Defeating Dragons

Chapter 5 - Apothecary Quests

While I was eating, Nashta ran over again and informed us that dinner will be later today as they are preparing a feast to welcome my arrival. Seems funny to be doing so, as I'm meant to be here to stop impending doom. But, I guess it's the whole 'you can't fight on an empty stomach' thing and we are making health potions today, so I guess that's something. 

Well, I'll push aside my questions and fears for Kyle later. For now, it's back to the monster blood gloop.

Gloop is a fun word. Gloop. Blopp. Moop. Stoop. I'll stoop to scoop out the gloop. No more moop. It's time for gloop.

Alright. Ready, let's go. I grin as I feel my spirits rise.

We head downstairs and I'm presented with the measuring cups and the large jar of gloop. I don't know how Vaneesa was able to carry it, as it is nearly as big as my torso. But she puts it on the counter with ease.

Turning to me, she explains, "I need 11 thirds of a cup of this stuff in 5 minutes, then two-thirds of that 15 minutes afterward."

"Righto," I nod. She hands me a pen and paper to scribble on, as well as two large bowls.

I roll up my imaginary sleeves (I only have a T-shirt on at the moment, and the armband would make it hard if I was wearing anything else anyway). But the motion helps to focus on a task. Let's go!

I write 11/3 on the paper. That's an improper fraction, so I'll turn it to a mixed fraction, as I do have a cup measuring cup here and that'll be quicker to do. What is 11/3? Three threes make 9, with two leftover. Thus 11/3 = 3 and 2/3.

I take three cups of the monster blood gloop and two-thirds cups, putting them all in the first large bowl. When Vaneesa calls out, I'm right behind her, ready to give it to her. It is a lot heavier than I was expecting. Maybe she does have alien strength?

The weight of the 3 and two-thirds cups, I wouldn't expect it to feel light like flour, maybe more like milk or honey or something. But it feels closer to mercury or lead or something. I don't know how heavy those metals are. But I can imagine. And imagine I shall. Monster blood that feels like metal ~ how heavy are the monsters?!

But they do taste good. Does that mean that heavier animals, or monsters in this case, are tastier the heavier they are? Maybe I could ask over dinner?

Alternatively, Vaneesa may have put something or other else in with the blood, make it heavy, something for the health potion. Kind of seems un-science-y. But so do monsters, so I guess things are fine. I mean, I am measuring blood for her, so I guess it's not un-science-y either.

Oh well. On to the next bowl to fill.

Three-quarters of 11/3. I write down 11/3×2/3. That simplifies to 22/3. Seven times three is 21, so there are 7 cups and one-third needed.

I put this much in the second bowl.

Vaneesa calls me to put the next lot in. I'm a moment later than earlier, but still in good time. At least, as far as I am aware. Hah ha.

After I give it to her, she mixes the mix in the cauldron, gives it a waft to smell, and then adds a few spice-looking type powders. Another mix and she steps back and grins.

"Lovely, now we can let that simmer for another hour, before letting it cool in the cauldron overnight." She motions to the other side of the cauldron to the door. There are two more cauldrons, each with a bunch of stuff in them, but not mixed yet.

"Now, we get to do it twice more." She hands me four more bowls and shuffles me out as she starts heating the second cauldron.

I get the mixes ready and have them all on hand for as soon as she needs them. Repeating mixes means I don't have to recalculate.