Chapter 19 #2
Not accustomed to judging a person by the measure of their wealth, Elise stood still and waited for the man to finish what appeared to be a thorough assessment of her. She would not have been surprised if he had asked her to open her mouth next, just to verify she still possessed all her teeth.
“Is it true you are a witch?” he asked.
Elise nodded. “I’m just beginning to develop power over magic, but I assure you I’m well-trained already.”
“Do you know how to prepare a potion to cure rot of the flesh?”
Elise gasped, “No!” She was strangely alarmed by the mere thought of anyone having performed such a miracle. Still, gathering the best disposition she could manage, she added, “But I’m quick to learn.”
The man grumbled something to himself. Elise could not tell whether he was thinking of impossible potions or if this was simply the normal procedure for new applicants.
“Are you skilled in the maintenance of latrines?”
Elise blinked. “I thought this was a position for potion-making?”
The man, who until now had not shown the kindness of introducing himself, let out a soft laugh and lifted his head with visible pride.
“You won’t last here,” he said. “Leave!”
Elise was just about to mention the Devil, Hell, rivers of lava, or anything else that might persuade this man into employing her when an older woman shouted from somewhere farther inside the chamber.
“You forgot to ask whether she knows how to bring the dead back to life,” she laughed.
The gaunt man instantly fell silent and lowered his head as though provincial royalty had entered the chamber.
“I apologize, Susanne, but she’s a witch, and the king hasn’t employed one of her kind since the incident.”
“The king would approve of what I consider right, dear Fabian,” the woman replied calmly. “You know perfectly well the position calls only for someone capable of keeping the books free of dust and gathering herbs in the gardens.”
“I hope you would at least test her,” Fabian muttered. “Judging by her looks, she may possess some promise, but one is never entirely sure.”
Susanne took a few steps closer to Elise.
The woman looked old enough to have opinions on every war ever fought.
The kindness and confidence in her eyes, though, suggested she had spent the past few decades winning nearly every argument brought before her.
A mass of white curls engaged in open rebellion framed the face of what Elise thought might very well be a fairy godmother.
“Leave her to me,” Susanne whispered, leaving Fabian without excuse to prolong his stay.
Once Elise and the old fairy were alone, the woman guided her outside the dark chamber and into what appeared to be the castle gardens. Elise glanced around at every opportunity she had, unable to believe her luck.
She walked silently beside Susanne and quietly hoped they might happen upon the famed stone Morgaine claimed she needed to develop her powers.
But instead, they followed a low stone wall that surrounded the wide fields of green grass and ivy.
The scent of lavender and fresh herbs quickly filled Elise’s senses, and from the corner of her eye, she noticed the old fairy quietly pleased by how much enjoyment Elise took in simply walking through the beautifully manicured gardens.
“I have a feeling you might enjoy this position, my dear,” Susanne said with a warm smile. “There are not many fairies who prefer working outdoors to spending their days at the potion tables. Still, I do require someone with enough experience.”
The fairy paused beside a bed of herbs so neatly planted and carefully pruned that Elise found herself wondering just how many people, or perhaps which spell, were required to maintain such splendor.
“Are you knowledgeable in botany and herbalism?” Susanne asked.
Elise immediately recognized many of the small herbs. It was a good thing she had spent so much time under Morgaine’s lectures.
“I am, my lady,” she said proudly.
Susanne seemed pleased with her answer. She was about to ask something else when the crow on Elise’s shoulder began to caw softly.
“Is this beauty always with you?” the fairy asked.
Elise nodded. “His name is Bruno.”
The old fairy smiled faintly and continued walking without another word. Elise knew Susanne was already looking favorably upon her application, though she still seemed to want further proof of her qualifications.
They eventually reached a meadow of cherry trees, their pink blossoms so abundant that the whole landscape was touched by a soft purple haze.
The fairy slowed near the trees and moved toward something hidden among the branches. Elise followed as Susanne stopped beside a different breed of tree, a few familiar white flowers dangling within reach of her hands.
“This is a shame,” the fairy said as she turned the dry flower between her fingers.
Elise sighed. “I bet it’s still enough for a few brews of Love Potion.”
Her remark seemed to catch the fairy’s attention. “How do you know about these flowers, dear?”
“Henrik, the man from the apothecary, told me.”
“And you were able to remember this rare blossom from a single mention?”
Elise did not say that Henrik had allowed her to keep a handful of the flowers, nor did she speak of the many hours she had spent staring at them and enjoying their fragrance. Instead, she allowed Susanne to continue forming her own assessments.
On the walk back, Elise tried to insert everything she knew about potion-making into the conversation.
She did not allow a single piece of knowledge on the subject to go untold.
By the time they returned to the catacombs, Elise could tell Susanne was already arranging in her mind the many possible uses for her talents.
Elise, for her part, was perfectly content to accept the initial position offered, hoping it would allow her to wander freely through the gardens and locate the magic rock.
Anyhow, she was prepared to take almost any employment available at the moment.
The matter of the latrines was one possibility she hoped had merely been Fabian’s cruel attempt to repel her from the place altogether.
“When can you start, Elise?” Susanne asked out of nowhere.
Elise responded with such a start that the old fairy burst into laughter. She let out a soft laugh and composed herself as best she could.
“Tomorrow morning, my lady.”
“Call me Susanne,” the fairy said. “Be here in the morning, and I’ll personally tell you what to do.”
Elise could have kissed the woman. The thought of avoiding Hell sent a small tremor of excitement through her.
“I’ll be here at the crack of dawn!”
“Let dawn crack a little before you arrive, Elise. At my age, one needs proper sleep if one hopes to retain some beauty.”