Clarifying Tincture

Sybill floated in the air, shooting fireballs at Rowland. The revelation that he was little more than a caged puppet, fulfilling someone else's desires, had hit the gang harder than expected and made them reconsider their perception of him.

Rowland ducked and fought valiantly, completely unaware that the gang had planned the training exercise to help lessen his burdens. Elena, Sammy, and Silvi watched with excitement as Sybill, without breaking a sweat, kept at it for hours.

Rowland was ecstatic. The duel had left him refreshed instead of drained.

He flashed a smile toward Sybill, gratitude expressed perfectly in his grey eyes.

"Was a great lesson, Teach."

Sybill's eyes widened. She nodded quickly.

A strange knot tightened in her stomach. Heat rushed to her cheeks, leaving her unusually flustered.

Rowland brushed back his reddish brown hair, lifted his sword, and walked outside with a smile.

Elena was granted an audience with the king that evening. She told him tales of the castle and discussed her new Silhvester obsession with him.

She knew her father kept mostly to himself and preferred eating alone in his quiet room without company.

Dad, very soon you will get to meet him. He is alive and well, Elena thought excitedly.

She walked toward the kitchen with the intention of loading up on as many desserts as she could eat while reading the new Silhvester mystery.

A conversation, however, stopped her in her tracks.

"My lady, we have gotten rid of all two thousand Lulu blossoms in the city."

"Took you long enough," Zeena snapped.

Joey started to walk away.

"Joey."

He stopped in his tracks and turned slowly.

"Yes, my lady?"

Zeena narrowed her eyes.

"What were you talking to that boy about?"

"What boy, my lady?"

"The one that's always around the loudmouth princess."
Joey's face tightened slightly.

"Oh. Him."

"Didn't tell him nothing, Lady Zeena. Boy was too nosy and sharp. Kept asking about one useless thing after another."

Zeena raised an eyebrow.

"Like what?"

"The blooming nightshade. Told him it was planted two years ago and stuff."

Zeena's expression hardened.

"What else, Joey? The servants noticed you being unusually chatty that day."

Joey swallowed.

"Just something about me kids. Got a bit nostalgic, that's all."

Zeena stared at him.

"But nothing about the agricultural produce, I swear, Lady Zeena."

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she grabbed him by the collar.

"Say another word about anything that does not concern you, and I will have you killed."

Joey's face went pale.

"Now go. And keep your mouth shut."

The Silhvester mystery would have to wait.

The gang was soon huddled together again, faced with a new mystery presented by life itself.
---
Zeena moved through the grounds wearing a heavy cloak and a mask that covered her face. Joey and a few others accompanied her, loading crates onto a carriage wagon while she watched every box being stacked.

Little did she know that Sybill and Elena were observing her under an invisibility spell.

"Gently. Stack each box carefully. I must be informed immediately when it is delivered."

Zeena watched them load another crate.

"Do not forget to collect the clarifying tincture. That potion is important, as you clumsy morons know very well, but you still need reminders every single time."

Sybill and Elena nodded at each other.

Clarifying tincture.