Member-only story
Becoming a Potion Maker
A young man leaves behind the only home he knows and begins the adventure of a lifetime
Wiping tears from his eyes, Eliam plodded through the dreary forest. Mud-stained, ragged clothes hung from his slim body. His shoes were barely the right size, causing him to stumble often. A hole in his right heel frequently let in dirt and mud. Eliam frowned as his stomach growled yet again. He had hoped to begin the day with a meal. But Algar had refused him.
Eliam had ventured frequently into these woods to find Eacharis Damascena, a plant Algar and other physicians commonly used as medicine. Algar said it helped stop infections. What mattered most to Eliam, of course, was that it helped stop his hunger. Eliam had been able to eat thanks to that emerald-colored plant with its fan-shaped leaves. Algar had paid him a copper coin for every ten leaves the boy collected.
At least that’s how things went for several weeks. Then, six days ago, Algar started paying less. Something about competition and other medicines being available. Eliam didn’t really understand, but some money was better than no money. So Eliam kept at it. Doing business with Algar kept the hunger pangs away.
Then, three days ago, Algar paid him nothing.
