Book Two Chapter Thirty Four: Second Round Testing

Book Two Chapter Thirty Four: Second Round Testing

It was like someone had taken all of the herbs and flowers in the Royal Infirmary and crammed them into a small greenhouse. Baskets filled with flowers hung from the ceiling, vines sprouting various fruits climbed up the sides, and planter boxes lined the ground.

The smell was almost overpowering, all the different perfumes fighting for dominance. Qube breathed it all in, and spread her arms wide. This was amazing! There were even spaces where she could grow her own things if she wanted! She would need to make sure someone would come in and water them while they were off adventuring, though.

Did you finish sorting the alchemy room? the Chosen One asked. Qube jumped in the air and spun around, trying not to look guilty.

Do you think some of the items from the alchemy room should go in here? she asked, subtly trying to redirect the conversation.

If you want, the Chosen One said easily. What can you make with all this stuff, anyway?

Qube looked at the nearest berries and searched her memory.

I could make a mana potion, she said. It wouldnt be very strong, but it would help in a pinch. The Chosen One eyed the berries thoughtfully.

Mana potion, eh? he said slowly.

That is what I just said, Chosen One, Qube agreed. He shot her a look.

I dont know if youre being helpful or trying to sass me, he said.

Im always helpful, Chosen One! Qube replied, looking hurt. The Chosen One looked, if anything, even more suspicious.

Lets take some of those berries and whatever else you need for the potion, then, he said, sidestepping the argument. I wanna see how long they take to grow back.

Of course! Qube said, immediately harvesting the blueberries, bluemint, and strange, lumpy, blue thing she needed for the mana potion. Carrying her prizes over to the alchemy room, she set herself in front of the pedestal and started making a mana potion. The Chosen One followed her, and watched in silence as she worked.

So, how are you making the potion? the Chosen One asked her.

I take these ingredients, and this surface, and this bottle, and then I just follow the recipe! Qube chirruped.

Sure, sure. But like how is this working?

Qube looked at the Chosen One blankly as she carefully put the three ingredients on the surface, started grinding with the mortar and pestle, and then picked up the newly-formed mana potion.

Its alchemy, Chosen One. Parts of it are mysterious and magical, she explained patiently. If you want, I can teach you how to mix up potions.

I know how to mix potions look, that isnt the point. Come on, I want to see how much this sells for. And get a different colour for the walls; this red is creeping me out.

---nove(l)bi(n.)com

Marching into Mr. Igmas shop, the Chosen One carefully placed Qubes potion on the counter top. Looking at Mr. Igma, Qube realised that he was looking the happiest shed seen him in a long time. Why, he was barely scowling at all! The more the Chosen One came into the store, and the more purchases he made, the less grumpy Mr. Igma looked. If buying and selling brought Mr. Igma so much joy, then being a shopkeeper must be his true passion, Qube realised as the Chosen One once again attempted to try haggling. Even his refusals to haggle with the Hero werent as sour as normal.

Or maybe he was like the Chosen One, and he just really liked accumulating money? Looking between the Hero and the shopkeeper, Qube wondered what their reactions would be if she pointed out just how similar the two of them were.

Not happy, she suspected.

Okay, the Chosen One was muttering to himself as he sold the spare ingredients Qube hadnt used in making the mana potion. So a low-level mana potion sells for three silver the berries for one each hmmm He appeared to be deep in mathematics so Qube, respecting his strange obsession with economics, drifted over to look at the bookshelf. The new books shed noticed last time were still there it didnt seem like there was much call for books in Cobbletown. However, as she read the spines, she noticed that they were part of a series.

A Beginners Guide To Gardening? Qube widened her eyes at how useful and timely that was! She could use this to help maximise the efficiency of their greenhouse! The other two books were beginner guides to cooking and alchemy. The alchemy one, she didnt know if that would be terribly useful to her, as she would, with all due modesty, classify herself as a bit more than a beginner, but maybe the Chosen One or Squiggles would like the kitchen one. Both of them seemed to like putting everything and anything into their mouths, so it would be a good idea to help them at least learn how not to poison themselves by doing it.

Yellow paint, and if you can, not so bright this time, yeah?

Qube was snapped out of her thoughts by the Chosen One finishing up his transaction with Mr. Igma. Both of them were looking more pleased than earlier, which Qube took as a sign. She wasnt sure if it was a good or bad sign, but it was certainly a sign.

Walking back home, the Chosen One kept pace with Qube.

I think I was supposed to check out the quest board a lot earlier, he confessed to her. Scratch that, I know I was. This stuff would have been seriously helpful earlier on.

Opening the door, she noticed that the bedroom door wasnt fully shut.

Oh, my love, I dont think Im ready for this step in our relationship, she heard Sexy Screamy Spider Lady say breathlessly.

Stop making this weird, the Chosen One said in a strained voice. I just wanted to talk to you privately. More specifically, I wanted to ask you some questions.

Qube should have gone to the greenhouse and checked on the herbs. Or gone back into the alchemy room and made some more potions. She was Good. Good people didnt spy on their friends conversations.

So it was an utter mystery to Qube why she didnt move.

So I wanted to ask you about the Chosen One trailed off, as if reading something. What goals did you have for after we finish the quest?

Qube frowned. The Chosen One had asked her something similar once. Was he testing Sexy Screamy Spider Lady? Was she potentially also becoming special? Was the fact that she was a giant arachnid that had thought she was a wood elf caught the devss attention? That was just because of the curse! It would naturally have been very difficult for Sexy Screamy Spider Lady to recognise that she was still under a curse! Qube focused back in on the conversation, willing Sexy Screamy Spider Lady to pass the test.

I dont know, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady replied with surprising ease. Im waiting until the Trials to make any decisions about my future.

Qube winced. She should have at least tried to think up something! What would happen if she failed the test?

Do you have any interests that arent entirely related to the main quest or your personal quest? Even if its semi-related, that still counts.

Oh yes, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady said in an amused tone. There was a beat, as if the Chosen One was waiting for her to elaborate.

Okay well what do you want to do, then? he asked when it became clear she wouldnt answer.

My darling, she replied with a laugh.

There was a short, strangled sound from the bedroom.

No! The Chosen One choked out. Stop making this weird!

I am beginning to suspect, my delectable treat, that my natural state is weird.

Anyway, the Chosen One said somewhat desperately. What is it youre interested in or want to do other than your main mission or personal side quest? What individual and organic goals have you created since this adventure began?

He was definitely reading off something.

Thats for me to know, and you to find out, the Hunter said playfully.

Yeah Im trying to find out. What are they?

Thats a secret, my sweet, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady cooed.

Yeah, you said. Tell me.

No, the Hunter purred.

Wait, what? This cant be quest locked, this is stuff you have outside of that, the Chosen One said incoherently. Qube stared at the bedroom door, trying to figure out what on earth hed just said. From the silence inside, it sounded like Sexy Screamy Spider Lady was doing the same.

My dear, she said eventually. A lady must have her secrets.

[By the Words] youre actually refusing to tell me, the Chosen One said in an awestruck voice. They were right.

Let it tantalise you, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady crooned. Who knows, perhaps one day Ill tell you? But for now, my sweet, I think Ill keep my secrets.

Thats okay, the Chosen One said, sounding slightly dazed. Ill let you go back to whatever, then. I need to go talk to some people. Qube heard him start to move towards the door, and she hurriedly whisked herself back into the alchemy room. As she shut the door behind her, she heard the Hero say:

The Trials are gonna be very, very interesting.