Versura — The Alchemist’s Apprentice

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As the years passed, Irving took over most of the physician duties needed in town. Artezo continued to instruct Irving as new illnesses and difficult diseases arose, but the days turned tedious. Soon, Irving began exploring the texts on his own, and began asking questions Artezo was unable to answer. He found a book on alchemy on Artezo’s bookshelf and began to read. 

One night, Artezo went outside his shop to find Irving mapping the stars.

Irving turned upon hearing Artezo. His eyes widened and jaw dropped a split second before turning back to the map. Artezo sat by his side, then pointed up to the sky, “see that cluster of stars there? That’s Leo.”

Irving listened as Artezo pointed out the cosmic bodies and described their relationship to the Earth. Artezo spoke of the phases of the moon – waxing and waning, the bright lights he called planets – Jupiter, Venus, and Mars, and the immense energy they had over the Earth. Irving turned to Artezo, unsure of what to say.

“Alchemy is perhaps the most difficult of tasks we will ever attempt,” Artezo said. “But its rewards can be unmatched.”

From then on, Artezo taught Irving all he knew of alchemy. 

One Autumn morning, Ryland arrived in Louvice with  a package for Artezo. He knocked on Artezo’s shop door and Artezo answered.

“Ah, Ryland,” Artezo said, taking his hand.

“Hello Artezo,” Ryland said. “Here is everything you requested, I haven’t known many physicians to use metals; what are they for?”

“They can be a great aid to fortifying the body. At least, in theory.”

“Well, that sounds promising – let me know how it goes.”

“Certainly. Are you in town for a while?” Artezo asked.

“No, just passing through. I have a few more deliveries to make.”

“Then we’ll be sure to see each other again.” 

“Yes, certainly,” Ryland said, as they parted ways.

Artezo and Irving started their first alchemical experiment as the moon was transiting across Venus. As they prepared their supplies, Artezo explained the difference between medicine and alchemy.

“Although we are making an elixir to cause good health, this is not as simple as curing a specified ailment. You see, medicine cures wounds – imbalances in the humors. When we make a medicine you can think of it like an arrow hitting a target. We seek a solution to a problem. When we practice alchemy, we are creating something that has no goal. We only ask for that which will bring the greatest good.”

Artezo guided Irving through the process. They took a number of ingredients, many of which were familiar from their medicines. 

“We add in an alkali of salt,” Artezo said, “It dissolves through the mixture as clouds fade in the sky. The trees, their roots dig deep in the earth, we add the powdered bark of a tree. See how the solution thickens, making it heavy.” 

They added a bit of gold, alcohol, minerals, herbs, blood, and beef marrow. Irving followed Artezo as he placed the bowl on the mantle.

“As we created the elixir, we took what the earth had given us. We gave it the lustre of gold, we gave it the sturdiness of the trees, we gave it the warmth of the sun.”

Irving watched Artezo take the elixir from the mantle with a pair of mitts. Then Artezo poured the solution through a funnel into a vial and handed it to Irving. As the vial touched Irving’s palm, he felt its warmth.

Irving studied the elixir, “What will we do with it?” he asked Artezo.

“Use it, give it away – it does not matter. Tomorrow, we can make another.”

Many years passed and Artezo’s red beard slowly faded to grey. He relied heavily on his cane to move and his vision worsened each day. Teresa began to care for Artezo and Aliea took over the duties at the inn. She married Irving and nine months later their first son, Castor, was born. They received renown for outstanding physicianship and, soon, they were called on even in the city when the most ferocious diseases sprang up.

When King Ottokar II was slain in battle, he was succeeded by Wenceslaus II. The political focus of Bohemia turned to stabilization and promoting unity within the kingdom. The church was dismissed from the castle, and soon after, Artezo received a letter at his shop. He and Irving were called upon to work in the castle as the Royal Physicians.

Irving’s parents were overjoyed at the news. Tears welled in his father’s eyes as he embraced his son. His mother asked him to return often.

Artezo sat idly as Teresa packed his things. She placed his clothes in the trunk then moved on to the books. From the top of the book pile, she removed a lump wrapped in a grey cloth.

“Ah,” Artezo said.

“What is it?” Teresa asked. 

Artezo motioned for her to unwrap it, “Years ago, before my master died, we worked on the problem of transmutation.”

Teresa pulled back the cloth and gasped at the shining rock of gold underneath. 

“After all these years it’s sat here in memory of him,” Artezo said. Artezo took the gold and turned in his hands, then he handed it back to Teresa. 

“I want you to have it.”

“Artezo I…” Teresa started.

“It’s the least I could give you, for all you’ve given me.”

Teresa wrapped Artezo in a warm embrace and took the gold with tears.