Chapter 22 - Two - I earn my first silver (1/2)

According to the diaries, Apothecaries are both simple chemists and doctors, administering basic medicines and first aid. Indeed the shelves in the shop had many jade bottles containing pills upon them as well as dried herbs and potions. There were also simple cauldrons for sale as well as other items that Leon did not recognise.

A little bell rang at the door as they entered the shop, announcing their presence.

Mr Clawse was a man dressed in dark hemp robes, with long, blue-black hair and a rather long nose. He was tall, his height being on par with Jin Li. Leon had to look up to view his face.

”Mr Clawse,” Mino greeted. ”I brought customers. Mam asks if you would treat 'em well.” He bowed then indicated that he would wait outside for them.

”H-h-hi,” Leon greeted and bowed belatedly. Clawse looked at the student before him, examining him from top to toe.

”Well, what is it you wish to sell?” He asked, his tone slightly wane. A few students, who happened to be educated on the mountains but came from this town, visited him frequently. He doubted this youth's wares would differ much in quality from their products. Did students of the outer school all think him as a charity?

”Oh,” Leon replied and began to place numerous bottles upon the counter. As Clawse expected, these were One Heart Pills and of very average quality. The only surprising fact, perhaps, was that the quality did not differ whatsoever amongst the pills… until… ”Ah, I p-packed these b-by m-mistake,” Leon murmured aloud and reached for the Jade bottle, but Clawse stopped him, placing his bony, long fingers over Leon's pale hand.

”May I see?” He enquired. Leon removed his hold and Clawse examined the pure coloured pills within the bottle. He frowned, he had thought that these were also One Heart Pills, but they seemed quite different. He unplugged the bottle. The fragrance was that of the basic healing pill as he expected, but it was cleaner and fresher. There were five in the bottle. ”I will be honest with you,” Clawse said. ”I have much stock on One Heart Pills such as these.” He indicated the average quality pills. ”I sell them cheaply, in fact were you to buy the ingredients, it is unlikely there is any profit in them after refining.”

”Oh,” Leon wasn't aware of their worth. Leo had not visited any town since he had left his village, enjoying too much his experiments to leave school.

”If you were to provide higher quality ones, I would consider purchasing them. However, I am interested in these,” Clawse shook the bottle slightly. ”I'm curious to know why these One Heart Pills are so different.”

”Um…” Leon wasn't sure how to explain it.

”Trade secret,” Jin Li said suddenly, realising that the boy would willingly give away the recipe if asked. His eyes narrowed, if the boy could produce a pill of this ilk, perhaps he was not lying about the Blood pill he had used to heal him. There was more to this boy than met the eye. Ha, consider yourself fortunate, he thought. Until I am able to leave for home, this Lord has decided to protect you from unscrupulous men and women.