Page 42 of The King's Sword
On the walkway, she tried to keep her head down as she took note of the streets she passed, being sure to turn at the right places. She scanned the signs, looking for the right one. When she saw the circle with a flame, relief filled her.
She threw the door open and burst inside. “I need help,” she said even though she didn’t see a single person in the store. Then she remembered what Evander had told her about talking to no one but the apothecary. She stood in the middle of the shop, waiting.
Along the walls were several shelves filled with glass bottles, bowls, and plants. A funny smell permeated the room. There was a counter covered with stains in the middle of the shop. Since time was of the essence, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
“Hello?” she called out, louder this time. “Is anyone here?”
A door between the shelves opened and an older man with white hair came out, drying his hands on a towel. “Can I help you?” he asked, squinting at her.
She reached out, showing him the bracelet.
His eyes widened as he leaned closer, examining it. “What do you need?” he asked.
She tapped her right wrist.
“Oh.” He lifted his arm, revealing a red tattoo matching the sign out front.
She handed him the paper. “It’s an emergency.” She dumped the coins Evander had given her on the counter.
The man nodded and got to work pulling several bottles from the shelves. He poured the ingredients into a bowl then mashed them together. Once done, he used a spoon to put the pasty goo into a container, capping it with a lid. “This is for the cut. It will help with infection.” Then he pulled out a black rock and put it in a stone bowl. Using a hammer, he beat it into a fine powder. Then he put the powder into another container and capped it. “This is to stop the bleeding. Use this first, then the gel second.”
Sabine nodded.
He reached under the counter, withdrawing a bottle. “This is to be taken like a drink.”
“Okay.”
The man picked up the list, reading it again. He went into the back room and returned a moment later with a needle and thread. Gathering everything together, he put the items in a round basket, handing it to Sabine.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the basket.
“Good luck.”
She exited the shop and took off running. On her way back to the inn, she got turned around. On the verge of panicking, she took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She didn’t have time to waste. After going another block, she realized she’d missed a turn. Shaking her head, she backtracked and found the correct pathway. When she reached the inn, she went inside, running up the stairs and bursting into the room. She set the basket aside before closing and locking the door.
“That was quite a dramatic entrance,” Evander said, his voice weak. A sheen of sweat covered his forehead.
Sabine sat on the bed beside him with the basket. She withdrew the black powder. Evander reached for it. “Let me,” she said.
“Have you ever done this before?” he asked.
“No.” She almost lied and said yes but figured he’d know. “Just tell me what to do.”
He nodded.
She reached forward, carefully removing the cloth pressed against his would. The cut wasn’t long, just deep.
“Sprinkle the black stuff on,” he ground out.
She uncapped the bottle and shook it, covering his wound with the black substance. The blood immediately stopped oozing out.
“Now use the gel,” he said.
She removed its cap, trying not to gag at the smell. “Do I just put it on with my fingers?” She didn’t want to hurt him.
“Yes, but only use half. Save the other half for after.”
“After what?” she asked, scooping up about half of the contents.
