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!
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