The City

We parted ways at the gatehouse. I rode for Tomen's shop. The streets were packed with people. More refugees from the north most likely. We reached the shop and went around back to the stables were I saw Astrid and a cow girl talking. Astrid saw me and smiled as she came over. I climbed off and then helped Felicia off. She seemed happy to be back on her two legs again.

"Made it back safe and sound I see."

"Yep." I nodded and looked at the cow girl. "Bringing on more help?"

"No, she needed a place to stay and most if not all of the inns are full. Tomen agreed to let her stay in the stable if she takes care of the horses. Who is your friend?"

"This is Felecia, I bought her contract from a farmer. Is it okay if she stays here while I run some errands around town."

"Sure, are you hungry dear?" Astrid smiled.

"I guess." Felecia gave a little shrug. I asked about Halley's shop and Astrid gave me directions and I headed that way. It wasn't very far. Halley smiled as I came into the shop.

"Hey, glad to see you made it back okay. You find what you are looking for?" She smiled.

"And then some." I said as I pulled out the flowers sitting them on the counter.

"How did you find so many, these are really rare."She looked at them.

"I had some help." I smiled.

"You should take them to castle. The castle apothecary can use them to make potions for the soldiers. We could make it but my teacher would want to charge for it" She said.

"Very well." I nodded. "Here can you use any of this then." I set a few of the bottles of the Dryad sap down on the table.

"Dryad sap. But its infused with mana. How did you...? Did you fuck a Dryad?" She laughed. "So how was she?" She whispered.

"Exhausting." I shrugged.

"I bet." She laughed. You might have to give me details later." She smiled. "I am not sure how much this is even worth, not something we normally come by. I will talk to the owner and see what she says and pay you later.

"That will work." I nodded and headed over to the tavern next which was full despite it being early still in the day. Helga was working the tables as she had a new girl following her around. She smiled and gave me a wink. I went to the bar and sat and Rose came over.

"Hey stranger. Made it back safe and sound I see." She smiled touching my hand. "Find what you are looking for"

"Yep."

"Good we missed you around here."

"This place is packed."

"Every room we have has been rented. Some even have whole families sharing one room. All these people have no place to go." She frowned. "I wish we could do more."

"Every little bit counts." I said as I took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Her dad was right about her being tenderhearted. "Have you seen the elf priestess who normally comes in here?"

"Not today but I am sure they are busy with wounded. They set up a temple just outside of the west gate." She said. Least it was close I thought. Rose had food thankfully. So I bought a meal and then headed on my way. The temple wasn't to hard to find luckily. I headed inside to find a room similar to the one I had been healed in. Though without the trees. Several priestess were tending to peoples wounds and injuries.

"Hello." The high priestess said as she came over.

"Priestess. I have what you wanted." I said patting my bag.

"Thank you." She smiled and held out her hand.

"I have quit a few." I smiled.

"Oh, okay then. Follow me." She smiled. I went with her into a small room which had shelves with various salves and elixirs. I went to a table and began to put the vials from my bag onto the table. I would keep the larger bottles for myself for now.

"So much. You must have had quit the night last night." She smiled as she picked up one.

"You could say that." I smiled.

"This will last us for months to come." She smiled and touched my chest. "Sadly we do not have money we can pay you with, though I can think of other ways to reward you." She grinned.