Chapter 12: Rivers and Daub

Chapter 12: Rivers and Daub

Theo and Tresk spent the rest of the day distilling the [Marsh Tuber] and [Swamplight Spider Silk] into their respective essences. The spider silk was incredibly easy to prepare into a mash, while the tubers required quite a lot of work. They looked and smelled like slightly rotten potatoes, but didnt break apart easily. Each one needed to be diced into small chunks before mashed with the heavy mashing stick, as Tresk called it. The alchemist gained another character level, hitting 4 and dumping his point into [Wisdom] without a second thought. He felt a tangible surge in his mind, tipping over the 20 mark.

I can think faster, Theo said, laughing. 20 must be a threshold

Thats what Ive heard, Tresk said with a shrug. Ive been pumping [Dexterity], mostly.

Theo wiped the sweat from his brow, inspecting his dwindling stamina bar. He suspected that his companion was also feeling exhausted, but shed never show it. Dusk was a few hours off, but the alchemists stomach was rumbling. He inspected both of his flasks of essence before they departed for the tavern.

[Preserving Essence]

[Essence]

Common

Created by: BelgarThe debut release of this chapter happened at Ñòv€l-B1n.

Grade: Great Quality

5 units (liquid)

Concentrated essence of preservation.

[Supple Essence]

[Essence]

Common

Created by: Belgar

Grade: Great Quality

5 units (liquid)

Concentrated essence of supple.

The [Supple Essence] had the silliest name of anything hed seen so far, but if he could get the two ingredients to play nice, itd make the perfect tanning solution. As Theo made for the door, he noticed 15 new lines in his [Perpetual Ledger]. Various townsfolk put money in the honor box, and the pair went out to investigate. The people of Broken Tusk were apparently as honorable as they seemed. 15 potions were missing, and 15 copper coins sat in the unlocked box. Theo split the money between him and Tresk before they left for the tavern.

How much do the tanners sell their finished work for? Theo asked.

Im not much into leatherworking myself, Tresk said, shrugging. Luras might know.

Ill ask him, Theo said. If the next step of the tanning process works as fast as the first, were going to reduce their work time by about a year.

Tresk laughed, slapping her knobbly knees. Thats insane.

Miana wasnt at her house to glower at them as they passed, which was a welcome sight. They entered the tavern and greeted the familiar faces. It was still fairly empty because of the early hour of the evening. Xam had no more Karatan steaks tonight, and the pair settled for more mystery stew. Theo suspected that whatever meat the tavern claimed was in the soup was a guess. It all tasted the same and had the same texture. He ordered two bowls of wolf meat stew and retreated with his companion to their regular table.

Did you have wolves in your world? Tresk asked, noisily slurping her stew.

Theo found the way she ate funny. Back on Earth, the loud lip smacking would have annoyed him. He couldnt tell if it was his new circumstances, or whether Tresk was his Tarahek, but the noise didnt bother him. He found it silly.

Oddly, we do. Ive only really seen three different creatures here, and we have all of them in some form, Theo said. Our turtles are a lot smaller, and we dont have giant insects But the wolves seem like the same wolf.

Thats weird, Tresk said, gnawing on a gristly piece of meat.

Mind if I join you? Perg asked, approaching with a bowl of stew.

Theo went to hold his breath, but caught the familiar scent of berries as she approached. She must have been one of the townsfolk who bought the scrub. It was incredibly potent stuff if it could wash away the smell of the tannery. He gestured for her to sit down. Of course.

Weve made a lot of progress on the tannery project, Tresk said, grinning.

Makes sense. Ive heard of Marshlings who take the Tarahek. They become far more focused, Perg said, taking her seat.

We have a potion that will strip the hair from a hide in a few minutes, Theo said, finally taking a moment to taste his stew. It tasted exactly like all the stews hed tried before, reinforcing his mystery meat theory.

What? Perg said, sputtering. You work fast, dont you?

Well, if youre willing to give up your life of romance to take the bond, youre worth keeping around, Throk said. Youre welcome to come home, Tresk, but I doubt youll take me up on the offer.

Thanks, dad, Tresk said, grinning. I knew youd understand once you saw us together.

Youre two sides of a blade, Throk said, nodding. He always seemed so sage-like. The things you two will accomplish Its going to be grand.

Tresk waddled through the mud to give her father a hug before departing. Theo was stunned by the exchange. The connection that the Tarahek created was absurdly deep, and as he reflected on the process, he knew another Marshling would understand. While it was rare, it seemed deeply rooted in their culture.

I knew hed come around, Tresk said, scoffing. Hes such a blowhard.

Seems kind of poetic, Theo said, unlocking the lab, stepping inside, and lighting the candles. He still had a portion of his stamina bar and assumed that Tresk did too.

How do you figure? Tresk said, locking the door and settling in on the ground near the burnt-out fire.

Theo grinned. A blacksmith as hard as iron? Come on.

Tresk laughed, slapping her knees and doubling over. Theo came to sit next to her and leaned in to press his forehead against hers. They stayed there for some time before coming apart.

[Tarahek Core] receivedexperience (5%).

We got experience, Tresk said, chuckling.

I guess we get experience points for bonding, Theo said, scoffing. Seems kinda silly.

Yeah, we gotta level the [Tarahek Core] just like our other cores, Tresk said.

Theo settled in on the ground, leaning his back against the wall and looking around the lab. It could use some additional seating, but it was crowded as it was. The space required for making potions was greater than the need to be comfortable. There was also the issue that they wanted to turn it into a store, which would consume a fair amount of floor space. Assuming that the expansions on the lab were uniform, theyd need at least 3 more levels until it could be used as a shop.

The three rows of tables dominated the space, but the junk that littered every corner wasnt helping. They lacked shelf space, and storage areas. The crowded space got more crowded with every new project they took on, adding to the mess. Theo let out a heavy sigh, casting his gaze over the lab. The ownership was still solely in his name, which didnt sit right with him. He thought for a moment, mentally adding Tresk to the list of owners. To his surprise, it worked.

[Tresk is now an owner of [Alchemy Lab]]

A key appeared in Tresks hands, and she shrieked in delight. She wiggled on the spot for a moment before concentrating.

[Tresk has named [Alchemy Lab] [The Newt and Demon]]

I didnt want to push the issue, Tresk said. I knew youd make me a co-owner in time. Hey, it says you have two names here.

The system gave me a name when I came here, Belgar. Thats why all my potions say it was made by Belgar.

Theo Spencer. Yeah, Belgar sounds a lot cooler, Tresk said. Sounds a lot more like a Dronon name for that matter.

Theo smiled, his mind drifting back to his demonic heritage. I imagine theres people in this world that might not like me. Since Im a Dronon.

Maybe somewhere in the world, but theres so many races that no one really cares, Tresk said. Some people seek demon-born folk, but theyre very knowledgeable on the subject. The Order of the Burning Eye handles all the demon lordskeeps them in check.

Are they going to come for me? Theo asked, grimacing.

Maybe one day, Tresk said. But come on What demon would undertake the Tarahek? Theyll take one look at us and be like Oh, nevermind. This lovely little Marshling can vouch for him. I heard they can test to see if youre terrible or not.

Thats comforting. Hopefully, well have made a name for ourselves when they come knocking, Theo said.

Theos mind wandered again, tiredness slowing his thoughts. Every turn in Broken Tusk seemed to open a gateway to more opportunities and more work. Theyd have to rise early the next morning to make more of the [Cleansing Scrub] before experimenting with their new essences. Fortunately, Tresk harvested enough motes to last them a while. They could easily craft enough for Luras to make a killing in Rivers and Daub, and complete the tanners job.

Well need to get up early tomorrow, Theo said. Seems like a rude thing to keep Luras waiting.

I agree. Its a day or so journey north, for Lurashes a fast guyso hell want to go early, Tresk said. Hey, why dont we make the vials now?

Theo shrugged. This is exactly why he needed a partner. He had enough stamina to keep going for an hour and didnt even consider the concept of getting a head start on the next day. Brilliant idea.

The pair spent the next hour creating the [Cleansing Scrub] vials and arranging them neatly on the table. They had more than enough [Cleansing Essence] for the job, as it was a 0.1 to 5 ratio of essence to water. Theyd distribute the 5 unit result in 1 unit bottles, stretching it even further. If Luras really could get a decent price in Rivers and Daub, this would be their lowest effort money-maker.

Thatll do it, Tresk said, wiping her brow and producing her [Cleansing Scrub] from a satchel. Time for a bath.

Theo retrieved his vial and did the same, placing one drop on his forearm, one on his clothes, and two on either moccasin. The white light filled the lab, followed by the pleasant smell of berries. He instantly felt clean, as though hed just gotten out of the shower. Tresk beamed, nodding toward the bedroom. The alchemist extinguished the candles and followed her in, pressing his forehead against hers before crawling into bed.

Goodnight, Theo said.

Sleep came quickly that night. The allure of adventure tomorrow doing nothing to stave off his slumber.