The bell on the shop door chimed, and Galen called out a greeting. He smiled and thanked the customer in front of him for their purchase before looking at the newest person. Galen's smile grew wider when he saw that it was Severin, "How are you doing today, Severin?"
"Good," Severin replied, going up to the counter. He leaned against the wood and played with a pen that had been left there, "Somebody even looked at me when I walked into town. Guess they're getting used to seeing me."
It was no surprise. After their third meeting in the forest, Galen had invited Severin to come to his shop. Galen had finally finished organizing his inventory and decorated the place. A giant sign swung above the outside of the shop, announcing it as Sehrae's Apothecary. Ever since that meeting, Severin had come to the shop every single day. At first, he was hesitant to bother Galen, but he soon got over it and began to pester Galen about the uses of all the medicines in the store.
"You shouldn't have to celebrate someone acknowledging your presence, Severin. That's an unbelievably low bar to cross," Galen said as he put the money from the last purchase away.
Severin hopped up to sit on the counter, "Yeah, it is, isn't it? But beggars can't be choosers."
"You shouldn't have to beg to be treated well."
"Whatever." Galen and Severin had this conversation many times in the past two months. Despite Severin's anger at how the townspeople treated him and his family, he had accepted their treatment as normal and did not seek to challenge their perspectives. Severin continued, "I don't care about what they think of me. I'm happy knowing that they'll rot in this town while I go and become greater than they ever will be."
Galen rolled his eyes. This was not the first time Severin said something so ambitious. He seemed convinced he would become powerful, someone greater than any governor. It reminded Galen of many foolish humans he had met before. However, he did not doubt Severin's resolution. If he learned anything in his life, it was not to underestimate the drive of humans. Instead of addressing it, Galen asked, "Could you grab me some more foxglove from the storage room?"
"Okay," Severin slid off the counter and went off to grab the desired plant. The young man had proved helpful in running the store. While Galen was busy with customers, Severin could perform some of the smaller chores. Initially, Galen did not want Severin helping out as that was not the reason he had asked Severin to come visit, but Severin insisted. Galen reluctantly agreed on the condition he paid Severin for his work. Severin tried to refuse, but Galen was adamant. Even though Severin only did minor things like cleaning or fetching ingredients, he started to amass knowledge on the various plants and herbs laying around the shop. He was an enthusiastic student and listened intently to whatever Galen said.
Severin called out, "What does foxglove look like again?"
"It has purple, bell-shaped flowers that point downward. It also has a thick, sturdy stalk."
"Oh, okay." Rummaging noises could be heard from the room, "Found it!" Severin exited the storage room, triumphantly holding up a handful of foxgloves.
"Perfect. Please set that on the counter."
"What does it do, and who's it for?"
"This particular tincture is for Sheriff Morstat's wife. She's been having heart trouble lately, and her doctor recommended trying foxglove."
Severin frowned at the mention of Morstat's name. His lackadaisical attitude toward the townsfolk did not extend to the sheriff. Severin had a special brand of hatred reserved for Morstat. Galen did not know the reason for that, and Severin remained confusingly tight-lipped on the matter. Galen let it go as he was not one to pry. He did, however, make sure to keep contact with Sheriff Morstat at a minimum. He already disliked the man, so it was no hardship.
"Do you think it'll work?"
Galen sighed, "I'm a medicine man, not a doctor. When people come to me with their aches and pains, I can only give them medicine that matches their complaints. A doctor would know the cause and best course of action, but doctors are a luxury around here. If the doctor thinks this is the best course of action, I trust that they know what they are doing."
"What if they don't?"
Galen shrugged his shoulders, "Then, that is unfortunate for the patient."
"Quite a grim outlook, huh."
"Grim and unavoidable. Let's pray that Pravu guides their soul to its eternal slumber peacefully."
"Let's hope."
With that, Galen began to pluck off the flowers of the foxglove. He took out a mortar and pestle and started to grind it down. Severin played with a leaf that had fallen off one of the foxgloves. He glanced at Galen before focusing back on the leaf. It twirled in his fingers. Galen stopped crushing the flower and stared at Severin. Severin glanced up again and looked away as soon as he made eye contact with Galen. Galen set down the pestle, "Do you have something to say?"
"Well," Severin paused, seemingly to gather his thoughts, "You know how I come here every day."
"Yes."
"And how I work around the shop."
"Yes."
"I was wondering," Severin paused again.
"Lalai, boy, out with it."
Severin scowled at being called boy, "I'm 25 years old. I'm not a boy. You're like what, thirty? That's only five years older than me."
"Thirty. Something like that," Galen chuckled, "Please just tell me what's on your mind."
"I want to become your apprentice," the words rushed out of Severin's mouth. Galen stood shocked. He had not expected that, but it was not unfounded. Severin had been helping a lot around the shop, and he did take great interest in the medicines. Galen mulled it over in his mind.
While Galen contemplated the pros and cons of having Severin as an apprentice, Severin fidgeted restlessly. He was about to open his mouth and tell Galen to forget about it when the bell chimed. Sheriff Morstat entered with his wife.
"Galen! It is good to see you again. I've brought my lovely wife to show her the shop," Morstat greeted as he walked in the door. Mrs. Morstat waved weakly.
"Sheriff, you've come early. Your medicine won't be ready for another day," Galen returned.
Sheriff Morstat merely smiled, "I know. The wife was feeling a little nervous, so I thought I try to assuage her worries. See, darling, Galen is working hard on your medicine."
Mrs. Morstat coughed wetly into a handkerchief, "Thank you, Mr. Sehrae. I've been sick for a while now, and I'm tired of it. I hope your tincture helps."
Severin stood stiffly next to the counter while Galen and the Morstats talked. The couple had not noticed Severin until Galen said, "Severin here has been keeping me company for the past couple of months. He's been an invaluable asset to the apothecary."
"Oh, Severin. I didn't even notice you there," Morstat said.
"For a sheriff, you sure are oblivious," Severin spoke gruffly. The sheriff's mouth tightened, and his face grew colder. Mrs. Morstat was devoid of any expression.
"Anyway, I just wanted to show my wife the store, but we've got other errands to run so I'll be seeing you tomorrow for that medicine," Morstat guided his wife out of the shop with a hand on her lower back. With a quick parting wave, they were gone.
Galen gave Severin a stern look, "I know you and Sheriff Morstat don't get along, but you do have to treat a paying customer better than that."
"That man deserves nothing less than the worst," Severin crossed his arm defiantly.
"That's too bad because you're going to give him better than that. No apprentice of mine treats any customer poorly."
Severin brightened, "Really! Thank you, Galen!"
Galen waved his hand dismissively, "No need to thank me. You were practically my apprentice in everything but the name."
"Still, thank you."
"No problem."
All of a sudden, Severin grinned mischievously, "Does this mean I have to call you Mr. Sehrae from now on? Now that you are officially my boss."
"No, absolutely not," Galen grimaced, "Please just continue to call me Galen." Sehrae was one of the many last names Galen had taken on in his life. He felt decidedly neutral about it but preferred to be called Galen. His creator, Irkala, gave none of his kind a last name, and it did not feel right for Galen to call himself by anything other than the name given by his creator. On the other hand, all humans had last names, so he took one to blend in better. He came up with Sehrae when he lived in the desert country of Kurak. Just thinking about the scorching sands of that place left him itchy.
"What will we do first?" Severin asked.
"Our first order of business is identifying plants. Wait here a moment," Galen rounded the counter and bounded up the stairs to his room. He came back down the stairs carrying a hefty tome. He placed the book on the counter and patted the cover, "This is what you will be learning from. By the end of this apprenticeship, you will know every single plant in here by heart."
Severin stared wide-eyed at
the massive book. There had to be at least a thousand pages. Shaking off his
stupor, Severin opened the book and started the long task ahead of him.
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