2024
Song Of The Alchemist
silco97
When King Maraneon's alchemist had to leave his station after a laboratory experiment that yielded detonation, the word went out that the King did want a new savant to mix his potions and brews.  But he declared he would only choose a fellow who knew the tricks and the tools. The King refused to hire on more fools. ::After much deliberation, discussion, and debates, The King picked two well-learned candidates.  Ianthippus Minthurk and Umphatic Faer, an ambitious pair, vied to prove which one was the best.  Sad the King, "There will be a test." They went to a large chamber with herbs, gems, tomes, pots, measuring cups, all under high crystalline domes. ::"Make me a tonic that will make me invisible," Laughed the King in a tone some would call risible. So Umphatic Faer and Ianthippus Minthurk began to work, mincing herbs, mashing metal, refining strange oils, cautiously setting their cauldrones to burbling boils, each on his own, sending mixing bowls mixing, sometimes peeking to see what the other was fixing. ::After thay had worked for nearly three-quarters an hour, both Ianthippus Minthurk and Umphatic Faer winked at the other, certain he won.  Said King Maraneon, "Now you must taste the potion you've wrought, Take a spoonand sample it right from your pot."  Minthurk vanished as his lips touched his brew, but Faer tasted his and remained apparent in view. ::"You think you mixed silver, blue diamonds, and yellow grass!" The King laughed, "Look up, Faer to the ceiling glass.  The light falling makes the ingredients you choosee quite different hues."  "What do you get," asked the floating voice, bold, "Of a potion of red diaminds, blue grass, and gold?"  "By God," Said faer, his face in a wince, "I've made a potion to fortify my own intelligence."