A Mysterious Illness

A multitude of glass jars and cylinders were stacked on the shelves as well as – due to a cruel lack of space – on the floor. On both sides of a clear space, somehow spared. Here, in the middle of this orderly disorder, between dragon scales and a mandrake floating in an odd liquid, her seasoned hand pressed the content of an eyedropper until two silver drops fell in a piece of glassware. The drops soon joined by another liquid mingled with it, whirling in the fine crystalline tube until pouring into a heated phial.

     Once the mixture had reached its expected temperature, bubbles starting to abound at the surface, the released vapour caused the clicking of a valve clamped to the edge of one of the glass tubes.

     Curious, Gretel had come closer to observe Kemishi collecting a dense and colourless liquid in a glass cylinder.

     The softness of her gaze apart, the little fairy had consequently changed. Her hair was now of a light shade of brown, sprinkled with chocolate chunks. Her dress was almost as appetising as the cookies she had eaten.

“What is it? A magic potion?”

“No.” Kemishi answered with an amused smile.

     She crossed the room to place the corked glass cylinder at the edge of a little gripper machine, which one began to spin like a merry-go-round.

“It is alchemy. I use the material available. I refine it, purify it and…”

     The machine slowing down to a stop, Kemishi retrieved the cylinder, taking it to eye level.

“…I collect the essence, the active elements.”

“The ac- why can’t it be called magic?”

“Because magic is treacherous. When you need it the most, it abandons you.” She added with a strange expression over her features. “This is not the case for alchemy. Alchemy is… the science of all that does exist. To learn it is to learn a recipe that would work as long as you have the right ingredients. Anybody can practice it as long as they get familiar with the laws of the ingredients forming our universe.”

“And what can serve as an ingredient?”

“Absolutely anything.”

“Anything?”

“Yes. Everything holds its properties.”

     Gretel took a glance at a horned mouse which has discreetly sneaked to nibble a cookie’s lump.

“Even this cookie?”

“Mmm… I think its best property is being delicious. That said, the little rodent holding it…” Kemishi trailed off, a smile showing over her face.

     With an exclamation of amazement, Gretel and the horned mouse jumped, throwing themselves into each other’s arms. They considered the glow in the alchemist’s gaze with great concern.

     The latter burst out laughing, clutching her hands to her stomach.

“Hahah, I was just teasing. I mainly focus on plants and minerals. Albeit,” Kemishi leant in closer, tapping her index finger against her lips “once crushed, these horns may…”

“Ahh no, don’t come any closer!”

     At the other end of the house, Henox and Lennac were sat round a table. Lennac pointed from the tip of his finger a wooden token placed on a draughtboard. Small twigs emerged from both sides, same as a spider’s tapered legs. And so, the game piece moved forward on its own until the designated box.

     Lennac had a small, confident smile as he gave Henox time to consider his next move.

     Much to his regret, the latter straightaway countered. He commanded one of his token which jumped on the back of the first one, then of the second enemy token. These ones changed colour while Henox’s token landed on a free box, its legs retracting underneath.

     Widening his eyes before leaning closer to the draughtboard, Lennac focused on the game.

“You are skilful.”

“Shouldn’t I rather help your friend? Thanks to the spells I know, I’d be able to ease her task.”

“No, don’t. Kemishi prefers doing things… using her own hands.” He added glancing at her, remaining silent for a few moments. “Have you ever been in love, Henox?”

“It’s your turn.” The latter reminded.

     Lennac then turned his attention back to the board, giving long and detailed consideration before making his move.

“I wonder if you can still remember your first love even after a millennium.”

“Love is nothing else but a frivolous feeling. It brings nothing long-term. And, above everything else, it is incomprehensible.”

“You sound like a damn old man.” Lennac remarked.

“And you are desperately bad at this game.”

     Henox had just moved his token. There was no one left of Lennac’s colour. Unable to do anything but acknowledge his crushing defeat, Lennac’s gaze twitched and his smile turned into a grimace.

     At last, he let out a sigh.

“I suppose a sorcerer has after all too much to do to get interested in that. Your passion already goes to magic.”

“At the risk of disappointing you, I don’t feel any particular pleasure when practising it.”

     An answer that made the young man frown, bewildered.

“Why then did you choose this path?”

“I learnt witchcraft so that I would be able to bend this world’s laws. Simply because I don’t like it.”

     At the corner of his lips that smile… slight, yet enough to make Lennac shiver.

     Was it a good idea to bring together an alchemist and a sorcerer?

     Lennac was about to reply something when he began to cough. But instead of being transient, his cough lingered, making him wince. Placing one hand against the table as if to ground himself in a swirling world, he dropped some tokens. They ran off to hide.

“Lennac?”

     Henox raised an eyebrow.

     A hand pressed against his mouth, Lennac coughed up a large quantity of water, which trickled out of his fingers.

     Spreading from the game board to the floor, drop by drop, it soon got soaked with a colourless liquid. However, some crimson tinted parts could be seen… the colour of which faded immediately.

     Kemishi joined them, leaning towards Lennac and handing him a handkerchief. Against his back, she gently pressed her other hand.

***

After fidgeting among her jars for a while, the alchemist grumbled in frustration.

“I was sure I had some left…”

     Already putting on a hooded coat, the young woman grabbed her satchel on the fly.

“Are you missing an ingredient?”

“Yes. I’ll go to get some.”

     She hovered. Having stopped on the doorstep, Kemishi gritted her teeth. As she cruelly bruised the leather strap of her bag, her fingers finally released the pressure.

“Would you agree to come with me? The path may be dangerous.”

     The sorcerer hesitated only for a short while before answering.

“All right.”

     After all, if she was going to help Gretel, he might as well repay his debt in advance. His eyes lingered for a moment at the hem of the alchemist’s clothes. It was damp.

     A favour costs another. It was better to follow this rule than to have to give up one’s soul…

“I come with you!”

     Gretel hadn’t failed to listen to the conversation.

“No. You’re going to stay here.” Henox replied.

     At the fairy’s disappointment, Kemishi turned a glance towards her.

“I have an important mission for you. In fact, you are the only one who can accomplish it.”

“A mission?” Her eyes sparked.

“Indeed. It would worry me a lot to let Lennac alone. Can I count on you to look after him?”

“Okay!” She exclaimed, regaining her cheerfulness.

     On these words, Henox joined Kemishi, leaving the cottage.

***

“This liquid… it wasn’t merely water, was it?”

     Following Kemishi’s footsteps, Henox finally broke the silence. The young woman glanced at him.

“It is blood. Or rather… it was.”

“You’re perceptive.” Kemishi admitted. It’s true. Lennac’s blood… it gradually turns into water. His body rejects it and weakens… That’s why I practice alchemy. I have to find a way to transmute water into blood.”

     An illness that would change the very nature of a human being’s blood? It wasn’t a common affliction. To be fair, it was the first time the sorcerer had ever faced such a case.

     Perhaps this world still had some surprises in store for him. Though these might not be as joyful as Gretel would have wished for.