TILE#5 October 25th - ALCHEMICAL ONLOOKER

Next day, Sunday it was Charles' turn with Timmy and he quickly discovered what an apt student the boy would make for whichever occupation eventually claimed his attention.

"Tell me Timmy, when you were out with Freda yesterday, what" asked Charles "did you find interesting or worth a second look, perhaps?"

There was a long silence of several minutes as Timmy composed his thoughts before saying "Well there was almost too much to take in, you know? I should have taken notes but I never thought to bring a foolscap along with my charcoal sticks. I usually do, so that I can sketch anything of interest but then I thought that since I'm staying here in Brocks Barn I can always revisit anything later so instead I just made observations."

"Go on," said Charles encouragingly

"Very well, starting with the forest it's obvious why it acts as a barrier, it's very gloomy and there's an air about it that seems to suggest imminent danger. Despite the outlaws that Jim said lived in it, which was why he had to give a safe pass signal when we rode through on Friday, its more than that, almost a feeling of wickedness, I don't know how to describe it but if Freda hadn't been with me, I should have left immediately, the hairs on my neck were bristling.

Freda should have told him about Wyrm Leigh thought Charles

Next the forge, I'd really like to meet Jake and learn what it takes to do smithing but he was too busy and had customers waiting, by the looks of it the roof timbers are sagging, they need an extra support beam or else one needs replacing. I'd like to get a closer look at the tools he uses.

I liked the look of the artisans workshop, nice stone walls and all those window apertures must give plenty of light when the shutters are open. That told me he does a lot of small detail work, to need that much light availability. There's a nice little cottage across the way, Freda told me the sad story, I lost my parents so I know what it must feel like to lose a daughter."

"Thats enough Timmy, I can see that you have quiite an artist's eye for the details" chuckled Charles who was impressed "I thought perhaps you might enjoy being shown some of the alchemical equipment I use and for your own safety's sake I need to give you a few warnings about some of the substances you might encounter if you allow your curiousity to get the better of you."

"I have seen some of this equipment both in use and being made" said Timmy "because I have helped at both an apothecary's and a glass blowers shop. There's quite a demand for acid carboys at the Citadel port for transporting both acids and spirituous liquors."