A Dark Lord's Kingdom Book 1: Portal Fantasy Men's Adventure by Atlas Kane

Author:Atlas Kane [Kane, Atlas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

16

NOT MY APPRENTICE

Where Himshire was rude, self-important, and severely solemn, the local alchemist of Lock’s Crossing made for a refreshing counterpoint. We found Wylim hunched over a pestle and mortar as we entered, his blonde hair disheveled as usual, blue eyes fixed to his work. The jingle of beads proved enough to set him off, causing his head to snap up and strike a low shelf.

“Blasted thing,” he cursed, eying the shelf like it was an old enemy. Rubbing his head, he walked over and forced a smile. “Hello there, Mr. Montague, Miss Calista. I assume you’re here for more than a cheap laugh. How can I help you?”

Cali answered for me, likely trying to prevent my snark from fouling this exchange as well. “Yep, yep! We came for potions! Nice to see you, Wylim. You look handsome as ever.”

The alchemist wasn’t exactly young, but his inexperience with women was easy to see. He flushed the deep crimson of a health potion, eyes searching around for anything else to look at but Cali’s pretty eyes. “Oh, much thanks, Missus. I have been powdering my cheeks each morning. Nothing quite like a good powdering to help a man’s complexion.”

I frowned. It took effort not to reply to a gem like that, but I succeeded. “We’re here for supplies. Going on a little adventure, and we figured we’d might as well have some of your fine potions to help us out.”

Wylim nodded, obviously grateful to switch the subject to something more familiar. “Course! I’ll bring over everything that’s relevant… Doubt you’ll want a slug-repellent potion,” he said with a laugh far too loud for the small store. “Be right back!”

When Wylim was far enough away, I whispered out of the corner of my mouth, “Nothing quite like a good powdering? This poor man. He’ll die before bedding a woman at this rate.”

“What was that?” Wylim called back.

Cali elbowed my ribs, and I closed my mouth. “Nothing!” she answered cheerfully. “My lover is just complaining about his piles. They’ve been flaring up again!”

It was my turn to be embarrassed. That only lasted a few moments until the alchemist returned with a case filled with various tubes and pouches. “Bless you, Mr. Montague. That is a curse, isn’t it? Mine get so itchy and sore that I can’t sit for days at a time! It gets especially bad in the heat of summer. Do you want an ointment for⁠—“

“All taken care of,” I insisted. “Let’s see what you brought us.”

Thankfully, the alchemist complied. “This one’s a Potion of Restoration, and here’s an Elixir of Detoxification. Ooh, this powder stops bleeding. These are the most popular items I sell to adventurers. Still, I brought a few more, since you’re often the type that cares less about cost than common folk. Take a look and let me know if you have any questions.”

The case held three other products that caught my eye at once. The first was labeled Mana Juice—a crudely named potion, to be sure, but I figured this could solve our issue with depletion.

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