Also Spring, Week 2 - A Madcap Meeting

Here's a link to the video about how I wrote this episode (and narrate it too!):

 Home. That is what I call the cottage and grounds. It'd been only a week and a bit but everything felt like it was mine: both my property but also my responsibility to care for, maintain, and even improve. No feelings of being a guest anymore, and certainly not of being a trespasser or interloper. 

Maybe I'd proved something to the house. Or maybe it was my intention to stay and care for, not just the property, but for the people and creatures who might come to me for help.

I had stepped fully into being The Witch.

There's a change in perspective when you go from being a guest to being an owner. Things that you accepted as being "just the way it is" turns into things you can change.

But I also wanted to start small. Allowing my thoughts to imagine changes throughout the grounds was just too much to consider all at once. The cottage needed a deep clean, the garden beds needed clearing of brambles, places where there had been additions and out-buildings needed rejuvenation - there was a lot that an owner should want to fix and improve.

Getting back to small starts, I decided that the first thing that needed doing was planting something in the one cleared garden plot. Everything else could wait.

But what to plant. In the old witch's notes, it said I could plant anything in it and it'd be a happy and healthy plant. Which is why I laid out my existing ingredients to see what would best go in the ground.

I had quite the assortment. From Glimmerwood Grove: Wild Rose, Coffee Cap, Songberries. From Meltwater Loch: Deep Reed, Gas Reed. (And this of course ignores the animal and magic reagents). Each of them had good reasons to be in the ground, but I finally decided on Wild Rose (although I almost planted Songberries. And then I realized I might be inviting fairies, drunk and otherwise, to sing near the cottage at all hours). Wild Rose is pretty, smells nice, and is a potent reagent that helps bone and skin ailments.

It was so easy to plant, but the thing that caught my attention was how it so quickly sprang to life. This place is bound to be full of surprises.

Along with the surprises that I'd already seen, there's another one that I feel - it's not something that I can explain well, but I feel like I'm a part of something bigger. Something more than this small house, more than the surrounding grounds. It's as if I've become a part of the land. In a way, I'm an owner, but in another way, I'm a working part of it all.

Like I said, it's hard to describe. But something I did, in honour of that feeling, was to set up a small... it's not a house and certainly not an alter or anything religious, but it's a space on the mantlepiece that somehow symbolizes that belonging feeling. Right now there's a small bowl of water but I intend to add to it as the feeling prompts me.

And it's here that I stand and reach out with my feelings to let the land know I'm heading out and ask that I travel safely. Which is when MouseEye peered out from behind the bowl, yawning. "Where're we headed?" How he ended up behind the bowl in the first place is another mystery but one that will stay mysterious. I don't feel like trying to quiz my never-forthcoming familiar. Instead, I opted to keep my day moving forward.

"We're going to town. I feel like getting something. I just don't know what yet." Besides that, I knew I also wanted to do a bit of reagent gathering. There is nothing so motivating as preparing healing potions and helping people - including all the work needed to make it happen.

MouseEye and I didn't talk much as we walked. My imagination was fully invested in the possibilities. I did remember all the bits that Bob dragged out for me. But over the course of those couple of hours during my last visit, I knew there were a couple of possibilities that I can now afford. 

Bob was as helpful and friendly as he was last time. After a brief discussion, I bought my first home improvement - a hive! I bought a house for bees. Now... it did seem a bit lacking in that the bees didn't actually come with the hive. He doesn't sell swarms. Or queens, for that matter. But at least a house is a start. And maybe I was being a bit silly with my money - which mostly became Bob's money, what with paying for the hive - but I felt proud of making my first, and I know for a certainty, not my last purchase.

After my purchase, I stood outside the shop, feeling a mix of pride (holding onto my new purchase) and foolishness (for holding an empty bee house). I decided to visit a couple of places I hadn't visited yet: the Lunar Tower and the Ritual Circle. They're located near each other a few minutes walk outside the town proper. Off I went with the paper and wire hive banging against my leg.

The walk is a pleasant one. The town itself sits on top of a small hill - the path to the Tower and Circle descends gently through some woods to a clearing. Small wildflowers bloom along the path borders. 

The clearing itself is a relatively small - there isn't much more than the Circle and the Tower. And I should note that neither appeared all that impressive! The Circle was little more than a small labyrinth with a table, made of rock, at the centre. Before anyone could use this for anything, it'd need a good clearing of weeds and windblown debris. And the Lunar Tower looked - how can I say this - like a tall outhouse. "Lunar", I think, refers to the crescent moon carved in the door. But instead of being a place to relieve yourself, there's just a creaky staircase up to a second level where there's another rocky table.

I figured since I was here and I already knew I was going to forage for reagents, that I'd use the Tower's power to attune my foraging equipment (the small bit I have). Maybe it would help me in my harvesting. I felt something happen, but I'm not sure what exactly.

Through all this, I'd left the hive at the path's entrance. I figured where was no sense in lugging it around and banging it against myself, perhaps even damaging it.

I wandered back to the path's mouth, thinking about the sorry state of everything I'd seen and experienced. Yes - I was very recently from the woods and a small woodcutter's cabin. At least it was in good repair! As is my new cottage. But the town of High Rannoc - far from it resembling its lofty name, was a small, ill-kept, rotting-timber wrapped mess.

How I'd become so judgemental, I don't know, but that was how I felt! How else to think of a town that treated a place of power like a place where one leaves their business? Incredible.

And as is my want, I was grumbling about the town and making vows to remake things in a better way and making a list of priorities. And that's when I got back to the hive. And MouseEye. Who appeared to be deep in conversation with someone.

It turns out I was mistaken - it was someones. About a half-dozen bees were walking on, crawling through, and flying around the hive. MouseEye asked me to sit beside him so that we could all be at the same level during our negotiations. 

"What negotiations?", I asked.

"Rental occupancy.", replied MouseEye.

I felt lost. MouseEye, uncharacteristically, explained. "These ladies are looking for a new hive for a new queen and her small brood. And they like the hive floor plan. I was just explaining that the hive will be located at our cottage. They know the area and approve. They'll even transport the hive to an appropriate location there. The only question is how much rent we're asking for."

Rent? I hadn't thought any of this through. I'd figured bees would simply move in and that would be that. Rent?

"Ummm..." I was at a loss. So I decided to let MouseEye continue dealing with the bees. Which was just as well - it was all buzzes, squeaks, and sounds that I can't describe at all. None of the sounds were anything I could understand. Eventually, MouseEye said, "With your ok, they'll remit honey four times per season. Does that sound ok to you?"

I found myself doing some quick math. If I could get four silver for a sweet potion (like what Madame Hightower had paid), I'd make back my fifty silver in less than a year! (4 silver/sweet X 4 sweet/season X 4 seasons/year = 64 silver/year!) I eagerly nodded.

"Good! Then we're all agreed." MouseEye squeaked a last squeak or two, the bees buzzed in response, and the deal was done.

I just looked at MouseEye in amazement. I was flabbergasted. I was... I was deeply appreciative that the hive was going to be used by agreeable bees!

"MouseEye? You speak bee?"

"Mmmm... no..."

"The bees speak mouse?"

"Mmmm... no..."

"Then how...?"

"We just.. ummm... understood each other. It's hard to explain. But it all worked out." And then he changed the subject. "So... where are we off to now?"

With no hive to lug around, the number of places we could go to just opened up. I'd feared my purchase was going to force a return to the cottage. But now? It was time to visit someplace new - Moonbreaker Mountain.

I quietly hoped the "moon" part of the Mountain didn't refer to another outhouse-type set up.

While I could have asked MouseEye to check ahead and see if everything was safe, I decided instead to have us travel together and experience what might come jointly.

I must admit that part of my thinking was centred on how useful MouseEye had been with the bees. With his typical non-answer, I still didn't know or even suspect an answer as to how they not only conversed, but negotiated! It was something special, something mysterious, and something I desperately wanted to know how to do!

We travelled in silence, comfortably. I was lost in my thoughts (per usual) - wondering not only about the bees but also that sense of belonging at the cottage. It was also a comfortable feeling. A warm, safe feeling. Acceptance. I think that was it in a nutshell. It felt good.

Also as usual, I didn't spot the unusual, colourful thing rising above the trees. But then again, I'd been trying to focus my attention on where I was walking. Looking up - that had been less important.

I'd never seen anything like it. It was a balloon - huge stripes of colourful fabric, stitched together, bobbing and swaying, but not rising. While it was MouseEye who called attention to it, it was me that suggested we go check it out.

We climbed a knoll and came face-to-face with the whole scene: the balloon trying to rise, lines lashed to three trees keeping it held in place, a wicker basket lashed under the balloon... and a strange man wearing a leather hat snuggly over his head (complete with goggles!) muttering/saying/yelling to himself, over and over again (in different volumes), "Yes, but that won't work".

As he made to go to another of the trees around which rope was tied, he looked over and spotted me. Quite unexpectedly, and to my utter surprise, he began to hoop and galavant around, shouting things like "Yes!" and "Saved!" and other such. His enthusiasm, far from reassuring me, had me wondering just what was going on.

He began to gesticulate to me, wanting me to approach. As I did so (albeit cautiously), he began speaking to me. "Please do pardon me! I'm afraid I haven't been properly social! Madcap, they call me. Mapcap Matt, but Madcap will do! I'm so glad you've come! I'm in need of some help and I bet you're in want of some adventure."

Given that I could think of better things to do than gather reagents simply to store them (rather than getting them while I was actually planning a potion), I was already half-convinced to say yes to whatever it was he was going to suggest.

"I see it in your face that you have questions! The help I require is to have the ropes untied from the trees while I'm ready to float away in the basket. I'd had help here, but they left! Apparently, the patience needed to fill the balloon with hot air wasn't present. So they left and left me with no way to safely set this glorious balloon free and make sure I went with it. And the adventure is for you to join me! And I'll do one better - I'll take you to wherever you'd like to go. What do you think?"

I was happy to help release the balloon and I was so tempted to float up into the air. I thought about lying on the Meltwater Loch beach, watching the clouds go by. So I asked to float up to the clouds.

"Young miss, your wish is Madcap's command. And I'll do you one better - I'll take you on a tour of The Cloud Isles!"

The Cloud Isles? I'd seen a mention or two in the old witch's notes but hadn't really paid much attention to those entries - flying was a requirement and since I hadn't been graced with that ability (or even a pair of useless but lovely wings). Madcap got himself an eager helper.

That was until it was time to actually help. He tied a rope around me - over the shoulders and through my legs. Not comfortable! But very temporary. 

I undid the three lines from the trees and then ran towards the now rising balloon. Madcap hauled me up easily. After disentangling from my makeshift harness, we watched the ground recede from us as we rose further and further into the sky.

What a joy birds experience. It was beyond description. I swear I'll never forget the sensations, the sights. And, to Madcap's credit, he held off on being a tour guide until after the initial amazement had worn off. Slightly!

"It's beautiful up here, isn't it? And so peaceful. I can steer the airship, in a way, but the most important part is reading the wind currents. And of course knowing the lay of things.

"Speaking of, I don't believe we've properly met yet. As I said, you can call me Madcap. they call me that because that's how people feel about my love of flying. So what may I call you?"

"Mistress Sweetwater."

He closed his eyes for a minute, as if he were searching inside his head for something. "I don't recall hearing that name. Whereabouts do you live?"

"Outside High Rannoc. I'm the new witch."

"Aha! Are you now? How exciting! I live in the other direction but I come to Moonbreaker because it's the best place to launch from. I'll travel back and forth while the weather's good - and Spring is known for her fresh winds and, quite frankly, perfect flying conditions."

We continued to chat and look and be awestruck. "I never get tired of the view", he said, somewhat distantly. I think he was just lost in the view.

After a while, he pointed out bits of land floating in the air. It was so odd seeing what appeared to be islands but coming up at them. "Here we are! The Cloud Isles!"

As impressive as the land below, receding, had been, it didn't hold a candle to land seemingly floating on clouds. I had no words. In fact, I still don't.

Small islands, big islands, rocky islands, forested islands, flat islands, hilly islands, an island with "Help" written out in rocks, islands with... wait... help?

"Madcap? Do you see that?"

He looked where I was pointing. And then he looked at me. "Ah. That. You can't be too careful up here. That could be a trick. Pirates will do sneaky things like that to rope in the unwary. Thankfully, I'm wary! So let's head off that-a-way." He pointed directly opposite to where the rocky appeal for aid was.

"But what if that's someone genuinely in need?"

"Then someone will come along to help."

I paused, then, "What if that someone is me?"

He paused. Then, "Well..."

I pressed. "You did say my wish is your command."

I was afraid I'd pushed too hard. But he just smiled in acquiescence. "You are entirely right. Your wish is indeed my command. I'll get us over there. But let's approach cautiously."

I looked quickly for MouseEye to see if he could make sure things were safe. But he was nowhere to be found.

As we got closer to the island, Madcap yelled out, "Ahoy, the island! Ahoy, the cry for help!"

A minute later, a figure staggered out from the woods bordering the rocky plea.

"Well, I'll be a nightingale's wart. That's old Sebastian Kittington. How in the blazes did he end up here?" To me, he said, "Hang on, we're going in for a landing."

A minute later, we set down gently on top of the Help sign. And seconds after that, Sebastian ran up to the basket. "Saints preserve you, Madcap! Thank goodness you're here! I wasn't sure how much longer I could've held out!"

Madcap made no move to get out of the basket nor to invite the stranded man in. "Sebastian, you old charlatan, what're you doing up here? Aside from hiding, of course."

I could see the story quickly being rehearsed, and then we got to hear the performance. "Well, as to how I got here... I did a bit of business with a travelling merchant. Next thing I know, I found myself here!"

Madcap just crossed his arms in disbelief. "A bit of business? What'd you try to steal?"

Sebastian's eyes widened. "Nothing! I swear!"

Madcap said nothing. He just stared. I felt the need to speak up, having brought this about. "I'm sorry but can someone tell me what's going on?"

Madcap spoke first. "This man is a con, a thief, a gambler, a drunk, and overall a ne'er-do-well. He owes a lot of people a lot of money. And he's been missing for weeks."

I just stood there, thinking. Then, "Well - does he owe you money?"

Madcap nodded. "Five silver."

Sebastian started "Look, Madcap - I told you that I'd cover the bill that day but I didn't currently have my money with me. I'm good for it! Just get me down to some proper ground and I swear I'll pay you what you're owed."

I stared at the two of them. "There's hard feelings over five silver? Really?"

Sebastian grabbed hold of that. "You hear her, Madcap? She's talking sense! Five silver! A pittance, really! C'mon - let me off this rock and I'll pay you what's due."

Madcap held up his hand. "So how did you end up here, again? Who was that merchant?"

Sebastian sighed loudly. "Ok! So how was I supposed to know he was a wizard? With the ability to relocate someone to a place such as this?"

Madcap started to laugh. "Now that's closer to the truth. Fine. Climb aboard."

Sebastian made as if to run, but then Madcap help up his hand. "But first, you will show my passenger, the new witch of High Rannoc, a brief tour of what must now be a fully explored island. And since I also know you know a bit about things of value, including such things as grow in the ground, you'll help her gather a few things." And then he turned to me. "Assuming that's to your liking, Mistress Sweetwater."

I was thrilled! Walking around on a floating island, being directed here and there - courteously but quickly - by my guide, was awesome.

We gathered Moon Lotus flower pods. They'd closed up as protection against the sun's rays but the pollen inside was valuable.

Inside Sebastian's camp, I grabbed some Nimbus Fish scales - they, along with the leftover bones, were all that was left of one of the few things Sebastian had available to eat. I think I heard him say that he'll never eat another fish ever again. Willingly, anyway.

But the real find was realizing that Sebastian had used Star Shards within his Help sign. Not only were they powerful reagents, but by placing one on my mantlepiece, it'd be another subtle sign to anyone coming to the cottage that I was a witch.

Once everything had been gathered and Sebastian had the few things of value he'd collected with him, we went to the balloon. And before Sebastian boarded, he reached into his pocket and pulled out five silver. "I managed to find a coin here and there up here. Here's what I owe you. I'm grateful to be leaving this place."

Madcap held the money for a moment, then turned to me. "I'd've left him had I been here solo. And I nearly did despite you being here. This, I believe, should rightfully be yours." Shocked, I tried to decline, but he insisted. "Thank you, Madcap." was all I could think to say.

We clambered in, then Sebastian laughed, slapped his hands together, then said, "I'm so glad we're all happy! Now, can we make our way away from here?"

As we floated down back towards Moonbreaker Mountain, things were awkwardly silent. I think Sebastian, in particular, was formulating next steps. And not necessarily ones that would lead to better judgement or behaviours.

"You're a witch, eh? On the lookout for an apprentice?" It felt like he was hunting for a safe haven - who would seek to collect a debt against a witch or her retinue?

"Not at this time. Thank you, however, for your interest in working for me."

"Ah. Figured as much. But I had to ask."

Madcap softly glowered. Sebastian noticed. "Hey! No! I'm not looking to welch! I'm good for all of it!"

I had to ask. "How much do you owe?" I figured if his debt to Madcap was only five silver, how much could the total debt be?

Sebastian started to hum and haw, followed by Madcap chiming in. "It has to be a few thousand. And most of that is to far more powerful people than I'd ever want to mess with."

That was... wow. Several thousand? It was possible to get into debt that deep? Wow.

Sebastian just shrugged. "I had a bit of bad luck and a couple of business deals that didn't pan out."

"What will you do?" I just had to know.

He shrugged again. "I'm thinking I could try to make good by giving my original plan another go..."

Madcap jumped in. "Or, instead of trying to rob well-guarded houses, you could become a farmer. Show people you're willing to make coin with good, honest work. You'll eventually be forgiven."

Sebastian looked like it had just been suggested that he collect night soil. "A farmer? No. Gods, no. Maybe I'll acquire some stock and open a shop."

That sounded promising to me. "You know your reagents. Maybe you can gather them!" We all discussed it, with various levels of enthusiasm, until Madcap got us safely on the ground.

I prepared to head back home but Madcap stopped me first. "Many thanks, Mistress. I'll happily fly with you again, any day, any time. Head off now - I'll make sure to direct Sebastian towards his home and away from you. He's not a violent man, but my heart will feel better with distance between your good self and that fraud."

I thanked him back and headed off. A few minutes later I felt MouseEye on my shoulder. "I'm looking backward. No sign of anyone following us."

That's... How did he know to watch for anyone? Hasn't he been nowhere to be found for the entire balloon trip? I asked. "Sorry. I'm kinda shy. It's fine being with you. But I don't like people looking at me. Besides, it helps me watch better."

"So you were with me the entire time?"

"Yeah... pretty much..."

So not all the time, eh? "Where else did you go?"

He shrugged. "Oh... nowhere in particular..."

I sighed. A straight answer was too much to work for and too hard to drag out of him. It'd been a great day and I didn't want to spoil it. I let that secret remain so.

On our way home, I thought about the balloon and the amazing flight. What adventures Madcap must experience! I certainly hope to have another one sometime soon.

I began to hum a tuneless tune, a little bit of random melody that seemed to fit the surroundings - light, airy, happy. I even skipped in time.

The trail went down into a narrow valley - I could reach out and touch both sides. The walls of what quickly became a small canyon rose above me. Up ahead was a block of rock in the middle of the path. And as I approached, a human-headed, lion-bodied creature jumped onto the rock and watched me approach.

All I could think was "What now?"

A few paces shy of the makeshift pedestal, the creature spoke. "Hold, traveler! I am a sphinx! According to ancient law, you must answer a riddle. Successfully answer and you may pass. Fail and pay the penalty!"

I wasn't amused. "Look, I'm tired. I'm just looking to go home and settle in."

"No matter! You have approached and so now you must answer. And failure to answer at all is to answer incorrectly and subjects you to the penalty."

I sighed. "Fine. What's the penalty?"

That brought it up short. "The penalty?"

"Yes. The penalty. What will happen if I just simply keep walking past?"

"Oh. Uh..." The now uncertain-looking sphinx looked over its shoulder. From behind some trees, a loud whisper. "You eat her."

The sphinx responded. "I told you. I'm vegetarian! I can't eat her!"

A pause, then I jumped in. "How about if I don't answer correctly, I have to teach you a riddle?"

While there were loud objections coming from the trees behind the sphinx, it proclaimed, "I like that! I could learn a new riddle. Accepted!"

Well, that was a penalty I could live with. "Ok. What's your riddle?"

The sphinx sat even more erect. "You drive a cabbage cart. Now note! You drive the cart along the first row of a field and collect 32 cabbages. On the second row, you collect another 17 cabbages. And on the third and last row, you collect another 26 cabbages.

"Your riddle is - What's the name of the cabbage cart driver?"

I was about to say how many cabbages had been collected when I realized what the question really was. And potentially what it really really was. "May I ask questions about this riddle?"

The sphinx hesitated, then magnanimously allowed me to ask.

"If the name I say is how the driver is known, but isn't the true name, will the answer be accepted?"

He shook his head. "No. It must be the true name."

Ah. But anyone knowing my true name could have power over me. So... how to answer? I gave it some thought. I looked at MouseEye, or where he'd been. He no longer was. I was on my own on this one. Ok. How about... "The cabbage cart's driver's name is the true name of the witch known as Mistress Sweetwater."

The sphinx just sat there, blinking. Then - "It rings of truth. Very well, the witch known as Mistress Sweetwater, you have passed the test. Travel safely." And he stepped down and headed towards where the other voices had been coming from. As I passed, two much larger sphinxes were huddled around the one who'd posed my riddle. One looked at me. "He's learning the ropes and needed some moral and emotional support. It'll be better next time."

Oh goodie. I just smiled, headed for home, and hoped this was the last of the day's adventures. I was so ready to kick off my shoes, enjoy a tea, and relax.

A few minutes later, MouseEye reappeared. I snapped. "Thanks for helping me out there! I could've been sphinx food!"

"No, you had it handled from the beginning. But great move to suggest a penalty of your own choosing."

I don't know if I believed him at all but it did feel good to... not outwit the sphinx, but to turn the situation into something that favoured me better.

Not much later, I finally arrived home. As I stepped onto the grounds, I felt...

Not peace. Not serenity. Something was wrong. Of course.

As I approached the cottage, I saw, sitting on the ground, a very unhappy young teen boy. The look he shot me was so similar to the one Sebastian had given. For some reason, this boy needed rescuing. 

He called out. "Don't come any closer! The bees have gone mad! They'll attack!"

"Are you being stung now?"

"No! They seem to leave me alone so long as I don't move from where I am right now!"

The bees, eh? Let me guess... "Did you chase a flying hive?"

He looked absolutely gobsmacked. "How did you know? How could you have known?"

And then I saw my Wild Rose. Trampled. "You chased it, weren't looking where you were going, trampled my flower bed, and then tried to run off without fixing the damage."

I swear his jaw dropped so low that he could've easily scooped dirt with his lower lip.

"The real question here is 'Are you remorseful?'" 

He just nodded.

"Then what you'll do is walk over to that poor rose and fix it as best you can."

That's when his eyes went wide with terror. "I don't know anything about fixing dead flowers, miss! I'm sorry miss! I just want to go home."

"Well then, you'll learn. Come on." And with that I walked past where he was sitting (to show I wouldn't be stung) and headed for my poor wild rose. It looked bad. I wasn't sure if it could be salvaged but I was determined to make that young man try.

A few seconds later, and watching every direction all at once, he joined me.

"Still not stung, right? Bees die if they sting you. And they certainly don't want to die on account of a clumsy and thoughtless boy. So here - kneel down."

I looked over at him - afraid, panicked, overwhelmed. "Close your eyes. Breathe, You're safe here. You didn't mean ill will. Just breathe."

To his credit, he did. As he calmed down and before we moved on to saving unsaveable plants, I thought it best to the niceties out of the way. "What's your name?"

"Mick."

"And where do you live, Mick?"

Turns out he, along with the rest of his quite large family, work as tanners. While adults would describe it as a far off, kids cover ground the way an airship flies - quickly!

"Ok, Mick. I want you to re-dig a hole, put in the roots, and while you do that, apologize for your carelessness."

"I'm so sorry, miss, for..."

I stopped him. "Did you trample me?"

"No, miss."

"Apologize to what you did trample."

He clearly thought I was crazy, but it was what I felt was needed to make it all work out. And with the help of some ominous buzzing buzzing behind him, he did as I asked. "I'm so sorry, little plant. I hope you'll be healthy again."

I heard the sincerity. The Wild Rose did as well, I think, because we watched it heal itself. It did lose some stem and leaves, but overall it would live and do so happily.

I felt a change in his demeanour - the wondering if he'd just been callously humiliated. So I grabbed his wrist before he got up. "I'm Mistress Sweetwater, the new witch. This is my cottage and these are my grounds. You made a mistake, you've made amends, and everything has worked out because you worked to fix your mistake.

"Now it's time for you to go. I have work to do."

I gave him a few minutes before walking to the hive. "Thank you for being a part of this place. Makers of honey. Pollinators of flowers. Guardians of the grounds. Thank you."

I swear I heard, within the buzzing, something that sounded like an acknowledgement and gratitude. 

And with that, it was time for this witch to store some reagents, brew some tea, and listen to the music of the night.

Spring, Week 2 - I Become Mistress Sweetwater. And Cure Madame Hightower.

Here's the video on how I wrote Spring, Week 2, Cure:

 I found myself wondering, once again, if I'd made a foolish choice in staying in the witch's cottage. It had been more than a week already and I could feel my uncertainty filling the future. Did I really want those feelings of being someone apart from the rest of humanity? Yes, the cottage and grounds are peaceful, but at some point we all want companionship.

Unwilling mouse-y familiars don't count.

Nor do grumpy disbelievers in my ability to help them through their various ills and ailments. 

Nor do... *sigh*... I guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself.

Who am I kidding - stepping into the role of local witch without having a clear idea of what I'm doing. Let's face it - I'm making it up as I go along. *Ugh!*

Maybe I need a hobby. Like taking care of things here isn't enough.

Maybe I...

"Hi. You busy?"

MouseEye. He tries, I think. Maybe my expectations, my hopes, and my dreams are just getting in the way. Maybe if I...

He jumped onto my shoulder then tapped on the side of my head. "Hello! Is anyone home?"

Somewhere in there I should have counted to ten before answering but I didn't give myself that space. So a bit more sharply than I should've, I answered. "Yes? What is it? What's so important?"

He twitched his whiskers. He was irritated too. And I was probably the cause. *ugh* But kudos to him - he swallowed a sarcastic comeback and got to the important thing he wanted to bring up. "Something we've never discussed is what I should call you."

And he was right. I'd never thought of telling him my name. "Oh! Well, it's..."

He quickly interrupted. "Not your real name. Real names have power. If someone knows your real name, they can have power over you. "Witch" is your job, your title, but won't suffice as a name. Is there a name that speaks to you, that you can call yourself, and that others can use?"

I'd never given it much thought. Any thought, really. A name not my own that I'd make mine. It was a new and novel concept, one that was just so foreign. I wonder how someone goes about doing something like that. Would I need another trip to the Glimmerwood Grove to ask for one? Would I have received one at the school, if I hadn't left, that is. Maybe...

"You have five minutes. So just ask yourself and find yourself a name."

"I what? Why...? Five minutes before what?"

"Four minutes."

"I...!"

Mental turmoil galore! But within all that, all the confusion and the unknown and a demanding mouse and an uncertain future and a past rapidly receding and choices becoming more and more permanent... I heard myself use a name. Mistress Sweetwater.

"Three minutes."

"Mistress Sweetwater!", I shouted.

He paused, then murmured, "Mistress Sweetwater. Madame Sweetwater. Mother Sweetwater. Granny Sweetwater. Yup - all sounds good. It works, Mistress Sweetwater."

And that was that. I had a new name. And never would I use the old one again.

So... if I had a new name, did that mean... "MouseEye? What's your real name?"

And he just looked at me. "I'm here to help you, to the degree that I want and can do. Telling you my real name isn't part of the deal.

"Oh - and the rush is because someone is coming down the path."

And with that, there was a voice calling from outside the cottage. "Hello? Miss New Witch? I require help!" and then she knocked on the door.

I flashed a look at MouseEye. "You could've told me she was coming!", I hissed.

"I did. With five minutes to spare."

As I reached for the door handle, MouseEye said, "Smile!"

Grrrr... but I did smile as I opened the door. Or at least I tried. Not that she noticed - she barged through the door and past me.

"Where's your mistress, girl? Don't just stand there - I'm in a hurry and my time is invaluable."

My smile became more strained. "I'm Mistress Sweetwater, the new witch. How can I help you?"

She turned and looked at me. "No, girl, you misunderstand. My maid, Francie, said that you are the domestic here. I'm looking for the new witch what cured the miller's boy of his warty lips."

Ah. Well that helps explain things. "I cured him."

She just stared at me. Then, "Well? Are you going to help me or must I go elsewhere for help?"

That smile was now very forced. "I'd love to help you, Madame...?"

Her eyes narrowed to slits. "Hightower. Madame Hightower. As everyone in this part of the world knows. Or should know. Now - you will help me."

This was too much. "Certainly, Madame." I probably added too much obvious snark into that "Madame". "If only you'd tell me what your affliction is."

"Hmph! Should have known a little slip of a girl wouldn't know her stuff. If you were worth anything, you'd know just from my visage."

Her visage? Her face. Something amiss on this horrible person's face. A cursory look didn't reveal anything. "What...?"

"Oh for heavens sake! This! Right here! As clear as the nose on your face!"

She was pointing at her nose. I took a closer look and saw a tiny wart.

"Have you tried kissing frogs?", I asked.

Her eyes blazed. "The effrontery of such a question! No, I haven't been kissing frogs. Nor rubbing them on my nose. It just appeared, marring my flawless complexion, and I'm to host a small gathering of close acquaintances in a few days. What am I do do?"

Her angry facade gave way to anguish. Angruish, to coin a term. Frankly, I didn't see what the big deal was.

"And of course I will pay handsomely for a cure."

Well - there was my motivation. Not a great one, but the coin would help smooth my trampled feelings. "Ok. I'll get to work on a cure. You can go home and I'll..."

"Absolutely not!" The imperious bitch re-emerged. "I'll stay here, thank you very much, and ensure that you effect a cure post haste."

Um... ah...

"I will sleep on this bed and stay here until I am cured and can face society again."

Will you now? Fine. Then I think I'll take my time in making this potion. But first I need a diagnosis. And for that, I need to know...

"Is it only the rhino-wart? Or are there others?"

"A rhino-sized wart!?! How dare you! I...!!!"

"The 'rhino-' refers to the nose. I was asking if you have any other warts besides the one on your nose."

That seemed to mollify her a bit.

"Ah. I see. A medical term. Frankly, you surprised me. But - no. No other warts."

 I turned to the book. MouseEye was there, out of sight from Madame Hightower. Quickly we identified her affliction: Toad Nose.

As we worked through the needed reagents, I found myself asking myself if there was something going on in the vicinity. First frog warts and now toad warts? Strange.

I turned back to my impatient patient. "I need to gather reagents. Please stay here - where I need to go is very dangerous. But I will return with the ingredients needed to cure you."

"You are certain you can eliminate my disfiguration?"

"Yes. And in time for your party. But please be patient in the meantime." And with that, I gathered my things and headed out. 

Our first stop: Meltwater Loch.

As we made our way to the Loch and gathering, not just what we needed for treating my newest patient (who was helping me realize the connection between "patient" and "patience" - the one I needed more of and the other... I also needed more of. The first will come in time, if I continue to do a good job, but the other was all up to me. And regardless of anything else, that is surely not a subject covered in that school.

Nope! this is something that requires experiences and none were to be had behind a desk, playing at potion making, whereas here I am, tromping around on a warm Spring day, on my way to gather this and that at the Loch. Oh if only my family could see me now, going from no prospects in the far off woods to being someone counted upon, someone respected, someone...

"Hey! What's that?"

What's what? I looked around to see where we were. We'd just come out onto a beach. "Where are you looking, MouseEye?"

"Right in front of you. In the sand."

Sometime, and hopefully some time soon, I'll learn to pay attention to where I am, to where I'm going, and to the very large tracks that look like a massive dog walked into the water. My first thought was gratitude for not meeting whatever it was that made those tracks. My next thought of gratitude is that they went down the beach and into the water. Had they been pointed the other way, I would have been scared of it wanting to go back into the Loch but stopping for a small witch lunch first.

I ventured, "A dog?"

MouseEye looked at me. "That big?"

"A large dogfish?"

We both stared at the tracks for a minute. Then I said, "What do you think the chances are that it's alone. You know - no mate, no little large dogfish?"

We both listened intently. A gentle lapping of surf, insects buzzing, birds chirping, the safe sounds of a beach were all we heard. Certainly no crashing through foliage, no loud breath bubbles in the water, no signs anything would give us grief. That was a relief.

Despite the feeling that we were safe, I still had MouseEye keep lookout. After all, he says he's good at watching. So - watch out for danger! He took up position on a cliff edge while I started gathering reagents.

First up - Smooth Croak. It was an amazing ingredient last time so I went with it again. Besides, finding the frogs, so iridescently colourful, was most of the joy in gathering it. Collecting the mucous that coats those beautiful skins was less so.

And that was all I needed from here. But since I was determined to take my own sweet time with the cure, I also gathered some extra things. Like wigfish. How can you not grab the seaweed wigs the fish put on their heads when they just parade back and forth in the water, desperate for attention? Although it's possible they were hoping I'd be some sort of beauty judge.

The reason I'm only half-kidding about the beauty show judge thing is that they, each of them, emerged from behind a grove of deep reed. After I'd taken a wig, the fish disappeared, leaving me free to harvest a branch or two of the reeds.

As I prepared to gather up some gas weed (which had floated up to the surface from the depths) and also slime shell (because apparently I hadn't gotten my hands on enough slimy stuff after gathering the smooth croak), I called up to MouseEye to check out Gimmerwood Grove before we headed that way together. After getting through the seemingly required "Must I?", I set to collecting the last reagents.

While I waited for the all clear, I decided to dry off and warm up by lying on the beach and soaking up the sun.

I found myself, besides keeping an ear out for giant dogfish, staring up at the clouds. They were all puffy and white. What would it be like to fly up there? Wouldn't it be the same feeling of cold and wet like what happens when it's foggy? Would they be more solid? Could you turn clouds into thread and then into fabric? Imagine a set of clothes made from cloud cloth! Would they be light as air? Could I maybe one day fly to them? Or maybe I could just climb Moonbreaker Mountain and do it that way. I could maybe...

"Good morning, sleepy head." And then a pressure landed on my chest. Opening my eyes, there was an impudent mouse staring at me.

I tried to speak but between the sun, the sand, and my mouth being wide open while I napped, all I had was cotton in my mouth. And not cottony-soft cloud - nope - this was full-on cotton sand, the ultimate drying agent.

After taking some refreshing gulps of Loch water, I was finally able to ask about Glimmerwood Grove. "It's all good. And there's a group that wants to play a friendly game with you."

I should have asked who the group was and what game they wanted to play, but I figured I'd find out in a little bit anyway.

Reminder to self - ask the questions beforehand.

When we got to the Grove, there was indeed a group who challenged me to a game. Caber toss. Thankfully, the group was a group of pixies. If it'd been trolls, or really anything much bigger than me, I'd have lost of a certainty.

As we set up for the game - getting the "log" (much more like a large stick) ready for tossing - the pixies started taunting me. It was good-natured, but they insisted that there be a small wager on the outcome. They said that the old witch would routinely lose and that she'd pay off her debt with a fresh reagent. They also let me know that if I refused to give a reagent, they'd lay a curse on me! There was at least one pixie who really wanted to practice their curse-craft.

Inspired by their attitude, especially the expectation I'd throw the game, I threw the caber farther than I ever would've dreamed I could. Pixie jaws dropped.

"I suppose you won fair and square. Although I wonder why - the old witch supported us with fresh reagents and needed an excuse so she'd lose at the caber toss. Ah well..." And they turned to go.

"Ahem. Aren't you forgetting something?" I wondered if I crossed my arms, tapped my feet, or pursed my lips, if I'd look more imposing.

One of the pixies reluctantly reached into a pouch. "Fair's fair. I suppose." And with that, he handed me ten silver. And then they left in a huff.

After they'd gone, I looked for MouseEye. "Pixies? Caber toss? Are you kidding me?" I must admit I got pretty shrill.

"Granted, ok. But ten silver is nothing to sneeze at. And did you know the old witch was a pixie caber toss team supporter? That's something. So all in all, it all worked out. Thanks to me. And your bulging biceps, of course."

We both knew that I don't really have biceps, let alone ones that bulge. My dad? Arms bigger than my whole body. Me? Thin as reeds.

"Come on. Let's get to work. These things won't gather themselves."

After walking a bit, we started hearing singing. Unearthly singing. God-awful unearthly singing. Drunk fairies. If you've never heard drunk fairies before, they're just like regular fairies but using dirty lyrics, out-of-tune melodies, and harmonies that can knock birds unconcsious.

I think I heard this one:

There once was a man from Glasnee

Who's prick was the size of a flea

   You'd think never under heaven

   That it could plant a bun in the oven

Yet it just made wee bairn number twenty-three 

Yup, drunk fairies.

The thing about drunk fairies is you can pretend to be just about anything and they'll believe it. For instance, this is how our little conversation went:

"Hey! Who're you?"

"I'm a Fairy Good Witch here to harvest some songberries because they're so ripe and sweet."

"Oh, aye. I recognize you! Sure, go ahead."

While I picked a few, I couldn't help but notice some rats in cages off to the side. I had to ask. "What are you doing with the rats?"

"Training them! Fastest rats you'll ever see!"

"May I have some of their spit?" Rat spit is fantastic for teeth.

"Um... sure... but it won't make you any faster."

"I'm sure that's ok."

A small vial of rat spit later and I was ready to head home and on to kicking someone out of the cottage.

Home. Did I just call the cottage "home"? I guess I did. So I guess it's time to start treating it not as a guest would but as an owner would. And hopefully the old witch, when she returns, will appreciate my efforts.

It was with that in mind that I headed back. Yes, I'd shown her that I wouldn't be rushed but I was tired, hungry, and so ready for a bath and bed. But first, a potion.

As I approached the cottage, Francie yelled out to me from the wood chopping block. "Hello, Mistress! O, my lady will be so happy to see you back! How was your adventures of getting your things? Why didn't you tell me that you're really a witch? Why would someone who's so clearly skilled need lessons in healing the misfortunes of others? Oh! I should alert my lady you're back!"

Was I gone for so long that Madame Hightower needed her maid? Ok - yeah. Probably. So that's two people who can vacate as soon as I've got the potion prepared.

I entered the cottage - my cottage, I amended - and was met with the expected imperious demands. "Where have you been? Did you want me to die of exposure and starvation? I had to bring Francie here to keep me safe and sound. And what have you done? Nothing! Except, perhaps, gather things."

Something in there brought me up short. "I asked you to wait at home. You refused. But you went back home to bring your servant here?"

"Well, of course! I couldn't leave you to your own devices without my supervision and yet I needed someone to take care of all the little duties while you were away."

I decided not to press it. Instead, I asked Francie to get the fire stoked.

"You will not give directions to my servant, young lady! If you have need of something, I expect you to do it. It's what I'm paying for, after all."

Sealing my lips so tight that they must have turned a blinding white. I got the fire up to boil the smooth croak mucous. As it boiled, I crushed the songberries and let them sit in the mortar - I figured letting the air into the juice would enhance its sweetness.

It felt like it took forever, what with scowls from one and poorly-contained excitement from the other, but eventually I'd poured the two together and thus finalized the potion.

Madame Hightower held her nose as she started to drink, but then eagerly downed the rest. The songberries really were quite sweet.

After she'd downed the last of it, she sat down heavily onto my bed. She looked dazed.

Yeah - I was worried something had gone wrong and was getting ready to do... I really don't know what I would've done. But she looked at me and for the first time since arriving, was actually nice.

"You make a wonderfully tasting healing concoction, Mistress Sweetwater. My thanks to you. I believe this is your going rate, plus let me add a bit extra for the delightful taste." Twenty-four silver! Isn't that lovely. But isn't it really lovely just how she changed. Those songberries and its mood-enhancing properties - golden.

Francie then rushed to her mistress' side. "My lady! Your wart is gone!"

The lady looked at her maid. "I have no doubt this lovely new witch achieved a cure."

As she and Francie made their way out the door, Madame Hightower looked back at me. "At the party I'll be hosting, I expect Mrs. Ruffage, the head mistress of the herbology school, will be there. I believe she's the old witch's cousin. I'll be sure to put in a good word. I'm sure she'll be pleased to hear that you are filling in so ably. Good day to you."

And that was that. No invitation, though. Although, to be honest, I would have declined. Still, it would've been nice to have been asked.

After the ladies had left, I finally turned to MouseEye. "Well, we're home. Our home." MouseEye just curled up near the fire. "Mmmhmmm. That's nice." Then mouse-y snores quickly followed.

You know what? Food and bath can wait. I laid down on the bed without bothering to undress first. That's something you can do in your own home.

Also the First Week of Spring - Meeting MouseEye

Here's the video on how I wrote Spring, Week 1, Rest Episode:

*****

 After curing Albert and having a bit of a rest, most especially getting over falling into that horrid cell - you'd think someone would have done a better job of shoring up the roof so's to not let prisoners have a way out - granted a hole in the roof - but still!

Anyway, with the witch gone but people still needing her services, I decided to settle in and do what I can. And yes, the allure of making some coin is fabulous but really my goal now is to do a good job so that when - not if - the old witch returns, she'll be appreciative of my efforts and will train me up. Meanwhile I have her book and whatever notes, bits, and doodads I can find.

Which is all fine and good but I do need wood for the fire and food to eat and laundry to do and and and... I was busy for a few days, just getting things back to a maintained level.

As I worked, I thought about something the book mentioned - a Familiar. I'm not entirely sure what it is that a familiar is, other than some sort of helpful creature who could help me. And while I didn't want to get ahead of myself again, I also thought that the fact that I'd just cured my first patient and that I intended to continue should be enough justification to put it out there and so see if there was a familiar who would want to work with me. 

The book said I should go to a location where I felt most in line with the energy. The forest is where I'd dwelled all my life so to the forest of Glimmerwood Grove I went.

Having learned my lesson of being mindful of my surroundings, particularly where I'm walking, I tried to pay attention. But my mind wandered - I thought about the wish I'd make before calling for my familiar. And I wondered who'd answer the call. And I wondered how they'd be able to help me. And I wondered...

"Lost in thought, are ya?"

The voice, old and gravely, cut through my musings. "Sorry, what?"

Standing there, plain as day, stood an elderly man. "I've been seeing smoke rising from the old witch's cottage. But I know she's not there. You've moved in?"

While I could have been distressed about the question, I decided to just admit it. "Yes. For now, anyway. It seems someone needs to be the local witch until she returns."

He grunted. "Knew her stuff, she did. Had that place full of plants and animals and who knows what else. Could cure the most horrendous of things. By the look of you, I'd say you can barely maintain good health, let alone cure ill. Hopefully though, you won't be quite so touchy about all the dumb ways people find to injure themselves."

"Well, I did just cure someone who'd been frogified."

"Ah! That'd be the Flywheel boy. Damn fool in my opinion, kissing frogs and dreaming of living in castles and all that royal living instead of helping at the mill. So where you headed?"

 I didn't see any harm in revealing it, so I told him.

He grunted in reply. "Plenty of things growing in the Grove. Good luck in your hunt."

And here's where I may have made a mistake. "I'm certainly going to hunt for ingredients, but first I'm going to summon a familiar." I thought it'd sound impressive. It wasn't taken that way.

"A familiar, huh? What's that, some sort of something what does your work for you? Sounds to me like another version of kissing frogs, if you take my meaning."

I think I must've recoiled a bit before responding, but I didn't get the chance. "Well, good luck to you. Don't let me keep you." And with that, he walked off.

Kissing a...? 

I'm not trying to... 

I'm... 

Am I?

Is this a way to avoid work? To be less than I should be?

These thoughts and more swirled in my head as my legs carried me to a spot in a clearing in the Glen.

So... should I do this? Should I ask for help? Should I look more like a real witch by having a familiar?

Yes, I decided. Yes I should. I deserve one! A helpful one! A giant one! A... a good one!

I must admit that I was far less tranquil than I wanted to be and probably should have been, but I was bound and determined to see this through!

After not gently, kinda throwing, stones into a kind of circle and not placing, more tossing, flowers into the mix, I kind of not sat, more threw my butt onto the ground, and then began. I felt, I magicked, I sang harsher than was pleasant, felt aggrieved, thought...

I should've waited to calm down and get my centre back. But I didn't.

Eventually I did hear a voice. It was tiny, soft, barely there. But I heard it - something had responded! I asked it to show itself.

From behind a small boundary of weeds peeked out a mouse. Now I'm not one to get squeamish about mice, but when you're dreaming of magnificent creatures, let's just say "mouse" is towards the bottom of the list.

"Um... hi?" Not the best way to start things, admittedly.  I'd just summoned - I should've been celebrating. And in its big mousey eyes I could see the hurt. I tried again. "Hi! I'm glad you answered my call. What can I call you?"

It stood up on its hind legs before speaking. "There were a lot of creatures who followed you, all hoping to be your familiar, but they got scared away as you threw rocks and flowers around. I just stayed and watched. And now I'm here."

Ah. Really not a good start. But I can try to salvage this. "I'm really sorry. I was upset and I didn't honour the magic. Please forgive me. I do hope we can work together."

Those eyes, so big on such a small creature. His name just seemed to come from them. "Can I call you MouseEye?"

He shrugged. "Sure." With a twitch of whiskers, he looked around. "What are we up to?"

"Let's gather some things."

"Ok." And with that, we started looking for useful items. By which I mean I was looking for plants and MouseEye watched me.

"Why don't you go over there and pick some things?"

"Must I?", he asked.

I had no idea how to answer that, so I just went with "It'd be great if you did!"

"Ok", he said. After I'd harvested some Wild Rose and Coffee Cap he eventually came out from the undergrowth and said, "I found some Songberries."

"Great! Did you bring them?"

"No. But I can take you to them."

Less than helpful, but ok. Off we trudged.

As we went along, I said, "You know, you could've brought it to me."

"Oh! I couldn't do that! I'm good at watching and I have an amazing memory. But I don't carry things. Sorry."

Right.

Ok!

Well... I guess I can work with this.

I guess.

Aloud I said, "Let's go to town. I haven't been there, really, and I think knowing what's there will help me in the future." MouseEye just shrugged.

Going back to High Rannoc this second time was a very different experience over the first. When I'd been in the cart, it had seemed big and daunting. This time though - it seemed a bit smaller. The outer wall wasn't really a wall - it was more like rotting timbers surrounding several buildings - some houses, some shops, and one recently vacated (by me) school.

I decided to visit a shop. I had 20 silver in my pocket, courtesy of my new found potion making abilities, and I thought I'd look into a thing or two to spruce up the cottage. Or maybe I could splurge on an ingredient or two and get ahead of what was sure to become a steady stream of patients. And so I went to the shop with a sign out front showing items being put into a sack. It had to be the general store.

I walked in and a small bell rang, alerting the proprietor of a potential customer entering the shop. Turns out it's called Bits & Bobs - the Bits being what they sell - a bit of this and a bit of that - and the Bobs being the name of the people running the shop through several generations.

This Bob was very nice, very helpful, and had plenty of bits for someone to buy! However, most of them are priced beyond anything I'll ever be able to afford!

Turns out 20 silver isn't quite the fortune I'd thought it was. I must've spent a couple of hours looking at his stock and trying to convince myself that I'm not a pauper. Despite being unable to afford anything.

Bob was very understanding and I think a bit pitying as well. He wished me well and assured me he'd be happy to help me whenever I come back. Where MouseEye was all that time I didn't know.

With that visit a bust, I thought I'd go to the tavern and have a bit of something while considering what to do next. It's called the Copper Fox Tavern.

This place too was quite empty but for the proprietor. His name wasn't Copper or Fox, but instead Fusillade ("call me Fussy, 'cause I am where quality is concerned!"). He said the name was given to him because of his habit of doing things over and over again until he got the result he wanted.

Anyway, he introduced himself and we chatted briefly - me talking about settling into the witch's cottage and his listening, when this young bravo walked in, apparently, or so MouseEye told me afterward, the two exchanged knowing glances, and then the newcomer approached me. Which is to say he less walked than strutted over, leaned up against my table, and before I had an idea of what was going on, he began what could only be considered his sales pitch.

"Roger Rogerson at your service. Monsters slain, dungeons delved, incredible feats... feated!" Out of the corner of my eye I could see Fussy close his eyes and shake his head. Clearly Roger's rehearsing of his pitch had been aided by Fussy and yet it still didn't flow.

I smiled back politely. "Why would I need your services, sir?" I thought it best to be very polite.

A quick look of confusion flashed on his face and then left as he found the answer. "Word has it you've moved into the witch's cottage and with you being young, inexperienced, and new to the area, I figured you'll want a stout companion as you gather ingredients."

I must admit that sounded attractive. Thoughts of the hollowness of Hero's Hollow resounded in my memory. I asked his price.

"I'm only a junior...", he started, then stuttered to a stop with the frantic waving of Fussy's hands. "Ten silver and it's a big discount, just for you."

Ten silver? Half my amount earned on a potion? Oh how far 20 silver doesn't go.

I think, even though I tried not to react, that he caught my inward sense of sticker shock. He started again, "Well... I suppose I could..." More frantic waving of Fussy's hands let to "...umm... take a deposit for future services?"

I tried to continue smiling. "Thanks. I'll keep you in mind whenever I go off foraging."

And then I thanked them both and left. Seconds later I heard Fussy and Roger arguing. Embarrassed, I just walked, not really paying attention, until I found myself at the town's fountain.

It's little more than a well but instead of dipping a bucket into a hole in the ground, the water conveniently comes up and burbles out into a large basin.

I sat on the edge just looking around at the few buildings I could see. One of them was my former school. I wondered if maybe I'd been too hasty in leaving. I wondered what in the world I was doing. I wondered...

"Hello dear. You look lost."

I looked up and saw a girl, not much older than me, holding a huge jug.

"Oh...uh...sorry." I moved out of what I thought was her way.

She giggled "Oh! Don't move on my account! It's nice to take a break from chores." She sat down next to me. "I'm Francie."

I didn't know what to say, so I went with "Hi." 

I think she giggled again at my awkwardness. "Are you a student at the school?"

"I was."

She nodded. "I was too. Did they tell you about the boy who died?"

"Yeah. And that it's why it's all learning inside."

"Yeah. They told us the same. That boy they keep on about died years ago. And apparently he fell. Some say from a cliff, others say it was from a high tree branch. But it was a son of the family that runs the school so they stopped allowing anyone to leave. Unless you graduate. Or quit. So I quit."

"Really? Me too."

"So now I work as a domestic. What are you going to do?"

"I'm living in a witch's cottage."

She stopped and looked at me with eyes wide and mouth open. "You didn't!?! You did!?! Wow - you are way braver than me. How's it like living with a real witch?"

"I don't know. She hasn't been home."

"Oh ho! A domestic for a witch who's not around? Have you looked through her stuff? Have you found her secrets? Oh, so exciting!"

And I guess somewhere around there is when I decided that the quiet and peace of the cottage would be far more welcome than these townspeople. Which is when MouseEye popped onto my shoulder and whispered (but loudly enough to be heard by Francie), "Mistress beckons."

Francie nearly dropped her jug in excitement. "Is that a familiar? I've heard of them!"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry but I have to go."

"He's so cute! What's his name?"

I paused for a moment, then said, "I don't know if I should say, but I guess I can tell you. It's Mortimer. Mortimer d'Excellence."

I started to get up but then MouseEye once again loudly whispered, "If you're going to share my name with someone, you should share my full name."

I shot him a look and he returned an innocent one back. "Mortimer d'Excellence Magnificarious Wiggle Whiskers. The Third."

I got up quickly as Francie tried repeating what I'd just said. And almost ran out of the gates.

I did manage to slow down on the way back and started to think about storing my new reagents and being ready whenever someone would need a witch's care.

I did think to ask MouseEye where'd he gone off to during my trip to town. "I watched", he responded. "Ok", I said, "Tell me what you saw. All of it."

"Must I?"

The First Week of Spring - Albert Flywheel is Frogified

Here's the video on how I wrote Spring, Week 1:

*****

 The first thing the book said was that the curing of ailments isn't all that difficult. And it's true. And not.

The poor man, Albert Flywheel, the son of the miller, loved to read. In particular, he loved to read stories where people would do something accidentally magical and have incredible things happen. He hadn't counted on becoming Frogified by kissing frogs (in hopes of having one be a transformed, and forever grateful, princess).

I told Albert I'd prepare a remedy and that I'd let him know when it was ready.

He left and I read as much as I could about how to cure his affliction.

After considering the hows of his cure, I decided to first travel to Hero's Hollow. Maybe I was getting a bit ahead of myself, having spent a bit of time reading instructions from an absent witch but I felt I was a hero and helping someone who clearly needed it.

The day was pleasant, I was whistling in a fabulous mood, and full of confidence that I'd soon be an accomplished healer! And people said things like this were difficult.

That was the last thought I had before the ground rushed up past me and I landed in the dark. And at some point I came to.

Hero's Hollow, huh? Hollow, that's for sure. After a bit of feeling around and getting used to the bit of light shining down from above, I realized I was on the wrong side of some sort of jail cell. Iron bars are one of those quick clues that things aren't going according to plan.

A bit of panic hit me, I must admit. I grabbed the cell door and began to shake it, yelling, crying, begging. Luck was with me again - the key fell out of the lock and landed within reach. In short order, I was out.

Sniffing the air told me that one way along the long row of cells was old and musty - probably going deeper into the jail. The other way was fresher, more organic smells. Even rot can be good - something was alive recently.

Some feeling around, some more sniffing the air, and finally catching some light, got me out from underground and into a bog. And luck was with me again - in short order I'd found both some Crow Coal and some Skullcap (I think ravens must have dropped the Crow Coal and the Skullcap was growing right next to it). I now had my reagent to deal with the poison that lies latent in some frog skins. I now needed something for the warts. That took me to Meltwater Loch.

This time I walked far more cautiously - I didn't need another bit of trouble trying to escape from behind any sort of door or cell involving a lock. The walk was long but entirely uneventful. And easily found within the Loch was Smooth Croak.

It had taken me far longer than I'd originally thought it would take but I did eventually get back to the cabin with my reagents. Now it was time to prepare them.

I made quick work with the mortar and pestle on the Skullcap while waiting for the Smooth Croak to release its goodness within the steaming cauldron.

With everything in readiness, I fetched Albert. I carefully wiped the resulting watery cream over his lips which immediately began to heal. He smiled in relief. "I wasn't sure I'd see you again. I thought maybe you weren't a proper witch. But I can feel things getting better already. Thank you." And then he paid me.

I get paid? I...? I could be sitting in a classroom, getting bored, but here I am making money. Wow.

If Dad ever hears that I dropped out of school, hopefully I'll have a small fortune to show for it.

And now I think I'll have a bit of a rest before I think about next things.

I got paid!

A Note on the Blog Organization

 Hey there,

One of the challenges I'm having is the ordering of posts. 

On the one hand, it'd be nice to have the oldest posts be on the top and the newer posts below, in an order that mimics the usual order of chapters/episodes of a book.

On the other hand, since this is dripping out, it'd be nice to have new posts on the top so that they are easily accessible.

So what I've done is make two Table of Contents.

For the "Traditional" TOC, with the Prologue on the top, click here.

For the "Newest Bits First" TOC, with the latest episode on top, click here.

I'm also going to change the layout so that they are more easily found on the sidebar. 

I hope this helps navigate the blog more easily!

The Blog's Posts Are Going To Mirror YouTube Video Releases

 Hey everyone,

I've made a number of blogs over the years. When I've done video content in relation to those blogs, the videos have been in support of the blogs.

This Apothecaria play-through blog, however, is different. The video content I'm creating contains Hows, Whys, and Wherefores that aren't part of the blog entries (which are just the episodes themselves with no further context). The blog content now exists to support the videos. Therefore, I'm going to be publishing the blog as the related video is available for public viewing.

I apologize to anyone who's started reading the story and are used to weekly updates. The posts now will be published every other week. And since, at the writing of this post, only two videos are currently published, I'm going to take all the other posts to draft and then re-publish them as the related video comes online.

The one thing I can offer is that paying Patreon members get access to the videos roughly two weeks before they are viewable by everyone. 

Thank you for your understanding!

It All Began...

Here's the video explaining how I wrote this:

*****

 It's not always easy to be the first one in your family to do something. It's even more difficult if it's been awhile since anyone in the family has done a first. Then take into account a father who scrimped and saved to send his only child to school while the rest of the family called him a fool for thinking an education was worth anything.

Before I set off to the distant city to start my education, Father sat me down, looked me in the eye, and laid it on thick. "I'm a man of few words, so I'll keep this short. I've invested my life savings into you and this school. Make me proud. And I hope you'll come back flush with herbal knowledge that will help the entire community. There's nothing for you here worth having. But knowledge will allow you to be something. Now off with you - the cart taking you to the city is just about here."

And that was that. What savings that were left after tuition went to paying my way there.

I've never been to the city. Heck - I've never been much beyond the house. And now I'm watching the sky, the landscape, even the air, change. It's so weird to see so much change day after day. The rhythm of the cart's movement never changed, although the endless bumps and potholes did lessen as we got closer and closer to town.

*****

After I was dropped off at the school - the driver, whose name I never learned and who didn't speak at all, but was kind enough to take me to the front door - I was rushed straight to a room and into a seat behind a desk. I wasn't told much besides that I was late but also just in time. If that was supposed to be some sort of explanation of anything, I didn't get it.

An adult, presumably the teacher, took one look at me, grunted, and said to the entire class (did I mention there were about ten kids, all roughly my age?), "Welcome to Herbology and Apothecary Training. I'm your instructor. Call me Madam Wintergleam. Now, we shall learn about the wonders of the natural world and do so from the safety of this schoolroom. Now, we'll... yes?"

I'd just put my hand up. "Will we get to pick herbs and see places and...?"

"Oh my goodness, no. It's dangerous! A boy died recently, so all classes are now held safely within these walls. And now to begin..."

And that was that. I tried to pay attention but I just wasn't able to absorb what was being said. Sit in this room? How boring! At least I'd been able to walk next to the cart from time to time to stretch my legs. And the thought of sitting in a room at home was unthinkable. So my mind wandered. And I got caught.

"If you are bored, leave my classroom. Walk. Move. Do whatever. But do it elsewhere." Shamed, and with the sound of giggles and guffaws, I left. And vowed to not return.

Which is how I found myself in High Rannoc, standing on the avenue in front of my now former school, with all my belongings slung over my shoulder, wondering what to do. And my only thought was that outside the city walls there must be an herbalist, a midwife, a wise woman... someone who could teach me in exchange for labour.

I'd noticed a path heading off into the woods just before the cart had passed through the city gates. Perhaps that path would lead to my educational salvation. My naiveté told me it was worth a try. Far better, I told myself, than trying to catch a ride back to home and admitting failure.

It turns out my luck was both with me and against me. The path did eventually lead to what could only be a witch's cottage - it was a very basic dwelling, bare of decoration, but with a certain air of herbs, peace, and healing. I knocked on the door, although I already figured no one was home given that no smoke was rising from the chimney. 

The door was unlocked, so I let myself in. A few basic things were next to a work table, like a mortar and pestle, a cauldron (over the fire pit), and not much else. Except for a book. It was open to the first page and I must admit that I felt curious, so I started reading.

It opened by saying the witch who owns the cottage isn't here with no mention of returning. How odd!

Which is when there was a knock on the door, which opened right after. A young man walked in with warts all over his lips. Somehow, he managed to croak out "Help me!"