Master Of None

”I assume you are here to tell us about the monster nests ahead as well as switch out?” Scylla was already at the top of the ship with a few of the other soldiers. She had dragonkin that were switching with some of her aquatic soldiers.

”We were going to warn you that there were tearing falcons in the area but we have not scouted out a best. We did take care of a den that had some purple bank frogs in it.” Walker was not at all surprised to hear that there was a nest of tearing falcons.

”Well, one of the scouts saw the nest and decided to come back. Apparently, there are fifty falcons waiting there in nests. From what we have gathered there are no eggs meaning we will be scaring them out of their homes before any eggs have been laid. It’s a lucky chance.”

Just like everyone else, Scylla recognized that it was not the best thing to scare off all the monsters. Some of them belonged where they were because they were the natural predators of the other monsters that lived there. But since the tearing falcons had not laid eggs they still had time to make nests elsewhere. It was really a lucky break.

”What are the plans to handle them? I can do a little bit of work. It’s not like I have to take a break right this second.” Gil had his bow prepared so he figured it was pointless for him not to volunteer.

”No, you are going to take a break. From what Walker said, your party took out enough trouble ahead. Now you will rest there is no telling what else we will face. If you are worried you can remain above deck and watch in case you are needed.” Scylla’s firm orders were the same she had given a few of her soldiers that claimed they had the energy to spare.

This was not a simple journey. Because they were the first ship heading down river towards the ocean, they needed to be alert. There were many different obstacles that might stop them completely. The mages had already been switched twice over because the mana usage was higher than anyone else. If they burned everyone out, they could be beaten by the weakest monsters on the river.

”You heard her Gil, no more arguing. Let’s see what we can do with what we hunted. Scylla, we will need the bodies of the tearing falcons for the archers and for antidote potions. The more we can get the better.” Scylla just gave Remey a nod since she trusted the judgment of someone who was able to make such good potions at such an age.

In Scylla’s eyes, Remey had more than lived up and beyond what she had promised. The Demi-humans had been fearful of potions because of their poisoning issue after the demons had snuck in to their kingdom. It had truly changed their history and brought fear to the people completely shutting down all potion making for the foreseeable future.

Yet, Remey had boldly promised to create an entire organization that would prevent such potential things again. She had ensured that it rose to be a place full of strict learning and guidance above what was there before. Not only this, but it also helped ensure that potions were not sold well above what they were truly worth. Furthermore, herbs were even promoted so that there was a chance that rare herbs that were always in demand were more readily available.

”What is it even going to be like creating potions on a ship?” Su could not help her curiosity. She was unsure whether it would be harder or the same for Remey. She knew that the ship moved strangely in the river currents so that could be the major challenge.

”I’m not sure. I know we have a few other alchemists aboard so it would be a group effort.” The idea that they might run out of ingredients was what Remey saw as the major downside of being isolated. However, this was always the issue since there was always the chance that the right herb would be just out of reach.

”Should I help with it? I’m sure that Midnight and I could help with any heating and cooling.” Remey considered this for a moment before she half shook her head.

”Midnight can rest. I can use your fine control of temperature. Midnight might be better at helping Gil cut through the tough skin of the tearing falcons. Defeathering them is only part of what he will be doing.” This was not too surprising since Midnight had tough dragon claws that would easily break through the tougher falcon skin that allowed for even tougher feathers to grow.

”Then I will go with Alice to ensure that the healers are getting on well. We will not waste our mana to heal those that are poisoned. But we will do what we can until you have stronger antidote potions.” Su didn’t mean that it wasn’t worth healing people that had been poisoned by the purple bank frogs. Just that it would be more valuable to use potions rather than use mana to heal them. They were up for a long trip and mana usage would be more valuable. Everyone knew that well.

With that, the group split up. Onyx had returned to his smaller size and taken his signature place around Walker’s shoulders as Remey moved through the lower parts of the ship. They had passed by the potion making lab when they had received a tour but it had been a quick pass. Walker would have been surprised that Remey remembered where and how to get there if she wasn’t so dedicated to the discovery of new potions altogether.

”It’s not much but check it all out. They brought in the last of the equipment the day before. I was sure that they would have made modifications and the dwarves did more than that.” Remey pointed out the cauldrons that had been set up to rotate with the ship. This would ensure that they would not spill when the ship was in storms or anything worse. There were also many shelves that had been set up with locking doors. The perfect set up for rough waters.

”I think they outdid themselves. I know that it is hard to take everything in to account. But since the dwarves had sailors to give input, they ran with it.” Walker was very impressed. The more he looked the more he noticed little things like locks on the tables so they would not slide or ropes to tie things down. Even the tools were all set in grooves to keep them on the tables. It was the perfect set up for the ship.

”I have been meaning to ask, how do you make potions using monster blood? I haven’t heard of you using that technique.” This was something that Walker had not seen Remey do yet. It was a less common form of potion making too.

”Easily. We need to heat it all with a blend of herbs and water. That will cause any impurities to rise to the top as we work. The best way is to take some sundew clover, thorny radish roots, and a hefty amount of salt. Add it to the water and start boiling. The sundew clover draws out the irons in blood while the thorny radish helps separate the blood from the toxins in it. Lastly, the salt helps the poison resistant aspects of the blood sink down the bottom.” Walker was getting a little more confused because he wasn’t sure how it worked like that since the manas would be complex.

”And the remnant at the bottom of the cauldron are the ingredient we will use. The blood of each falcon will vary in quality based on what they have eaten. But since they all have purple feathers I assume it’s purple bank frogs. That should cover us well. I just wonder what they ate to give them the yellow feathers too. They are pretty bright so it might be a stronger poison than what the purple bank frogs have.”

” I’m not sure either. Whatever it is we will have to keep an eye out.” The idea that the river banks had another poisonous monster hiding away somewhere made Walker very uncomfortable. If he could help them be avoided he would. However, all he could do for the time being was ensure that there would be a decent batch of antidote potions for those that discovered the monster first. He wouldn’t be unhappy if they never found the monster in the first palace though.

”Come on, stop spacing out. Let’s get to work.” Remey was not going to let Walker fall in to his thoughts here and waste time.

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