[Location] Aelantirial's Alchemy

[Aqua]

From afar the two story building didn’t look any different from all the other marble buildings in Ethgan’tor. There was nothing special, nothing extraordinary about it, about the walls made of white marble that was laced with veins of pink. A couple of trees lined the narrow cobblestone path that led up to the door, forming an alley of sorts, casting their shadows on the ground around them. The garden that surrounded the house was neat and well kept. It was filled with flowers, orchids, roses and lilies in red, pink and white and beyond that herbs in all forms that could be used for at least a hundred different purposes. A multitude of smells lingered in the air, a sweet aroma, almost like perfume. For somebody who had never been here before, the smell could be almost overwhelming.

The garden was beautiful, but so were a lot of other gardens. There was no fence, no wall around it; the garden began where the street ended, which was just a bit unusual. People normally had the tendency to mark their property, to show passers-by that what was behind the fence belonged to them, to erect a barrier that kept people from entering without permission. But the owner of this particular house obviously didn’t care about such things – for whatever reason.

From afar the house didn’t look in any way special, but as soon as one came closer one noticed that there was something just a tad bit unusual about it. It was almost as if it was surrounded by an invisible aura, as if a veil that could neither be seen nor touched had been cast over it. It was not a threatening aura, there was nothing that gave the impression that who or what was in there was evil. But neither was it the peaceful, comforting aura that often surrounded temples. It was an aura of mystery. There was something in the air that held great promises, that spoke of something strange and unusual.

The door was not locked. A slight push was all it took to open it and peek inside. The first thing one noticed upon entering was the cold. Inside the house it was cool, almost a bit too cool. The floor was covered with tiles made of white marble that had been polished until they shone. They were like hundreds of little mirrors. There was not much furniture there. Two silver candelabras stood next to the entrance. In the middle of the room a low table surrounded by four chairs made of dark brown wood could be found. A ceramic bowl that was filled with all kinds of exotic fruits was standing on the table. Another door led further into the house. Like the front door it was not locked, it was open, enough that one could see the hallway behind it.

Somebody was coming. The sound of feet on the marble floor could be heard. Somebody was coming closer, somebody was coming from the hallway. It was a woman, an Esh'lahier of not much more than ninety patterns. She wore her long white hair in a thick braid that reached her knees. Her pale face, while not stunningly beautiful, was pretty. Violet eyes mustered the visitor, her full lips curled into an almost amused smile. She was wearing a simple white linen dress that reacher her ankles and leather sandals. “Are you here to see him? Do you need herbs, potions, healing?” Her voice was smooth, light, musical. “If you would follow me ...”

Through the hallway she walked. The house was quite big, but strangely there were no other people there, it was almost disturbingly empty and quiet. The door in front of which she stopped was made of deep brown wood. Birds were carved into it, parrots, nightingales, owls, eagles – even a vulture – animals that you would never see together in a forest. But the artist – whoever it had been – hadn’t cared about it. With her slender right hand the woman reached for the doorknob and opened the door. “He’s waiting inside ...” she said softly and stepped back.

Unlike the other rooms of the house the room behind this particular door was small – and dark. At first one couldn’t see anything. After a few minutes one could make out various shapes – pieces of furniture – and then finally a person. Behind a round table a man was sitting. He was another Esh'lahier. He was rather tall, standing at a full 6’5”. His skin was of the pale color that was common to all Esh'lahier, the hair that cascaded over his shoulders was pure white, like snow. It was of such a pure white that it almost seemed to shine. He was handsome, almost impossibly handsome, even by elven standards he was incredibly attractive. His features were delicate, yet sharp. While his face possessed great beauty it was not in any way feminine. There was nothing about the elf that suggested weakness. His most unusual feature were his eyes. They seemed to be violet at first, but upon closer inspection they turned out to be a strange mixture of colours. They flickered almost blue one moment, only to turn red immediately afterwards.

After a few minutes one could make out several more shapes in the room. The walls were lined with various shelves which contained vials, pots and several small chests. Dried herbs were hanging from the ceiling, creating a rather unique aroma. The strange elf was obviously an alchemist or a healer – and something more. His eyes seemed to pierce one’s very soul, seemed to look deep into one’s heart, finding everything, even the darkest secrets. With a pale white hand he opened a chest that was standing on the table and took something out of it, a deep brown root and let his fingers run over it, almost lovingly, carefully, as if it was a treasure, valuable beyond measure, and not just a simple plant.

“What are you here for?” The elf’s voice was deep and pleasant, smooth, like velvet. “Do you want a glimpse of the future, of the things that lie ahead? Advice? Something to help you with your journey? I have just made a potion that will protect you against most common diseases.” He reached into another chest and removed a small, delicately crafted vial that contained an ice blue liquid, put it onto the table.

“There are certain mixtures that will allow you to breathe underwater. Others will render you invisible. Unlike most people I am not lying. My potions really work. I speak the truth and nothing but the truth …” The Esh'lahier spoke with pride, with a hint of arrogance, with unmistakeable self confidence. “For just a few crowns you can buy anything …”

Location credit: Kalinda