Glass or Diamond: Fairy's Wish

Episode 37: The Demon Ash Plague

The 'Demon Ash Plague' as it's referred to in the small village high in the colossal trees of the great forest north of the desert, is a contagious disease consuming the forest slowly, but surely with a terrifying implication. Immune to elements, magic, and even attrition, the disease has no weaknesses. According to the villagers familiar with the plague, not even a fairy's wish -the most powerful form of magic in the world- can undo it.

Though the mechanisms of the plague are widely unknown, and there is no way to stop the afflicted, save dismembering them, the village maintains a magic perimeter that can detect when the plague is approaching. Its first test came when Murtoa of Lakia's party of monster-hunting adventurers crossed the perimeter, prompting the villagers to greet them with hostility. However, knowing that Mury has been self-containing, the villagers reluctantly allowed his friends to enter the village, and they have been replenishing supplies and gathering what little information they can to see if they can help their dear friend.

Maerin, standing on one of the shop counters as she inspects the wares, says astutely, "Fifty-five silvers."

"One hundred." The reply comes from the shop owner, who is curt and unmoving on his price.

Coco murmurs urgently, "This is no tick to be grifjabbin'."

Maerin turns sharply, retorting, "This is exactly the time. The whole town thinks we're desperate. He knows fifty five is a good deal. We can live without these parts."

"The price is one hundred. We all have our own problems, Zaereen. Don't like it, go back to your tribe."

"I sound like one o' them monster-worshipping goofballs to you?"

The man crosses his arms, retorting, "You dress like one."

Maerin looks down at her poncho, which is, in fact, the one she received from the Zaereens when they briefly had her hostage. She retorts, "Fair enough. Fifty five."

"One hundred."

"Listen, you swindler, give me something. Fifty five would be over-paying, but..." Coughing comes from up above them on the second floor of the building. The mature fairy sighs. "Someone's sick?"

The merchant is quiet, and Maerin asks, "What with? The plague we keep hearing about?"

He shakes his head, "Thankfully, no. But... It has cut our trade routes. Like I said, we're all struggling."

"Give me something to work with here. I might have something that could help."

"You're a healer?"

"No, but I have some sulfa drugs, penicillin, and an antiviral I made. Depending on what it is, it could help."

The man sighs, asking, "And, why should I accept this sudden altruism?"

"Hey, I wasn't ever trying to screw you. I jus' know how our situation looks." She digs a vial out of her bag containing tablets, holding it on offer. "Know what they smell like?"

The merchant nods cautiously, taking the vial from Maerin. He opens it briefly, smelling it. He hands it to his drakyk assistant, who also takes a smell and recoils. The assistant nods and hands it back. The merchant asks cautiously as he caps it again, "How do I know this is legitimate?"

"Because if it is, you know it's worth a lot more than this stuff that I want to someone buying it, and very little to someone who can make it. Give me fifty five, and it's yours as a bonus."

The merchant hesitates for a long time. He swallows, murmuring, "I can do seventy. Please..."

Maerin nods. "Seventy. Deal." She gestures at Coco, and the teen counts out the appropriate amount from her bag, placing them on the counter. The merchant verifies and nods, and Maerin waves Gyrryth over. He steps up and collects the building materials for Maerin's containment box, tucking them gingerly into his bag, as well as the glass and wooden jars she chose for ingredients. She says warmly, "Pleasure doin' business with ya!" She waves as Coco carries her out of the shop.