The Secret.

Morrigan started to feel dizzy after hearing the question. Her snow white skin began to turn pale and a dreadful feeling went through her body.

She grabbed her shaking hands and answered: ''How can you be so sure about the expiration date? I have never heard such a thing.''

''More than a year ago I was visiting King's City with my family. We caught the disease but the church didn't sell the elixir to us. Six of us went to King's City but only three of us returned. My sisters survived only because of the medicine distributed by the rats. They told us these warnings and also some rumours. ''After a short pause he continued: ''So where did you buy it?''

No...No,no this is not the end. I just have to make him shut up, and I know exactly how to do that. ''My Lord do you believe that God's Stones block all magical powers?''

''I do.'' Said with a surprised look on his face.

''Then if I put God's Stone on my neck and still make the elixir that means I am not a Witch. We just have to prepare a patient and my herbs from the wagon and I can just it show you.'' I hope he won't ask more questions because I am already collapsing. I haven't eaten anything for a long time.

''So be it'' He clapped his hands and the guards brought in a long table, on it there were alchemical vials, flasks and even a burner. There was also a dirty bag on the table. ''Originally I wanted this to be your final test but now that you insist, I see no reason to deny your request.'' Then the guards brought a young man full of black spots on his arms forward.

Where did they acquire this equipment? Hold on. Is there an alchemist in this town? Then it would make sense. She went to the table and started to pack out from the dirty bag. After she prepared the vials, a guard came forward and put the God's Stone around her neck.

She started to grin and had to fight back her laughter while cutting the herbs. I am so lucky I just reassured his own theory that no witch can use magic while wearing this stone. This is common sense, but making him say it, gives my experiment far more credibility.

No one would except that I am not affected by the God Stone of Retaliation! I believe there is a term for it but I can't remember what it was...Maybe Extraordinary? I am not sure. I spent only a week with other witches, and then they went back to the Fjords.

That little smug cannot lay a finger on me. But I am going to put up a little show for him anyway. It does not matter what I do with the herbs the effect will remain the same, and I want to try out all these flashy vials. As far as I know my ability gives magic power to anything that I touch, but the effects can be drastic. It all depends on the matter that I touch, if it was created by magic it will disappear, blow up or just starts glowing, depending on how strong my magic. This is why I can cure magic created plagues but not normal diseases. Other Common materials react differently. I am not sure how it works exactly; I was busy running for my life. Any failed experiment would have attracted unwanted attention.

''I am done'' Morrigan went to the patient and gave him the vial. Shortly after the dark patches began to fade.'' My lord I proved that I can do it before your eyes .Is that enough to prove my innocence?'' Of course it is, say otherwise. I dare you.

''There is one more test. ''Said with a curious expression on his face.

Wait, you just said not long ago that this was the last!'' I am willing to fulfil your wish.'' There is no way that he would suspect me of witchcraft.

''Please tell all the professional details about your cure.''

Well fortunately no one really knows what alchemy is about. So I can just make up terms and by the time he found it out. I am long gone.

''Oh and I forgot to mention that you should explain that to my advisor, who was an apprentice just like you'' The grey haired man next to him nodded, and came to the table.'' You don't have to hold back or bother with the mixing, he will do it for you, according to your instructions, don't worry Octavio has more than 20 years of experience. He gave you all this equipment.''

Oh no...So that's why his face was so familiar. Hold on! ''But my lord I used up all my herbs!''

''You don't have to worry about it. Octavio was particularly interested in this incident and he asked me to get the herbs you acquired. He wanted to mass produce the cure and save the locals. I gave him my full support.''Octavio nodded once more then gestured towards the guards who brought in a three bags full of grass, leaf and even branches.'' Originally we wanted to start the trial with all these preparations ready, but no one expected that you would arrive so quickly. Including me.''

Are you serious or you just wanted to make my head explode!? No wonder your castle is in ruins.

''Cough'' ''Cough'' ''I understand my lord.'' Anyway, I just have to touch the bags and then whatever I say will result in the cure. Then I am safe.'' My lord, I would like to see these herbs with my own eyes, just to be safe.''

''No, I deny your request.'' Then he started to grin again'' I am curious about something, just continue your task."

Morrigan was shocked and became numb, with a courteous smile on her face. Like time froze around her. Only after the guards moved her did she come back into reality.

''Is there something wrong?'' a man said with a sarcastic tone.

''My Lord I-I have to take a look...'' I must touch those bags! If I don't do it they will find out that something is wrong after the next patient takes the vial!

'' I denied your request before and I will do it again.''

''I-I have to make sure that the herbs are the same!''

'' The herbs are the same I made sure of that. Now tell me the recipe. "

Her face became red and her breaths heavy "But why! " Morrigan almost screamed. Right after that, guards grabbed her and tossed her to the ground.

"Because I know that you are a witch, and I even proved it."

''No... You saw it yourself! I made the vial with a God's Stone on my neck, you aggred that there is no way that a witch can use magic under Its' effect! "

Machiavelli stood up and leaned closer to her, then with a soft tone he said: ''I hate to admit it, and I hope that this will remain between us forever... I was wrong.''

"Guards! Detain That witch."