《Firebrand》90. Good Things Come in Small Sizes
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Good Things Come in Small Sizes
Martel ended up spending his afternoon in the apothecary as well, churning out the strange alchemical liquid that Master Kelsos needed. It was not a potion, rather the reverse; a person spat into the liquid, and if they were ill, it changed colour. Martel did not observe that part of the process, though, busy grinding ingredients and preparing reagents.
Next day in the morning, when he returned to the workshop, he found Mistress Rana already present and working. He stood, waiting for his assignment, until she turned around to look at him.
"You may be pleased to know that so far, Master Kelsos have not found any others who are sick. Though he will continue testing tomorrow, in case anyone was infected too soon for it to show. So you may continue with the same work as yesterday," she told him.
Nodding, Martel grabbed tools and material.
"Fortunately, the lack of more patients means that we have no immediate need for the elixirs I made last night."
"There is a potion that heals consumption?"
"Of sorts. Specifically, it strengthens the body that it might survive the disease. Not quite as impressive as Master Kelsos' performance, but it does leave the recipient with immunity, having beaten the infection via more natural means. Alchemy has its advantages." It almost looked as if the usually stern alchemist had a wry smile playing around her lips.
A potion to cure diseases. Exactly the kind of remedy Martel had hoped to learn when he first began working in the apothecary. "Can you teach me how to make it?"
"All in good time. It is not merely apothecary work, but involves actual alchemy, so it requires magic unlike our more mundane recipes. But you mentioned the children that infected you. How many of them suffer from the consumption?"
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Martel did a quick count. "Three of them have persistent coughs, including mild symptoms of fever or chills."
Mistress Rana opened a drawer and took out three vials. "You may deliver these to your little friends."
If Martel had not been so intimidated by her, he could have hugged his teacher. "Thank you!"
"But Martel, this is the end of your work in the copper lanes. Besides the danger it poses, which I hope is now obvious to you, it is also against the law to run an apothecary without licence from the guild. You don't want that kind of trouble. If you wish to continue studying under me, you're done with this venture."
He had forgotten about that. His hometown had no guilds of any kind, being too small. "I promise." Tonight would be his last act as apothecary to Weasel and his gang.
~
As Martel walked towards the slums, he did not carry any bundles of plants or jars of salve in his hands or pockets; this time, instead, he had a bag slung over his shoulder, made from good leather. Inside it had been lined with soft wool, protecting the precious glass bottles carried within.
There was a light drizzle of rare summer rain, and Martel hurried on his way to his young friends. In his haste, he did not notice as three men emerged from an alley ahead. He only realised something was amiss as they fanned out in front of him, clearly blocking his path. Two of them held small knives. The third, in the middle, had greasy skin and a permanent sneer on his face. Martel finally recognised him as the man who had accosted him before, wanting to take over the apothecary.
"What you got in that bag, boy?"
"Nothing that concerns you. Get out of my way."
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The leader of the thugs stretched his neck. "I told ya to work with us. Hand it over and come along. We'll be taking over Weasel's work, starting with you."
Under different circumstances, perhaps Martel would have been scared. But out on the open street, his enemies all in front of him, and none of them wielding magic, he had no reason to fear. He quickly glanced over his shoulder just to check nobody would ambush him from behind. Nothing but cobblestone met his eyes; the locals, smelling trouble, had scattered.
Martel stood with the elements within easy reach. Air and water surrounded him, he felt the earth beneath his feet, and he could draw on fire from within himself. "Get out of my way, or I'll crush all of you."
The bandits laughed. "What are you going to do, make us tea? Bandage us to death?"
Martel slowly extended his arms. As he did so, he raised the wind behind him until the thugs began to stagger backwards. "I will burn you to a crisp and scatter your ashes across the copper lanes."
They turned to flee. Quickly stamping his foot into the ground, Martel pushed one of the cobblestones up to make the greasy man stumble and fall down. He turned around and tried to crawl backwards, fear evident on his face.
"If I ever see you again, or if you ever harm Weasel and his people, you shall feel the full wrath of a wizard."
The thug finally got on his feet again and ran for his life.
~
The children greeted Martel as usual, accompanying him the rest of the way. They stared with wide eyes at the bag hanging by his waist and inundated him with questions. Laughing, he bade them tame their curiosity just a few moments longer and also to gather everyone.
"I have sad news," he told them. "I can't keep visiting here." Outbursts of disappointment met his words. "I need to finish my studies, so I can be a proper alchemist and mage. Also, my teacher doesn't want me doing this, at least not until I know more. So I have to stop."
"But we do what we want! Why can't you?"
"You do what Weasel tells you, don't you? It's the same for me," Martel explained. "But I did bring something. Where is Squirrel, Fox, and Beetle?"
Two of the small boys and one girl eagerly stepped forward, coughing.
Martel pulled out the vials from his bag and handed one to each. "Go ahead, drink them. It will do you good," he assured them.
Trusting in the apothecary, the children did so. They immediately made faces, much like biting into a lemon. "It's bitter," one of them complained.
Martel smiled. "That's how you know it works."
Weasel approached, jumping down from his spot on the stairs. "That's it, then? I guess you stuck around longer than I thought."
"Sorry it's not longer. I'm not in the Apothecary Guild, so it's against the law for me to do this work." Martel pulled out a piece of parchment. "But I imagine that wouldn't stop you. After all, you do what you want."
A few of the children laughed and made noises of agreement.
"This is everything I know of herbs and what they can help with. Maybe it will be useful for you." Martel frowned. "Wait, can any of you read?"
"Give it here," Weasel growled, snatching the parchment from Martel's hands.
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Eater
Warning: This story is purely for practice. Do not expect me to finish it. Do not expect it to be good. Do no expect regular updates. Do not expect perfect grammar. Do not expect good story-telling. Do not expect innovative ideas. This will be very ameturish. Also there will be profanity, possible light-sexual content and possible gore. All criticism is welcome. Kenta is a 17 year old who on his way to a grocery store sale, dies and is reincarnated into a world of fantasy, where magic and mythical beasts exist. Everyone in this world has a status menu, like a game, which tells a persons name, title, skills and attributes. In this world the strong rule and the weak fall behind. As a baby people start out with 0 skills and 0 attributes. Everyone in this world can build up their attributes, learn skills and earn titles. A select few a born skills and raised attributes. Kenta having died in his previous world, is shocked to learn this, but quickly adapts to this game like reality and uses his knowledge and training to help survive in this new world. Upon opening his status menu, he notices he already has a skill. Skill: Eater: Allows one to consume any singular item (excluding proper food) to gain skills/attributes. Consuming dangerous substances will not kill you.
8 216Lord of the Apocalypse
The book is now available on Amazon. You can get it here. After being falsely accused of murder, Nicholas Dread finds himself losing not only seven years of his life, but also his son and wife. Fate further kicks him in the chest when he finds himself in the middle of an unannounced Apocalypse, witnessing death by the thousands. After a desperate struggle, he dies only to be reincarnated as one of the beasts that caused the bane of his race.
8 212Adventure to the Stars
The tale of a young boy that drops into a small pond, only to find himself in a complete new world! Brandr has to figure out where the familiar blue light that guided him has lead him to, and more importantly, how to get back to his homeworld as quickly as possible!
8 126Legend of the Lost Star
[More placeholder space for the next Writahon...] [Completed the October 2020 Royal Road Writathon challenge] [Completed the April 2020 Royal Road Writathon challenge] Book 1: First Light Synopsis: As a war of epic proportions enters a ceasefire, a soul from another world enters a dead boy's body. Without any memories of who he was, with only a little companion by his side, the lost soul begins his long, arduous journey to recover his memories, while unraveling the mysteries of a war-torn world. Why was he sent here? And where will he go now? Even he himself does not know. But one thing is for certain: the world will never be the same again. Book 2: Foredoomed to a Rendezvous Synopsis: As war continues to break out between the Five Lands, Gaius finds himself inheriting a legacy of ancient times. With the flames of battle spreading through the South once again, the lost soul throws himself into battle over and over, in an attempt to protect his home and those he holds dear. How will the boy, nearly unrivalled in martial might, fare in a web of conspiracies beyond his ken? Book 3: The Last and the Lost Synopsis: The boy has set himself an unbelievable target in a bid to save someone precious to him. With his former home now out of reach, he stalks the Southern Continent, inciting rebellion and revolution where possible to lure his prey out. Meanwhile, in the heart of the South, embers of war begin to rekindle. Will it be the death knell of yet another nation millennia old? Book 4: The Unravelling World Synopsis: Time is not on Gaius' side. Everyday life, already disturbed by the flames of mortal war, falls apart entirely as beings of legend once again appear on Orb. Forced to a foreign land to treat his injuries, the boy must confront the outcomes of his actions, directly and indirectly. But the tide is rising. Countless enemies are throwing themselves against the nations of Orb, cleaving a path of blood wherever they go. Gaius has to hurry...or drown with the rest. Book 5: World's End, Divines' Rondo Synopsis: The great gods of Orb have staked their claim on the world itself, killing all in their way. Each of the Cardinal Continents are fighting their own battles and making their own peace, but none are aware of the growing threat from the Wildlands, where a self-exiled legend continues to gather strength. Meanwhile, a new threat stalks the whole of Orb, killing whatever remains of the Constellation Heroes. Against such a chaotic backdrop, a boy continues to protect a semblance of daily life for his loved ones, but will he be successful when the curtains finally open? Book 6: The Frenzied Tide Synopsis: A sword hangs above the Eastern Territories. The Human God, progenitor of all life, the direct cause of the beastfolk genocide, has made his will known to the rulers of the East — make peace with the God of Water, or be destroyed in three months. Gaius, who has left the battlefield to return home, is once again called to fight, to support a do-or-die offensive upon their foe's territory. But in the background, the threads of destiny are beginning to come together. Plots set in motion long ago are coming to fruition... Book 7: Limina of Ruin Synopsis: The chalice has broken. The East is beset with turmoil, as factions turn on each other. The Great Divide, however, brims with a setting radiance, ensuring a final, transient peace. And in the midst of it all, one young boy follows the fettered winds and the unshackled waters, heading to a new land to uphold a promise. For him, the days of fighting will be a distant memory before long...and a daily event in the years to come. Uncovering ancient memories, putting to rest regrets, enjoying the last of a peaceful life...the people of the Five Lands will live to their fullest. Yet, this is but the calm before the storm. Book 8: Power Talks Synopsis: Fate. A curious word to most...and a frightening word to Gaius. Alongside the rulers of the North, Gaius witnesses frightening truths, proof of an inevitable future. Spurred by a myriad chilling revelations and urged by a god's killer, the Mortal Light Dynasty gathers both mortal rulers and divine sovereigns, covering past conflicts with a offer of cooperation of an unprecedented scale. However, can this unity, first of its kind, stand up to time, fate and mortal nature? Or will it burn, along with the Five Lands? Book 9: Homeland Song Synopsis: Gazing out at the Orb of old, Gaius ponders his destiny and the great stakes with it. Time and again, he has led a life of choices, making one after another for the sake of those he cares about. His latest choice, however, carries implications of an immeasurable scale. Charged with the protection of the future, all that awaits him is an eternal solitude... 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The moon, the sun and the sky shatter, revealing the vast expanse beyond. The cold light of the stars gaze down upon Orb, illuminating a bloody battlefield at World's End, where gods and mortals wrestle. Immortal troops charge the Five Lands, over and over again, only to be repelled by vast engines of war. For many, the moment of destiny has arrived. The Third Extermination has begun. However, Gaius gazes not at the present, but at the future beyond. What does he see there? And what will he do? Book 13: Destiny Divergent Synopsis: Bells ring, and destiny veers. Mortal miracles, having pierced a divine destiny, now turn their light of annihilation upon the legendary land of dangers and dark myth. A single being who should have slept forever reawakens, carrying out a inherited duty to protect. Under a dome of absolute law, the hulks that darken the skies are grounded, forcing the Five Lands to move ahead on foot. 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He will succeed. Or die trying. Book 15: Terminus Transcendent Synopsis: ??? This is a story that may, depending on how impatient you are, take some time to spin up. I have enough in my mind for a long run, so it's essential that I lay out a great deal of groundwork at the start. Eleven books have been released so far, and this work will end at Book 15. Be aware of late arrival spoilers! My Patreon link is here, which allows for up to sixty-five advanced chapters ahead of the free releases, or if you'd just like to support me. Release schedule: My original promise was 2 a week, minimally, but it's been a daily release for a long time. So yeah...
8 835Arm of the Demon
A normal life. That's the only thing Damien has ever wanted after the loss of his parents. Unfortunately, life has other plans for him. When his arm becomes possessed, Damien will be dragged into something he never wanted to be a part of.
8 172|Convert| [Hiện Đại, Showbiz] Yêu Thương Tốt Nhất - Lục Manh Tinh
Truyện này lúc trước mình có edit nhưng lỡ tay xoá hết mà vẫn chưa lưu lại nháp. nay mình đăng convert cho bạn nào đang theo dõi để đọc tiếp nhé. Tác giả: Lục Manh TinhThể loại: Hiện đại , ngôn tình, showbiz, sủng, sạch, HETình trạng: 74 chương - 4 ngoại truyện - HoànTrích:Tại hiện trường họp báo:Phóng viên: Nghê tiểu thư, cô với Hoắc tiên sinh kết duyên từ bộ phim 'Mê Thành' sao?Nghê Hạ: Xem như là vậy.Hoắc Thiệu Hàng: Chắc chứ? Vậy cô bé 8 năm trước quấn lấy anh là ai?Nghê Hạ: ....Phóng viên: 8 năm trước? Chẳng lẽ Nghê tiểu thư là fan của Hoắc tiên sinh?Nghê Hạ: Không...Hoắc Thiệu Hàng: Ừ, vẫn còn là fan
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