The next few days in the city were filled with the aftermath of the fires. A few buildings burned down, and a couple of people died. Mainly kid thugs who tried really hard to save their homes, but just couldn't.
There were also guards that showed up in the docks in numbers, looking around, trying to find the culprit, or at least somebody to blame.
Bruno did his best to cut himself from that event completely, and focused on work, still going out every night to watch the stars by the harbor.
His efforts focused on the alchemy, combined with new ingredients and the new knowledge, finally paid off after two more weeks. A mix of juice squeezed out of the thick stalk of the 'Aferad' plant, the essence made from macerated leaves of the 'Raisin tree', combined with the 'Ink weed' proved to be successful in dealing with a hangover in the span of few moments.
They tested it several times, and depending on the person the effects varied a bit, but still were amazing. So good, that after a few days Nathan paid him another visit. Just as Bruno was working on a big batch of his product. He opened the door, took one step, and stopped.
- Congratulations. I heard your little experiment - he pointed out at the table filled with alchemical equipment - was a success. You really are good at this, aren't you?
Bruno froze for a moment, to identify who just came to his chamber, and resumed his work.
- How can I help you, Nathan?
The thug clicked with his tongue, as he licked his brown teeth. Then he made two steps and closed the door.
- I heard that you have been recently going out at night. You know it's not safe? Especially now when there is so much conflict in the docks.
Bruno ignored that remark, still busy with the work. He was actually waiting for Nathan to make another request.
- You heard me? Or your potions made you def?
- I heard you. I'm just busy. There is a lot to be done, so If you don't want anything from me, I would appreciate, if you wouldn't interrupt me. I want to enter the market with as much of my product as I can and start by giving out free samples. Besides, I still didn't figure out how I should call it - he stopped his work for a moment, to have a look at Nathan.
The leader of thugs nodded slowly. He wasn't happy with Bruno's behavior, that was obvious to the young alchemist since his host didn't really try to hide it.
- Good - he replied, faking a smile. - I hope there is money from it. You promised good money.
- As you can see - started Bruno, returning to work - I'm trying very hard. I hope that we all will be able to have a talk on the topic of the manufacturing process after the coins start flowing in.
Nathan smiled. Coins were something he really liked, and Bruno's confidence, combined with the actual effects of his work, was making him follow the boy's vision about riches.
- Yeah. Let's talk about it - he said and then left, closing the door.
Bruno stopped for a moment, to take a deep breath. He was unsure if Nathan was suspecting him of some kind of treason or just tried to assert dominance, to show who is the boss here. It also could be a very strange way of showing concern, since he has proven his worth, and was definitely a valuable asset. Then he returned to work again, trying to focus on what was important.
He didn't work for too long though, as Viki entered his room, and caused him to stop.
- What did Nathan want? - she asked straight away.
- It's hard to tell. He warned me to not go outside at night.
- Why?
- Because it's dangerous.
Signs of worry showed up on her face as he spoke those words. Bruno noticed that
- Are you going to stop? - she asked.
- No. I see no reason for that. I'm working all day here, so I need a moment to stretch my legs and take in some fresh air. It helps me to keep going.
- Maybe you should...
- I'll be fine Viki. It's not like I'm doing something bad there. I'm just watching the stars.
- But he might think otherwise.
- He might - Bruno agreed. - And he probably will, but since I'm just watching the stars, and he is having somebody following me, there is nothing to worry about. At least not yet.
She nodded.
- Good thing that your potions started to work.
- They always worked... Mostly. Just right now they are working in a way that I intended them to do. Payback is coming, but there is still plenty of work to be done.
- You need help?
Bruno nodded, so she rolled up her sleeves, and went to help him. He gave her a few tasks, then told her how she should fulfill them. After that, he showed her, step by step, how exactly she should do that, and lastly watched her performing everything by herself, with little help from time to time, before leaving her alone, and going back to the things he had to take care of by himself.
This marked a point where Viki would start helping Bruno with the product.
They worked hard for a couple of days preparing as many bottles as they possibly could with the supplies they had. In their spare time, the young alchemist started to teach Viki how to read and continued his escapades to the harbor at night to think.
Soon the day to finally introduce the effect of his hard work came and on the very early morning bunch of young thugs left their hideout, armed with the bottles filled with alchemical liquid, to give it away for free to the drunkards around the whole city, suffering from a hangover caused by heavy drinking on the previous day.
Bruno spent it just sitting in the basement and waiting for news. They arrived soon.
- It's all gone - informed Viki, since she was among the boys, to supervise everything. - We had some problems here and there, but as the news spread, everybody wanted at least a mouthful.
- Good. Great, even - he smiled. - Now we need to make more, and spread the news among the people starting from tomorrow, to ask for it at the taverns.
- I'm on it - said Viki, and smiled at him.
Just as the door closed behind her, he took a deep breath. A weight present on his back for quite a while now just vanished. The first phase of his plan became reality.