Looking for an answer

The fields were intricately arranged around a circular structure in the center. The perfect order of everything made one yearn, but it was the kind of world the legendary Elder Healer had created for herself.

In her laboratory, she was always experimenting with elixirs, tinctures, extracts, etc.

She was said to be able to memorize over a thousand plant names and distinguish them from each other, as well as prepare an infinite number of potions from them.

In her youth, the Seventh Elder was quite resentful, and her adversaries experienced her uncommon abilities firsthand.

She could put someone to sleep during a lecture or slip them a love powder, and then the person knew all the shades of shame.

All in all, Liam was wary and had great respect for the extraordinary Elder. And right now, he had his best hope in her phenomenal memory and sharp mind.

They caught Seventh in the seedbed. The woman was diligently weeding the young shoots of some unknown plant. She got up and removed her dirty gloves from her hands when she saw the guests. As she approached them, the Twelfth and the Head said a polite hello.

"So, something happened," the woman looked intently at her guests.

"Mistress Seventh, forgive the intrusion and for taking up your time but could you help us with a matter concerning a plant?"

Liam knew how to negotiate and the woman's eyes glittered at the mention of a flower.

"Certainly, let's sit over there," she pointed with her garden spatula toward a lovely arbor lushly lined with roses of several shades.

The men let her go ahead and followed her. The closer the gazebo came, the stronger the intoxicating scent wafted in. When they finally sat down, Liam felt dizzy.

The conversation began with Twelfth, who had brought with him a valuable tome. When he opened it on the right page, he moved the book closer to Seventh, and she peered inside with interest.

"And who, pray tell, is still using the Transfer technique?" Her mocking gaze shifted from one man to the other.

Both were silent, only Liam found it increasingly difficult to keep his mind clear. Seventh noticed his strange condition and put her fingers on his wrist. Watching him carefully, she asked:

"Are you not feeling well? The scent of roses has a double meaning. In ancient times, an elixir of roses was put on the wrist of someone whose truth was to be tested. It was believed that a person could not lie by smelling the concentrated scent of these flowers."

Liam stared at the Elder without blinking.

"You can tell me all about it, my dear," Seventh sitted him to the bench in a commanding tone.

"My apprentice, ahem, experienced the Transfer technique a few days ago," Liam said, his throat feeling sore.

"Tell me about your apprentice."

"He's a freshman, but because of his special talent he's been to General Tishaw's camp, where an old captain used the Transfer technique on him."

"All right," nodded the Elder, "and how come a first-year apprentice ended up in camp?"

"Um, ahem, well, I wanted to promote him," hesitated the Head.

"And why? What makes this apprentice special?" Seventh persisted. Even Twelfth realized by now that the woman was prying details out of Liam that she should already know.

"He's talanted, he has pure scarlet energy."

"That's how," the woman replied, more to herself than to him.

"Did he show any special talents in the camp? Like with dragons, for instance?"

Liam looked at Seventh in bewilderment and then back to Twelve. He gave him a strange sign, as if ordering him to be silent. Liam coughed and asked for a drink.

The woman stood up and took a few steps to the side to get Liam some water. At that moment, Twelfth quickly walked over to Liam and whispered:

"Something's not right, I don't think it's not Seventh..."

Liam stared at him in amazement and quickly looked at the woman in the distance.

"What shall we do?" He had only time to say as Seventh turned and walked in their direction.

"Cough and lie," the man said.

After drinking the water, Liam apologized for coughing.

"I'm just curious how your apprentice has behaved," the woman said peacefully.

"He fooled about, even got into the solitary confinement, tried to escape and fell over the cliff, was mistaken for a dead man.

"A troublemaker, then, what about his dragon, how is he now?"

Liam stared at Seventh again.

"He's fine, he's still growing," Liam said confused, "can you help us with the plant?"

"What about it?" Seventh wondered.

"We don't know what kind of plant is listed in this guidebook," Liam looked at the woman hopefully.

"Hmm, neither do I."

Liam marveled again. Something was clearly wrong. Suddenly she turned and went into the house. The men waited for about half an hour and tried not to discuss any important business.

After a long wait, Twelfth suggested they go and check it out. They approached the tall glass doors, which gave way easily and opened. Inside it was quiet and everything was white: the walls, the floor, the furniture, the household items.

Seven's tastes were considered strange for a reason, but thanks to her love of sterility, Liam discovered something: there was dust everywhere on the furniture.

Considering that there was a vegetable garden next to the house, and the wind blew debris in through the open windows, it was no surprise. But the strange thing was that no one had cleaned the house.

They looked at each other: it's clear!

Twelfth had been in her house more than once and quickly headed to where the Elder might have been. They circled all the rooms, but found no one there.

Once out of the house, Liam looked around. In the distance, at the edge of a bright blue field of flowers, was a simple wooden house, most likely a tool shed.

He went there as fast as he could, and when he barely cracked the door, he found Seventh bound and unconscious on the floor. Goosebumps ran up and down his spine! Though it was late July and very hot, it was late autumn in the hut, reeking of cold and damp.

Twelfth helped Liam free the woman; he sat down and put her head in his arms. Liam felt for a pulse.

"She's very dehydrated and exhausted, but she's still hanging on," he concluded after examining her.

"Dracaena," Elder called suddenly by name and Liam could barely contain his smile, "please wake up!"

"Is that the name of Mistress Seventh?" The Chapter showed his curiosity.

The Twelfth seemed not to notice his question and gently stroked her slightly graying hair. Liam wondered what memories they might have had in common, whether they had spent their youth together, and what adventures they had had.

But he hastened to put his curiosity aside and constructed a stretcher. Together they carried Seventh to the platform and returned to the Academy.

The second strange incident of the day stirred the public at the Academy. The healer quickly escorted them to his office and laid the Elder next to the still unconscious student.

Liam moved over to Cal and took his hand. The man's pale face gave away his unsteady state.

The head couldn't distract the healer with questions about his apprentice, so he just sat on his bed and warmed Cal's cold hands. He wished this nightmare would be over soon.

When the healer came out, the Twelfth leaned toward Liam.

"Someone deliberately broke into the Seventh Elder farm," he began, but Liam interrupted him.

"It obviously wasn't because of us, but why was this man so interested in him?" The head nodded at the apprentice.

"I thought it was odd too," the Elder replied.

"Do you know if Seventh has been doing anything special lately?" The Head asked.

"No," the man shook his head, "if she did, she kept it to herself."

"I think we ought to go back to Seventh's house and search it thoroughly-perhaps there'll be a clue, and we'll find out exactly what that man took or did."

"Okay, we'll do it later. The perpetrator's already gone anyway, so it's done."

The healer returned to the room. The small room was crowded and it felt stuffy. The healer asked them to leave, to give the sick more oxygen.

Liam reluctantly let go of Cal's barely warmed palm. More than anything, he wanted to take him home and surround him with heating pads, or better yet, warm him in his arms...

"Ah, what a thought at a time like this!" he was annoyed with himself, and, urged on by Twelfth and the physician, he left the room after all. Once in the corridor, he stood at the door in indecision.

The Head had completely forgotten his plans for the day, where he was expected, and what he had to do, and, barely having left the healer, he tried to go inside again.

The Twelfth, however, held him back and led him almost forcibly into the dining room. Sitting at the table he chewed his food, unable to taste it, while the Elder opposite was happily enjoying his lunch. Disciples and Mentors came up to them to greet the Twelfth.

The Elder was known for his scholarship and love of books. He was often invited to discuss all sorts of matters, and he gave good advice.

He was asked for help in reading ancient scrolls and when they could not find the information they needed it.

The Twelfth usually did not refuse help, and now his presence at the Academy had sparked rumors that the student and the Seventh Elder were probably ill with something rare. So crowds of curious people were pouring into the Head's desk to eavesdrop or ask directly.

It gave Liam a natural headache. Bewildered from within by his anxiety, he was attacked by his colleagues and students.

Without finishing his meal, he got up from the table and retired to his study. After walking around the study several times, he realized that he was unable to calm down. Glancing at his watch, he calculated that he had left Cal more than forty minutes ago.

"Enough to go check on him already?" Liam asked himself. "Yeah, right."

He opened the door and shuddered in surprise: A man in plain work clothes was standing on the threshold, holding a straw hat.