The book contained the information I needed. It was quite simple. Sand Devils were intolerant to most of the ingredients in regular healing potions, so the healing effect went into curing the problems it caused. That meant regular potions were off the table.

  Time to brew, then… Mandrake root, blueberries, chamomile, lavender, and crushed garlic went into the cauldron along with a simple potion base as I began to stir with slow deliberate motions. The brew turned deep blue and began to make small popping noises. I could hear voices outside the door, Bahruun talking to the others, most likely. I added some crushed feverfew, chopped basil, and sage petals into the mix.

  The brew made a low humming noise and began to give off a sweet, relaxing fragrance as the color slowly changed to crimson. I cut my finger, then pulled took a spoon and gave the brew a small test. The taste was abhorrent, but the wound closed back up in mere moments. Perfect.

  I double-checked the ingredients, and Millid could consume them all. Excellent, I began to fill various vials with the concoction, then grabbed one and walked back into the lounge. I found Bahruun sitting on the couch cradling an unconscious Millid. “Ah, Bahruun, there you are. I just finished the healing potions for Millid.” Bahruun looked up from the couch and looked hopeful as I sat down beside him. “Let’s see here.”

  I gently opened Millid’s mouth and poured a small amount of the brew into the lil thing’s mouth. The effect was immediate. Millid’s eyes quivered, then opened. I could see Millid’s face twitch, so I lightly tapped Millid’s nose. “I know it tastes horrible, but medicine isn’t supposed to taste good. Now open up so you can take the rest of it.” The Sand Devil gave me a confused look, but after glancing up at Bahruun, who nodded, he opened up and let me pour the remaining potion.

  “Blugh, horrid, tastes like all bad things mixed into one.” Millid shuddered, then jumped out of Bahruun’s hands and onto the floor, now good as new. “Still, that effect was really good, thanks!” Millid pivoted on one hand and gave me a grateful grin. Then began to look around, before pivoting towards Bahruun with a confused expression. “I’ll leave the two of you to catch up on what Millid missed while unconscious.”

  Soot and I went outside, where we found Meleri flying around on the broom. “I am really getting the hang of it now, sis. Thanks to a few pointers from Ivy, I can even right myself.” From Ivy? Hmm, well she could fly in any direction, even when upside down, so I suppose she might have a trick or two. “Good to hear it. Well, I will just give you the gist of what just happened inside. Turns out that the ruins Bahruun and Millid were in were unstable. Don’t worry, Bahruun and Millid are both fine. They are inside right now, which means you, dear sister, will start your lessons tomorrow. And on that note, why don’t you land and show them to one of the spare bedrooms? It’s your teacher, after all.”

  Meleri landed and hopped off the broom, only to stagger a few steps as she tried to walk. “Ah, right, your sense of balance is a bit out of whack because of the flying. I would say you’d get used to it, but enchantments on the newer brooms eliminate the problem entirely.” Meleri nodded and shook her head a bit before she began to walk again, now showing no signs of the vertigo that undoubtedly hit her earlier.

  As I watched her go, the broom she left behind clattered onto the landing. A cursory investigation showed the tail was hanging on by a thread. Better not use this one again. As hilarious as it might be to see Meleri take a swan dive into the pond, I wasn’t really in the mood to see her potentially break her neck because she didn’t fly over it. I stashed the broom shaft into my pouch. I could hand it over to Tobin for storage until I needed another new broom.

  After that, I went inside and found Meleri and found Millid playing chess with Soot. Much to my surprise, Soot was losing. That was interesting. I might need to play a game with Millid later. A short while later, Bahruun and Meleri arrived from the hallway. Upon spotting me, the old sorcerer smiled. “These accommodations are perfect, Lady Morgana. How did you know Millid prefers to sleep while buried in sand?”

  My confusion must’ve been clear because his smile faded. “I have a feeling you didn’t plan for my room to have a sandpit, then.” I shook my head. “The guest rooms are a recent upgrade that was a surprise for me as well. My guess is that the builder added some enchantments to make the rooms perfect for whoever would be occupying them. If that’s not the case, then your guess is as good as mine.”

  Bahruun scratched his beard with a thoughtful expression. “It’s as good an explanation as any. And I don’t feel like thinking more about it since it works out in my favor.” He shrugged as Meleri walked towards the kitchen. “I was thinking of whipping up some food. Would you mind helping?”

  I glanced at the clock. It was almost lunchtime. “Sure, how about some simple sandwiches?” She nodded. “An excellent idea, egg or ham?” As I entered the pantry and emerged with both eggs and ham, I shrugged. “Why not both? I frankly do not know what our two new tenants like to eat, after all.” Meleri glanced towards the parlor and nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

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  Lunch was quite successful, as Millid was quite fond of eggs, less so ham, but to each their own. Bahruun, however, scarfed down both types with equal fervor, while Soot preferred the ham sandwiches. Ivy scarfed down both as if her life depended on it. Winter and Midnight were eating bits of sliced venison that Meleri cooked over low heat since they weren’t fans of bread foods because of all the work it was to tear into it with just paws, maw, talons, and short beak.

  “I must say, Lady Morgana these are marvelous.” Bahruun reached over and took another sandwich. Millid was also downing them at high speed, too busy eating to talk. I glanced over at Meleri, who seemed quite pleased at her food being praised.

  After the meal, we went back out on the porch. It was too fine a day not to enjoy it. Bahruun and Millid were enjoying it the most, not surprising considering they lived inside a chill ruin until now. Sure, they might love archeology, but that wouldn’t make the cold any less unpleasant. Even more so for Millid who were not built for the extreme cold of the northlands.

  “Boss, this is so nice after being in the cold for so long. Don’t get me wrong, I love digging up old items and figuring out what they were used for as much as you do. However, I have missed being able to just relax in the sun, you know.” Bahruun looked up from where he was basking on a leaning sofa. “Well, look on the bright side. We will be staying here for the foreseeable future. We will return north later on, since we owe Winter Hall that much, but this is a long-term contract. As such, that won’t be before autumn next year at the earliest. Speaking of which, we should prob-.”

  That was as far as he got before I shook my head. “Oh, no you don’t. You quaffed at least a dozen healing potions to patch yourself up, as I doubt they were spending high grade or elixirs. You are NOT casting spells when you are that close to getting potion sickness. I do not want potion sickness-induced mishaps. Tomorrow, and that’s final.”

  Bahruun held up both hands. “Alright, alright, I won’t pretend I am not happy to hear that. To be honest, I feel like shit, despite the pleasant food and weather.” I couldn’t help but scoff. “That’s an understatement and a half. You will be crashing hard in a few hours and probably won’t wake until noon. Healing potions can fix your body, but the magic can only do so much for you in potion form. You will need rest, both of you.”

  Bahruun nodded slowly. “That sounds… nihihiiice…” He stifled a yawn in the middle of his sentence. “Sorry about that, I was saying, that sounds nice.” He yawned again, and soon after was snoring, quite comfortable and content by the looks of things. Millid looked up at him, then stood up and plodded over to me.

  “Thanks for the help earlier, Lady Morgana. Usually, potions and the like don’t work on me, so I appreciate you taking the time to figure out a workaround.” I looked down at the Sand Devil with a friendly smile. “Well, it helps when you have access to a full list of ingredients that you can’t safely consume and then just work from there. It’s strange that limitation isn’t lifted from the familiar ritual though.”

  Millid shrugged. “I can’t help you there, Milady. All I can surmise is that the Boss must’ve used a different ritual than you. Doesn’t matter to me, though.” Millid smiled towards the sleeping old man, and I could see genuine affection in her features. “You love him, don’t you?” Millid flinched at the question. Then, after a few moments, he nodded. “Boss saved me when I was at my lowest, took me in, and treated me with more kindness than I ever have before.” Millid sounded somber. “Well, as long as I can be with Boss, that’s all that matters.”

  I put a hand on Millid’s small shoulder, Bahruun’s concerned expression as he was more focused on requesting healing for Millid than his own well-being clear in my mind. “I am quite certain the feeling is mutual. You were out cold, but Bahruun was more concerned with getting proper healing for you than for himself.” Millid turned to look at me and was about to say something. But I placed a finger on Millid’s lips. “Now, before you say anything, Bahruun’s right arm was shot, with bone sticking out in several places. And yet he still cradled your unconscious form with it, and I could count at least two broken ribs as well. Whether his legs were still functioning, I don’t know. What I know is that despite the pain, despite those grievous injuries, he was more worried about your well-being. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.” Millid looked back at Bahruun, now with an unreadable expression.

  “I… didn’t know it was that bad. I regained consciousness on the way back to the Hall, briefly. Boss just smiled and told me he was fine…. The dummy.” Millid sniffled. “I’m going to give him a good talking-to for lying to me.” Millid plodded over to Bahruun, then sat down beside him. “And Lady Morgana… Thanks.” I just gave her a crooked smile. “Don’t mention it. I simply decided to inform you now rather than have things get awkward later. Do with the knowledge what you will; it’s none of my business.”

  I walked over to the landing pad and took off my hat to enjoy the sun on my face. Soot landed beside me. “Things will get interesting whether or not Millid acts on that.” I reached over and began to pat Soot, enjoying the heat of the sun on his feathers. “Well, I am not a fan of watching people beat around the bush; I’d rather have things interesting than awkward.” Soot chirped a few times and then hopped closer. “I suppose I can agree with that.” I looked over at the porch.

  Meleri was patting both Irenji and Midnight. Winter was napping in the rafters, and Ivy was playing on her wind chime swing. “Funny, isn’t it? Two centuries ago the idea of this big a family would have been well, all but impossible I suppose.” Soot affectionately rubbed his head into my hand. “Time heals most wounds, even those that stem from being overworked and sick of people.” I let out a chuckle. “Can’t refute that one. Either way, brace yourself. Tomorrow will be loud, mark my words.”