The garden was dark since the sun had long set, but there was enough rising moonlight to show off the many young sprouts. In just a small amount of ti the most impressive growth were the oozing vines which were almost over a foot tall. The old man Was looking at these inquisitive;ey. He had been a master alchemist for so years and had never laid eyes on these veins. He stopped and looked about in the garden even more finding there were more things he had never seen. "What are these plants you have here? For the life of I can't identify them, even with my alchemist's almanac skill. I should have all the herbs I have ever used or studied saved in my mind with it and I have nothing when it cos to those vines that sprout by the wall, and this tree that looks like it's about to fall over."
"Eh just so forrly extinct herbs we got from an adventure to the ancient ruins." Rey's voice was so casual and relaxed.
"Oh, just forrly exti--What! What do you an forrly extinct!?" The old man yelled much louder than anyone had expected him capable of. Rey had already beco used to knowing that their garden was ho to herbs that grew nowhere else any longer. Jane was going to be sure that they would grow and beco so of the nest specins they had ever been seen.
"What can they do? What are their nas? Can they be used for any potions? Are they poisonous? What part of the ancient ruins did they grow?" The old man rattled off questions with energy that he did not seem to possess earlier. His chat with the high priest had beco completely forgotten.
"Calm down, we will send so over to you later. Gil's mother is growing them with us. She will be more than happy to tell you all about them. After hearing about them you might even want to co help grow them too, we do have an alchemy lab here too." This was the hook she had baited for him. She was going to make sure that the old man made trips to their mansion to not only help keep the herbs growing well but also keep the alchemy lab maintained.
"I'll be here until you can't stand . I need to research these herbs until I have seen every possible outco." The old man cared not for anything in return, this knowledge was more valuable than any amount of gold. They could ask for his very soul and he would give it to them. Herbs that no alchemist had laid hands on were to be sought after and hoarder by a master alchemist.
"Well we do need so help growing those angel wings, so I guess you can do as much research as you want it, you will help us out with that." Walker jumped in seeing what Rey's goal was. She was pretty sly at tis, Walker would need to keep this in the back of his mind.
"Done, I can use so of them too right? There can only be though, I won't allow any second rate alchemist near here to cause any damage or trouble to these seedlings." The old man wanted to make sure there would be no other plans to let another co near what he wanted to research.
"Yea yea, no one else is allowed to research them but for you and Gil's mother. Oh and you should send so of the oozing vines over there to the church. If I rember Walker's appraisal right they can be used for pain sohow…" Rey pretended not to rember the details which drove the old man crazy.
"Co on, I can sll the food from out here!" Gil had reached the door first and was about to leave the rest of the, behind. The second the door cracked open the sll hit them all like a wave of pleasure.
The herb and spices used to roast the vegetables and horned rabbit penetrated their sense of sll. There was not a more amazing scent in the whole world from what they all could tell. Midnight was the fastest to act and rushed toward the dining room with Onyx on her back. She would be crushed if she was not the first to sample these new tastes, she was Hilda's number one fan and taste tester.
"Would you like to lead the way?" Walker looked at the lost Alice who was still trying to take in the views of the mansion. The strange new plants in the garden coupled with the recently cleaned entry way were enough to captivate anyone. Walker himself wondered who had done all the shining and sweeping, he would be thanking them later for their amazing work.
Alice smiled and latched on to his arm, she was just as excited for the food as well and lost herself to her emotions. Walker felt his face flush but led her toward the dining room. Rey was giggling behind him while Su held her back. Su was earning major brownie points in Walker's book.
The scents of roasted horned rabbit and vegetables only intensified until the magnificent sight of the table took their full attention. Hilda had outdone herself roasting the entire horned rabbit. It was the center of the table, all the sides of roasted vegetables and fresh fruits added to the feast. Glistening glazed fruits were placed on top of cream filled tart shells. The apple pies that Hilda was famous for were made in to small personal sizes for everyone to enjoy. There were even multiple versions of baked quiche in different pans, this was definitely multiple successful experints she wanted to show off. The scene was much like one would expect from a mansion in the upper tier housing. Any noble would be proud to call this al theirs.
"Ah! You're earlier than I expected, let go get the drinks I made. Gerret, go greet our guests!" Hilda yelled at her husband to get him on the mover. Su's Mother and Father also stood to greet the high priest and the master alchemist that had co with them The flurry of greetings did not seem to end as Gil's parents joined in. This left the party and Alice out of the loop, it was a typical adult move at any party or event.
Claiming their seats Walker and Alice chose seats towards the end of the table closest to the fire place where Midnight and Onyx had already laid claim to a platter of food. Walker still thought it strange that Onyx was eating when he could get what he needed from light elental mana but he had most likely been infected by Midnight. She could convince even those on the strictest diets to give in and eat sothing delicious.
"Here you all go, my friend makes the most wonderful peach tea blend. Just a couple hours of steaming and then chilling it down with so honey and you have a refreshing beverage." She poured glasses for everyone accompanied by a lemon slice. Walker was caught in awe to see that she was wearing a dress instead of her normal kitchen attire.
"Wait, father, did you comb your hair?" Garret was sticking out like a sore thumb. The man never combed his hair and would usually fight tooth and nail to let his bed head be. Hilda had never been successful but for one or two tis in getting him to comb it, their wedding day and the day that he t her parents. This would be the famous third ti he had ever properly combed his hair.
"What? No it must have been this way when I woke up today." Garret avoided the subject telling Walker everything he needed to know. His mother must have used so tricks to get him to comb it.
"Now tonight we have so delightful guests. Master alchemist, and high priest welco to our ho the forr Athyst family mansion. Alice welco as well, feel free to enjoy a tour after, I prepared so cocktails for after dinner." Hilda had thought of everything. There was the full feast in front of them all made to perfection and then the dessert which was her best work. On top of that she had managed to get the beverages from a friend and made a cocktail. Walker was tempted to ask for a sip but knew that he was still too young to drink in the kingdom.
"Ah man, that's what we should have tried while in the demi-human kingdom, one can drink there as soon as the turn fifteen. Here we need to be eighteen." Gil facepald while realizing they had missed an opportunity that they did not have at ho. Naturally his mother heard this and a smack to the back of the head solved his desire to try alcohol.
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