“I’d warn you, I'm not as much of a catch as you think I am. In practical terms, I have more kids than you can count on two hands.“ Elincia said with a mischievous smile.
It had been a mistake to ask Elincia if she had suitors lining at her door because she had been having a field day with me. I could tell she was enjoying it.
“A small army of kids and easily triggered, gotcha.” I replied.
The tight breeches and adjusted bodice combo was entrancing for a fantasy nerd like me, but I managed to maintain a defiant look.
Elincia smiled at me, knowing she had won our verbal exchange and walked to her dresser while humming a sweet melody. After seeing the bundles of herbs, her mood had improved dramatically, making her even more annoying than usual.
I watched her lean forward as she rummaged through the depths of the drawers. The light blue bodice fit her well, however, I was having trouble reconciling the image of the rowdy amazon with her caring governess persona.
Elincia uttered a muffled curse before pulling a small wooden box and a set of brass scales covered in strange engravings. I did my best to keep my eyes on the scales rather than her shoulders. Elincia seemed to be unfazed by the chilly autumn weather. I focused on the brass scales and instantly detected an almost invisible trace of mana.
Elincia noted I was staring because she quickly said. “A poor governess has the right to have nice toys, you know?”
“An enchanted item?” I asked, putting my empty bowl of soup by the side and glancing at the scale as Elincia lined the plates up on the table.
“You could say it’s an heirloom.” Elincia replied as she ceremoniously opened the wooden box and extracted a set of five small crystals the size of dice, wrapped in silk handkerchiefs.
As soon as Elincia uncovered the crystals I noticed they weren’t regular minerals. Swirls of white mana particles danced inside them like diminutive galaxies. Despite the crystals being the same size, they shone with different intensities. The first one barely emitted any mana while the last one was like a small white ember.
“I assume Mister Scholar already knows how this works?” Elincia grinned.
The better her mood was, the more annoying she got.
“You put one item on each plate, then the heavier item drops, the lighter rises. You can measure the weight of an item balancing it against known weights. Obviously.” I replied.
“Obviously.” Elincia parroted as she reached for the herb bundles.
Elkadia Root. [Identify] Alchemy ingredient. Brewing ingredient. Cooking ingredient. Edible. Magic concentration: High.
Fairy King’s Brooch. [Identify] Alchemy ingredient. Brewing ingredient. Edible Magic concentration: High.
Moon Laurel. [Identify] Alchemy ingredient. Brewing ingredient. Cooking ingredient. Edible. Magic concentration: High.
Barrel Root. [Identify] Alchemy ingredient. Brewing ingredient. Cooking ingredient. Edible. Magic concentration: High.
“Well, let’s figure out what we are working with.” Elincia said, putting the third crystal on the left plate of the scale and a single stem of Fairy King’s Brooch on the other.
Surprisingly enough, the ‘weight’ of the plant was enough to offset the crystal despite the difference in sizes. It wasn’t hard to understand how the scale worked. It weighted magic concentration, not mass.
“All the herbs have high magic concentration.” I pointed out. If Elincia was going to measure every single stem, flower, and leaf, we were going to be sitting there for hours.
“Obviously the Hero is lucky enough to just pick the high concentration ones.” Elincia mockingly said. Her smile faltered a bit when I laid back in my seat and watched her with my best goofball smile instead of taking the bait.
Elincia scowled at me before focusing on measuring the ingredients. The movements of her hands revealed the mastery she had over the process and I wondered how many times she had measured ingredients along the years. If kids were as sickly as they were in my world, then the amount of potions she had brewed must be astronomical.
I stretched my back and let my mind wander. Eating a warm bowl of food felt good after days of eating only a few Hermit’s Gold, and being inside four walls felt cozy and safe after sleeping in the Farlands. For the first time since my arrival I had a moment to think about my next steps.
The idea of traveling to the Imperial Library to cultivate my class, as Elincia told me back in the Farlands, popped into my mind.
“Do you have a skill to replicate the explosive powder inside my shotgun shells?” I mindlessly asked. You couldn’t spell ‘alchemist’ without ‘chemist’ after all. The perspective of having a continuous supply of ammo in a world controlled by high level combatant classes was reassuring.
“I’m an Alchemist, I brew potions, ointments, and essences.” Elincia replied without taking her eyes off her work. “What you are looking for is a Transmuter or a Tinkerer, maybe. A Runesmith could also help you with that, but those are Prestige Classes. You are not going to find them here in Farcrest.”
Prestige Classes. That was a new concept. Elinica had already mentioned Advanced Classes, Alchemist was one of them. I wondered about how I could inquire about them without revealing my complete ignorance about the matter of this world.
“What the hell?” Elincia suddenly muttered. Her face grew more and more surprised as the ingredients’ magical concentration offset every crystal except the brightest one. She stubbornly continued measuring the bundles until she finished with the Fairy King’s Brooch.
“What are these plants used for?” I asked instead of saying ‘I told you’.
[Identify] wasn’t enough to answer all my questions.
“Elkadia Root and Fairy King’s Brooch are popular bases for mana potions and a wide range of medicines against common diseases. The Moon Laurel and the Barrel Root are used as bases for wound regeneration potions. You usually add an essence later on in the brewing process but the base is useful on its own.” Elincia glanced at me as she put the Fairy King’s Brooch by the side.
“Why would anyone brew a potion without an essence?” I continued with the questionnaire. At least Elincia seemed happy to answer my questions regarding her class.
“Low level Alchemists don’t normally add essences into their potions due to the risk of corrupting the base.” Elincia replied with a teacher’s tone as she continued to weigh the ingredients. “You usually won’t see the really top shelf stuff until your alchemist is level forty or more, but don’t be fooled, low level brewing is useful too. Most people can’t really afford high level potions so low level Alchemists are the real saviors of the working class.”
Elincia’s passion for her class was starting to rub off on me, making me wish I had a crafting class like her. I wondered what I could create with my knowledge of the modern world and a class like Tinkerer or Runesmith. Even if Scholars couldn’t really craft anything useful, I could meet talented people that could.
Elincia’s voice brought me back to the present.
“The more mana involved, the harder the brewing process is. For that reason, low level Alchemists are limited to brewing low and mid grade base potions. You know, the basic recipes provided by the System.” Elincia continued explaining as she measured the ingredients. “Man, I wish I could brew a Named Potion some day.” She added with a wishful voice.
It seemed that Elincia did not just dream of forests and mountains.
“A Named Potion?” I asked.
“Yes, like a brand new recipe that the System acknowledges as my own creation. I’m talking about something neat like ‘Elincia’s Tracking Potion’ or ‘Elincia’s Monster Repel’.” Elincia explained with the same hopeful voice.
I was wrong. Elincia’s alchemy dreams weren’t far from her love for the wilderness.
“Anyway, I’ll take half the Fairy King’s Brooch as a reward for escorting you here. I don’t know what Scholar trick you used to pick only high concentration ones but it will be more than enough to brew medicine.”
I was hoping to see Elincia brewing a potion but instead, she tied half the bundle of Fairy King’s Brooch and put it inside a flask. Then she put the flask away in a drawer among many other Alchemy ingredients. Elincia seemed to ignore basic information about Scholars like the fact I could use [Identify] to detect ingredients with high mana concentration so I was inclined to think classes kept their skills to themselves.
As Elincia put the Fairy King’s Brooch away, I separated each bundle in two halves; one for me and one for her.
“For the soap, the shirt, and the food.” I said as Elincia gave me a questioning look.
I hoped Elincia realized she had helped me more than I could ever repay her.
“And for the Common classes.” I added, remembering my newest title.
Elincia shook her head. “It’s too much. These are high quality ingredients from the Farlands. They are a precious resource in the hands of a competent Alchemist.” Elincia said, refusing to accept them.
“Consider it a donation and a token of friendship. For the kids. To replenish the potions you used in the Farlands.” I dismissed Elincia’s further objections with a movement of my hand.
“You can’t be serious. This is a lot.” Elincia said. Then, she realized how serious I was and a parade of emotions flashed through her face before she grabbed the half-bundles and tucked them into ingredient flasks. Surprise, relief, shame.
“Thank you, Robert Clarke. For everything.” Elincia sheepishly said as she returned from her ingredient rack at the opposite side of the bedroom.
“My friends call me Rob.” I smiled back. It felt good to be of some use for the orphanage.
Elincia gave me a charming smile before speaking again.
“Go to the Great Hall to ask for a passage permit, Rob, then go to the southern gate and jump on a merchant caravan. I’m sure the Sages from the Library are going to be thrilled to have you.” Elincia said.
“Are you sure you don’t need help with the kids now that Holst is gone?” I asked as I stood up, following her cue. Taking care of a dozen small kids sounded like a hell of a task for a single person.
Elincia raised an eyebrow.
“I got the Governess title years ago, Rob. Even the System knows I have things under control.” The woman said, putting a hand on my shoulder and pushing me towards the door. “ZAON, COME HERE!”.
The elven boy peeked through the dormitory door in a blink of an eye, which made me think he was already in the corridor when Elincia called.
“Did you call me, Miss Elincia?” The boy asked.
“Go to the kitchen and pack some bread and cheese for Mister Clarke. He’s departing for a long trip. Quick!” Elincia said and Zaon instantly disappeared. Then, Elincia guided me back to the main entrance where we waited for the kid to return.
“It was good to meet you.” I said, extending my hand. “If I find Holst in the Imperial Library, I'll make sure to send him your regards.”
Elincia gave me one of her trademark wicked smiles and shook my hand. I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad, she was the first person I had met in this world and despite the initial difficulties, I had grown fond of her and her unapologetic style.
“If you ever visit Firecrest again you are more than welcome to stay with us.” Elincia said. Maybe it was my imagination but I detected a hint of sadness in her voice. Even if we had only known each other for a few days, we had hit it off considerably well. Surely Elincia had a temper but I recognized it was part of her charm.
“And if I manage to replicate a shotgun, I’ll send you one plus a box of ammo.” I said, imitating her wicked smile.
“Now you’re talking!” Elincia beamed as Zaon appeared from the corridor carrying a big satchel. Our time was over.
“Goodbye, Elicia.”
“Goodbye Robert Clarke, it was nice to know you.”
You have obtained Denial Lv.4. Temporary.
*******\*
Zaon walked by my side through the deserted streets, silently humming the same sweet song Elincia sang as she used the magical scale. The elven boy was shy and stuttered a lot but his curiosity was stronger than his withdrawn personality. My [Teacher’s Sense] told me Zaon was the kind of kid that shined in small classrooms where he could speak freely.
[Awareness]: You don’t possess a skill called [Teacher’s Sense], stop fooling around.
Did I just detect a hint of jealousy?
Maybe [Teacher’s Sense] wasn’t a real skill but I liked to think I had developed something like that after years working as a teacher. Most of my colleagues loved to hear their own voices instead of listening to their students. Then, they acted surprised when something bad happened.
I tried not to think about my past and focused on the present.
My shoes clacked against the polished cobblestone of the streets. More than half of the stone bricks were missing and rainwater accumulated in the holes left behind. The putrid smell of stagnant water filled my nostrils but Zaon was unfazed. He must've already gotten used to it.
As we climbed the step road, the precarious buildings of the northern district turned into well preserved houses and clean streets. Mold and rust turned into fresh white paint and varnished planks. Rotten and splintered shutters were replaced by clear glass windows. The eerie and abandoned atmosphere was replaced by lively and wide streets full of stores and workshops.
“How old are you, Zaon?” I asked as we left behind the narrow alleys of the north district. For some reason, Zaon didn’t speak unless prompted to.
“Fourteen. I’ll be fifteen during the winter and I'll be able to get a Class before the year ends.” He said, dejected.
It didn’t take a genius to realize something bothered him.
“Is there a problem with that? Having a Class is great, look at Miss Rosebud, she can brew handy potions because she’s an Alchemist.” I pointed out. I knew a few people who would die to achieve a class, whatever it was.
Zaon gave a disheartened sigh before answering. “I want to become a Knight and then a Paladin but I’ll probably end up as a lowly Soldier.”
The pieces of the puzzle regarding Class acquisition were starting to fall in place.
“Miss Rosebud told me she chose to be an Alchemist. Why do you think you’ll end up as a Soldier?” I asked.
Zaon sighed again and dropped his shoulders.
“I am not as talented as Miss Elincia, and Mister Holst said I’m not Knight material, so I’ll probably end up as a Soldier because there is basically no requirement to become a Soldier.” Zaon kicked a pebble out of the road.
Requirements. It made sense the System had requirements for certain classes, otherwise everyone would be a Mega Black-knight of Death or something along those lines.
“What’s wrong with Soldiers?” I asked.
“Is this some sort of test? Everyone knows what’s wrong with Soldiers and Archers.” Zaon said.
“I want to know why you believe the Soldier Class isn’t good, not the popular opinion.” I deflected Zaon’s suspicions using my high level [Teacher’s Bullshido]. Truth was, I was completely ignorant as to why the Soldier Class was looked down on. If I had to guess, a level 5 Soldier had the prowess to kick my Scholar ass any day of the week.
Zaon tapped on his lips with his fingers just like Elincia did when she was deep in thought.
“Well… the Soldier Class has the worst growths of all combatant classes, their mana pool is shallow as a puddle, and their skills aren’t really powerful. Even Blacksmiths have better Strength and Mana!” Zaon said, raising a finger for each con of the class. “Mister Holst says that the System reserves powerful classes for the nobility and really talented individuals.”
I nodded in silence trying to hide my inner turmoil from Zaon. My hatred for Holst was growing by the second. As if endangering the kids wasn’t enough, Holst had also been feeding them world-class bullshit. There was no more vicious practice than a teacher telling a student they were dumb and incapable of improving.
“Do you know why some people can become Knights and others can’t?” I asked.
Zaon seemed to assume that I was testing his knowledge.
“No, nobody knows. The System just offers you a Class according to the contents of your soul.” The elven kid replied.
“Then you should trust yourself a bit more, Zaon.” I smiled. “You were brave and determined by taking care of the younger kids during Miss Elincia’s absence. Maybe you are not as far from your goals as you believe.”
Zaon guided me in silence through the meandering streets of Farcrest. As we walked towards the southern district, the city continued to change. From the abandoned streets of the northern district to the bustling with activity of the inner city.
Stores lined up on both sides of the streets, offering their alluring goods from behind their windows. Horse drawn wagons loaded with crates traveled up and down making deliveries to stores and workshops alike.
Along the sidewalks, fine ladies and gentlemen walked up and down the street, hopping from store to store. Most of the inhabitants of Farcrest were humans but I noticed a few half orcs, half elves, and small gnome-like people from time to time.
The Great Hall towered by the end of the street like a black sturdy stone golem overseeing the market. In the same fashion of the walls, the Great Hall had been built to last. I wondered if the black stone had magical properties.
“You don’t believe me.” I pointed out as we emerged into a wide street, a few blocks from the inner wall.
“I wouldn’t say that.” Zaon replied but his tone betrayed him.
I stopped before entering the traffic on the main avenue and dug into my backpack.
“Take these ingredients to Elincia and tell her to brew some potions to help your training, I’m sure she will assist you the best she could if you tell her you want to become a Knight.” I said. “I can see the Great Hall from here. You can go back to the orphanage.”
Zaon grabbed the bundles, nodded, and got lost in the maze of streets. I glanced at the alley from which he had disappeared for a moment and turned around to face the Great Hall, wishing good fortune to all the inhabitants of the orphanage.
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I was diagnosed with recurrent erosion syndrome about a month ago, and ever since I have been adding drops, subtracting drops, using nightly ointment, changing my nightly ointment. And still I only get a few nights where I am able to rest a full eight hours without waking up in pain. The rest of the time I either wake up two hours after I fell asleep and I’m in pain or I do wake up eight hours later in pain. There are some nights where I forgot to put on the ointment but most of the time I put it on and still pain. I’m currently using xiidra, prednisolone, preservative free artificial tears, and genteal nighttime ointment. I’ve tried using a humidifier I’ve tried using a sleep mask, and I’ve tried warm compresses. My eye doctor tells me I have blepharitis which caused two bumps one on each of my eyelids that I’ve had for years and a recent update. I feel like my eyelid keeps popping. Does anyone have any tips like if I should change my nightly ointment againor how I can go about lessening the pain?

Hey all,
On day four from the onset of facial dropping symptoms. After some back and forth with doctors and an eventual ER trip, I started prednisone and Valtrex on Wednesday. Had a follow up with my PCP today (Friday) and he noticed some crusty matter in my ear; swabbed it and sent it off for shingles testing, so my case may actually be Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Yay!
Looking for any advice for getting through the first few weeks. I’ve searched this forum up and down and am taking the majority of the suggestions into play.
Currently doing the following: - prescribed meds + B12 complex (vegetarian, so I’ve been on one for years - considering doubling the about though) - no coffee or alcohol - Tylenol only for the pain - taping eye during the day and at night with 1/2” microphone - Using Systane Balance eye drops every few hours. Just ordered Systane gel for nighttime. - Working mostly normal hours (wfh desk job), but have communicated my concerns about stress and potential sick time if RHS symptoms kick in (ie vertigo). Pretty much resting exclusively outside of that and normal (minor) house work. - trying to stay positive with tv shows and movies and happy thoughts and fight off the “you’ll never recover” thought demons. The positive stories here help!
Any suggestions for anything else? Particularly driving (minimal, but I’m single and live alone, and sometimes it’s necessary), the glad press-and-seal trick, and avoiding eyelid pain (mine is getting tender from taping). Thanks!

Understanding your unique dry eye symptoms is the first step in choosing the right Lubricating Eye Drops. Symptoms such as burning, stinging, redness, and excessive tearing can differ from person to person, which makes it crucial to select eye drops that effectively target these issues.
A consultation with an eye care provider, like Vision and Style Opticals, is invaluable. They can assess your specific dry eye symptoms and provide personalized advice on the most suitable eye drops for you. This includes guidance on different types of drops, whether you need a solution for mild symptoms or chronic conditions, or if you require a gel or ointment for long-lasting lubrication.
Considering preservative-free formulations is also key. While some eye drops contain preservatives, they can cause irritation, especially for individuals with sensitive eyes or those who use them frequently. Therefore, preservative-free eye drops can reduce the risk of allergic reactions and further irritation, making them ideal for daily use.
If you’re a contact lens wearer, ensure that the eye drops you choose are compatible with your lenses. Some eye drops are specifically designed to offer relief while accommodating contact lenses. Always check with your eye care provider or read the product labels to confirm their suitability.
Your comfort and preferences matter. You may prefer single-use vials or multi-dose bottles. Trying different brands or types of eye drops can help you find the one that provides the most relief and feels the most soothing for your eyes.
Since the severity of dry eye symptoms can change over time, regularly evaluating the effectiveness of your chosen eye drops is crucial. If your symptoms persist or worsen, consult with your eye care provider for potential adjustments to your treatment plan.
In conclusion, when choosing Lubricating Eye Drops For Dry Eyes, it’s important to identify your symptoms, seek advice from an eye care professional, consider different types of drops (preferably preservative-free), check their compatibility with contact lenses, take into account your personal comfort and preferences, and regularly reevaluate their effectiveness. Vision and Style Opticals are always available to offer expert guidance and recommend the most suitable eye drops for optimal comfort and relief.

Living with severe dry eyes can hinder daily routines, bringing about discomfort, blurred vision, and irritation. Consequently, selecting suitable Artificial Tears Eye drops for these symptoms demands careful thought to ensure enduring comfort and optimal relief.
Professional Eye Care Consultation For those battling severe dry eyes, it’s prudent to consult with an eye care expert like an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an evaluation and personalized advice on suitable artificial tears eye drops. The team of skilled professionals at Vision and Style Opticals is prepared to provide guidance, custom-tailored to your unique circumstances.
Preservative-Free Solutions Some eye drops contain preservatives that could exacerbate irritation in individuals with severe dry eyes. Therefore, it’s generally recommended to select artificial tears eye drops devoid of preservatives. These preservative-free variants are ideal for long-term usage, especially for those with sensitivity towards certain eye drop ingredients.
Prioritizing Viscosity for Lasting Relief Severe dry eyes often demand eye drops with a higher viscosity or thickness to deliver sustained lubrication and relief. Specially formulated artificial tears with higher viscosity are typically recommended for individuals with severe dry eye symptoms — a service which Vision and Style Opticals excels in by offering advice on the optimal level of viscosity for your condition.
Compatibility with Existing Treatments If you’re currently undergoing eye treatment or using eye medication, it’s crucial to consider how artificial tears eye drops might interact with them. Some treatments necessitate a specific gap between their application and the use of artificial tears eye drops. A consultation with Vision and Style Opticals ensures the eye drops you choose will not conflict with your existing regimen.
Emphasizing Comfort and Personal Preference Each person’s eyes are unique, meaning what suits one person may not work for another. It’s essential to observe your eye’s response to different artificial tears eye drops and take note of your personal comfort and preference when making your choice. Vision and Style Opticals can help you explore a variety of options, helping you find the best match for your needs and lifestyle.
Commitment to Regular Checkups and Modifications Effectively managing severe dry eyes demands ongoing efforts, making routine check-ins with your eye care professional vital. This will allow them to assess the efficacy of your chosen artificial tears eye drops and make any necessary modifications to your treatment plan. Regular monitoring will ensure your severe dry eye symptoms are well-managed and provide an opportunity to explore alternative solutions if necessary.
In Conclusion When it comes to choosing artificial tears eye drops for severe dry eyes, crucial factors to consider include professional consultation, opting for preservative-free variants, selecting ones with suitable viscosity for lasting relief, ensuring compatibility with existing treatments, keeping personal comfort in mind, and committing to regular follow-ups. Vision and Style Opticals is your reliable partner in this journey, offering expert guidance and recommending the most suitable artificial tears eye drops tailored to your individual needs, bringing you the much-needed comfort and relief from dry eyes.

Hello you guys!
In my search for better skin and healing my PD the natural way (looking for the cause instead of symptom control), my derm did a contact allergy test on my back. Over 30 different types of ingredients found in cosmetics/clothing etc were placed on my back under a big band aid. I brought some of my own products to test. The result surprised me, I am allergic to toothpaste !! Its been a week since the (diluted) toothpaste has been on my back and the spot is still visible !!!
Suddenly I remembered that when I was a teenager, I read in a magazine that you could put toothpaste on pimples and that it would dry them out. I did this a few times and it was also in the same time my PD showed itself for the first time. The GP gave me tons of antibiotics and ruined my gut. Im 33 now and I think I found the solution. My tip is don't wait too long and start doing your own research instead of blindly lubricating ointments and taking pills. Listen to your body, because the rash is a scream of help of the body💫
I swapped my normal toothpaste with a natural one (which I tested on my arm for 2 days underneath a band aid). I will let you know if my face clears up!!

So I’ve been having this issue and I’ve seen an eye doc. She’s having me use lubricating ointment for bedtime but she’s not open til Tuesday so I’m curious. Am I supposed to let it dry before I go to sleep or do I sleep while it’s still wet.

^{WENDWATER MOTHERHOUSE, The Crownlands, 11th Month, 200 AC Fotheringay}

The evening hour is fading within the dwindling sun,
And in a lonely moment those embers will be gone
And the last of all the young birds flown.

Elinor

It was just after the hour of the nightingale, as Elinor had known it as a girl. As a woman, and an ordained, enlightened Septa, she knew it only as morn, the last prayers before the dawn. The cycle of the day, the routines and schedules of work and prayer, of readings and contemplation, had become as much a part of her as eating and breathing, over her eleven years of service. Even on her excursions to the outside world of sin and iniquity, she found herself observing the simple rhythm of monastic life, as if by instinct.
Yet tonight, she was not. In her cell, she waited, ears attuned to the last sounds of scraping and scuffling as her sisters tried to catch a few more hours of sleep before dawn prayers. She could not say she did not envy them. Silence reigned. She rose from her bed to look out the window, when she froze at the telltale sound of slippers on cold stone. The steps grew quieter, quieter, quieter. She could just barely hear the sound of a portly woman throwing herself upon the mattress in the cell to her left. Sister Beatrice sleeps like the dead, she thought. God willing, I will suffer no interruptions to my work tonight. With a few quick gestures, she made the sign of the Seven about her chest.
Rushing silently to her window, she peered up at the night sky. The Myrish lens her father had bought her was safely ensconced in its hiding space, but man had studied the skies for centuries before the Myrmen had made their lens. The pale, full moon was bright in the sky, and the Moonmaid was prominent. She'd made the calculations before, but in this business it was always best to be certain. Even the rules of nature set down by the Seven could have their little... quirks.
Slipping out of her cell, she walked briskly out of the dormitory, and into the treasury at the center of the Motherhouse, where all the many treasures and taxes extracted from the smallfolk by Mother Merianne were kept. Her slender fingers brushed against the stone walls, until they found a relief of Hugor of the Hill's first revelation. Pushing inwards, the door opened into a well-used secret passage.
A flight of stairs, another, and then a trapdoor, and she emerged in the library tower. She noted with pride how cramped it had become, how the stacks obstructed what little wan moonlight filtered in through the windows, how one felt as if, wandering through them, that she would be crushed by falling tomes at any time. Finally, she breathed. All the sisters would be sleeping in the dormitory now. She had the night - or rather, the next few hours - to herself.
With a smile, she ascended the serpentine steps to the top of the library tower, in the "restricted section" she herself had created. Much to her chagrin, there were some tomes of knowledge and enlightenment that even Mother Merianne would not allow the sisters to explore freely, even with the glorious truth of the Seven-Who-Are-One in their hearts. Crone, guide me to truth, she prayed, though she had already prayed for success at the morn prayers. Mother, protect me, and forgive me if I sin.
Satisfied that the Seven were watching over her, even if the others might not believe it, she pried open one of the flagstones under the floor. In a little hiding space, there was plentiful glassware - largely bought by her father - and pouches and vials of substances fair and foul. And with that, she began her work, as the moon and the stars shone their light down upon her. On the table, she gingerly laid the supposed grimoire, The Book of Eibon. The advantage of acquiring heretical tomes was that their previous owners rarely raised a fuss.
The sorcerer, Eibon - charlatan, more like - claimed that this alchemical concoction was the fabled "milk of knowledge." Most of the ingredients had been simple to acquire. The Motherhouse had no lack of incense and ink, and the juice of wormwood only required a small excursion into the Kingswood. The blood of the deer had required her to find a poacher who would deal with her - or rather, a poacher's wife, for even in alchemy, it could not be said that she did not attempt to maintain her vows. The deer's milk, however, had been a problem. A silent poacher's wife was even more difficult to find.
Nevertheless, all was in place. As she mixed each component, she chanted the words that the Book told her to. She told herself that there was little ungodly with this, at it was all mere superstition anyway. But if that were the case, why did she feel so excited? Finally, she raised the completed substance to the moonlight - a milky-gray liquid. And then, she drank it, in one sip, only pausing to wipe the residue off her lips with her habit.
...and nothing happened. She did not feel more knowledgeable, more sage-like, any wiser or smarter. Another triumph of the eternal power Seven-Who-Are-One over primitive superstition. It was not as if any of her previous excursions had resulted in more success, yet here... this tome, with all she had gone through to gain it... she had been convinced it would be different. Hoped, even.
The cock crowed, and Elinor awoke, though she had not managed to get much sleep. It was time for dawn prayers. Even as exhausted as she was, she could tell that her habit was rumpled, and that there were dark circles around her eyes. There's nothing for it. She could tell, as she shambled to dawn prayers, that her sisters were staring at her. It was in times like these that she thanked the Father for not allowing them to speak until the third hour.
After stumbling through three prayer times, and the management of the sisters copying and illuminating texts, the third hour came and went. Thankfully, in the writing room, the sisters under her watch new better than to question her. She was about to see if she could sneak in a nap in the restricted section, and pray for absolution later, when Mother Merianne, a handsome older woman, once a lord's wife, strode into the room. She did not speak - an adherent to the Rule to the last - but looked squarely at Elinor. Bashfully, she stood, as the sisters watched her rush outside with Merianne with interest.
"Sister Elinor, walk with me," she said, "it is summer, and the herbs the sisters are growing in the garden are quite beautiful, thank the Seven." Both performed the sign of the Seven, and Elinor followed her friend with growing nervousness. In the fields, she could see the sisters, and some peasant helpers conscripted from the village, tending to the crops. Though some might say she was neglecting the work in work and prayer, she had not had to work in the garden since Merianne had become Mother. Elinor saw little issue with it - the preservation and contemplation of knowledge was a worthier task. God made some to work, some to fight, and some, like her, to pray.
"Sister Elinor, you seem quite tired," Merianne finally said, interrupting her thoughts. "Did you get enough sleep last night?" She knows, she thought, how did she know?
"I-" Elinor tried to explain herself, before being interrupted. "Any excuse you give will be the sin of idle chatter, and I would rather preserve you from such a thing, when it is not necessary," Merianne continued, with a motherly sigh. "You know very well that I aim to build a great center of learning for pious women here, perhaps to rival the Citadel itself. And I know the Seven, in their guise of the Mother, the Maiden, and the Crone, understand the righteousness of our mission. This is why I grant you so many freedoms, not granted to your sisters. You are the best scholar of faith in the Motherhouse, and for that I wish you would succeed me as Mother, when the Stranger takes me." That, and my father's gold, she thought ruefully, already knowing she would be asking forgiveness for such a thought in a few hours.
"But," she said more quietly, with pointed emphasis, "nighttime... exuberances, like I know you partook in last night, undermine both your own faith, and the holy mission of this Motherhouse. Some of the sisters whisper of witchcraft, you know."
At that, Elinor could hold her tongue no longer. "Then perhaps they should understand the rules of their own order, and stray away from gossip and idle chatter," she snapped, "if my... studies were a sin, why did the Seven make us curious?"
Merianne scoffed. "Please, Elinor, you can do better than that. That is the argument of a novice, drunk and trying to seduce a barmaid, not a Septa, as you know well," she scolded. Her words momentarily froze Elinor with their frankness.
"The ritual failed, as I knew it would, through the word of the Seven and their prophet," Elinor said. "If such things have any power not granted by the Seven, then there is something in this world that the Seven did not create, and something in this world that the Seven could not vanquish, should they choose, which contradicts what Hugor told of the world's creation in the Seven-Pointed Star. Even the Lord of the Seven Hells—"
"Enough, Sister Elinor," Merianne interjected, before sighing again. "I did not seek you for an argument of theology. You have been indiscreet. That is enough. I think it best you leave the motherhouse for a time, to let the rumors die down. Much and more has been happening in the world. Something is happening in King's Landing. There is word of a murdered prince, and the High Septon is involved with some worldly controversy or other, as High Septons oft do. You are to travel to King's Landing, with Sister Betha, and take up lodgings with the Motherhouse of Baela, and attempt to acquire some texts from the Grand Maester. I do not want any complaints of missing books trailing in your wake this time. Perhaps you could ingratiate yourself with the High Septon, as well, convince him of the righteousness of our cause. A glib tongue around men may be sinful within the confines of the motherhouse, but I will grant you absolution for this."
Finally, the stern face of Mother Merianne gave to the soft countenance of a mother. "Godspeed, sister Elinor," she said, "I will miss you in your absence."