Abby and the Mad Prince's Son. The Outpost: Episode One

Chapter Five

The Alchemist Quarter was a ring of buildings edging a platformed courtyard, the grandest, and which towered over the rest, being a scriptorium. And next to it was the Apothecary, its grey and cracked shingles topped above lichen covered walls.

'Do you think we'll be the only ones?' asked Gwen.

'No chance,' replied Esme. 'Our potions' school alone was accepting eight new students.'

'I wonder if we'll meet any of them,' said Abby.

Her eyes kept on Esme, Abby opened the door of the Apothecary and entered. But she didn't get far inside when she bumped into something. And when she realized that something was somebody and that somebody was Lady Constance and her ladies-in-waiting, her heart dropped.

'Watch where you're going,' Lady Constance snapped, her icy stare glaring down at Abby.

Stunned at what she had done, Abby didn't reply until Lady Constance added, 'Dragon got your tongue.'

Abby bowed, 'My apologies, Your Highness.'

Shaking her head in disgust, Lady Constance growled, 'Are you here for potions?'

'I am.'

'I am, what?'

'I am, Your highness.'

'Are you qualified?'

'Before the plague hit, I was to attend the School for Potion Makers as was my friend here, Your Highness.'

'What a dump of a peasant school that is.'

'Now, now, Constance,' came another voice.

Abby turned and saw Princess Edina standing just outside, her dragon scale mail sparkling.

'Your Majesty,' Abby said with the others, bowing as deeply as they could bow.

'How is everyone's morning?' the princess asked. 'Was it easy to find this place?'

'It was, Your Majesty,' Abby replied.

'Good. Now let's all get settled.'

Following an annoyed Lady Constance, Abby walked deeper into the Apothecary, a large dusty room filled with workbenches, shelves brimming with jars of ingredients, brewing equipment and several fireplaces with piles of wood stacked beside them.

Dozens of other younglings were already sitting together, but there was one who was all alone.

Baron Ren, the Mad Prince's son.

Princess Edina threw up her hands at the early arrivals. 'Please, stay seated. And I'm in a rush so let me tell you what I want from all of you.'

Abby, Esme and Gwen scuttled over to an empty workbench and sat down.

And fortunately for Abby, Lady Constance and her ladies-in-waiting took their seats on the opposite side of the room.

'And if more show up after I leave,' Princess Edina continued, 'please tell them what is asked. So, what I'm looking for are potions that will help us. Healing potions are probably more crucial right now. It looks like everything you need is here. I hope. But if it isn't, please search me out and I'll try to help. Well, that's it, I must be off to guide everyone else. I wish I could stay longer, to answer questions or what not, but getting around the outpost is quite a chore, taking a lot of time, especially when bridges aren't where they're supposed to be.'

'You should use the magic ropes,' Gwen piped up, 'Your Majesty.'

'Magic ropes, dear?'

'You can swing across them. You don't have to do anything. My sister, her best friend and I found them while coming here.'