Galen and Severin fell back into their easy comradery. Severin stopped asking about asteris, and Galen made no move to tell him anything. Galen did, however, start to use his magic more. Severin watched him every time. Galen could see the fascination in his eyes, but neither was willing to dive back into conversations about magic.
"Severin, how much chamomile do we have left?" Galen asked, looking at his orders for the day.
"Uh," Severin walked into the storage room, "Not a lot, and all we have is the dried stuff. We'll have to put that on the to-do list."
"Okay, I'll make sure to do that. Grab what's left."
"On it!" Severin left the room clutching a bundle of the white flower. He set it down on the counter and sat on the chair he had pulled up earlier. Severin watched as Galen crushed the flowers and deposited half of the remains into a pretty bag.
"Would you like some? I'm going to put a pot on." Galen walked up the stairs into his tiny apartment.
"I've never had any," Severin called back. He could hear Galen puttering around in the kitchen.
"What?" Galen poked his head out from the top of the stairs, "You've never had chamomile tea before?"
"No. I was never really one to drink tea."
"I've got to remedy this immediately!"
Severin chuckled. He played with the ribbon holding the bag of crushed chamomile closed. He took in a deep breath. The smell of the shop was equal parts comforting and overwhelming. The scent of the various medicines, incense, and candles swirled around him, lulling him into absentmindedness. He was so lost in his thoughts that he was startled when Galen set a teacup in front of him. He glanced up and saw Galen holding a teapot.
"Ready for some tea?" Severin nodded. Galen rounded the counter, setting the teapot down. He opened the lid and placed the flowers into the pot.
"Do we drink the flowers too?"
Galen laughed, "No, there is a filter in the spout. Have you never seen tea be made either?"
"No. I only ever saw the finished project."
"And have any of the finished projects contained the flowers still?"
"No, but you never know! Maybe chamomile tea did leave the flowers. How am I supposed to know?"
Galen said nothing in response, but his amusement was palpable. He poured tea into both of the cups. Severin went to pick up his cup, but Galen stopped his hand. Severin met his eyes curiously. Galen swirled his hand over Severin's cup, leaving purple wisps in his wake. Severin's eyes widened as he watched the purple magic infuse with his tea. Severin looked between his cup and Galen. Galen could see that he was dying to ask him what he had just done.
Galen's good mood moved him to say, "I know what you want to ask. Just do it."
"What did you do? Am I drinking a potion?" Severin breathed.
"Yes, it is a potion of some sort. Nothing extreme. I only amplified the effects of the tea. Can you tell me what the tea does?"
"It reduces stress and anxiety. It also can help induce sleep."
"Correct. I thought we were due for a little bit of relaxing." Severin did not appear to be paying attention, having tuned out as soon as he responded. He was too busy examining his tea. Galen was about to comment when Severin drank the whole cup in one swallow.
"Can you taste the magic?" Severin peered into the empty cup.
"No. You cannot taste the magic."
"I bet it would taste like magic."
Galen pursed his lips in an attempt not to laugh. "Amazing observation, Severin. It's a wonder you're not a scholar."
"Don't make fun of me," Severin pouted.
"I'm not," Severin gave him a look of disbelief, "Really, I'm not!"
"Do you ever make potions for customers?"
Galen remained silent. Severin inwardly sighed. He messed up again and would have to apologize. Again. Surprisingly, Galen said, "Sometimes."
Severin perked up. "When is sometimes?"
"Most of the time, I amplify the effects like what I did with our tea. I feel the medicine I make is enough for the majority, but I'll give it some extra when it isn't."
"Has anyone ever been able to tell?"
"If I was afraid somebody could tell, I would not give any potions to humans. My magic doesn't have a taste and only discolors the base medicine a little. A wholly magic potion will have an unnatural sheen, so I don't tend to make them for humans."
"Your magic doesn't have a taste? Is it different across asteris?"
"Asteris magic doesn't have a taste. Magician magic does," Severin tensed at the mention of magicians, "Magicians have to use astera parts, so their potions taste disgusting."
"Hopefully, I will only have to drink one of yours."
"One can hope." Severin was glad that the anger that had swelled up at the mention of magicians yesterday did not come into play today. He focused on the teacup still held in his grasp. He grinned to himself. Severin's amazement at being able to drink a potion had not diminished at all.
Galen studied Severin. He could not believe Severin was so interested in magic. Although, he had to concede that anyone would be interested in the unknown, especially something as unknown and elusive as magic. Galen could not help but ask, "You don't know much about magic, do you?"
"I've never had the opportunity to learn. Erasima never had a high concentration of magic, whether that be astera or magicians. That's why a lot of people like to come visit, you know. No threats of the magical variety."
"We must have been unlucky to run into that astera the other day."
"Yeah. It must have been the only one around for miles."
Galen noticed the setting sun. "Hey, you should start heading home. I don't want you walking about in the dark."
Severin stood up from the chair, "You're right. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be sleeping well tonight. Thanks for the tea."
Severin proceeded to collect his belongings and stuff them into his bag. He slung the bag over his shoulder, making his way to the front door. He turned and waved his goodbye. Galen waved back. Deciding that he ought to close up shop, Galen started to clean the mess generated from the day's work. Once he finished, he poured himself another cup of tea. He carried the tea with him up to his room. Galen sat down on his bed, content with the events of the day.
He finished the rest of the
tea and laid down, getting ready to sleep. The chamomile already weighed on his
eyelids. Before he closed his eyes, Galen remembered how excited Severin looked
about his magic. The genuine astonishment his face showed when he knew he was
about to drink a potion. Maybe it would not be the end of the world if Severin
became a magician. Severin would never hunt him down, nor would he betray Galen’s
secrets. Severin was his friend. He had asked for Galen’s trust, and Galen had
no reason to refuse him. If there was any human he trusted with magic, it was
Severin.
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