"What does it say?"

 “It says we have to get Crimul, Garitin, and Altenorium.” Aaba said. “I haven't a clue what any of those things are, do you?”

 Delga shook her head. “But I know somebody that could help us.”

 “Just because we really need his help, okay?”

 Aaba didn't like seeing Delga's friend, Frackus. She couldn't bring up a good reason why they hated each other, really. They just, though they wouldn't describe like this, didn't vibe. It started with little insults that were meant to be taken lightly, but now there was always a heavy tension in the room whenever they were together. She wouldn't mind seeing him if it was to save their lives, though.

 Outside of town, through the path. Over the bridge, follow the fluorescent mushrooms. Blah blah blah. Aaba never bothered to remember the way to Frackus' place. She just followed Delga, just like this time.

 “Do you wanna tell him why we're doing this?” Aaba said.

 “The list? Sure, why not?” Delga looked over to the side of her, where Aaba was. “He won't turn us in, promise.”

 “I know that,”Aaba was never even worried about that part! Heck, Frackus did some things even worse than theft just to get by. “It's just, do you want him to know?”

 “Do you?” Delga stopped to look at Aaba. “You know what, we won't tell him if we don't have to. He probably won't ask, anyway.”

 And she was right, Frackus didn't even ask why they chose to visit him! They probably only visited him as a pair twice during the whole year. These visits would probably be in the warmer seasons, too, when the walk was much more pleasant.

 “Sure, I'll help you out. Just these items?” Frackus took the list from Delga and gave it a quick look-over. “Let's see… The Garitin is a syrup made by sooterflies. They're known for being good natured. There's a nest of them somewhere west of here. The Crimuul's coat? That'll be more difficult to get.”

 “Why's that?” Delga asked.

 “They've been extinct for- oh, I don't know. It was about seven summers ago when I last saw one. There are shepherds who may have a carcass on hand. Their bodies decay at a slower rate. I know a shepherd that may have what you need. It will definitely be pricey.”

 “That's alright, can you tell us where to get that last item?” Delga asked. “The-”

 “The Altenorium!” Frackus exclaimed. “I thought that was a joke from you two.” 

 “Really?”

 “It's not impossible to get but,” as Frackus put his hands in the air, the two of them-Aaba and Delga, in case you forgot- tensed. That “but” didn't make their odds seem very good.

 “It's an extremely rare crystal-well I wouldn't say extremely. Maybe, like, pretty rare? Anyways- it takes about a decade to form. In order to form, a drop of spit- yes, a drop of spit- has to land in a place with the exact conditions it needs to grow. Lucky for you two, one of those places happens to be close to Geropunt. Maybe a week or two away. Could have been worse!”

 “Great!” Delga said. “So, where is that special place?”

 “I'm afraid that I can't tell you!” Frackus said. “I'm not going to give my friend directions to her death. Why don't you hire someone else? I'm sure he could do just a better- well, just as good job.”

 “We can't afford that! We need to go get it ourselves!” Delga said.

 “Delga, you don't have to risk your life for Aaba-”

 “Oh, shut up.” Aaba said. “She's -we’re- doing it for us, got it?”

 “And why would you two need all this stuff?” 

“Well, it's just because,” Delga looked back at Aaba. Aaba doesn't want to tell Frackus. “We just have to-”

 “We'll die if we don't,” Aaba said. Frackus looked at her for a few seconds, then a few seconds more. Oh crap, he wasn't going to ask a follow up question. She just had to continue. “A witch is going to kill us if we don't get her this stuff. We tried to steal from her.”

 Frackus rolled his eyes, then he looked to Delga. “I thought I told you to stop with that business. It could get you in trouble.”

 “Then help us when we ask for it!” Aaba said. 

 Aaba was usually the one who did all the talking, so Delga just let her go at it. They shared most of the same beliefs and opinions, anyways.

 “I did help you two. I gave you all those suggestions, and I offered to put in a good word for you.” Frackus said. 

 Oh boy. Frackus could just be so stupid sometimes, and Aaba wasn't in the mood to deal with it. “Come on! You know everyone's had it tough since the debt. We just did what we had to do.”

 “And look where you ended up.”

 Being the servant or apprentice to a wicth would be even worse than owing your life to one. Frackus had to know this, he never had one of them, nor did he desire one. Obviously they resorted to petty theft! And what does he mean “where you ended up”? Look at where he ended up! He has to hide in a shack in the woods, for fauna's sake.

All of these thoughts went through Aaba's head, but only one thing came out.

“Whatever, can you just help us, please?”

“Sure, why not?” Frackus said. “I'll give you the directions to the Lorbrinne, that's where you'll get the Altenorium. I'll draw you a map of where to get it as well as the Garittin and the- what was that last bit? Delga, can I see the list?”     Delga handed it over, and Frackus gave it one last good inspection. “I see, the criii…muul? Did you get pollen all over this?”

“What?” Aaba said.

“There's little purple specks all over it, don't you see?” Frackus held it out to them. It was much clearer to see now that it had been pointed out to them. The page was covered it purple dust! “How did that witch say she was going to kill you?”

“She didn't really say,” Delga said. “She just said we'd die in a month.”

“She's cursed you in some way.”

“How do you know that?” Aaba asked. I mean, even she figured that, but she just wanted to hear what Frackus had to say.

“This,” he pointed to purple specks, “is Judaria.”

To recreate a curse, one would have to be related to the originator or just that damn good. Frackus said this before they had explained to him that the witch's-Agatha's, in case you forgot- grandson was infected with it. That's why she asked them to get all of these items. She’s infected them with it, taken i t somehow from her grandson. They didn't have a month left to live, her grandson did. If he died before they got back, she probably wouldn't be willing to heal them. 

“And you two gave it to me!” Frackus raised his hands, just to express his frustration. He wasn't that much of an ass. 

“Sorry!” Delga said, apologetically.

“We didn't know!” Aaba said, less apologetically. “Just make a map for us, and we'll get that stuff for you.”

“I'll meet you at the Cryntine's-” that's the name of a tavern that doesn't serve much purpose to this story except for this- “okay?” Frackus said. “She needs to know that I have it too.” He sighed, then continued. “And I'll be there with the crimuul, got it?”

Dealga shouted “Really?” and Aaba said “Why?” at the same time.

“There's no way you'd be able to get all three in a month. I'll help you. Besides, I can't trust Aaba with the negotiating.” Frackus said. 

Before the two left, Frackus told them a little bit more about that altenorium. It got its name because it sings, that's how they could make their search easier, as sipranitim and barretome usually formed close to altenorium. Altenorium never sung too high, nor too low. Sipranitim sung in very high notes, though it could be very quiet most times. Barretome was, well, perfect, actually. It usually sung low, only occasionally was it rumored to go up an octave.

Before they left, Frackus spoke to Delga. "Be careful, okay? And I'm sorry I didn't try to help you two before. I'll see what I can do for you after this whole mess, okay?”

Delga smiled. “Thank you, Frackus, that wouldbe great.”

Unfortunately, he forgot to tell them a little bit more about Lorbrinne. At least that way they would have been a little more prepared. He forgot to tell them about the low survival rates. About the creatures and cryptids roamed both the areas inside and outside. About how Lorbrinne wasn't a cave, like they had thought, but was in fact a dungeon. A high level one at that.