was not as large as the blacksmith or some of the foresters and farmers. Hank was only a little taller than I am, but his mass made him seem much bigger.

“Are you going to keep staring or tell me what you need,” Hank asked before I could say anything.

“I need 13 oak barrels,” I replied.

“What size?” the cooper asked. “Thirteen is an odd number.”

“Uh, standard I guess,” I answered holding a hand about waist high.

“Going to use them to store herbs and the like?” Hank inquired.

“Yeah…” I replied. “How did you know?”

“You’re the only person in this village I haven’t met so that means you’re either a traveling merchant or the alchemist Ama has issues with,” Hank answered. “Since there aren’t any caravans due until next week, that makes you the alchemist.”

“Excellent reasoning,” I said holding my hand out for him to shake. “I’m Jase Fisher and prefer to be called an herbalist or medicine man.”

“I’m Hank Cooper,” Hank replied shaking my hand. Thankfully, he didn’t feel the need to squeeze my hand. “So, why 13 casks and the other titles?”

“A dozen for storage and one to make lye in,” I answered. I then explained about the differences between an alchemist and what people do these days.

“That makes sense,” Hank said. “Lye?”

“For making soap,” I replied. “That barrel will need a drain hole in the bottom that can be corked.”

“Want it to be a larger version of what we use for the tavern?” Hank inquired walking over to a small cask with a tap in it.

“No,” I replied joining him. I pointed at one end of the barrel. “The drain hole needs to be on the side at the bottom end since the barrel will be standing upright.”

“Are you competing with Trinity?” Hank asked.

“No. Why?”

“She wanted a barrel for the same reason,” the cooper replied. “She ended up just taking a small cask though.”

“Anyway,” I said shrugging my shoulders. I didn’t care what she bought or why. “How much for the barrels?”

“25 cent each for oak casks. Oak isn’t as easy to come by as other woods and it is in higher demand,” Hank replied. “I’ll give you the thirteenth one for buying the other dozen.”

“Willing to take some stuff in trade?”

“Always if I can use whatever you’re wanting to trade,” Hank said shooing a fly away from his face.

“Insect repellent, soap, tinctures, teas, hair shampoo, that sort of thing,” I said.

“Yeah, I’m willing to trade for all of that,” Hank said. “What kind of soap and shampoo are you making?”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Like scents or if they have beneficial properties?”

“Both.”

“I see. I do have rose petals, rosemary, mints, plantain, lemon balm, chamomile, calendula, and lavender that I can use,” I replied. I explained the beneficial properties of the plants. “I also have some oats that I can use that are excellent for soothing and softening skin as well. Plus, I’m considering searching for soapwort, which can be used to make a gentle cleanser for those with sensitive skin. It doesn’t lather as much as traditional soaps do though.”

“My wife would like that. Let me ask her which she would prefer,” Hank said.

“Sure,” I replied as the man walked to a back door in his shop.

“Claire!” Hank hollered out the back door.

“What?” A feminine voice yelled back.

“Come here for a moment please,” Hank yelled. A moment later, a petite redheaded woman about his age joined him. She was attractive. Hank explained to his wife what I had told him or attempted to. I ended up having to explain things to her.

“Isn’t plantain a weed?” Claire asked.

“Yes,” I answered. She frowned. “It is just as good at healing as aloe vera, but much easier to come by since we can find it everywhere around here.”

“And you’ll make any soap we want as part of this deal with my husband?” Claire asked.

“Yes.”

“In that case, I would like plantain, oatmeal, and lavender used in our soap. “I want to try the soapwort too. That’s if you make any soap with it,” Claire said. “Honey, does that work for you?”

“As long as it makes you happy, it works for me,” Hank replied. “Does that work for you as well, Jase?”

“Sure,” I answered.

“I’ll bring the casks by this afternoon right after lunch,” Hank said.

“Alright. It’ll take a few days to make the soaps and shampoos,” I informed the Coopers. “I’ll bring them once they’re ready.”

*

“My Jase!” Lily shouted flying into me and hugging my face when I got home. “I missed you!”

“I missed you too,” I replied after I pulled Lily off my face and hugged her as best I could. “We’re going to have company after lunch.”

“Ok!”

“Going to show me what you’ve been working on?” I asked.

“Yes!” Lily exclaimed before flying up to the bedroom. She flew back to me. “Wait right here!”

“Alright,” I agreed as she flew back upstairs.

“Tada!” Lily exclaimed flying down the stairs a few minutes later. She spun around showing me her new outfit. “This is my new fall look! What do you think?”

Her blonde hair was in ponytails that draped across her shoulders. She was wearing a mostly green dress that looked as if it was made of leaves that had a diamond cut showing off some of her cleavage. The dress had brown leather shoulders and short sleeves. She wore green embroidered wrist wraps on both arms.

Lily’s boots were thigh high and made from leather that matched the sleeves and shoulders of her dress. Little green vines were woven around her ankles with little pink flowers on the inner and outer sides. Lastly, Lily wore a green hat that appeared to be made from leaves.

“Very natural looking,” I said. “You look very beautiful.”

“Thank you!” Lily gushed.

“What kind of hat is that?”

“A sock or stocking cap,” Lily answered.

“Did you make that out of leaves and leather?” I asked.

“No silly! “It’s fabric and leather with leaves, vines, and flowers sown on,” Lily answered.

“Will it be warm enough?”

“Yes!” Lily happily replied landing on my right shoulder. “The others wear similar outfits this time of year. I have some with long sleeves too!”

“That’s great!” I said as my stomach rumbled. Lily laughed. “Let’s get something to eat before Hank gets here with the barrels.”