GOT : Chapter 8

( Gulian III )

Another sunny day in Yronwood, and another morning spent looking for Quentyn. Usually, he'd be able to find him quite quickly for the morning sparring sessions, but this time there was no sign of him in the courtyard. The prince was a slippery fish, and there were a number of guesses as to where he slipped to this time around.

"Cletus, have you seen Quentyn?" he asked the heir to Yronwood as he passed by.

Cletus nodded.

"He's in a meeting with my father. He shouldn't be long."

"Your father? Why?"

"Something about the guilds I believe."

Oh, right, there was this issue.

Thanking Cletus, he walked in the direction of Lord Yronwood's solar, which Quentyn exited just as he arrived.

"What news from Lord Yronwood?" Gulian asked.

Quentyn smiled widely.

"Completely approved. Lord Yronwood will finance any efforts required necessary for the mass production of Quenticilin."

"Quenticilin?"

Quentyn rolled his eyes.

"The smallfolk associate this miracle solution to me, and as such have decided to name this miracle powder after me." He replied. "If it were up to me, I'd have named it something else. Like Flemicilin, but here we are."

Gulian nodded.

"Never mind that. How did you convince him? Especially to pour in vast quantities of money?"

"It's easy, really. Lord Yronwood isn't stupid. He's seen how fast his headache disappeared after taking one of these." Quentyn showed him some of the solution he'd produced. 

"He knows that a healthier population means people live, and work, longer. It means a happier populace, higher living standards, and better medication for the army. This isn't going to be a direct return in cold, hard, cash, but it certainly be worth it for him in the long run and he knows it."

"Has he approved its use by House Qorgyle?"

"Since I am the inventor of this thing, I get to choose who gets to produce it, and I won't lie to you Gulian, I don't give two shits about monopolies. You ask me for how exactly to make it and I will give you the full list of ingredients and steps to make it. The more people we can save, the better."

"Thank you."

Quentyn nodded.

"I'm taking the feast as an opportunity. Many houses will be present, but a lot of guild masters will be here as well. Houses Qorgyle, Fowler, Wyl and Jordayne have sent representatives to this meeting I called, and I intend to give them all instructions on how to produce it."

"Has the Citadel approved it?"

"My contact there has told me the maesters think that it is a load of nonsense. It's on us to prove them wrong. And if they don't? It'll be their loss."

Gulian nodded.

"Do you need me?"

"You can tag along. Members of the Sandstone guild will be there after all."

Gulian didn't have to be told twice. He saddled his horse, and the two of them made their way to the Yronwood guild hall, accompanied by a small escort and Ser Gerris, all too happy to get a break from the keep.

Inside of the guild hall were about two dozen people, all waiting in anguish as they entered the large room.

All eyes suddenly turned to them as the room turned silent.

They moved up to the podium, where a large table stood.

Quentyn immediately removed the bag he had around him, and placed it in the middle of the table, carefully dropping his frog next to it. He removed a few scrolls, and got out a small glass containing a white solution.

"Gentlemen." He called out, raising the glass for all to see. "This is what you call Quenticillin. This solution will change the way Dorne, and hopefully the world, lives. This white powder has saved six lives already, including Ser Bernardo here."

He pointed to the Drinkwater knight at the right of the room, who nodded.

"This powder can cure many diseases. It can treat infections, and cure everything from the plague to lung disease. But it is extremely long and costly to make. It took me a month to get enough solution to make six doses." Quentyn continued. 

"This is why I need your help. Because mass producing this solution will save not dozens, but thousands of lives. Your migranes will be gone with a single dose. Infections won't mean anything. A single cut won't be life-threatening. In other words: you will stop living in fear of death from a single wound."

He then took up a few scrolls and handed it to the different guild masters.

"Here are the exact steps to create this white solution. I have included a copy for every single one of you here, as per requested by your lords. As lord Gulian here can confirm, I have given House Qorgyle the authorization to produce this powder, as well as Houses Fowler, Wyl and Jordayne. 

Although I have not received express instructions from House Manwoody, I do believe one of their guild masters is here today, and I shall give the instructions to you nonetheless." Quentyn continued, before picking a loaf of bread covered in mold and placing it on the table. 

"This is what you will work from."

"The solution comes from mold, my prince?" one of the guild masters asked.

"Yes." Quentyn answered. "I've discovered that spreading mold over wounds could treat outside infections. To treat infections inside the body, we need to take the solution out of the mold, which requires time and effort. Lord Yronwood has ordered a large amount of glassware from Master Fernand of the guild of glassmakers."

"Indeed, my prince. We've received a large order and will be working on it immediately."

"For the others, you may either buy from the Yronwood guild or see with your own glassmaking guilds. I know houses Fowler and Manwoody do not have these and believe our own guild will be happy to provide what you need for a small price."

Master Fernand nodded with a small smile. Business for them was going to be very good in the upcoming months.

"The instructions are very complex, but bear in mind that they are all essential. Miss one step and everything will go to the seven hells. You need to grow the solution, ferment it, extract it and finally, purify it." Quentyn explained. 

"Also bear in mind that different treatments will require different amounts of the solution, and I have detailed the ones from which I am sure on the scrolls. However, this isn't a complete list, and our healers will be working on expanding this. Any questions?"

"How did you discover this?" someone in the crowd asked.

"It's a long story we don't have time for."

"How much solution will you be expecting us to make?"

"I don't expect you to make a certain amount, but I do expect you to make as much as you can. We are talking about saving lives, Master Jerron."

"What if we don't have enough men?"

"Lord Yronwood will provide anything you need. I can't talk for the guild masters from houses outside of Yronwood lands, though." Quentyn concluded. 

"Anything else? Well then, good luck, everyone. Oh, and Master Hernan? I need to have a talk with you."

As the crowd dispersed, Quentyn headed straight for Master Hernan, one of Yronwood's most renowned healers.

"What can I do for you, prince Quentyn?" the old master asked.

"I wished to talk with you about this medicinal garden we've been planning."

"Oh yes, it's been coming up quite nicely. I've heard the one in Yronwood keep is also growing?"

"It is." Gulian answered. "I planted the seeds myself. Now we can only wait."

"I need you to run some tests on some flower extracts." Quentyn asked the healer. "I need you to run tests on the effects of meadow saffron on gout, and foxglove on heart disease."

"I can certainly try for the foxglove." Master Hernan replied. 

"But naked ladies are toxic."

"Do your best." Quentyn replied. "Need I remind you who exactly has a bad case of gout?"

"I'll…try my best, prince Quentyn." The old healer nodded. "Thank you for your work, it truly has been a gift from the gods."

Quentyn showed a small smile.

"Good luck, master Hernan."

And with a nod, they were soon gone, headed back towards the keep, and Quentyn let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Relieved?" Gulian asked him.

"Like a huge burden has been taken off of my shoulders." Quentyn chuckled. "I'm finally going to be able to see the sun again."

"About damn time." Gerris smiled. "It's been a while since we've seen you. Maybe you should join us for a game of cards tonight."

"Erm…" Quentyn coughed. "I fear I'll be busy tonight, but tomorrow and the upcoming months should be fine."

The prince then winked at Gulian, before walking away as they reached the inner keep.

"Was it something I said?" Gerris asked, confused.

"Not exactly." Gulian replied. "The Jordayne detachment will be heading back towards the Tor tomorrow, which means it'll be lady Samira's last night here. And considering the two previous nights…"

Gerris raised an eyebrow before the realisation set in, and laughed wholeheartedly.

"Quentyn you son of a…"