The autumn chill was refreshing as we made our way south across the swamp. Beneath us, we could see various creatures moving through the morning mist looking for food or water. A few deer here, a bear there. Even a tusk boar was out and about, which was rare as they disliked leaving the cover of the trees. When Meleri spotted it, she did a double-take. Not that surprising. Tusk boars were massive beasts, taller than an average man, with eight large tusks growing out of their long snouts, and they were over a ton of muscle, cloven feet and deadly tusks.

  Yet despite their colossal size they were skittish beasts and would prefer to flee if they could. If cornered, however, they were more than capable going on a rampage. These rampages would leave devastation akin to the aftermath of an avalanche, earning them the nickname Avalanche Pig. Yet despite the risks of hunting them, their meat was worth the effort. Too bad the pantry was stuffed. Otherwise, I'd have interrupted the trip to Nekkal for it.

  When he saw Meleri’s expression, Soot flew over to her broom and explained to her what she was looking at. She gave a nod, and the two of us continued on. As we neared Nekkal, we could see winter preparations were in full swing there as well. The local farmers were carting barrels of grain to the winter stockpile, including a massive cart from Apple Ridge with Brom in the driver’s seat and various young fauns scattered about the barrels and crates. Delivering produce to Nekkal was something they did every year, as they simply didn’t have the storage space for everything, so selling to Nekkal for cheap was essentially a necessity by now. Although even that was barely keeping their storage open given Alder’s earlier trading request.

  As we flew above the cart, I could see Brom wave up at us. I waved back at him as we continued onward. We landed at the gates soon after and moved past the queue of people wanting to enter the city. No one tried to stop or search us. Not only because I was well-known enough that the guards just waved me past. But also because searching me was pointless with my magical storage and all that. The guards gave Meleri a curious glance, but since she was obviously a sorceress, they left it at that.

  As we walked through the city, I could see Meleri give me a curious glance. “Let me guess, you’re wondering why we didn’t fly in?” She nodded. “It’s simple, really. Nekkal does not have an aerodrome or airship access, and as such has alarm spells to warn of anything that uses magic to fly over the walls.” Meleri finished my sentence for me. “So flying inside would cause a massive ruckus, gotcha.” I gave her a simple nod. “That it would indeed. Now then, let’s see here.” I pulled out the list she made yesterday. “Hmm, most of the mushrooms that are still available would be over at the market square, so let’s tackle that first.”

  I led her over to the market square, a large plaza filled with various merchant stalls used by the various farmers to hawk their wares without the need of a permanent store. As always, it was crowded and noisy. Midnight hopped onto my free shoulder to not get separated from me in the crowd. It took a while to find what we needed with the crowds and the numerous stalls.

  As we left the square, Meleri was tucking away the bag into her storage pouch. “It’s unfortunate we didn’t find any porcini, but I guess they are popular this time of year. Still, I wasn’t expecting to find shiitake…” Her voice trailed off as she glanced at me. Hmm, considering the way they were grown… did you have a hand in it?” I shook my head. “Nope. They were selling those things with no prompting from me. Let’s see here… ah, honey. I’m surprised we’ve run out this quick, then again you have been baking countless things…”

  There was only one place in town I’d go to buy that, and soon Meleri and I were standing outside Ser Grünwald’s Finest Honey. “If you ever need honey, this is the place to go. It’s to where the fauns of Appleridge would rather buy Arthur’s honey than get their own apiaries.” Meleri followed me inside, and it only took a few moments before Arthur Grünwald’s jovial voice washed over us. “Lady Morgana, how delightful to see you!” He then noticed Meleri. “And who is this beautiful young lady?” He gave a nod towards Meleri. “Hello to you too, Arthur. This is my younger sister, Meleri. Meleri, meet Arthur Grünwald, proprietor and current owner of this fine establishment.”

  Arthur gave Meleri a polite bow. “Quite charmed, milady. Now if you are here, Lady Morgana I take it you have run out of honey?” I nodded as I looked towards Meleri. “My sister here is quite skilled in the culinary arts and so likes to practice to keep her skills sharp. Now obviously, this means ingredients are used, and so my jars of honey have been depleted. I know this is sudden, so I don’t expect you to have any Jaldon Vale lying about, but I’ll take the best you have available.”

  Arthus smiled brightly. “As of matter of fact, I do actually have a few jars. The unrest I mentioned the last time you were in? It cleared up a few weeks ago, and as such a lot of Jaldon Vale became available on the market as the farmers could finally offload their stock. I immediately bought a large surplus for cheap because I knew you’d be interested.” He gestured to a pair of massive jars, far larger than the last ones. “Each of these jars is sixty gallons of Jaldon Vale honey, it should see you set over the winter, at the very least.”

  I let out a whistle. “That is a lot of honey indeed. Alright then. Let’s see here…” I pulled out twenty-two gold pieces. As the jars were well crafted, and could store other things after the fact. “This should be the price, right?” Arthur took and counted the gold pieces. “As always, Lady Morgana, you can find the exact price without even hearing it from me. Are you sure you weren’t a merchant in a previous life?” I just waved him off. “Magical aid, my friend. Now then, let’s get these stored away, shall we?”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The honey jars vanished into my pouch a few moments later. “As always, Arthur, a pleasure doing business with you. Say hello to the family from me, alright?” Arthur nodded and waved the two of us off with a good-natured chuckle. “See you again Lady Morgana, and a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Meleri.” Meleri waved back, though it was obvious she wasn’t expecting to be referred to as Lady.

  As we left, Meleri looked back towards the store. “Arthur seemed like a nice guy.” I followed her gaze. “Oh, he is. He, his old man, and his son are all nice people. They have been running this shop for almost 3 generations now and are very passionate about their work.” As we started to walk away, Meleri gave me a curious glance. “What about Arthur’s wife?” I looked towards Meleri. “Bethany? She’s working over at the bakery over there, nice lass. I think the two of you would get along swapping recipes and talking shop over a bowl of dough.” I nodded towards a nearby bakery, which seemed pretty busy this time of day.

  So, let’s see what else we need here… I pulled out the list. Flour, milk and olive oil. Hmm, the latter would not be possible; olives did not grow in the Midlands. “Hmm, we will need to substitute your olive oil request with canola, olives don’t grow in these parts.” Meleri looked thoughtful for a moment. “Hmm, alright, that should still work.” I nodded and led the way towards the next store.

  We arrived back home a few hours later than intended, as getting an oil that fit Meleri’s exacting standards took longer than expected. The moment we finished stashing away the food in the pantry and cooling cabinet it was off to the brewing room for me, as I needed to prepare the components Meleri would need for tonight’s ritual. Halfway through the brewing, Meleri popped in. “Anything I can do to help?”

  I looked up from the cauldron. “Not really, no. Hmm, actually if you want to help, do both yourself and the wolves a favor and make sure tonight’s dinner is on the lighter side. That way, you can have space for something heavier to eat after the ritual to aid in recovery.” Meleri clicked her tongue in annoyance. “I guess I am postponing my original idea until tomorrow then. Hmm, something light, alright can do.” I walked over to the bookshelf and pulled out the book with the familiar rituals. “Here, read up on the ritual again to make sure you and the wolves know exactly how it goes, no mistakes and all that.”

  Meleri took the book and nodded, her expression serious. She and Irenji went through it before, of course, but Irane didn’t know the ritual itself, and mistakes could cause practically anything to happen. Personally, I'd have preferred if they could have rehearsed it, but there wasn’t really time between dinner and sunset to do so because of the delay.

  Dinner was a simple affair. Chicken soup for me and Meleri and some roast chicken for the familiars and wolves. Light, simple and just what I would recommend given the ordeal Meleri was about to face. As the sun began to set, I led everyone to the altar and set everything up for them. Soot, Midnight, Winter, Rathina, Bahruun and Millid remained on shore as to not get in the way as I walked the trio through the steps one final time.

  “I will be off to the side and will step in if something happens. Good luck, you three.” I stepped away from the altar and watched as the moon slowly rose into the sky, casting its crimson light across the swamp and forest. I could feel the magical charge in the air from the celestial event. With the moon high enough, I could see Meleri get to work. First up was Irenji, by the look of things. I could hear their muffled voices as they spoke and went through with the ritual.

  Everything went as expected it would seem, as a few moments after consuming the beverage both of them doubled over with pained groans. I hurried over to make sure neither of them rolled off the island and into the cold autumn waters. Meleri glanced up at me. “Hurts… much… damnit.” I gave her shoulder a supportive clasp. “I know, it will only last half an hour. You can do it.” Meleri glanced over towards Irenji, and her pained expression twisted into a determined grimace. She would be just fine it would seem.

  Irane, for her part, was comforting Irenji, keeping him calm as he fought through the pain. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but then, it was none of my business. Once the pain abated from them both, I handed Meleri a cup of fruit juice. “One for the road.” I also handed Irenji some meat slices, which he gobbled up without hesitation. “Thanks, Lady Morgana.” His usually chipper voice was strained but grateful. As Meleri recovered, I exchanged the bowl with a new one and also placed the items needed to repeat the process. “All is ready for round two, sis. No rush, however.”

  Meleri nodded, she was pale and was drenched in sweat from the ordeal she just finished. I stepped back again so she would have the space she needed. I was ready to step in if anything happened. Meleri eyed the bowl with determination as she approached it once more together with Irane. I watched as they went through the motions of the ritual once more. Again, Meleri doubled over in pain, as did Irane. I moved over together with Bahruun, neither of us knew if this was even remotely safe. I was ready to administer healing potions despite the risk that involved thanks to the blood moon.

  After another half an hour of pained groans, both of them seemed to relax once more. I picked up Meleri in my arms as Bahruun helped Irane to her feet. “Let's get the three of you inside, I’ll get you something to recover with once we’re there.” Meleri gave me a tired nod as I carried her back to the house, and Irenji and Irane followed behind with Bahruun, both on shaky legs.

  Once inside, I placed Meleri on the couch, and Irane and Irenji jumped up onto it and flanked her, both wanting to make sure she was OK, no doubt. I went into the kitchen and returned a few moments later with diced sausage with mashed potatoes and something to drink for all three. I set it to prepare before leaving, and thanks to the magic it was kept perfectly edible until we returned. For drinks, I grabbed fruit juice for Meleri and nice cold water for Irenji and Irane. “Here we are. Now eat up you three. It should help you recover faster.”

  Irane and Irenji didn’t need to be asked twice as they began to devour the meal with gusto. Meleri wasn’t as recovered though, which wasn’t surprising given the insane ordeal she just went through. I helped her out by feeding her, which, in her weakened state she was not in any state to refuse. She insisted on drinking without help though, which she managed after some trial and error. She gave me a tired smile as she put down the cup and soon after passed out, too exhausted to stay awake. Irane and Irenji both curled up beside her, and I let them stay like that as I took an early night to not disturb them.