h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*Elandra follows, flushed red*

OK, they're gone (and they didn't buy a thing!). What was it you wanted to discuss, or was that merely a ploy to leave the lovers alone?

I already told you



I need something to combat fatigue

Sorry, I was preoccupied with those two in the front. I worried that they'd start throwing things at each other.

Hmm, fatigue. Can you be more specific? Do you need something to give you energy, or help you sleep? Or to remedy some physical malady?

Well I'm not sure, to give me energy I suppose, if I use a lot of magic in a short space of time I get drained

I know what you mean about those 2, I'm glad I'm still a maid

Alright, I have this purple amulet that gives you a sustaining energy. That will be 14 silver.

Thank you, how much do I owe you in all

*Picks up 2 crystals*

And these please

OK, lets see, the amulet is 14 s, the scroll is 20 g, the alchemy ingredients are 68 g in all, and those crystals are 5 s each, so you owe me 88 gold and 24 silver, or just compensation.

Compensation for what

*Hands over money*

*Lumien dashes in with a determined look on her face, and slams twenty gold coins on the counter, all the money she has in the world.*

Lord Polonius? I need as many disease protection charms as this can buy, and your help in mixing and distributing a potion!

I have to leave now Polonius, send Timmy with the answer to my question as I see you are busy now and I have a little matter to help Lady Elandra with, although she doesn't know it yet

*Leaves shop and walks to the Guild Hall*

*enters the front room*

Hello, how may I help you? Do you require spells, potions, ingredients, or perhaps the use of my special machines? (and if this is to end the plague in Imardin, I'll do it for free. My coustomers have been dropping like flies)

*Lumien nods* This is indeed to end the plague in Imardin. I found a plant that should help cure those who are already ill, but I have to find a way to distribute the infusion, and to prevent further outbreak. You can help me there.

Ah, I see. I have a machine in the back room that I use to fill baloons with effusused gas. We can fill the balloons with the remedy and pop it in all the city sectors to end the plague perhaps?
Also, what ingredients do you need? May I see the spell you're working on, as I store all my general ingredients in that file on the wall and the rare ingredients in the safe.

*Lumien shakes her head.* Won't work. It's a liquid, and it's got to be drunk, like tea.

I don't have the spell with me, I, uh, was stepping out for a few other things. The potion itself is pretty simple- fairywort posy leaf, steeped with gingerroot in a copper kettle. The fairywort posy is rare, but I have collected some from Kalsho, and I've at least got it started in the courtyard next to my quarters. It'll take a few weeks before we've got enough to take care of the city, though.

But how are we going to get it out? They won't trust me if I just /give/ it to them...

*She grips the side of the counter, lost in thought.*

We'll put it in little bottles and tell them it's free samples from a new brewery. Can it be mixed with alcohol or made to taste like ale?

*Lumien drums her fingers on the countertop.*

I'm... not sure. I think it can... it should taste like ginger ale when its finished, from what I read on how its prepared.

I'll get the book, and a few posy leaves, and we can make a test batch straight away. I'll be back soon!

*She dashes out toward the guild.*

*looks through the rack of charms near the window and takes down two fairywork flowers preserved in glass on hemp cords*

These should keep us from the contracting the plague ourselves while distributing the bottles.

*Lumien stumbles through the door, carrying the specimen jar and the piece of parchment with the spell. She looks tired, but has a slightly lighter expression on her face than the last time she came.*

Heh, I'm back.

*She lays the specimen jar and the parchment on the countertop.*

According to this, the test batch we make should be enough for...uh...well...

...only ten people! Oh dear. I have to find something to make those plants grow faster.

We should get moving on this. The leaves have to be fresh. Uh, assuming you have the gingerroot and the copper kettle?