Marleene was bored.
But then
again, hadn't she
always been? Boring childhood in the boring part of the city. Parents
and their tedious work brewing potions and selling concoctions that
never did work. Living on the borderline of decency and being poor.
Marleene
was supposed to learn the family trade of alchemy as well, but she
wasn't too keen on studying. She would rather sneak out and roam the
streets of Altdorf.
She was quick to learn how to adopt a convincing demeanor and what it
meant - that
making people believe you knew something was just as important as
actually, truly knowing. She was also quick to scatter, to retreat to
the
shadows.
When her parents died,
she wasn't too sad. Master Hieronymos, friend of theirs, had already
promised to take her in as an apprentice. But she had to leave Altdorf and
move to Delberz, and she couldn't possibly think of a place more dull.
And now she actually had to work. Oh the tedious hours looking for
herbs and grinding incredients. But at least Hieronymos sold potions that
really worked, and was fairly prosperous.
He didn't hesitate to send Marleene
to do chores in Delberz and other nearby cities - if you could call them
cities. Still, Marleene had her fair share of freedom. Hieronymos didn't ask
where she had been when she was late, and she was late often. He didn't
ask if a few gold coins were missing and thus Marleene never pilfered
too much.
He had sent Marleene to Bögenhafen
to get some herbs. Yes, there was the summer festival and Marleene
managed to see a three-legged goblin without paying... But still. Rather
boring. So she decided to have a few beers. And then more. And then
some.
Morning came, she woke up, not having
the faintest idea where she was. A boat maybe? And why was there a pile
of post on the floor? Well, it could be something interesting!
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