Journal Entry #479 \\ Date: Minden, Year 6:13, 3rd Moon \\Dear Diary,
Being a wizard has it's ups and downs, and I look the way I do because of a magical mishap or intentional one - aka - the ups and downs aforementioned. Today was the most ups and downs I've ever had, but my were they fun! I've never looked so interesting! Allow me to explain what happened, dearest of diaries...!
I am Arthurian's only wizard, so a lot of folks come to me for spells, brews, quest items, you name it. Once, even the King of Arthurian sought out my brews! That's a story for another time, of course, lest I get distracted and don't tell you today's relishing tale! Where was I? Oh yes! Because I'm the only wizard, many often refer to me as the legendary sorcerer, but, heh, well, just look at me!
Today, my first customer was a fable named
Saturn - gosh, what a trifle it is to be named after a day of the week! At least it's the first day of the weekend! Anywho, where was I? Oh yes! Saturn came in because she discovered that one of her wings were irreprehensibly itchy! Is that how that word is used? Regardless, you get the point! Her left wing was itchy and it would not stop!
"I'm no doctor, you know," I told her. She nodded in reply. How silly of my old friend.
"I know it. I've been - to the doctor I mean! There's no lumps, bumps, hives or bites of any kind!" she stated, frustrated.
"May I?" I asked, gesturing to her wing that itched. She nodded and outstretched it. I very gently nudged it with my nose to feel out her ley lines. In my vision I saw each ley line working through her body - those that were aligned correctly glowed a subtle blue; her itchy wing ley lines were an intense red.
"I diagnose you with ley line fever. Now, don't panic," I started, meeting her gaze. She didn't reply, only listened. "I can brew up a potion that will put your ley line's back on track. Have you noticed that on top of being itchy, your wing feels oddly warmer then the rest of your body?" I asked her. She nodded.
"Well, don't let me keep you - I'll get the brew done in just a moment," I strode over to my cauldron, her eyes following me as I worked. Putting in this and that, the pot boiled and bubbled, a flash of light filled the room. In a moment of shock, all I could do was blink and let out a sneeze, before I heart Saturn stifle a giggle.
"Sorry," she said, smiling. "It's just that... well... your wing?" she pointed with a hoof. I looked down to see a newly minted bat wing instead of my usual feathered. Oh. Oh! How neat!
"How fun is that!" I said jovially, meeting her gaze. She let out a raspy, high pitched giggle. For a moment we laughed together, and I added one final ingredient to the potion, the bubbles softening and slowing. Into a teacup I poured the mix, offering it to her.
Saturn took a sip and immediately relaxed, her condition visibly changing her body language as it soothed her ley lines.
"Oh my, thank you, Merlin! You're as wonderful as they say!" she said, gleefully. "What do I owe you?" she asked, eyeing me. I opened my mouth to answer before she interrupted me. "And you can't say nothing!" I closed my jaw bewildered and thought for a moment.
"A game of chess sometime next week? I hear you're awful good!" I inquired, smiling at her.
"You'll lose, like always," she huffed, smirking. I returned her smirk as I bottled up more of the potion for her, corking it and sealing it with wax.
"That's fine by me. Here, in case that insatiable itch comes back." I said, handing her the bottle. "I'll see you next week," I added playfully. She smiled and thanked me again as she turned to left.
The shop was quiet for naught a moment before my next customer came in. And a royal guard! The captain no less! I had heard she was stunning, but seeing her
literally give off light as she entered was a sight indeed.
"Captain
Amalthea, ma'am. What can I do for you?" I asked as she stepped into the space. Unlike Saturn, Amalthea was named after a very special legend, of one who drove back a red bull so fierce it dared steal away all unicorns. I've, uh, have always had a bit of a crush on the Captain, you see. She lives up to her namesake well.
"Merlin, great wizard sir," she said cordially, her stunning hazel eyes meeting mine. "I appear to be, well, I'm too bright!" she proclaimed, a light stomp of her hoof on the hardwood.
"You want me to... quell your vibrancy?" I asked questioningly. "And who said you were too bright?"
"My ... former partner, Minden, said that I... shine too brightly. So... we broke up a while back because I didn't agree..." Amalthea admitted, her ears falling flat against her head in sadness. That was part of her ex's problem! He was named after a day of the week everyone hates! From what I can recall about him, he's an insufferable brat who got his position through his rich father. Nepotism. Need I say more? Where was I? Oh yes!
"Any who wish to dim your radiance are simply jealous, my dear," I said earnestly, once more meeting her hazel gaze. Her eyes lit up, a subtle blush arose on her cheeks. Oh! I... quite liked that. I don't think I'll need to make her a potion, but maybe some cheering up is in order?
"You astonish me, wizard - finding the most unusual times for compliments." she replied, giggling.
"My specialty. If you like, I can revel you in more," I offered, smiling at her. She blushed brighter.
"Merlin, you musn't!" she insisted, trying to hide her rosy cheeks with a hoof, giggling.
"I don't know, Amalthea, I think you deserve to know that your radiance is a joy to any who see it." I replied, smirking. She blushed even harder. "It's like you said yourself - you didn't agree with Minden saying you were too radiant. It's because you aren't. You fought your way into being Captain of the royal guard. You're a hero any young fable can aspire to! You're loving, compassionate, kind. So many shining traits for anyone to look up to. What I'm trying to say is - you don't need a brew to lessen your light. It would be a disservice to you, my lady." I met her gaze once more.
In her eyes now were tears and the flowed freely. "Thank you, Merlin. I needed to hear that..." she said, brushing away her tears with a stroke of a wing, folding it neatly back against her side. "Would you at least make me a potion to help me sleep a little more deeply?" she inquired after a moment.
"I'd be glad to," I said, striding over to my cauldron once more to get to work. With a little magic, it was empty, and I got to work on a fresh brew. Many ingredients later, the brew was nearly complete, and in another flash of light, it was ready. I blinked and sneezed once more. I've really got to stop leaning over my cauldron as my brew's near completion. Wouldn't you know it? Magic up the nose is just like inhaling pepper.
Blinking away the light spots in my vision, I heard a giggle lighter then air. Did my magic change my physical appearance once more? Why it did! My hooves were now a variety of different animals, but they didn't feel unnatural. How interesting!
"Don't you know that inhaling pure magic is like inhaling pepper?" Asked Amalthea through giggles. I laughed with her as I bottled up her potion.
"You'd think I'd learn after all my years not to lean over my cauldron all the time!" I replied with a hearty chuckle. "Here's a month's worth of potion. Just a sip will do each night before bed." I instructed her. She tucked the bottle under her wing.
"What do I owe you?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Dinner with you perhaps?" I asked. Go me. That was smooth. I watched as a blush rose to her cheeks in realization.
"I'd like that very much, Merlin. Thank you, and I'll be by this evening to collect you." Amalthea said, smiling. Now it my turn for my face to turn beet red.
"S-sounds lovely!" I said, stumbling over my words. She giggled and nodded, turning to leave.
"Oh, and thank you again, for telling me all that. I needed to hear it." she said, pausing her steps in the doorway one last time. I nodded to her, beaming at her.
And that, dear diary, is not only how my body was changed, but my heart too. Dinner together went splendidly, and we've another date coming up soon! Oh, you probably want to know about the horns don't you? Well, that was actually the first change my magic made to my body, when the King sought out my brews. I really must stop leaning over my cauldron! I bet it's me inhaling magic that changes my body.
That's all for today diary. I'll see you again tomorrow!