Victoria, who had been quietly working away at her station next my study spot inclined her head in interest at this development. She did not intervene, seeking only to listen further.
I was honestly appalled at his severely undercutting of her products. Sure, her potions were about half again as much as the average apothecary in the city, but that would simply lead to having a two silver low-grade potion costing about three silver.
The average low-grade potion of most other apothecaries could at most stabilize a nondisplaced fracture and heal a decent number of surface wounds given a week or so.
Victoria's low-grade potions could mostly heal a nondisplaced fracture and most external wounds within a day of rest and hearty nutritional intake. In addition, it was also usually capable of stabilizing a compound fracture long enough for the injured individual to get the extra help they needed in order to get properly treated.
Her Mid-grade Healing potions costing about 40 silvers could heal most torn organs and closed bone fractures within a day or two of adequate rest and nutrition. As for her High-grade healing potions, those were comparable to most other apothecaries' top tier healing elixirs. Costing about eight gold, they could regenerate entire organ systems that had been ravaged by a monster, given that the injured person was in a position to remain relatively still for a couple of days. Displaced and compound fractures would generally be fully healed in that time frame as well.
Now her Elixirs were something all-together different. Costing one and a half to two mithril per bottle, they were a full level higher than her high-grade healing potions. They additionally could provide healing of the most life threatening of wounds in a matter of seconds to high tiered mages or warriors. This would then allow the consumer to be returned to near perfect health, in which they could either finish dispatching a comparatively injured prey, or flee from a superiorly stronger foe to fight another day.
Going back to Steven's severe undercutting of the true value of my master's potions, I firmly denied his request. "Steven, we barely know each other. You asking me to request a 50% discount on your behalf regarding my master's products is a serious abuse of any friendship that we might have had."
A belligerent and rebellious look shone in his eyes as he heard my response to his request. "Oh, come on man, we Travelers need to stick together to thrive here in this place. I've been stuck as a lowly shit shoveler for the most part, while you through sheer luck, got apprenticed to the renowned apothecary Victoria. Tell me how that is even the slightest bit fair."
My somewhat faded memories of our prior interaction were coming back with sharp clarity, even as my utter disgust at his sheer audacity was kindled with a cold fury.
Victoria, likely seeing my quickly rising ire promptly stepped in to intervene on my behalf. "Excuse me, Steven. I am apothecary Victoria." She introduced herself to him causing to him to practically blanch at the realization that the individual he took to be another apprentice or store associate was actually the apothecary herself.
His next words stumbled out of his mouth. "My. . . my apologies master apothecary. I don't know what came over me." His originally belligerent attitude took a complete 180 in directly facing the master that he had hoped to get one over on.
Victoria continued on without an ounce of offense showing on her calm face. "If you don't mind me asking, what are the dire circumstances that you need this healing potion at such a discounted price?"
Appearing tongue tied for a moment, Steven cast his eyes about the shop as if seeking for inspiration of some sort. He appeared to be unable to find said inspiration as he, under the careful and watchful eyes of my teacher, began speaking. "There have been a series of child and young adult abductions on the outer fringes of the north-western bordering farms in the city."
He acted as if his teeth were being pulled as he continued speaking. "The city patrol strongly believes it to be a singular or group of monsters that have somehow made their way into the city by unknown means. Seeing as we are effectively immortal, they are wanting to use young Travelers as bait for an operation."
Victoria listened on without comment as he paused for a moment. The silence dragged out before feeling pressured by the lack of response, he continued his explanation with gritted teeth. "The joint compensation for the venture is a gold coin, redeemable upon successful completion of the mission." The next words he spoke appeared to give him a bad taste. "I have additionally been requested to seek out any willing Traveler participants for which the bounty will be shared with."
Ahh, and that is the stickler of the situation. He likely wanted to appropriate the entirety or at least a bigger portion of the gold coin for the venture. In my mind, the additional purchase of the healing potion was likely either an intended bribe or incentive for the city patrol to overlook his lacking results of attempted recruitment.
A wolfish smile crossed Victoria's face and I nearly face palmed, knowing that she was up to her usual shenanigans.
"Ah." She exclaimed. "So apparently, you could use Andrew's help with this investigation and position of bait." Looking at him in mock exasperation and endearment, she added. "Why didn't you just say so to begin with? I would be more than happy to give you a Health potion, free of charge."
I knew however, that there was going to be a but. I just didn't know in what form it would take. I could only watch on as an innocent apprentice, having my very life be staked at my master's bequest. Steven as well appeared to be listening with bated breath to see what the remainder of the deal was.
Victoria then continued, having noticed that she had both of our rapt attention. "All that I ask, is that you invite Andrew along and ensure that he remains as a fully integral and fairly compensated part of this endeavor."
A look of consternation crossed Steven's face at this deal Victoria made. That was, until she added the last part.
Looking deeply into his eyes, she said. "If for Any reason, he is unable to participate in the venture and receive a fair and equal part of the gold promised, then you will still get to keep the potion free of charge. However, if you fail to keep your side of the bargain, I will make a personal request to the city patrol to triple the required contribution points of any of my products, specific to you."
The look of horror that overtook his face was priceless to see. I wasn't sure if he was aware, but learning how politics work and with my masters revered generosity in the city, that consequence wasn't as direct as it appeared. The city patrol would certainly be able to read between the lines, and thus would be given the green light and strongly encouraged by Victoria to evict Steven from his position as a trainee patrolman. Once the rumors of why he was let go had circulated, he would likely find it very problematic to find any place within this city that would pay for his services.
It was incredibly cathartic to see someone so egocentric, disguised with fake benevolence, being called to heel and made accountable for their actions.
Victoria then promptly pulled out a low-grade healing potion from her clothing and tossed it carelessly to an open-mouthed Steven. Reaching out desperately to catch the potion, the lion-man open and closed his mouth wordlessly multiple times before just giving a rigorous nod to her.
Turning to me, Victoria then tossed me a potion as well before saying. "This is on me. Now why don't you go get ready and leave with this nice Traveler to join him in the investigation?"
Although it was phrased as a question, I knew it was anything but that. *Sigh* "Yes Master Victoria." I knew my fate was sealed and it seems that this was to be my challenge for the day.
Returning to my bedroom, I looked at the staff laying on my bed, and tried to imagine myself wielding it against foes along-side Steven and the other patrolmen. Something intrinsically inside of me balked at this possible future, even as the amulet at my chest grew cold. It was as if it was trying to tell me not to bring the staff for this outing. That the disconnect of fighting among dubious comrades with such a precious treasure was a great folly.
With complete agreeance in my own mind, I reluctantly left the staff behind. Instead, I secured my harvesting knife to my waist along with 3 minor slime acid bottles, the single advanced slime bottle, and the freshly gifted basic health potion. Each was packed in an individual shatter resistant pouch that was tied to my waist belt.
Rejoining the duo in the front shop, I got a questioning yet silent look from Victoria. She likely noticed the distinct lack of my staff. Steven was more vocal as he asked. "Is that all you are bringing? Don't you have any weapons of any sort?"
Pointing to my sheathed knife on my waist I answered. "What you see is what I have."
*Snort* He didn't give any more commentary than that light mockery at my seemingly lacking preparation.
*Clap! * Victoria slapped her hands together to break the awkward silence in the shop. "Alright, you two boys have fun now. And Andrew," I turned as she said my name. "Do try to come back alive." I felt a tendril of warmth settle in my chest before she added. "It would be incredibly inconvenient for me to take care of the extra responsibilities for the next six days that it would take for you to come back from the dead." Hearing her bemused tone, I could only huff out a breath in weary humor at her well-hidden concern.
With that dark foreboding hanging over my head, I departed the shop together with Steven.
Once outside the apothecary shop, Steven tried multiple times to strike up a conversation, to which I would give our noncommittal "uhuhs" and "mhmms."
Seeming to take my non-verbal answers as encouragement of some sort he went onto say. "Once we get to the city patrol barracks, I expect you to follow my every instruction as we perform our expected duties as bait." A strong tone of self-importance colored his words. "I am after all more experienced than you when it comes to knowing the way the patrol works."
"Hahahahah!" I couldn't help but let out a laugh out-loud at his antics.
Hearing and seeing my reaction to his words, an undisguised fury covered his features. "What is it that you think is so funny?!" He asked with seething words.
*Snicker* Still laughing a bit before getting it under control, I gave him a piece of my thoughts. "Your deal, with Victoria is strictly that of insuring I am accepted into the investigation, and that I am properly compensated with an equal distribution of the gold coin as compensation. At No Point was it mentioned that I had to abide by any of your ridiculous demands or orders. In fact, according to the terms of her threat." I wasn't mincing words anymore with this guy. "I could jeopardize this entire venture, causing all of us to fail and getting myself kicked out, while you would still be then held to her promise of tripling the cost of her products to you." A wicked smile crossed my face with an added. "I'm pretty certain that you are aware that the consequences of your failure would be far more reaching than just that."
His lion like face shuffled through a series of purple shaded anger, white fear, and many in between emotions as it twisted at my words. We had both long since stopped walking at this point in the conversation.
Guttural sounds like a strangled roar echoed out from his mouth as he sought to regain what little self-control he had.