Chapter 4: Apothecaries Test (Part 5/9)

3 hours had passed with agony as I quizzed myself multiple times on the 3 different plants. I had almost memorized the passages word for word and I could list off all details that I felt were relevant. I felt quite confident in answering whatever questions Victoria had for me with her test. However, with the method of learning I used in the short period of time I had, my mind was worn out. I treated it similarly to how I learned to play the piano and memorize the periodic table when I was younger. Although I had long since forgotten most of what I learned then, I do recall my method having great success at the time. I would read a passage, repeating it in my head until I could either speak it out loud or play it flawlessly without cheating and looking at it, before moving on. At any point if I made a single mistake, then I'd start once again from the Very beginning until it was flawless. It was incredibly tedious and mind draining, but it had proven highly effective. This was certainly not a method that I frequently utilized as a child, since it had really strained me with my Attention Deficit Disorder. However, the pride and self-satisfaction I felt at conquering such a difficult and beautiful piece of music or relevant structured scientific knowledge, made it worth the effort. As the 3 hours had concluded, despite my weary mind, I could smell the scent of more delicious food wafting from Victoria's kitchen as she prepared lunch. It had a savory and meaty odor that had me imagining a delicious steak with mashed potatoes with gravy. Intermixed with it was a hint of cinnamon that I assumed to be a dessert maybe? *Haha.* I laughed to myself under my breath at the errant thought that rose in my mind. The irony of smelling cinnamon after having learned about a plant that mimicked its taste while being deadly, was not lost on me. I made my way to the table carrying the Apothecary book as I believed she may want it to quiz me with. Victoria had already set out the meal along with the plates and utensils. With cleaned hands, she relieved me of the book and set it beside her on the table. Looking at the dishes arrayed across the table, I saw what looked like a thick stew of sorts and an amber colored drink. On the kitchen counter further away, with steam still rising from them, were what I guessed to be her version of cinnamon cookies. As we both seated ourselves, Victoria began with serving herself from the pot of stew with a ladle. After that, she motioned for me to get some for myself. I happily filled my large bowl that I was certain to finish, if not go for seconds. Trying a small sip of the aromatic mixture, I found it still too hot to really dig into yet. Instead, I set it aside and broke the silence between us. "Victoria, before we start the test, I had a few questions for you that I hope you could give some of your thoughts on." She paused mid blowing on her spoonful of stew to respond. "Certainly, what would you like to ask?" My thoughts were still a bit stuffed with the details of the 3 plants I had just studied and I sort of risked forgetting something pertinent with my questions, but to me, this was more important. Words that I hesitated to share came out haltingly. "My sister . . . she was inflicted with a disease that those in my world have never seen before. They are struggling with finding a cure for it and. . ." My words caught in my throat at the emotional upheaval I was feeling opening up about this sensitive subject, before continuing after a dry swallow. ". . . I, I'm hoping that you might have an idea of what we are fighting against." I continued on to explain about how based off the research of the scientists evaluating it, that it appeared to be a voracious derivative of the disease called leprosy. As I described the symptoms, the expressions on Victoria's face transitioned from being interested at the start, to pondering. Forcing myself to explain my part in the whole situation as well as my self-blame, I also described the more gritty details of the snow white hamburger like texture of her skin with black veins, the fast progression of the disease, and explained about the metal collar that they had been using to halt the spread of the contagion to her head. Victoria showed a brief moment of disgust mixed with sympathy and finally settled on pensive thought. While she pondered in silence, I practically buried my head into my stew in anxiety as I struggled to bear with the hot mixture. *Ohmygoodness!* I thought, as the very taste of it helped greatly in distracting me from my deeply emotional reveal. The shivers I occasionally get when I discuss very personal things with others began to subside with the warmth that I felt envelope me as I began consuming the amazing stew. My focus become undivided as I immersed myself in the taste of the meal with only occasional sips from the cold apple cider drink to cool my tongue. Only after I was about halfway through my bowl did Victoria break the silence. Her voice was somber as she finally spoke. "It sounds to me like your sister is suffering from zombification." She paused to take a spoonful of her own stew before continuing. "It's very interesting that your scientists were able to discover the likely root of the disease. I'm guessing that they were utilizing the known cure for the root in order to restrict the complete spread of the disease?" I nodded my head at that, yet my lips tightened as an unwelcome memory that happened later, surfaced. With sheer will I decisively cast that memory back into the abyss of my subconscious mind. Seeing my reluctance to speak what had been on my mind, Victoria continued. "I'll be honest. It is a very good start to know the root of your sister's disease, however, there have been many apothecaries far more skilled than I, that have not yet found the cure to diseases such as that. Many may argue that these conditions are irrevocable transformations, that cannot be cured without divine intervention. Even the possibility of curing conditions such as vampirism, lycanthropy, and zombification are only attempted by those at the peak of their profession as an apothecary or alchemist. I wouldn't even be able to join them in their search as I focus primarily upon the usage of plants and low-level mage stones to create the majority of my products. I do utilize animal parts as well as cores in rare and powerful potions that tend to cost in the Mithril range. Those are powerful in their own right, as some of my anti-venoms have the ability to cure even the most-deadly of venom, while also instilling a portion of permanence in the consumers immunity to venoms in the future. However, that is the peak that I have currently reached. Correcting highly invasive changes, to the chain of life is far beyond me." She paused and gave a self-depreciating smile. "Although I pride myself in being the best apothecary in this city, there are others far more skilled than I across the world and hidden among the realms of the deities. Maybe some of them have already discovered the cure and horde it like the precious secret that it is. Or, maybe the materials necessary for the cure are so scarce that to release that knowledge to the world, would be more detrimental than helpful." With a sigh she gave a last spoken thought. "It would be nice to know, but for now, small steps are necessary to build a strong foundation. I wish you well in your goal to find the cure." After a few bites of her stew, she continued with a more professional tone coloring her voice. "In any case, if this is a great endeavor of yours, then you made the right decision to seek apprenticeship under me. As such, I should begin quizzing you on what you have learned." "To start with something simple, what are the names of the 3 herbs you studied? . . . ." The quizzing continued for a time with each of us taking shorts breaks for a bite of stew and drink of cold cider. Victoria asked about primary herbal or medical uses of the plants as well as symptoms of toxic level consumption. Then she moved onto ask about habitat, where the plants were more likely to be found, due to favorable growing conditions. A few other questions were asked, and then lastly, she asked me about what I remember regarding the listed treatments for overdoses. "Well, it appears that you have studied the first 3 pages to a satisfactory degree." A smile crossed Victoria's face as the test appeared to be concluded. "You stated earlier that you enjoyed my cooking, correct?" "Absolutely!" I replied with honest admiration of the two meals I've had so far. "That is good. I also made something special for a dessert." Carrying the now cooler tray over to sit between us she grabbed a couple of cookies first. Without any further prodding, I grabbed a few myself. Biting down on one was like biting into a soft and fragrant cinnamon and ginger snap. Ginger snaps from home weren't my absolute favorite dessert, but they were up there with the really good quality ones I've tasted. Only well-made cheesecake, pumpkin pie, and a few other delicacies could be considered a favorite. This new version of Ginger snaps however, could easily compete with them! As we continued to devour the dessert, Victoria continued conversing with me as she spoke about the responsibilities involved in being her apprentice. Apparently, I would be expected to perform a variety of duties, such as collecting precious compounds for the cultivation of her herbs, and occasionally being sent out for various deliveries to long-time patrons within the city. I'd also be expected to participate in various experiments and teaching moments, dedicated to improved my learning experience. She emphasized that many things she would ask me to do may appear confusing or downright ridiculous and tedious. Pausing for a moment to let that sink in, she then enquired with a more serious tone. "Do you still agree to be my apprentice after learning of your primary expected responsibilities?" Honestly, I was getting excited for the learning experiences that she was promising. With the insight that she already offered regarding my sister's disease, I felt fully confident that I had made the right decision to apprentice under her. "Yes!" I replied with confident excitement. She gave me an appreciative nod. "Good. I admire your energy and am grateful for your resilience." Instead of saying something official like 'I accept you as my apprentice', she changed topics. "You can have the rest of the dessert as I can't seem to eat as much as you and it'll go bad after tonight. I also need to save space for my after-meal treatment." Something niggled the back of my mind about her strange words, but I ignored it in favor of enjoying more of the dessert. She then continued. "I want you to think carefully about what you tasted in this meal. What flavors do you clearly recall? Assuming that this was a way to hone my sense of taste and smell, my eyebrows scrunched a bit in thought as I dedicated my thoughts to recalling the various flavors involved in the meal I just finished. While I was thinking, Victoria had pulled out a napkin filled with some white roots. In passing thought, I kind of wondered if it was a snack of some sort or an after meal dental cleaning product. Seeing her slight grimace as her pearly teeth began crunched on the roots, led me to believe that it was more for oral care comparable to brushing her teeth rather than for enjoyment. "Well, there was the stew that had an assortment of vegetables and a wild tasting meat. I honestly couldn't even begin to say the flavors as I was unfamiliar with almost everything in it. But it was delicious and savory. The apple cider was rich with a hint of cinnamon, and your dessert which was quite similar to something in my world called ginger snaps obviously had cinnamon and ginger in them." "Exactly!" Victoria exclaimed just as she finished up the last of the root she was munching on. The mood in the room felt like it had shifted for some reason. She then pointedly looked at me with what I could only describe as a wolfish smile, looking predatory and tinged with mischief. "Cinnamon."