24. Fenric #2
“That is the conclusion Hapi and I have come to. Alchemists and artificers are roughly from the same branch of magic and are often seen as the kissing cousins of sorcerers, if you can believe it. All three have a source based from deep within them, whereas warlocks gather their magical powers from an outside source, such as I have with Ezlan. However, where sorcerers’ magic can present itself in many wild and sometimes chaotic forms, both alchemists and artificers have a much narrower range.
For artificers, their magic is borne out through the mechanisms and technical doodads they create. ”
Fenric snorted. “Is that a technical magic term? Doodad?”
Malfas sniffed at the interruption while Maxie giggled, finally putting a smile back on his lips.
“It is a very technical term, but I wouldn’t expect a magical moron like you, Rogue, to understand it,” Malfas mocked, then returned to his dissertation on magic without missing a beat.
“For alchemists, their magic presents itself in the form of potions, tonics, pills, and a few other creations. However, Puppy is unique in that it seems he can only create poison, and it manifests when he’s cooking.
The range for the alchemists I’ve spoken with and read about is never so small.
However, I theorize because Maxie is so young, his magic is still blossoming.
In addition, he has had no formal training to help him direct his powers into productive, controlled means.
It is very possible he could learn to make far more than poisons.
Everyone knows that in many cases, the difference between something that heals and something that poisons is a razor-thin edge. ”
“But even if Puppy’s magical skills don’t extend beyond poison, he still has an incredibly valuable ability. Something he could use to make a damn good living,” Fenric cut in, hoping to cushion any future disappointment Maxie might feel if he couldn’t learn to make healing potions.
The young man looked up at him and smiled, as if he knew exactly what Fenric was doing. Fenric ignored the strange flutter in his chest. Why the hell did Maxie bring out all these protective, brotherly feelings? It didn’t make any sense.
“How will you test for poison?” Lirion inquired.
“Oh, I’ve got a relatively simple spell for it,” Malfas said with a wave of his hand.
“Wouldn’t that get tiring? This might be a little faster and easier.”
Lirion pulled out a needle from his cuff link before walking over to where the other two were prepping ingredients. He stabbed an apple with it, waited a second, then removed it, looking at it carefully.
“What…?” Fenric stared harder at the needle before he realized what it was. “Is that silver?”
“Yes.” Lirion glanced up with a crooked smile. “People aren’t to be trusted. I carry silver needles to test my food and drink discreetly. Puppy, I suggest buying and carrying some yourself. Then you can test items before handing them to someone.”
Maxie had an unreadable expression as he stared at the needle, causing the hair on the back of Fenric’s neck to stand up. “I’m aware of silver’s use. But you’re wise; that’s a good precaution for me to implement.”
Sometimes Fenric gained the distinct impression that Maxie’s life while growing up had been filled with dangers no child should have had to navigate.
There was no reason to know silver would test for poisoned food unless you were either in the line of poisoning people or lived in a household often bombarded with threats.
Fenric had never asked Maxie about his family or what he’d been before. Reopening barely closed wounds for his own curiosity didn’t sit right with him. When Maxie felt comfortable enough with them to share the details of his past, Fenric would be privileged to listen, but he wasn’t going to ask.
That irrepressible smile bounced back onto Maxie’s face. “Well, the apple isn’t poisoned, so I can slice and dice!”
Malfas grunted softly. “It’s actually expected. All right, next, try mixing these dry ingredients. You want a cup of sugar and a cup of flour.”
Maxie followed directions, carefully measuring things out.
Out came another needle and the dry ingredients tested. “Hm, yes, also fine. Now, add in a cup of milk.”
“Interesting,” Malfas murmured. “And confusing.”
“What is?” Maxie froze as he pulled the container of milk from the tiny icebox in the corner powered by an artificer’s charm.
“Well, I was expecting there to be a sign of poison. When you were making baked apples for Bel, you’d only mixed sugar and cinnamon with the apples, but he died after stealing one of the apple pieces from the bowl,” Malfas said while scratching his head.
“Oh. That. I forgot to mention that while everyone was talking, I’d also added some melted butter to the mixture to make everything stick.”
Malfas and Lirion looked at each other from across the room and, at the same time, said, “Heat!”
The warlock proceeded to do a little dance in the small galley, shaking his club over his head and scaring Maxie over to Fenric’s side.
“Is he okay? Is he having a fit?” Maxie asked in a harsh whisper.
Fenric snorted so hard he choked. “No, this is his celebration dance.”
“Don’t worry, Puppy. This is a good thing. You’re doing marvelous and I think we might have unlocked one of the keys to your magic,” Lirion said.
The patience and support Lirion showed was amazing.
He wasn’t rushing. He wasn’t giving Maxie hurry along vibes.
He just stood there and guided Maxie step by step.
Fenric felt his heart go gooey watching the man.
He had a soft spot for Maxie, and frankly, watching Lirion treat him so well was like a seduction of the heart.
It had only been a few days, but seeing Lirion’s interactions with his little group—and how well he fit in—made Fenric wish they could keep him past the job.
Well, maybe it was too soon to think that way.
He had no idea how well Lirion would fight with them.
Still, part of him enjoyed this domestic scene very much.
“Yes! Yes! This has got to be the key!” Malfas stopped dancing and frantically waved for Maxie to return to his side so he could continue cooking. “All right, now, scoop up some of this butter and put it into the pan, then stick it in the oven. Let the butter melt.”
Maxie did as directed, putting the rectangular pan inside.