>>6073340Olaf is already up, he has commandeered the only table in the room as his workstation. He somehow managed to lug two large trunks onto the side of the table opposite his seat, they are open and look to have vomited herbs, powders, tinctures, and other ingredients across the table. In the midst of the mess, he is writing in small, fine cursive on a small piece of parchment.
“Good morning, Doctor.” You say, rubbing your head.
“Good morning, my prince.” You have insisted a hundred times that he simply call you Marshall. To require that your subordinates use honorifics is considered shameful behavior in Chalmuth (with the exception of “Captain,” a title belonging to the leader of any crew or ship). A man should lead by his own merit, and by fair division of booty, not by exalting himself with self-important titles or by keeping his men beneath him with arcane legal codes. That is the Chalmuthian way. Still, Olaf spent the first half of his life in the Imperial Capital, so your father excuses his stubborn courtesies. “You were out rather late, did your audience with the Emperor extend so long?”
“No, no, I met with the other Champions to get to know them before the contest begins.”
Olaf’s old head bobs a few times. “Contest?” He croaks curiously.
“I’ll explain later, it begins at midday and I have someone I need to speak to before it starts.” You stretch your hands over your head, “What are you writing?”
He looks down at the parchment. “A list of herbs that were scarce to find on Chalmuth. I need to restock my supplies since we’re in the capital. I’ll be going to the market later. Once I’ve got them, I’ll work on making some potions and elixirs to aid you in whatever comes.”
“Thank you, Olaf. I’m off.” You head out the door. You never got a chance to speak with Sasha last night, and you’re not sure if she even recognized you, but if she did, it couldn’t hurt to at least say Hi. Plus, Crainish have a very potent hangover cure that could be a big help to you right about now.
The apartment corridors look totally different than they did the night before, and you aren’t sure where her room is in the first place. Nonetheless, it isn’t particularly difficult to find. Only one of the apartments has purple steam billowing out from beneath the door, filling the hallway with a spicy-sweet smell you recognize as being packed with swamp-herbs and spices.
You knock.
(cont.)
