Faustine the Sensible

Chapter 18. Weeks End

~in which there is plenty of tasty leviathan and a plagued passageway~

The following morning I awoke bright and early elated to face the day. Today was the day I took the first steps to opening up my royal apothecary shop and I was far beyond ready for the moment. Leif has promised to arrive here at my cottage first thing in the morning and in the short time I had known him he had already proven to be white punctual, so I hoped out of bed and began my morning routine. 

The morning air was crisp and sweet, filled with the scent of dew on leaves and the distant aroma of blooming nightflowers that only opened their petals to the moon. They had left a lingering frangrace dancing on the breeze from the garden.  I quickly dressed in my favorite practical for work dress. It was simple yet imbued with a touch of charm—embroidered edges that shimmered with a light magic of their own.

As I braided my hair, thoughts of the shop swirled in my mind. It was not just any apothecary shop. In the heart of the enchanted forest, it would be a sanctuary for all seeking magic and medicine, a place where magic and nature intertwined seamlessly. The thought made my heart race with excitement and a plenty of anticipation .

I made my way down the hall, the wooden floors creaking a bit under foot as I walked.  For some reason it was a comforting sound that grounded me in the reality of this new life I was building. I found the  kitchen bathed in soft morning light and I stepped 'round the corner. But first tea. I took a moment to brew ablend of calming herbs I had gathered myself. The aroma filled the small space, soothing my nerves.

Just as I finished pouring my first cup, there was a knock at the door. It was soft but firm, and somehow unmistakably Leif. My heart skipped a beat. I took a deep breath, willing my hands to steady, and went to open the door.

Leif stood there, his presence immediately warming the threshold.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice bright and excited. "Ready for the big day?"

I couldn't help but smile, i too was brimming with excitement for the day ahead. "More than ready. Come in, I've just made some tea."

He stepped inside, and I noticed he carried a small crate. "Brought the first batch of herbs and potions we discussed. Thought we could start with these."

"Oh thanks!  That's so thoughtful of you," I said.  And then suddenly the kitchen began to liven up, summoning pots, pans and food from the cold crate.  It was making breakfast!

"Neat trick!" He exclaimed watching in amusement as the floating spices whizzed about the room. 

"Yeah, I had no idea the house could do that or that it was even sentient at all until yesterday.  I came home from my first trip home by portal and SUPRISE! The kitchen is cooking an incredible meal!"

"Well I bet that was something to behold."

"It certainly was."

"You know legend has it that a home can become sentient if those who live within it are truly connected to deep magic and to eachother, so much so that while they sleep there essence begins to fill the home.  And as it does the house itself starts to take on a life of its own, whispering through the creaks of its floorboards and sighing in the whistle of the wind through its eaves.  It's like somehow it matches and mirrors back the charm of its inhabitants."

"Wow really?  Wait so does that mean the sentience of this cottage isn't a spell that came with it?"

"In many ways yes I think it is a spell but one of your own making.  Well, yours, Onyx's, and Phina's that is.  My mother didn't put it here if that's what you mean."