Chapter 20: The Kid

Chapter 20: The Kid

Theo returned to the shop to find a short Half-Ogre waiting patiently by the door. He looked a lot like Xam, with the same dark red skin and soft expression. The kid perked up when the alchemist approached as though he were standing at attention. Eagerness was good, and whoever watched the shop didnt need to be a master negotiator.

Azrug? Theo asked, noting the boys mud-stained clothes. He would have spent most of his life working the fields.

My sister sent me, he said, shuffling his feet awkwardly. Said you had some work.

Theo unlocked the shop and entered, gesturing for the boy to wait by the counter. He retrieved a bottle of [Cleansing Scrub] and handed it to Azrug, quickly explaining its use. The boy stood there for a moment before the alchemist encouraged him to use it, which he did. The effect startled him, but the cleansing effect of the potion washed away all the dirt from the fields, leaving him in pristine order.

Now that you dont smell like manure, Theo said, taking a spot behind the counter. Its a simple job. Ill give you a price list on the potions, and you sell them.

So, I stand behind the counter? For how long?

From an hour after sunrise to noon, if thats agreeable, Theo said.

He didnt see a need for the boy to man the shop all day. The alchemist simply needed a few hours to get his other duties done, then he could take customers as they came. With Tresk off adventuring, where she belonged, he just needed someone to hawk his potions in the morning.

Whats the pay? Azrug asked, narrowing his eyes.

Two copper a day, Theo said. It was more than the laborers in the fields earned, most of the time.

Seems suspicious, Azrug said. I wont end up in some alchemists cauldron, am I?

I honestly dont know if Half-Ogres are useful for potion making, Theo said. If you have an issue with the arrangement, I can pluck another laborer from the fields.

Theo was feigning confidence. He wanted nothing more than to have the matter sorted. He couldnt tell if Azrug was reluctant to accept because the deal was too good, or that he was a Dronon. It was easy to rule out the second option when he considered the good nature of the Half-Ogres. They were the most welcoming bunch of people hed ever met.

Sit behind the counter and sell potions, Azrug said, knitting his brow. Pay me up front for today so I know this isnt a ruse.

Theo produced two copper coins from his inventory and placed them on the table. Going forward youll be paid at the end of the day. If Im not here to, simply take the money from the days earnings and leave the rest under the counter.

You trust me that much?

Theo pressed his index finger into the [Perpetual Ledger] and grinned. Anything you sell in the shop will be logged here. It has the date, what you sold, and how much you sold it for.

Fine, Azrug said, nodding. Ill try it.

Good. Perch yourself behind the counter, Theo said. Im going to work in the lab upstairs. Flip the sign outside and wait around. Youre free to Bring a book, or whatever it is people do in this world to pass the time.

Really? Azrug said. Could I have a chair, too?

The alchemist looked around the room. While the upgrade provided shelves and a counter, there was no chair for the boy to sit on during the long day. He furrowed his brow and sighed. I dont have any chairs.

You should get some chairs. Theres a woodworker near the foot of the farmers mound.

Care to run an errand?

Sure.

Theo produced five copper coins from his inventory and handed it to the boy. Theres no way five chairs would cost over five copper. If they did, it was robbery. Five chairs.

Azrug took two of the coins and smiled. He sells them two for a copper, but I can talk him down.

The alchemist raised an eyebrow as the kid bound through the front door and up the street. If he wasnt lying about his ability to talk the carpenter down, that was a good sign for running the store. Theo went upstairs to tend to the stills, cleaning them out before he heard the bell tinkle downstairs. When he went back to the first floor, he was surprised to see the small Half-Ogre with five hardwood chairs, tastefully carved and decorated. Azrug had a beaming smile on his face, setting more chairs than a boy should be able to carry down with a clatter.

Two copper, Azrug said, producing the remaining three copper. Like I said.

Well, youve earned your seat, then. Let me write a few things down for you, Theo said. He wrote a detailed list of the prices, highlighting the fact that new adventurers got a discount. The prices were set at what was fair for a local to pay, 5 copper for a [Lesser Healing Potion], the [Lesser Barkskin Potion] at 8, and the [Cleansing Scrub] at 1. He left instructions to find him if someone from out of town arrived.

Looks good, boss, Azrug said, reclining in his chair.

Theo scoffed, taking the remaining four chairs in his inventory and ascending the staircase. Tresk updated him on the situation with the adventurers. Ten of them arrived for the training session in dire need of help. It was going well after a few missteps by the new fighters, leading to a few close calls. He told her to be careful before depositing his new chairs in the lab. The alchemist sat there for some time, appreciating being off the ground for once.

The stills were a mess from the morning run. Theo used his new technique of shoving a table against the window to clean everything, dumping the fouled water into the gravel yard below. He placed them back in their spots, and considered doing more experimentation. He cast those thoughts away, focusing his mind on curing the inevitable plague of [Creeping Rot] that would come. Today was another false start though as his water barrel barely had enough [Purified Water] to make a 10 unit run. He placed it in his inventory and made to leave the shop, hearing the tinkle of the front doors bell.

Welcome to the Newt and Demon, Azrug said, holding his arms out and beaming at the customer.

The man that stood at the threshold was a meek-looking Half-Ogre, casting his gaze over the shop in awe. Theo realized immediately that Azrug was good.

I take it from that pig-sticker on your hip that youre a new adventurer, Azrug said. Were running a special today. He glanced down at the parchment Theo left him for only a moment, making the action look natural. Five potions for ten copper. You wont find a better deal anywhere.

Of course, the man said, nodding. Just cant resist that bounty.

Who can? But you knowjust for youIll add a [Lesser Barkskin Potion] and a [Cleansing Scrub] for five copper. What do you say?

Alright. Not looking to die out there, the man said, fishing the money out of his pocket.

Azrug smiled, moving to collect the goods and set them on the counter. He counted out the coins that the man set down, clamping one between his teeth, before smiling again. A pleasure doing business with you, sir. Tell all your friends that the Newt and Demon is open for business!

The man left, a wide smile on his face. Theo scoffed, descending the last of the stairs and placing a hand on the boys shoulder. Yeah, I have nothing to teach you. I might sit in on your sales and get a few pointers for myself.

Ive been hawking garbage to the fine folks of Broken Tusk since I could walk, Azrug said, waving Theo away. Not that its hard to sell stuff that actually does something.

Youve discovered an additional effect from the [Swamp Onion] by eating it.

[Stench] discovered.

It has the [Stench] property, Theo said, tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

Yeah, those are potent things. You dont see them that often, Tresk said. We found an entire bed of them near a peat bog in the middle of the swamp. I picked a lot.

The flavor lingered in Theos mouth, refusing to go away for a long time. He flipped the sign to closed before locking up for the day. The pair retreated upstairs to make their dinner. Dusk was a way off, but they were both exhausted from the day. Theo knew Tresk was significantly more tired than he was and wanted to make sure she had something to eat before sleeping. He checked her forehead, causing her to giggle, and dumped the contents of their old stew out the window. It seemed like a waste of food, but he got over it.

Chairs! Tresk shouted, hopping into a chair. You bought chairs!

That was Azrugs idea, Theo said.

They settled in, stoking one fire to life and placing the cauldron over it. Tresk prepared the onions, using them sparingly, while Theo got the cauldron ready.

More barrels, Tresk said, nodding to the north-facing wall of the lab. Thats a great idea.

Your father sold them to me, Theo said, laughing. I felt like I went on a spending spree today, then we made a ton of money.

Maybe not a ton of money, Tresk said. But it was a good amount. Luras and I made half a silver killing wolves.

Youre sure you dont have creeping rot, again? Theo asked.

Im sure. Anyway, I see youre setting up to combat that problem, Tresk said. What should we price those potions at?

Free if someone has the rot, Theo said. Otherwise, a copper? I really dont care.

Youre too generous. If some haughty northlander comes down here, you better gouge them, Tresk said.

Absolutely. I even gave our new shopkeeper instructions to do exactly that, Theo said.

Theo added the onions first, quickly understanding the [Stench] property on the vegetable. The smell filled the air, and he was immediately glad Tresk only cut one of them up. Any more than that and theyd need to evacuate the room. It cooked down quickly, caramelizing in the cauldron and crackling among the dancing wolf fat. Tresk cleaned the cuts of meat she brought this time, minimizing the amount of fat sitting on the strips. They added the bones and water before letting that boil away for a while.

Future plans? Tresk said, stirring the mixture.

Our immediate goal is to upgrade the town, Theo said. How long before the wolves get into town?

Not long, Tresk said. Theyre edging closer to Broken Tusk by the day. Even with the new adventurers, its going to be rough.

Right. Make money and collect cores, Theo said. We owe 2 gold on this place.

Tresk grimaced. They hadnt spoken about the debt that he owed at length. Small steps.

Theo would have preferred to sear the wolf meat before placing it in the stew, but this worked last time. They cut the strips of meat into little chunks, adding more than they needed, and let it simmer for some time. It smelled far better than the last time they made it. [Swamp Onions] were the key to making a wonderful stew, as far as he was concerned. As if on cue, a knock came at the front door. The alchemist wasnt surprised to see Luras, craning his head to see inside.

I smelled the soup, Luras said.

Is it soup, or stew? Theo asked.

Beats me. Can I have some? Luras asked, grinning.

Theo invited him in, leading him upstairs. The Half-Ogre was surprised to see the chairs arranged around a table. He gladly took a seat and smiled at his companions. He was in better spirits than he was the other day. Either the news of war had faded, or the weariness from travel. Luras took a bowl of the soup when it was ready and helped himself, making satisfied sounds with every bite.

This is so much better than last time, Luras said. The onion is the key.

Agreed, Theo said, nodding. He took his first bite of the soup and couldnt disagree with the Half-Ogres words. Something about the potent [Swamp Onion] brought out the best flavors of the wolf meat. Even the broth seemed richer than last time, elevating it beyond anything he thought possible. Xams stew seemed like a distant memory, overshadowed by their new recipe.

No offense to Xam, but her soup sucks, Tresk said.

She makes a perpetual stew, Luras said. It boils away for weeks at a time.

Theo grimaced, his brow knitting tight. That sounded disgusting. Thats vile.

Its pretty common in poorer areas, Luras said. The wolf population was low when you got here. Now that we have a steady supply, everyone is getting fat.

Id rather get fat on coin, Theo said.

Luras poked him in the stomach, grinning. I dont think youll ever get fat. Youre like a twig.

Tresk grabbed Theos thin arm and shook it around. Look at these noodles.

Theo cast a glare over the pair, feigning anger. Youre lucky I dont collapse under a stiff breeze, Tresk.

The Marshling erupted in laughter, almost spilling her soup in her lap. The conversation switched between topics, never lingering on anything long enough to produce depth. Tresk intended to use every [Monster Core] in her possession tomorrow, but Luras doubted it was enough to get to level 5. They planned ongoing out again in the morning, Theo insisting they take as many [Lesser Potion of Purifications] as they could carry.

Luras left when dusk threatened outside, bidding them farewell and patting his newly rounded belly. Theo stowed the cauldron in his inventory and shoved Tresk toward the bedroom. She might not have been acting tired, but he knew it was catching up with her. His own stamina bar was nearly drained, and he didnt spend the entire day out in the fetid swamp. She objected the entire way, but the moment he pulled the blanket up over her in the bedroll she was out cold.

Theo was left with his thoughts for a while before sleep came. There was a lot of progress that happened in Broken Tusk during his first week, but it paled compared to what was to come. Word was out about the new alchemist and the swamp dungeon. Rivers and Daub was a days journey north. Traders would arrive soon, and he could finally start checking things off of his wishlist. On the top of the list was some manner of fire artifice. Managing the flames for the stills was his biggest weakness. His intuition told him that temperature control was going to become necessary the higher he got in alchemy.

All of those worries washed, stolen by the inevitability of sleep.