Alessar struggled to lift his head to sip the potion Jahid fed him. He coughed, splattering droplets across the bedspread. Jahid frantically wiped away the excess from his green skin, apologizing.
“My fault, Master. I should’ve held on better.” Jahid lowered his head in shame.
Alessar nodded, unable to speak as the liquid burned down his throat. It set his stomach on fire as he digested it.
There was strength in his limbs for a moment, and he felt almost able to push himself up. His form flittered, changing the giant green frog into a man with a large white beard.
Jahid gasped in happiness and surprise, hands going to his mouth. “It’s working!” he said in a hushed tone.
The apprentice backed into a cabinet, sending a tea set shattering on the floor.
There was a strange sensation of someone squeezing his innards. Alessar concentrated on maintaining the illusion, hoping the potion was effective. His limbs were heavy, strength draining as fast as it’d come.
A moment later, hope was lost. His humanoid form flickered out of existence, leaving the green frog exhausted from the effort. Frustration clouded his mind, making him doubt the validity of his chosen alchemist. He knew the failed potions were not Jahid’s fault, but there was no one else to blame for the situation.
Multiple investigations into the source of this strange illness had come up empty-handed, unable to determine a cause, or even a lead. And without a lead, there was little hope of producing a viable cure. Just haphazard ones.
Alessar cleared his throat, feeling like there were razor blades in it. “We will reward those who find the cure. But be careful. Many scammers may appear, hoping to take advantage.”
This was the fourth potion Jahid and his assistant had made attempting to cure Alessar of his latest malady.
Just six weeks ago, Alessar was the picture of health, able to use his magic to protect the swamps of his territory. One day, he came home to find he could not use his regular illusory magic. This was frustrating in itself, as he protected himself with the disguise. But as a week or two went by, his magic still did not return. If anything, he began to deteriorate. He could not climb up the steps to his room alone; he couldn’t perform the labor required to keep his swamp in good shape.
Jahid bowed his head. “Yes, Master. I will send word. Discreetly.”
Few knew the Marsh Master’s secret. Despite the wide range of wizards in the world, for some reason, people took unkindly to a frog being more powerful than them. It was a necessity to appear human in public. Over time, everyone who knew his secret had passed away, leaving him safe.
Alessar allowed himself to give up the illusion of strength once Jahid left the room. He was hesitant to tell the apprentice the potions were doing more bad than good. Taking one left him so exhausted he could barely think.
His eyes closed as he thought over his situation. He could feel his strength waning. It would not be long before the Marsh Master died.
Story Arc Index:
Part 1: Wizard #4856
Part 2: Wizard #399
Part 3: Wizard #8004
Part 4: Pony #308
Part 5: Wizard #8441
Part 6: Pony #312
Entered by: 0x24D7…e52b and preserved on chain (see transaction)
