Chapter 6

“I’m your teacher, Noémie. I think I have the right to care about your well being.” Sungul huffed, “Do I not?”

“You do.” I frowned. I’ve known this woman for years. She wasn’t the type to sit around and talk. Gossiping left her agitated and small talk angered her beyond consoling. And while I'm more open than she is, I would rather be attempting another round of potion making than to sit through this. I continued, frown deepening at her persistent smile. “I’m just confused by the sudden question.”

“What is there to be confused about?”

“Why are you asking me how I’ve been?” I asked, “I’m sure I haven’t alluded to you that I’ve been unwell.”

“Perhaps not physically.”

“Excuse me?!” I ask loudly, “Are you trying to imply that I’m mad?”

“Not mad.” Sungul drawled out, “More confused?” She trailed off, a look of wonder replacing the false warmth. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I impatiently waited for Sungul to say anything, growing more and more frustrated as silence continued. She shrugs, seemingly to herself before continuing. “I heard you're applying for Lord Township's internship.” 

“Ruzette has mentioned it to me.” I answered, “I haven’t really thought much about it.”

“I think it's something you should look into.” Sungul said, “You wouldn’t be discriminated against. I heard the Lord is very nice towards black people and women.”

How nice.

“I’ve also heard as much.”

Sungul happily continued, “You’ll earn the respect of the court.”

“I’m sure I can also do that once I become a strong enough witch.” I countered. “They’ll also fear me. That’ll be a nice bonus.”

I was growing frustrated with this interrogation. Although I haven’t fully thought about applying, I really didn’t want to be forced into a decision. I want to be able to-  

“You know,” Sungul piped up, “Doctors do make a lot of money.”

-happily live a life filled with comfort and riches. 

My interest was peaked, I’ll admit. My goal in life is to live comfortably. Although I would rather be someone's wife, spending my days sipping white wine and gorging myself on rare delicacies, I wouldn't mind providing for myself until the time comes. 

I didn’t even bother to hide it as I slowly lowered myself back to my seat. “Do they?”

Sungul nods, “I heard Dr. Frinkworth has a manor here and a townhome over in Glacier Falls.”

“He lives in a manor?!”

“Were you not aware?”

“No!” I shrieked. I was flabbergasted at the thought of it. Doctors were never something people I knew talked about. Knights are what most strove to be to gain riches. “I thought they made as much as knights!”

“Doctors make around the same amount as royal knights do. Some make more if they own their own practice or specialize in creating medicines.”

“Like potions?”

“More scientific and more boring than what we do.” Sungul proudly stated, “I'm sure it'll be tedious. Having to seclude yourself in such a dull-”

“You're giving me whiplash.”

“I'm sure you'll love it.” She smiles, “You'll adapt well to the dullness.”

“Thanks.” I commented dryly, rising from my seat again. She beamed happily at my sarcasm, satisfied with the thought of having successfully changed my mind about the ordeal.

That couldn't be further from the truth. 

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I was exhausted. 

I spent hours on my potion. 

Recreating the brew over and over again was tiring. I would continuously attempt to pour the right amount of ingredients into a measuring cylinder and carefully mash substances together in my mortar, hoping that this attempt would be my last.    

It seemed never ending. Coming to the point where I finally called it quits, desperate to get home before the sun set beneath the hills, encasing the sky in a dark hue of warm dark blue. The warm weather would cool to a bearable chill and lanterns would cover the streets in a faint glow. 

It's a time for those who worked a hard day to head to the nearest pub to unwind. They would drink until they were flushed with alcohol, breathing reeking and clothes soaked in the rancid stench. Some were used to the abuse they would inflict on themselves. Being able to guzzle down pint after pint of mead and beer, a facade of soberness that only alcoholics could muster. 

Most couldn’t keep up with the regulars. Sloppily wobbling down the lite street, stumbling into lamp posts and tripping over bushes, grumbling incoherently about to themselves. Those were the people that I usually had to watch out for. Cowards who would hide behind a disgusted sneer or pointed glare would become vocal because of the liquor that flooded their veins. A violent lot of that couldn’t be reasoned with.       

A dangerous situation for those that looked like me.