Page 24 of Bloody Business

Artur's pharmacy had a long counter stacked with bottles of tinctures and small shelves of pills, pots of ointment and medicinal tea.Floor to ceiling shelves behind the counter held labeled canisters and boxes.As they watched, the pharmacist used a brass scale to weigh herbs.He smiled and chatted with the customer as he slid the herbs into a brown paper envelope.

Artur introduced her to the shopkeeper, and Julep spent some time looking over the inventory.She sniffed balms to identify the ingredients and studied the consistency of salves, holding them up to the light.

A red fly ointment caught her eye.“Excuse me, she asked the pharmacist.I know someone who reacts badly to the standard red fly ointment.Is there anything less irritating, but still effective?”

The pharmacist frowned.“There's only the standard recipe that I'm aware of.Perhaps our chief pharmacist will know more?”

“Good idea.Let's ask him.”Artur said, brightening.He escorted her to the workshop in back, a spacious, well lit space stocked with every herb imaginable.

A goblin looked up from a workbench where he was pounding a bowl of herbs.He wore glasses and had bristly hair tamed with hair wax.

He was medium sized and middle aged, and seemed irritated by the interruption.

Artur smiled, unfazed.“This is my chief pharmacist, Ignis.Ignis, this is my wife, Julep.She wants to know if there is any red fly ointment that doesn't make sensitive eyes swell.”

Ignis blinked.“There's only the standard recipe.It works for most people, so there didn't seem to be a point in changing it.”

“Little profit either, I imagine,” Julep said.“After all, saltwater works nearly as well.Unfortunately, it's not guaranteed effective.”

Ignis made a non-committal grunt.

“Of the five standard ingredients, which one would you say could be replaced?Or left out, and still achieve effectiveness?I was thinking that toadfart silk was probably the most irritating ingredient.''The down of the toadfart pod (the pod looked like a toad with fluffy down coming out of its rear as it opened) was collected as it flowered and used in all kinds of medicines.It was very effective, but some people found it irritating.

Ignis frowned.“You would have to find a sensitive individual and test each ingredient on them.Sometimes we put out a notice that we are testing products and offer to pay subjects.It can get expensive, but you can't expect people to volunteer.”

She brightened.“Excellent idea!”

“As for a substitute for toadfart...”He considered the massive bookshelf.“You would have to research herbs with similar properties.Off the top of my head, I would lean towards bog mallow or rock slime.”He selected two books and handed them to her.“Just return them when you finish, please.Or...perhaps your husband could purchase copies for you?If you like them, of course.”

“Excellent idea!I've been meaning to expand my library.Have someone make a list of all the books here.Let me know if there's any you want for the shop.We’ll include it in the purchase.”

Ignis looked pleased.

“Oh, you don't have to...”Julep protested.

Artur derailed her by taking her hand.He smiled.“But I insist.I would be very grateful if you can find a red fly ointment that doesn't blind me.”

Ignis looked alarmed.“But sir, you should have mentioned the matter!I would have looked into it.”It was difficult to tell whether he was concerned about someone stealing his thunder, or currying more favor with his boss.

Artur waved a hand.“No need, she's got it.”

“I'll let you know if either of those herbs make the difference.After all, they were your idea,”Julep said diplomatically.She would like to be able to pick his brain again, something that would be difficult to do if he resented her.“It might not be a big seller, but it could be something else to offer in the shop.”

Reminded that it wasn't a flashy sales item, Ignis relaxed.He nodded.

Julep put the herbs and a few other things on Artur's account.She spent the trip home thinking about her new formula.She couldn't wait to get started.The first thing she would do would be to test the individual herbs on Artur's skin, although she wouldn't put them directly in his eyes.Not until she was confident.

She would also need some red fly larvae to experiment on.Ugh!She wasn't looking forward to that.

Artur didn't disturb her with idle chit chat, which she deeply appreciated.Few people could handle silence.

The thought made her look up...and that's when she sawhim.The goblin who had hunted her, trying to steal her formula, was standing outside in the street, looking at her.

They locked eyes.The big brute looked grim.Oh, boy...

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