Chapter 179 - Hundred And Seventy Nine - Is someone talking about us? (1/2)
The Hidden Bellflower happened to look quite like its name described. A smattering of flowers dangling from their stem like golden bells with the peaking stamen representing the internal clapper, all neatly protected by a cage of long, thick leaves which spiralled about them. Those who viewed it, could only peak between the succulent leaves at the treasure within. It was less a plant and more a cactus and Leon could understand from viewing it why it was seen as such. This herb came from the desert and was very rare. Teacher Sagi had won it from a recent plant auction, having placed his highest bid in advance and now relied on Leon to collect it from the Dome of Prosperity.
Carefully sealed inside a protective container, for a living thing could not be stored within an interspatial pouch, they allowed Leon to take it in exchange for the jade ticket Teacher Sagi entrusted him with. The plant was not very large and Leon did not need to head straight back to school, thus decided to take advantage of the trip into town to complete a few things he'd previously forgotten about.
Such as collecting his coat.
It had been weeks since he had given the tailoress the good-sized Snow Fox Bear pelt. The weather had remained of good temperament for all this time, with only brief showers and warm winds accompanying otherwise sunny days, so it had slipped his mind for the most part. Even now, the sun shone brightly, but there was a change in the air, albeit small. Perhaps it was the hints of earthy dampness upon the wind, which seemed just a bit cooler than before, but Leon was reminded that the long summer would eventually end. And he'd remembered the coat at that point.
The seamstress greeted him warmly, chiding him for not returning all of this time. ”Were i' no' for Pharmacist Clawse' reassurance, I wou'da though' somethin' bad had happened t' ya!”
”Sorry,” Leon apologised. The seamstress brought him the coat. It was beautiful. The main length, which easily reached his ankles was edged and lined with the fur. And while the outer part was still of hemp, rather than silk, the seamstress had it dyed a pale blue and had embroidered white cloud patterns which decreased in number the higher one looked. The arms were also of hemp, layered for warmth and lined at the cuff with remnants of the fur. The overall product appeared of higher quality than normal commoners clothes, but remained hard wearing. Leon felt it would be very warm to wear and was very happy with it.
With profuse thanks, he left the seamstress and headed for the pharmacy, bringing with him the White Warming potions and Soft Ice pills that Clawse had requested of him last time they spoke. These were made by standard recipes and were not considered special, but for commoners, they were too useful, one helping to prevent people from catching spreading illnesses and the other helping to reduce high fevers. Clawse did not stop to chat with him, after the money was exchanged, for he had a guest upstairs he needed to turn to. Leon smiled with understanding and bid him goodbye, Clawse watched him leave, before returning to his guest.
That guest happened to be his Great Uncle, who unlike him, was able to cultivate. He currently worked as a Healer at the Ascending Mountain Institute and liked to bend his 'young' relative's ear about things that had happened at the school from time to time. Clawse looked at this old uncle who appeared his junior in appearance with a slight sigh.
”You were saying?” He asked as he poured fresh tea.
”Teacher Corvus just hasn't changed,” he lamented. ”So free of spirit and lacking the concerns that plague other men! Swans in and out of the school as if he owns the land it's situated upon. Did I tell you about the time when I was a student attending his lectures?”
”Hmm,” Clawse replied, nonchalantly. There had been too many reminiscent memories shared over the years to count, not just ones about the man known as Corvus.