The path to the Dashin Empire's capital was long... and far too quiet for my liking.
Me and Tory walked side by side, not saying much. Not because we had nothing to say, but because everything we could say would probably hurt. He still hadn't fully processed what happened to his family. His eyes were distant, staring at nothing. Not crying, not angry—just... hollow. Letting the weight of it sink in.
Meanwhile, I had my own mess to deal with.
"What kind of potion would work...?" I muttered to myself, low enough he wouldn't catch it.
I already had the orc's blood. The illusion spell was ready. But that wasn't enough. The Queen looked like death. Pale skin, bruised arms, a heartbeat probably weak enough to miss. The spell could fake her appearance, but if she still felt like she was dying, even the best illusion would fall apart. Her body had to believe it was healthy.
"You're deep in thought again," Tory said gently, pulling me out of it.
"So?" I shot him a sideways glance, not snapping—just letting him know I wasn't in the mood for chit-chat.
"Didn't say it was a bad thing. Just... wondering what you're thinking about."
I hesitated for half a second, then gave him the version that wouldn't raise questions.
"You know any potions that make someone feel healthy? Not actually heal them—just... make their body think everything's fine."
He blinked. "Feel healthy...? That's... oddly specific."
Then he reached into his bag and pulled out a worn, hand-bound book. The thing looked like it had survived a fire, a flood, and probably a small war. He flipped it open, revealing pages written in a completely foreign script—symbols and curls and slashes I couldn't even begin to recognize.
"What language is that?"
"Mine. Custom code. I made it so no one could read it but me."
He said it so casually, like that wasn't the most obsessive thing I'd heard all day. I raised an eyebrow but didn't push it. The kid had layers.
He flipped through the pages, lips moving silently, then stopped.
"Here. This one might work. It doesn't cure anything, but it overrides the signals your body sends out. Tells you you're fine. Makes you feel strong. Stable. Even if you're falling apart inside."
"Exactly what I need."
He translated the recipe as he pointed at each scribbled line:
One Sunshade mushroom, dried and ground
A single Healer's Tear leaf, fresh or dried
Powdered spider's eye
A few drops of goat's blood, gently warmed
Mix with boiling water and a pinch of ashsalt
"Takes a few hours to brew," he added, glancing at me.
"Then we better get started."
We reached a small village just off the main road—nothing impressive, just a collection of wooden homes, a few market stalls, and merchants who looked like they'd sell their own grandmother for the right price.
We split up to gather ingredients. I found the mushroom at an herb stand that stank of mold and burnt leaves. The seller tried to sell me something "just as good" until I dropped a few gold coins on the counter—then suddenly he remembered he did have what I asked for.
The Healer's Tear took longer. I found it at a cramped shop run by an old woman with a crooked back and sharper eyes than anyone I'd met. She charged double. I paid it without blinking.
The spider's eye came from a vendor who tried to flirt his way into selling me a fake. I nearly broke his fingers. He got serious real fast after that.
By the time I got back to camp, Tory had already set up the tools and the fire.
"Got it all," I said, tossing the pouch down next to him.
He checked through it quickly, then nodded. "Perfect. This'll take a while though. You should get some rest."
I eyed him for a moment, then sat by the fire and pulled my cloak tighter around me.
"You sure you've got it handled?"
"I told you—I'm a master at potions." He smirked a little, just for a second.
I leaned back, letting the warmth of the flames settle over me.
"Don't mess it up. We're not getting another shot."
"I won't."
And for once, I believed him.
He got to work without another word. Mortar grinding, liquid bubbling, pages flipping.
I closed my eyes.
If this works, the Queen will feel like she's been reborn—and the King will hand over his reward without suspecting a thing.
And if it doesn't?
Well... I might have to fight my way to that reward