Potions Master Chapter 1 By Jon McGee, cottagecore.stories@gmail.com Feedback welcome.
"Do you cast spells?" The Queen's tone suggested she believed spellcasting to be a tawdry business.
"Some," I said, "mostly in aid of my craft."
"Go on."
"Water purification, for example, wards, spells for seeking." I didn't mention the spells of secrecy, transfiguration, and stealth I had also learned. Best leave out the hexes and jinxes as well.
"What do you seek?" More scorn.
"Ingredients for potions, usually. I've learned incantations to help me locate rare herbs deep in the forest, for example. Another to find moonstones. Another for unicorn hair."
"I see," the Queen said, placated perhaps still unimpressed.
"I've also learned some medical spells, healing and binding and the like."
"We have a Healer," the Queen said. "She's quite good." As if I were interviewing to be Healer rather than Potions Master.
"Most of my medical spells are for the field. Collecting can be dangerous and I'm often far from a good Healer."
"That's quite practical. Back to business, shall we? You come highly recommended by the Guild. `The most promising Apprentice in years,' the Guild Master said. Now a Journeyman."
I nodded, confirming her report.
"You were apprenticed to Master Stewart, correct?"
"Yes, for the last three years."
"And before? The Guild did not tell me you had two Masters. Explain yourself."
"My first Master was Andrew Hall. After he was killed by the Beastly, I came to Master Stewart."
The Queen tensed, surprised. "You have my attention, young man. Tell me, did Master Hall teach you all he knew before his death?"
"I fear not, Your Majesty. My time with him was formative, but I could not learn everything in but six short years."
"We are alone, so I will be more direct. What do you know of the services he provided to King Rowan?"
"We never spoke of it, but I believe I know his service. I am hesitant to say it directly, Your Majesty."
"Tell me what you believe," she said. "Your words will not leave this chamber."
"I believe Master Hall served as King's Poisoner."
"Why would you say such a thing?"
"You asked me to speak honestly."
She sighed. "You scientists, always so literal." She asked slowly, "on what basis do you base your belief that Master Hall served as King's Poisoner?"
"The first year of my Apprenticeship, Master Hall showed me how to grind a certain root. We wore protective garb and worked outside, which was a rarity, especially when making powders. Afterwards, he burned our clothing and bade me wash the courtyard with seven courses of clean water. He burned sage in the evening."
"Do you know the root you ground that day?" asked the Queen.
"I do, and more like it."
"Very well. But what makes you think Master Hall served the King?"
"The next day, Master Hall instructed me to deliver a package to the King's Secretary and only his Secretary. He dressed me as a tailor's boy, bade me wander the city for three hours before making the delivery, and told me I must not answer any questions."
"Go on," said the Queen. "There must be more."
"There were other such exercises. Then, shortly before his death, Master Hall instructed me to brew a powerful Love Potion, a draught to excite extreme passion. My love potions exceeded Master Hall's, he said. Master Hall took it with him when he visited Lord Clearwater."
"A tragedy, the Clearwaters," the Queen said. "They are dear to us," she said in a tone that suggested otherwise.
I continued, "a few weeks after Master Hall's visit, Lord Clearwater's eldest son died by suicide, driven mad by desire for a married scullery maid, or so they say."
"Some say his death was for the best," said the Queen. "James Clearwater was violent and unstable, entirely unsuited to rule State Clearwater. Lord Clearwater was beside himself, for as you may know, there is no way to set aside a first-born heir. But you still have not made any connection between Master Hall and the King."
"After Master Hall's death, I was given the task to sort his papers. I found a note of thanks to Master Hall from the King, praising Lord Clearwater's second son as a worthy heir."
"And what did you do with this note?" asked the Queen, a glint in her eyes.
"I burned it, Your Majesty, as I did with all the correspondence between Master Hall and the Crown. I am surprised Master Hall kept it in the first place."
"He should not have," said the Queen.
"Your Majesty, I think I can better answer your earlier question, about whether Master Hall taught me everything he knows."
"Go on," said the Queen serenely.
"Before his death, Master Hall taught me well in the arts of poison-making. He also willed his library to me, which includes many rare books from which he learned his craft. I have not made poisons, other than at the instructions of my Master, but I know how to do so."
"Very well," said the Queen. "You should know, the King did not have a Poisoner. Nor do I in my role as Queen Steward. Poison is a vile thing, cowardly and contemptable."
I did not believe a word she said, nor do I think did she.
"Master Hall did not agree, Your Majesty."
"I suppose he would not."
"He believed that, used carefully and wisely, poison could avert trouble. Like James Clearwater, I suppose. He often said, `Imagine how many lives could have been saved had someone dosed Duke Reed's wine with quentintine.'"
"Quentintine?" asked the Queen.
"A powder, tasteless and odorless, that causes an attack of the heart three weeks after it is ingested, if mixed with red wine mulled with mace."
"Master Hall certainly wasn't wrong," she said. "It will be many decades before the Southern States recover from the damage Duke Reed's Rebellion caused them." She added, "does the Guild know you possess this knowledge?"
"I do not think so, Your Majesty. I was Master Hall's last apprentice. From the instructions he gave me, I believe he understood that the Guild would not approve such a course of study. You are the only person I have shared this knowledge with."
"Good. What are your other skills? I have the Guild's report, but I wish to hear from you what you consider to be your strengths."
"My specialty is Elemental Potions, those that deal with our most basic natures. Love Potions and Quench Potions, Luck Potions or Fail Potions, Memory Draughts, Dream Enhancers or Dream Suppressors."
"Tell me more about Love Potions."
"Different Love Potions work in different ways. The most effective are Intensifier Potions. They take a small feeling and make it stronger. With these potions, a crush becomes passion, passion becomes obsession, obsession becomes mania."
"It sounds dangerous."
"James Clearwater thinks so."
"Can you brew a potion that creates desire, not love?"
"Yes. In fact most of what people call Love Potions are really Desire Potions. Desire is such a more primal emotion, it's easier to trigger and then harness."
"Are these also intensifiers?"
"The best are, but there are other options. There are ethical issues too."
"We are the Royal Family. Ethics are not at issue."
"Can you tell me more?" I asked. "I sense that you have a particular situation in mind. It's hard to know how best to proceed without more information."
"No. If I extend you an offer and if you accept, we will have plenty of time to discuss such matters." She shifted in her seat to ask "if not you, which Potions Master would you recommend to sell me the best Desire Potion."
"Master Kim in State Granite is spoken of highly in the Guild Hall, and Master Smith here in the Capital has grown quite wealthy with his Love Potions."
"Spare me, Master Green. They sell sweet flavors in pretty bottles, not Desire Potions. You know this. If we proceed, you must tell me what you really think, Guild loyalties be damned."
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I should have been more direct. These potions are fine to turn a head or steal a kiss. They are not serious and have little foundation in theoretical potion-making. I am not aware of anyone in the Guild who is currently making a Desire Potion such as you describe. Elemental potions fell out of favor decades ago."
"Could you make an Elemental Potion like I described? You didn't seem to think it would be difficult."
"I believe I could, although the circumstances matter."
"That will do for Desire Potions for now. Tell me more about your interests."
"Experimental potions, expanding what we know to address unsolved problems. That's how I spend my time when I am not making potions for others."
"Tell me of your Masterpiece. The Guild's report suggested that it has great potential."
"I developed my Masterpiece over time, by necessity. Sometimes Master Stewart drinks too much wine in the evenings. After a certain point, he will not stop drinking even if he knows he will pay the price the next day. Cannot stop. One more cup, one more cup, until it's too late."
"Many have such problems," the Queen said.
"The mornings after, Master Stewart was often in great pain and unable to brew potions. At first, my potion was just to take away the effects of his excesses."
"I heard that Master Stewart had developed a hangover cure," said the Queen, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"I developed the potion, but as Apprentice to Master Stewart, he receives the credit."
"And the profit," observed the Queen.
"Such is the way of apprenticeships," I said. "But he does not have the formula for my Masterpiece, which I alone know."
"Does it really take away the desire to drink from those strongly afflicted?"
"For the most part, Your Majesty, it does. There is still desire, but it is lessened to the point that most can overcome it, even when already inebriated."
"What will you do with your Masterpiece?"
"I will brew it for those who need it," I said, "but few can afford it. The ingredients are rare and expensive. To be effective, it needs to be taken daily. I hope over time to develop a less expensive version so more people can benefit."
"That is a worthy endeavor. Perhaps the Crown will help fund your efforts. Now, tell me of your weaknesses. The Guild report did not mention Potions of War."
"I don't have much experience with them," I said. "I have brewed Steelskin to collect eggs from a Brooding Viper, but that's about it. Oh! Some people think of Night Eyes as a Potion of War, I've made that too. Anyway, given the number of War Masters, the Guild no longer requires such training. Neither of my Masters thought the subject worth teaching."
"Could you learn battle potions if it were required it of you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, of course. I have read the theory of most of the common Potions of War. There is nothing unusual about them."
"Theory is one thing, practice is another."
"Yes, Your Majesty. There is a science and an art to potion-making. The science requires me to follow instructions precisely, and the art is bringing each step together in just the right way to make an effective potion. Theory supports both. Understanding why each step is needed in the right order but also, how to best coax the steps together. It's why making potions is different from baking bread."
"Very well. What did the Guild tell you about the position I seek to fill?"
"Only that you were seeking to retain a Potions Master, nothing more."
"Quite right. The position would not be Crown Potions Master. You are far too young for such a role. You would be Potions Master to House Brooks, to serve the Royal Family and help educate Prince Linden."
"Would I be allowed to continue my research?"
"Work for House Brooks would take precedence, of course. But yes, I would expect you to continue your research. It is one of the things that set you apart from other candidates."
"Please tell me more about the position, Your Majesty."
"The Potion Master's Suite would be yours. Solar, library, laboratory, work rooms, bed chambers. The Crown will provide you with all standard equipment, ingredients, and other supplies. For anything unusual or expensive, you would work with my Secretary. You would be expected to forage and collect as much as possible without taking away from your duties to the Royal Family."
"Library?" I asked.
"The Portion Master's Suite has a personal study, sometimes referred to as a library. You would also have access to the Royal Library. Currently, only the Grand Potions Master can review the Royal Tomes."
I knew then that I would take the job, but I couldn't let on just yet. "And Prince Linden? What about his education?"
"The Prince will not need to know how to make potions, that is what you are for. He'll never be mucking about with eyes of newt, of course." She laughed at the very idea. "But as Crown Prince he needs to know what potions do and how they work. They will be a tool available to him when he ascends the throne. I expect you would spend a few hours a week together at first."
"I enjoyed teaching Master Stewart's younger apprentices."
"You will be responsible for purchasing your own supplies for your personal research projects, but you will be allowed to retain the profit from what you sell. You may not advertise your position with the Royal Family or trade off your position in any conspicuous way, but I expect you will not need to do so once your position becomes known."
"That's very appealing, Your Majesty."
"Very good. The position is yours if you would like it. Your compensation will be five golds and fifty silvers per month, plus the Potions Master's Suite, access to the Castle and all it offers, and a place at the Royal Table."
The payment was too much. Master Stewart often did not earn five golds a month and he was one of the most esteemed Potions Masters in all of the Kingdom. In a year at that salary, I could buy my own potions shop on one of the most prestigious districts in the Capital. There was something the Queen was not telling me.
"May I ask some questions?"
"I would be disappointed if you did not."
"I understand that the Royal Family has not had a house Potions Master since before King Rowan died. What has changed?"
"In two years, Prince Linden will be coronated and my Stewardship will end. Between now and that time, there will be much change. I cannot say what role potions will play, but I would have us ready if they are needed."
"How have you addressed your potions needs since Master Anders passed away?"
"Using a series of fronts, we have satisfied our potions needs by purchasing from several Masters here in the Capital, including Master Stewart. It has become tedious."
"What have the family's potions needs been over the last year?"
"I will not disclose that information without your agreement to work for us. Everything has been routine, that much I can say."
"Will you tell me how many potions you expect me to brew per week?"
"No more than five most weeks, some weeks none, I doubt ever more than ten."
"Will I be free to decline a request?"
"Queens do not make requests, Master Green. You are free to note an objection. Indeed, I expect you to tell me if any of my demands gives you concern. However, if I direct you to take an action, you will take it if it is within your power to do so."
"And if I still decline?"
"You are no longer employed by House Brooks. Depending on the nature of my direction, you could be Dishonored, Shunned, or Banished. I can conceive of some denials that could be considered treason."
Treason, punishable by death. "Do you expect to give me directions such that I would refuse?"
"I do not. Do you expect to refuse to follow my directives?"
"I do not." I paused then, deciding how much to say. "I am inclined to accept the position, Your Majesty, but I suspect you are not telling me everything. That gives me concern."
"You are perceptive, Master Green. There is much and more that I have not told you. Nor will I, until and unless you accept my offer. Then you will be Bound and can say nothing I do not approve."
Binding. I should have expected it of the Royal Family.
"I see," I said, reflecting. "Am I correct that you would not offer me the position unless you believed I could serve all of the Royal Family's needs?"
"You are correct, Master Green. Despite your age, I believe you are the Potions Master best suited in of all in the Kingdom to help us. I have spent many months considering this offer. I urge you to accept."
One does not keep Queens waiting. "I accept, Your Majesty. I am honored to serve as Potions Master for House Brooks."
"Excellent, Master Green. Very good. You may speak with my Secretary after we are finished about your move into the Castle."
"Your Majesty, about those Desire Potions. I sense that's important. Can you now tell me more?"
The Queen sighed, seeming suddenly much older than she had. "I had not prepared to have this discussion today, but the sooner you start thinking about the problem, the sooner we may have a solution."
"Exactly my thinking."
"Very well," she said. "Prince Linden, who must produce an heir for House Brooks to continue, prefers the company of men. Adamantly. Vigorously. Continuously, if reports are to be believed. He insists that he will not share his bed with a woman, even if it means he will never have an heir. Prince Linden needs your help."
***** By Jon McGee, cottagecore.stories@gmail.com Next: Potions Master Ch. 2
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