Potions Master Chapter 3:

Dear Readers, please accept my apologies for an error in Chapter 2. In a number of instances, I referred to Prince Linden as "Prince Rowan," confusing father and son. I didn't catch the mistake until I had submitted the chapter for publication. Thanks for reading, as well as for your forbearance of my mistakes.

Chapter 4 is complete and being edited to bring it to the same standards of the previous. Hopefully I will have it ready by the middle of October.

Please donate to Nifty if it is within your budget. https://www.nifty.org/nifty/support.html

By Jon McGee, cottagecore.stories@gmail.com

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House Brooks ruled from Gloucester Palace. Originally carved from the living granite of a mesa at the center of an ox-bow on the swift Wynn River, over the centuries, the Builders had added level after level, building both up and out, on massive buttressed columns anchored in the stone at the bottom of the gorge, hundreds of paces below. The massive castle served as both the center of government and the home of the Royal Family and many of its Courtiers.

I reached the barbican on the Capitol-side of the Front Bridge at 10:00 a.m., neither late nor early.

The portcullises were raised, the drawbridges were down and fixed, and the gate-guards looked alert but unconcerned. It had been so long since strife had visited the Capitol, the security seemed almost ceremonial. Nonetheless, the guards wore stout leather armor chased with steel. They carried spears and shields and each wore swords on their belts.

Above the gate, towers flanked the barbican, with three rows of crenelated balconies, the merlons split with arrow-slits. Archers surveilled Caste Boulevard from the second level.

I introduced myself to the Captain of the Guard, a formidable woman of at least 40 years. "Welcome, Potions Master," she said. "You will have full arrival and departure privilege so long as you wear your House Brooks pin."

The Captain bowed slightly and handed me a leather box containing a silver pin the size of my thumbnail, in the shape of a starburst set at its center with a deep blue sapphire. "Attach this to your left collar and you will have free access to your Station within the castle so long as the gates are open."

I thanked her, fixing the pin to my collar, above my heart. The gold chalice that signified my Mastery was attached to my right collar.

"Sergeant Aster will deliver you to the Lord Steward," said the Captain, nodding towards a blonde woman, easily six feet tall and as broad at the shoulder as me.

The sergeant explained the Castle's defenses as we walked across the bridge. "To reach castle grounds, an attack must breach the gates at either side of each barbican, four in total, and resolve the three drawbridges," she said. She pointed to the massive iron cables connecting the drawbridges to locking winches. "We can lift three 10-foot sections of the bridge, or pull the hinge-pins and drop the bridges into the river below."

At the far end of the bridge, Aster pointed to the bossed curtain wall that encircled the castle. "I wouldn't want to be on this bridge as the Queen's Archers rained down their fire. Twelve archers can fire continuously from each of the bartizans," she said, pointing to the buttressed towers above the bridge on either side of the gate. "And hundreds more from the wall itself," she nodded upwards.

The barbican on the castle side of the bridge was open and manned only by ceremonial guards on either side of the bridge-side portcullis. "Note the murder holes," smiled Aster, looking up as we passed under the first gate. Black stone maws above promised attackers boiling oil or worse. My new home was a fortress.

Inside the curtain wall, Gloucester Palace stood 8 stories tall above the courtyard, pale gray polished granite with white marble ornaments. A rounded tower stood above every corner, rising higher even than the curtain wall. Like the Citadel in the castle's center, the turrets were roofed with copper tiles in a fish-scale pattern. Copper gutters collected water in cisterns for use in times of need.

A broad lawn stretched between the wall and the palace, dotted here and there with linden and rowan and alder trees. A stone lane wide enough for two carriages to pass surrounded the castle and ran from the bridge gate to the far barbican in the East Wall. The total area inside the walls was perhaps 900 strides north to south, and 1,000 strides east to west, more or less.

Grooms wearing the Royal Livery were leading horses towards the castle's east side, where it appeared some Courtiers were preparing for a morning ride.

"To reach the Royal Stables," said Sergeant Aster, "follow the Stone Lane through to East Gate. The Stables, the Dairy, and some of the Royal Gardens are on the far bluffs." I'd lived in the Capitol my whole life and knew the District like the back of my hand. "The Stables used to be inside the castle," she added, pointing to the castle's far wall. "Now officers of the Palace Guard live in the mews."

There were no windows on the castle's ground floor, which I later learned were mostly barracks of the Palace Guard. Two sets of curving stone steps led to a broad terrace at the Palace's south-facing Front, separated below by a reflecting pool serene with water lilies. A linden tree grew in the central courtyard, banked by planters filled with lobelia and sweet alyssum.

Palace guards in gleaming steel breastplates and helmets plumed with blue-dyed horsehair saluted Aster and pulled open heavy oak doors banded with iron. An iron portcullis with bars as thick as my wrist was locked above the doors, but could be lowered and fixed in place in seconds, I am sure.

I followed Sergeant Aster into the palace. The First Hall was the size of the Guild Hall's tavern, and I soon learned it was one of the smallest rooms on the Palace's Public Floor. A table staffed by Royal Personnel sat in its center.

A handsome older man with black hair streaked with gray and deep blue eyes dressed in House Brooks livery stood to meet me.

"Welcome Potions Master Green. I am Mason Dale, Lord Steward of House Brooks. Thank you Sargent Aster, I assume Responsibility." I thanked her as well, and she left to return to her Post.

To me, Lord Dale explained, "the Grand Royal Master oversees all operations at Gloucester Palace, but once inside, things divide. As you are Potions Master to House Brooks, I will take charge of you from here. After we attend some formalities, the Majordomo's Office will assume Responsibility to show you your Suite."

I had a basic understanding of Palace organization, but there was much for me to learn and more. Lord Dale seemed to understand. "The Majordomo and his staff report to me and oversee House Brooks Operations. I report to the Master of Household, as does the Casetllan, who is responsible for Palace Facilities and the Captain of the Guard, who is responsible for Palace Security. The Master of Household reports to the Grand Master, who reports to the Queen through her Private Secretary."

Lord Dale led me into the Palace. "Royal Personnel rarely spend much time on the Public Floor," he explained. "Here, the Queen and her Regency Council hold public audiences, and she holds Court. Of course you are free to visit anywhere you are authorized, but the Public Floor is often crowded with people seeking the Queen's Favor." He shuddered at the thought.

As large as the castle looked from the outside, it seemed bigger within. Large rooms and long halls stretched off the wide main hall, which ran south to north. At the center of the castle, the hall opened into a large square room with broad staircases rising on either side. A smaller corridor ran east to west. Natural light bathed paintings of the Kings and Queens and Regents of House Brooks that lined the walls.

"Here are the most important things for you to know immediately," Lord Dale told me as he pulled me aside the bustle. "The Potions Master's Suite is at the Castle's northeast corner below the Tower. The Learned Floors are four and five. Your Suite, Chambers, Laboratory, and Library are on the fourth floor, your Solar and the terrace garden are on the fifth."

I nodded, absorbing the information.

"You will meet the Learned Personnel over time, but I expect you will soon be the subject of great interest. Expect many invitations as the Castle strives to make your acquaintance."

"Is there anything I should be aware of?" I asked, sensing a warning pregnant within his advice.

"Oh yes," he laughed, "much and more. But it is above my Station to give advice to the Learned. Suffice to say, not everyone here is your friend, no matter how charming they may seem, and many who appear indifferent to you have great hopes in your successes."

Riddles within riddles. "Thank you, Lord Dale," I said. "I will give your advice much attention, I am sure."

"Next," he said, "meals. Most days, the Court and the Learned break their in Chambers. If you prefer, breakfast at the Royal Table on floor six, on the north side of the Citadel, is served until 10:00. Dinner is served at 7:00, do not be late or you will not be admitted. We will acquaint you with seating protocol. The Queen is not overly formal when it comes to Station, but some of the Minor Royals are unsparing."

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. My previous Masters had both frequently spoken of palace intrigue. I knew it would be part of my Position but I wasn't looking forward to addressing it. Lord Dale's warning only increased my distaste.

Lord Dale steered me to an unmarked door down a westward corridor off the Great Hall. Unlocking the door with an iron key, he beckoned that I follow him down two flights of stairs, through another series of unmarked, locked doors, to another unremarkable door. Smokeless oil lanterns lighted the way.

Lord Dale knocked loudly and called out, "Lord Steward Dale seeks the Master of Keys."

The door opened. Standing before us was a burly man with a bushy black beard. He wore Royal livery with a sash of gold. "The Master of Keys answers the Lord Steward. And Potions Master Green of House Brooke," he added with a bow.

"Is all in order?" asked Lord Dale.

"All is in order," responded the Master of Keys.

"Master of the Keys," said Lord Dale, "you may present the Keys."

"Master Green," said the Key Master, holding up a ring of brass keys, "By Order of Queen Regent Holly, I present you with your Keys." One by one, he held them up. "This will admit you to the Learned Floors; this will open your Chambers, Laboratory, Library, and Solar; this will admit you to your terrace garden, which you share with the Healer; and this will open the cupboards in your Laboratory and the locking cabinets in your Library." With special emphasis, he added, "do not lose these Keys."

I noticed that Lord Dale kept his keys on a chain attached to his belt and considered acquiring the same.

"Thank you, Key Master," I said with a small bow. "May I ask, who else has these Keys?"

"You may ask," said the Master of Keys, "but I will not answer in full. I possess copies of all Keys in Gloucester Palace. The Queen may request any Key, and I will provide it. There are others with lesser authority, including Prince Linden, the Grand Master, the Master of Household, the Captain of the Guard, and the Lord Steward Dale, all of whom may receive any Key with the Queen's consent."

"Will you tell me who will have access to my Laboratory's cabinetry?" I asked. "Some of my potions and supplies are very dangerous," I said. Also, rare and expensive, but perhaps I should not suggest that I feared thievery at Gloucester Palace.

"By longstanding Royal Practice, I will only provide the Queen with a Key to the Working Areas of Learned Persons. Other than the Queen, no one may access your locked cupboards and cabinets without Royal Assent."

"As a result," said Lord Dale, "you will be required to address cleaning arrangements with your Page, who will also be provided a Key if you so request."

"I will consider that. Until I meet this Page, I won't know how much trust to give him. Him?" I asked.

"Yes, him. Your caution compliments your judgment, Master Green," said Lord Dale, "but I do not think James will give you any reason to doubt him. His parents were raised in Service to House Brooks and he outshines them in attentiveness and discretion."

From the Master of Keys, Lord Dale returned me to the Great Hall. "This is Minor-domo Cooper," said Lord Dale, introducing me to a handsome, rangy, red-haired man with lively blue eyes and a quick smile. In his thirties, perhaps, Minor-domo Cooper wore Royal Livery with a sash of red. "He will show you to your Suite."

As we climbed the stairs, Minor-domo Cooper explained that the castle's third floor was home to the Royal Courtiers who lived at Gloucester Palace. "You don't have access as a Matter of Right," he said as we reached the third floor landing, "but the Door Guard will grant you access if you have a Proper Purpose." The bored-looking guard shrugged to me and rolled her eyes, after the Minor-domo was out of her sight-line.

We entered the Learned Floors through a locked door off the fourth-floor landing above the Great Hall. To accommodate the workrooms and stores of those of my Station, the Builders had sacrificed some of the wide, gracious halls of the Public Floor. Still, while more functional than opulent, the Learned Floors were comfortable. Gracious and quiet.

The first of the Learned Floors included the Royal Libraries, as well as the Suites of the Royal Librarian and his Under Librarians, the House Brooks Lore Master, Master Healer, Builder, and Maker. Other Masters' Suites, including the Crown's Masters, were on the floor above.

Minor-domo Cooper took me first to my Chamber, which I found welcoming. From the exterior hallway, I entered into a bright, airy sitting room with a large fireplace. Comfortable chairs flanked a sofa. A table for four sat beside the window. Off the sitting room was a bed chamber with a window looking just slightly above the wall, with the Wynn River below and Royal Stables in the distance.

A small wardrobe was set into an interior wall in the bedroom. It would be some months before I learned of the hidden passage that connected the wardrobe to my Laboratory, and to other parts of the castle.

"The Learned Baths are located on this floor, off the south-east central corridor. They are used by the Learned Persons of both the Crown and House Brooks. They said to be quite comfortable. You are also entitled to use the Guards' Baths, on the ground floor. They can be . . . diverting," he said with a smile.

I laughed. "I think it's best that I avoid diversions while I first find my way here," I said. Although I could not deny that I would be happy to be diverted by some of the soldiers I'd seen.

"I am sure you are correct, Master Green," said Minor-domo Cooper. "Over time I do not doubt that you will find many opportunities for diversions, if you would like."

My Laboratory was well-appointed. Sited at the castle's northeast corner, tall windows flooded the room with light, until midday at least. Stone lab benches and a long counter had been oiled. A cistern supplied fresh water and there were small brasiers in addition to the fireplaces at the back of the lab. The cauldrons and kettles were immaculate and of the highest quality.

As Minor-domo Cooper showed me the space, we discussed the supplies I would need. "Here was Master Anders' Standing Order," he said with an enthusiasm only a bureaucrat with a five year old supplies list could muster.

"Thank you," I said. "I'll consider this, but this is really a restock-list of the things he used most often. I'll shop for my initial supplies and then work with the Master of Household to restock."

"Of course," he said. "Have your Page bring your lists to Lord Steward Dale. If there are specific suppliers you require, be sure to note it. Master Anders was very particular in this regard. If the Lord Steward has questions he will direct them back to you."

I shared a large terrace with the Healer, including beds for growing herbs and medicinal plants, and a scarred stone table on which I could mix my more dangerous concoctions.

The Potion Master's Library, connected to the Laboratory's west wall, was furnished with a long oak reading table, set under the north-facing windows to capture daylight when it was available. Polished brass oil lamps would provide light at other times. The back wall was filled with bookcases and scroll racks. Two banks of drawers were intended to hold unbound parchment and maps.

My entire collection of books didn't fill one bookcase. With the salary set by the Crown, I could surely add to my library, but with access to the Royal Libraries, I did not think I would need to buy anything soon.

Master Hall had said the Royal Libraries contained every significant Potions book and scroll ever written in the Kingdom. My initial investigations suggested he was correct, and then some. I learned that I was entitled to transfer any Potion scroll or volume to my personal Library, other than the Royal Tomes, but that I must return them upon request of a long list of Learned Persons, Royalty, and Courtiers.

"However," said Lily, the Royal Under Librarian with Potions Jurisdiction, "you can expect few requests. Most recognize the expertise required to make a potion, and will leave it to your Mastery." Over time, I filled my Library with Royal Volumes to conduct research beyond any prying eyes. But more on that later.

Perhaps my favorite room in my Suite was the Solar. Stone steps led from the Library to a room set directly above the Laboratory. A fireplace flanked with comfortable chairs filled the back wall, and a divan and sitting table was placed facing north, flanked by armchairs. On clear days, Mount Tamarack was visible in the distance.

The next week was a whirlwind. Ironically, I spent my second day as Potions Master outside the castle, walking the market and supply shops with James. Over time, I would come to trust the Office of Stewards to shop for me, but I needed to introduce James to my preferred suppliers and educate him in certain particulars.

My afternoons were filled with teas. The House Learned were the most welcoming, with the Royal Learned more formal and reserved. "I deal in Lore of the State," said Royal Lore Master dismissively, when I asked generally about Royal Lineage.

"Let's talk," whispered the House Brooks Lore Master after the Royal Master swept away. I learned that he had been selected in close consultation with Prince Linden. I expected we would work closely together in the future, although I did not delve into substance during our initial meetings. The other House Masters were similarly accommodating, and the Royal Masters similarly aloof.

The Potions ordered during my first few weeks in the castle were uneventful, if more voluminous than the Queen had said. I received no requests from the Queen or Prince Linden. The orders placed by House Brooks Retinue were mostly simple and easily dispatched.

I brewed so many Morning After Draughts that I wondered if everyone in the castle but me drank to excess every night. The potion was fussy and difficult to make in large quantities, so I assigned myself the task of reformulating the Draught so I could make it in bulk.

Another surprise was the frequent, clandestine requests I received for the Nut Not Powder. When inhaled through the nose weekly, it rendered a man's semen ineffective at generating pregnancy. (Of course, Not Nut was not the proper Potion Master's name for it, but "Sperma Infirma" never had a chance.) The amount of Nut Not that went up the Royal Household's nose every week suggested that behind its serene façade, House Brooks was a rollicking, promiscuous den of iniquity.

I also received three orders for my Masterpiece, including from the Master of the Keys and the Chief of Royal Protocol. I sold the Potion at cost within the castle, to those who agreed to keep confidential the Castle Price. I already had a trade around the Capitol, which would only grow over time as word spread of the potion's effectiveness.

On my twenty-first day of service to House Brooks, I received a note on the Queen Regent's stationary, written in what I would learn to be the Queen's own hand: "You will meet Prince Linden alone in his solar at 10:00 tomorrow morning. I expect great things from you. Q.R."

I took a deep breath. And so we began.