Chapter 1: The Alchemist's Heart

The first flame, the last light, the anchor of all. Bringer of day, ender of night, weaver of life. Through your warmth and comfort, we trust. Through your destruction and damnation, we praise. Glory to the sun. Glory to Solstya. 

A golden light peaked over the horizon, blanketing the meadows and fields in a soft warmth. Shadows bent with rustling trees. Wildlife blossomed around babbling brooks. Dirt stirred up into the air as a horse drawn wagon rode on a beaten path. The patchy road led up to a grandiose kingdom.  An outer ring of farms surrounded large stone walls. They were white and pristine, shimmering gently in the light. Few gaps dotted the walls, positioned at the rivers and roads and fitted with gates. The wagon stopped at one of these gates. A man dressed in green armor hopped out the back. He shook the driver's hand and tipped him a piece of silver, and as the guards switched shifts, he entered the kingdom. 

Close to the center of the kingdom, nestled between residential and commercial buildings, sat across from paved streets and bridge-covered canals, was a little shop. Windows at the front helped frame a sign that hung above the door. "The Alchemist's Heart" it read. Inside was a simple setup; counters, shelves, displays. A door in the back led to a garden behind the shop, and a set of stairs led up to small living quarters. 

Upstairs, in a small bed, laid a woman. She squirmed in her sheets, desperately trying to ignore the morning's wake up call. But the rays of sun and the chirping of birds eventually won. The woman got up and prepared for another, ordinary day. She cleaned herself up and tied her long brown hair up into a messy bun, two strands coming down in front of her face. Next, she put on her glasses and threw on some plain clothes around her generous and full figure. Finally, she fitted herself with a pair of leather gloves and an apron with a colorful collage of stains. The woman walked downstairs into the shop, the old boards of the steps creaking as she did so. She made her way to the backyard. She sifted through the garden, admiring and collecting various herbs that grew there. Samples of motherwort, rosemary, hyssop and more filled her pockets. Once she was satisfied, she returned to the shop and placed her collection of the counter. The apothecary began to open up the shop for the day, darting back and forth to make sure everything was prepped. As she unlocked doors, ground ingredients, and boiled water, she hummed a delightful tune. She mixed and stirred, refilling the gaps in her stock. As she did, customers began to enter. 

"Welcome to 'The Alchemist's Heart'!" She would say to them. "My name is Aurora! How can I help you?" Her cheeriness infecting her patrons. They would give Aurora their orders, and she would fulfill them to the best of her ability. Potions of almost every variety filled her shop. Potions of strength, speed, health, mana, invisibility, she had it all. The hours passed. As customers flooded in, coin climbed as stock dipped. Aurora did her best to keep up with demand, brewing as many batches as she could. Eventually, midday came and so did a patron that would change Aurora's life forever. A man in green armor walked into the shop. "Hello! Welcome to 'The Alchemist's Heart'! How can I help you?" She greeted.

"My name is Ulric Ursine! I'm looking to buy a couple potions." Ulric was a bit older of a man. Tall, with stubble and slick backed hair that was starting to grey. He was athletic and fit but didn't appear muscley. His most striking feature was a scar that ran down his face, over a missing eye. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you Ulric, my name is Aurora Vale! If you're looking for potions, then you've come to the right place!" She smiled. Ulric chuckled. 

"I can see that. I just came back from battle and I'm feeling a little worn out. I was hoping I could buy some health potions from you." 

"My apologies sir." Aurora sheepishly glanced away. "I just sold my last bottle. I could make you a fresh batch however! It would take some time, but if you pay now, I can reserve a couple you!"

"No worries Aurora! I'll be in town for a while. I can swing back around at the end of the day and pick up, say, three potions of healing?" Ulric smiled. He patted around his waist until he found a small leather sack full of coins. He took out a single gold piece and placed it on the counter. "Keep the change."

"Sounds good to me! I'll be sure to have that ready for you!" Ulric nodded at her before leaving. Aurora sighed, staring out the window. "Only a few more hours." She whispered to herself. Aurora spent the rest of her day the same as before, making potions and selling to clients. A less than average day, but still she felt exhausted. The sun started its descent to set and so Aurora started to clean and lock up. But as she did, she noticed something peculiar. A commotion was brewing outside. People were running down the street towards the center circle.