Unique combination

Atlas already assumed, that he had to help someone with his potions. But there were also several inconsistencies in the subject. Aryn was supposed to have helped the count's now wife years ago with a potion made with plants from the elven kingdom.

Aryn had not set foot on elven soil in over 20 years, and it went without saying that Atlas had never been to Fylmrion. But no sooner was he about to speak than the viscount interrupted him.

"You don't have to worry about materials. I spent years gathering everything I needed knowing this would happen. Everything you need will be supplied; you just have to focus on your work"

Atlas was left with nothing more to say, but inside he was a little worried. 

'What potion was he talking about? I don't remember Aryn telling me anything...'

Atlas was supposed to brew a special potion... but he had never heard of such a potion in his life. Still, he dared not reveal this to the viscount and simply nodded.

"I would like you to meet my son... but right now my personal doctor is treating him. When you have the potions ready you can seek out Marco, he will arrange to deliver them to me"

Atlas nodded again, then he couldn't help but be quiet and asked: "Why do you trust me? I know very well that I'm just a kid, and even if I have some talent, that doesn't take away from the fact that I'm not my teacher"

Clark snorted and chuckled lightly, then said: "Trust? I don't trust you at all"

Atlas opened his eyes in surprise.

"Then why?"

"Because I don't have a choice. My son will die soon, no matter if I trusted your ability or not" explained the viscount.

The relationship between Atlas and the viscount was simple, they were strangers. The viscount may have trusted Aryn, but to him, Atlas was nothing more than a boy he had just met. Clark hadn't seen what Louis had seen, and even if he saw Atlas create potions beyond his level, it still wouldn't mean anything.

All that mattered was the evidence, and the first evidence would only be seen if Atlas was able to cure his son.

Neither of them had anything more to say, so Atlas left the room and Marcus who was waiting outside led him back to the shed. When Atlas entered followed by Faun, he hurried into the room, left the staff leaning against the wall and threw himself face first onto the couch.

'What were you thinking, Aryn' Atlas turned and looked at the ceiling. 'How am I supposed to make a potion that I don't even know what ingredients are in it?'

The only clue he had was that the recipe included a plant unique to the elven realm, but what other plants were in it?

According to the viscount, all the necessary plants were in the shed, so for lack of materials Atlas didn't have to worry. But there were simply too many possible combinations to create a potion.

Besides, Atlas did not have infinite time. If in weeks he did not present the viscount with the potion, then the viscount would suspect that Atlas had no idea of the recipe. So, before the viscount became suspicious, Atlas had to give him the potion.

Sighing, Atlas looked at Faun who was standing not far from the couch, then said: "What are maids supposed to do?"

Faun reacted quickly without waiting for Atlas' question, then answered: "We usually clean and fix everything, we also cook... though"

"Don't worry about it" said Atlas, then with a somewhat defeated smile, Faun continued: "Anything you ask me basically, we train just to serve our master"

Atlas looked up at the ceiling again.

'Anything? I suppose there are certain limits'

Knowing the young nobles, surely there was a boundary they couldn't cross, mainly to keep the young maids safe. Atlas wasn't planning on doing anything bad to Faun either, he just wanted to ask.

Atlas rested a while longer, then wasted no time and headed for the shed. Faun followed him and then stood to the side so as not to get in his way.

In the meantime, Atlas opened one of the drawers of the shelf where all the plants were kept and took one in particular. The plant had a pink stem and a blue flower, it wasn't really striking, but it was the one Atlas needed.

"Moonlight flower, it only grows in the surroundings of Lake Nausel inside the sacred forest of the elves..."

The plant was the one Atlas needed, more specifically its petals.

"So beautiful..." whispered Faun.

Atlas said nothing and continued to think. He had never really bothered to determine the beauty of plants, for him it was just another resource.

Atlas put the plant down on the table and then looked at the shelf, then his head dropped faintly with some despair.

'And I thought I was going to have time to relax' 

Opening his journal and picking up more plants, Atlas began to study all the possible combinations for the potion. Each plant had its own aroma and flavor, some were poisonous and others medicinal, but each property of a plant gave Atlas ideas of which others it was compatible with.

Fortunately training for over a year making potions had served him well. Also, Aryn's teachings were very useful. 

Atlas concentrated fully in his journal writing down every possible combination, then as Faun looked at him, she clutched the egg in her hands.

Atlas could not be attending to the egg all the time, so he gave it to Faun to take care of. But instead of being grateful for his trust, she was completely terrified thinking of all the possible scenarios if she were to break it.

So, very carefully, she left the egg in a container covered with a cloth, in an easily accessible but visible place to avoid any accident.

To Atlas, though, the egg meant little. He didn't need the etiquette course, and really, even if he broke the egg, he doubted the viscount would throw him out. Participating in the course was just an excuse for his presence at the mansion, but if he was kicked out of the course, he would simply hide from the view of the other nobles and there would not be much more trouble.