Hazel - Post Chapter One (Patreon)

“Billows! Billows!” Hazel was walking around the garden, hands on her hips. “Where did that cat get to,” she muttered. She had a bottle of cream in her hand but no cat butting up against her ankles for his treat. It had been a few days. And while that wasn’t entirely unheard of for Billows, it didn’t leave Hazel feeling the best about his disappearance. However, she had a tendency of being overly dramatic at times and needed to remember that just because Billows was taking a jaunt, didn’t mean anything was seriously at odds.

Humming to herself, she poured a small bowl of cream just in case. It wasn’t as if there were other animals around to drink it.  She then went and did her evening chores around the garden. It was far more lush this year that it had been in the past. Her herbs were particularly vibrant, giving off a spicy scent to the entirety of the garden. Thankfully she had gotten rid of those wisps. They were so obviously the ones that had been killing things around here. The day Hazel burned the birch tree was the day that everything started coming back to life again. Granted, that birch tree kept trying to revive itself but in the end, it really wasn’t a match for her magic.

Gathering a few heads of cabbage and a lone winter squash, Hazel walked back inside. Magic crackled through the air, giving off the pungent scent of myrrh. Lucinda was behind the counter, mixing a few brews. The woman had been at it all week, trying her best to revive the apothecary to its glory days. For Hazel,of course.

Coming up to her mother, Hazel popped up on tiptoes to give her a kiss on the cheek.  “Should I put some tea on?” she asked.

“That would be lovely, dear. It’s been a long day.”

“Mother, you should rest,” Hazel admonished. “I can see to whatever this is.”

“I moved back here to help you, Hazel. Not to sit and be pampered.”

Hazel rolled her eyes. “Oh, mother. Please. That is ridiculous. I’m not a child anymore. I certainly do not wish for you to be doing all of this on your own. You did so much when I was a little. It’s your turn to take it easy.”

Looping her arm within Lucinda’s, Hazel pried her away from her spells and took her to the mismatched sofas near the hearth. “Just rest,” she said. “I’ll take care of the last of the orders and then I’ll get some dinner on.”

With a wave of her hand, a tea service appeared. Dark notes of bergamot and anise filled the air, just like Lucinda liked.

“Did you have fun out in the market today?” Lucinda called out.

Hazel smiled, beginning to add the last little bits of blood to the tonics her mother had been packaging. “It was lovely. The market has a long way to go but it is shaping up to be something truly spectacular again. With the population down I think there is going to be much more room for the kind of expansion that actually means something, you know? I heard that they were going to re-open the flea market soon. I’m very excited to go there. Oh! And Mr. Vicker from the Obol District said that he was looking forward to some of my homemade pumpkin soup.”

“Yes, well, just be careful, my dear. Mr. Vicker is looking for a new wife and it isn’t as if that is going to be a step-up for you.”

Hazel laughed. “No. I would never, mother. He is a very nice man but he is certainly not someone that I am looking to marry. I want someone that is going to be a help here. Not someone with ambitions to become a Baron.”

Lucinda raised a brow. “You’d do good with a Baron, my dear. Often times you can become a Baron yourself just by being married to one. The mouthpiece behind the figurehead.”

Hazel’s nose wrinkled. “No, mother. That’s not for me. I want love. Real love. Not a political status.”  She corked the last couple of bottles and snapped her fingers for them to hop to their own boxes for tomorrow. “Now,” she said, turning to Lucinda. “What is all this talk about love? You know that doesn’t interest me.”

“No, I know my dear.”

“Mother,” she said, sitting down next to her. “We’ve talked about this. I only have one true love in my life. And that is this shop.” She patted her mother's hand, leaning her head against her shoulder. “I want to learn everything you have to offer. I want to make you proud, mother. No more of these silly games.”

“You have no idea how wonderful it is to hear you say that,” Lucinda crooned.

“Love doesn’t interest me. I am sure one day it might. Perhaps I will find someone kind. Someone that can help carry on the Albright line. But I am not worried about something permeate. I dare say you had it right. Sending the suitors in your life away.”

Lucinda sighed. “They can be quite bothersome. Malcolm’s mother was just a wretch through and through. Greedy for all of my time. And your father was nothing more than a demon. Out for our souls and our power. I do so hope you are better in the aspect of love than I am.”

Hazel smiled. “You’ll find someone. One day. I still believe in you. And now, with you back, I’m here to help.”

Curling up close to her mother, she blinked, letting the fire grow bright. It burned much liked it did the day the market had attacked her mother and they were forced to burn down apothecary alley.  Sometimes it felt as if the world was against them. Attacking at every turn.  Hazel wondered what this realm would be like without people like her and her mother, however. Everyone certainly relied on them enough.

Sighing, Hazel shook her head at such silly thoughts.  Not that it mattered. Life had taken an upturn. With Lucinda home she felt safe again. Now she just needed to bring Malcolm back into the fold. Their childhood had been rocky but they were adults now. Surely they could let bygones be bygones.

“I’m glad you’re home, mama,” she said with a small smile.

“Me too, my daughter. Me too.”