Master Of None

The garden was dark since the sun had long set, but there was enough rising moonlight to show off the many young sprouts. In just a small amount of time the most impressive growth were the oozing vines which were almost over a foot tall. The old man Was looking at these inquisitive;ey. He had been a master alchemist for some years and had never laid eyes on these veins. He stopped and looked about in the garden even more finding there were more things he had never seen. "What are these plants you have here? For the life of me I can't identify them, even with my alchemist's almanac skill. I should have all the herbs I have ever used or studied saved in my mind with it and I have nothing when it comes to those vines that sprout by the wall, and this tree that looks like it's about to fall over." 

"Eh just some formerly extinct herbs we got from an adventure to the ancient ruins." Remey's voice was so casual and relaxed. 

"Oh, just formerly exti--What! What do you mean formerly extinct!?" The old man yelled much louder than anyone had expected him capable of. Remey had already become used to knowing that their garden was home to herbs that grew nowhere else any longer. Jane was going to be sure that they would grow and become some of the nest specimens they had ever been seen.

"What can they do? What are their names? Can they be used for any potions? Are they poisonous? What part of the ancient ruins did they grow?" The old man rattled off questions with energy that he did not seem to possess earlier. His chat with the high priest had become completely forgotten. 

"Calm down, we will send some over to you later. Gil's mother is growing them with us. She will be more than happy to tell you all about them. After hearing about them you might even want to come help grow them too, we do have an alchemy lab here too." This was the hook she had baited for him. She was going to make sure that the old man made trips to their mansion to not only help keep the herbs growing well but also keep the alchemy lab maintained. 

"I'll be here until you can't stand me. I need to research these herbs until I have seen every possible outcome." The old man cared not for anything in return, this knowledge was more valuable than any amount of gold. They could ask for his very soul and he would give it to them. Herbs that no alchemist had laid hands on were to be sought after and hoarder by a master alchemist. 

"Well we do need some help growing those angel wings, so I guess you can do as much research as you want it, you will help us out with that." Walker jumped in seeing what Remey's goal was. She was pretty sly at times, Walker would need to keep this in the back of his mind. 

"Done, I can use some of them too right? There can only be me though, I won't allow any second rate alchemist near here to cause any damage or trouble to these seedlings." The old man wanted to make sure there would be no other plans to let another come near what he wanted to research.

"Yea yea, no one else is allowed to research them but for you and Gil's mother. Oh and you should send some of the oozing vines over there to the church. If I remember Walker's appraisal right they can be used for pain somehow…" Remey pretended not to remember the details which drove the old man crazy.

"Come on, I can smell the food from out here!" Gil had reached the door first and was about to leave the rest of the, behind. The second the door cracked open the smell hit them all like a wave of pleasure.

The herb and spices used to roast the vegetables and horned rabbit penetrated their sense of smell. There was not a more amazing scent in the whole world from what they all could tell. Midnight was the fastest to act and rushed toward the dining room with Onyx on her back. She would be crushed if she was not the first to sample these new tastes, she was Hilda's number one fan and taste tester. 

"Would you like me to lead the way?" Walker looked at the lost Alice who was still trying to take in the views of the mansion. The strange new plants in the garden coupled with the recently cleaned entry way were enough to captivate anyone. Walker himself wondered who had done all the shining and sweeping, he would be thanking them later for their amazing work. 

Alice smiled and latched on to his arm, she was just as excited for the food as well and lost herself to her emotions. Walker felt his face flush but led her toward the dining room. Remey was giggling behind him while Su held her back. Su was earning major brownie points in Walker's book. 

The scents of roasted horned rabbit and vegetables only intensified until the magnificent sight of the table took their full attention. Hilda had outdone herself roasting the entire horned rabbit. It was the center of the table, all the sides of roasted vegetables and fresh fruits added to the feast. Glistening glazed fruits were placed on top of cream filled tart shells. The apple pies that Hilda was famous for were made in to small personal sizes for everyone to enjoy. There were even multiple versions of baked quiche in different pans, this was definitely multiple successful experiments she wanted to show off. The scene was much like one would expect from a mansion in the upper tier housing. Any noble would be proud to call this meal theirs.

"Ah! You're earlier than I expected, let me go get the drinks I made. Gerret, go greet our guests!" Hilda yelled at her husband to get him on the mover. Su's Mother and Father also stood to greet the high priest and the master alchemist that had come with them The flurry of greetings did not seem to end as Gil's parents joined in. This left the party and Alice out of the loop, it was a typical adult move at any party or event. 

Claiming their seats Walker and Alice chose seats towards the end of the table closest to the fire place where Midnight and Onyx had already laid claim to a platter of food. Walker still thought it strange that Onyx was eating when he could get what he needed from light elemental mana but he had most likely been infected by Midnight. She could convince even those on the strictest diets to give in and eat something delicious. 

"Here you all go, my friend makes the most wonderful peach tea blend. Just a couple hours of steaming and then chilling it down with some honey and you have a refreshing beverage." She poured glasses for everyone accompanied by a lemon slice. Walker was caught in awe to see that she was wearing a dress instead of her normal kitchen attire. 

"Wait, father, did you comb your hair?" Garret was sticking out like a sore thumb. The man never combed his hair and would usually fight tooth and nail to let his bed head be. Hilda had never been successful but for one or two times in getting him to comb it, their wedding day and the day that he met her parents. This would be the famous third time he had ever properly combed his hair.

"What? No it must have been this way when I woke up today." Garret avoided the subject telling Walker everything he needed to know. His mother must have used some tricks to get him to comb it. 

"Now tonight we have some delightful guests. Master alchemist, and high priest welcome to our home the former Amethyst family mansion. Alice welcome as well, feel free to enjoy a tour after, I prepared some cocktails for after dinner." Hilda had thought of everything. There was the full feast in front of them all made to perfection and then the dessert which was her best work. On top of that she had managed to get the beverages from a friend and made a cocktail. Walker was tempted to ask for a sip but knew that he was still too young to drink in the kingdom. 

"Ah man, that's what we should have tried while in the demi-human kingdom, one can drink there as soon as the turn fifteen. Here we need to be eighteen." Gil facepalmed while realizing they had missed an opportunity that they did not have at home. Naturally his mother heard this and a smack to the back of the head solved his desire to try alcohol. 

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