Blood Brothers: Part Four

Asteria was out the back of the inn, cleaning himself up. Wish Aldrich wasn’t so severe all the time. But it is so good getting this grime off me.

Didn’t take him long to finish his bath; the pre-heated water and the cost of one silver piece were worth it. Now Asteria felt normal again. It was time for him to grace the lovely Teresa with his presence again. Maybe he could, no I shouldn’t; Aldrich would tell me off if I did anything with the innkeeper’s daughter.

Back around the inn, Asteria winked at Teresa as she walked out of the bunkhouse. Flirting was one of Asteria’s favourite pastimes when he wasn’t practising his magic.

They’re sitting on one of the tables to scold Aldrich and the oblivious ‘reader’ Orroark. Wondering when he will figure out looking at pictures is not reading?

Aldrich looked at Asteria, his spoon dipping into the bowl of stew in front of him. “About time, we actually need your thoughts on the uses of royal jelly. Why is it so special?”

Asteria headed over to the pot of stew, ladled a bowl full and sat down with his two brothers. He could see the slight flush of anger rising in Aldrich’s face.

As he was about to take another spoonful, Aldrich raised his eyebrow at his brother’s antics. “Are you going to answer me?”

“Are you going to apologise for your rudeness?” Asteria retort. 

With a short growl, Aldrich said, “I am sorry, but we have a job to do. Can you please tell us why this royal jelly from a giant bee is so valuable?”

Tapping the spoon on his bottom lip, Orroark guffawed at Asteria’s tomfoolery. “Well, magic, I guess.”

“Magic?” Aldrich groaned; with gritted teeth, he continued. “Anything else?”

Laughing at Aldrich’s grumpy face, Asteria replied. “Yes, I feel like that it would have superior qualities for any healing potion. As I am not an alchemist, I can only guess from here, which could make a cure light one worth as much as 150 gold pieces instead of store price for one is 50 gold pieces.”

“How much do you think she would need for each potion?” Aldrich greedy mind started to see gold in his future.

“Ounces for each one, maybe. What do you think, Orroark?” Asteria asked.

“Well, with each pound that could make 4 to 16 of these new potions and by my research, there could be could be at least seven to ten pounds in the hive.” Orroark pushed up his wireframes.

“So we should ask for more money for each pound?” Aldrich rubbed his hands together.

“One hundred gold for each pound we deliver, and we don’t know what goes into making these potions, so why ask for more?” Orroark inquired.

“Cause it is a moneymaker!” Aldrich said with gusto.

“It is a moneymaker for an alchemist; maybe we should ask for three potions on top of the 100 for each pound?” Asteria counted. “I could swing that, I think.”

“Hmm, at least 1000 gold between us? Yeah, you are right brother, we shouldn’t push too hard.” Aldrich noted.

The three brothers sat in silence, thinking of the money they are about to make. It is equivalent to nearly a year’s wage each. This adventuring gig is worth it.