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When I arrive home, I lock myself in the library and look at the ingredients list of Maddy all over.
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...... If it is as it says, I should be able to develop a medicine for spotting disease by combining three plants.
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Lipsim, Tolchis, and Currant. Each of them is of little use by itself, but they play a major role when combined with something else.
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However, depending on how they are heated or fused, they may explode or become useless medicines.
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For now, let's go to Paul at the plant shop. I can get the money by talking to Arnold.
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Grabbing the book, I leave the library at a run.
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Once again I get on the carriage and head for the town.
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It is the first time I go to town alone. My heart is beating a little loudly. Everyone thinks I'm a ballsy kid, but I can be nervous and scared too.
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But I can't be scared here. I have to brace myself.
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The carriage shakes a little and stops. We've arrived!" comes a voice from outside.
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I get out of the carriage and step in front of the entrance to the plant shop.
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Paul does not like people from poor villages. He has known it for a long time. A small fear stirs in me. I realize once again that Alicia used to protect me.
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She might tell me to go home. She might throw water on me. Unnecessary fears are nagging at my mind.
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"I still have to go."
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I go inside the store, determined. As soon as I enter, I hear a clanging sound like a bell. At the same time, a man wearing glasses comes out from the back.
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He says, "Welcome.
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Paul froze when he saw me. He didn't look blatantly disgusted, but he did say, "What's wrong?" A slightly pointed tone.
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He seemed calm, but since he showed his true colors when I met him as an informant, he stopped pussyfooting around.
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"I have a plant I want."
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"What plant?"
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Paul looks at me quizzically.
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"Lipsim, Tolchis, Currant."
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"Those three? What's it used for? Tolkien's used to make bombs. ...... have you finally lost your mind?"
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I can see that Paul doesn't trust me at all. He probably thinks I'm planning treason or something.
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I stare into his eyes. Paul looks a little confused by the pressure. I tell him in a serious voice.
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"There's someone I want to help."
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My voice echoed quietly through the store. Paul froze for a moment and then thought. After a few moments of silence, he opens his mouth.
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"There is no such thing as a drug that uses those three things."
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"It's a new drug."
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"...... You're a disciple of a deported daughter, aren't you?"
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Paul chuckles.
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"I'm not a disciple. I'm a partner."
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I replied immediately, as if to myself. He gave a small sigh in response. Somewhat resignedly, he pulls out a plant from the shelf.
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"That boy was a wonder," he said. I never thought I'd be deported. ......Many things have changed since she left. The poor village is gone and everyone in this town is scared."
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"Why?"
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"Because it's gonna get worse."
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"It's gotten worse?"
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No," Paul shakes his head. "Just," he adds.
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"I'm sure you've been living in a state of anxiety for a long time."
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The inhabitants of the poor village are not far from the place the Duke has prepared for them. So they should feel safe.
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I want to say so, but for some reason I am at a loss for words. No place in this world is completely safe.
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