“Lily, I think we need to build another room in the basement” I told my familiar.

“Why and what for?” the pixie asked me.

“We don’t have storage area for the herbs and plants we’ve harvested. People expect that an alchemist has such a space,” I answered. “It’s something we’ve overlooked.”

“It’s good to see all that sun I made you get over the last week didn’t fry your brain,” Lily teased. “You did get a nice tan and some much needed rest.”

“True,” I agreed.

“I agree with your reasoning for the storage room even if you’re calling yourself a medicine man or herbalist instead of alchemist now. We can’t very well show people the storage unit,” my familiar said. “How much should be given up for storage?”

We both looked around the basement. It was quite spacious even my equipment spread out. The generator and other tech were still hidden behind the wall and hidden door we had constructed.

“You know, instead of making a storage room, why don’t we just move the wall we built and hide everything behind it that we don’t want others seeing. That way you can have a small store front with some dried herbs and the like hanging around or in bins with the alchemical equipment,” Lily suggested. “We could even add a regular doorknob to the door and build a sales counter closer to the metal door so others can’t see how clean the alchemical stuff is since you hardly ever use it.”

“Not a bad idea,” I replied. I then grinned. “The fact that it would mean a lot less work since the wall can slide after removing the nails in the top has nothing to do with your suggestion at all.”

“Of course not! That’s just a happy coincidence,” Lily said giving me an exaggerated wink. We both laughed and then got to work moving the wall and rearranging the basement.

*

“Not bad,” I said looking around the “new” shop front. The shop and alchemical equipment took up a third of the basement. The wall sealed off that space from the high-tech ancient equipment and generator as well as the rest of the house.

“Nope. It’s not bad looking at all,” Lily agreed as she flew in a circle looking over our work. “Your power usage or ‘magic’ has gotten stronger and improved a lot too.”

“Thanks. Why did you make air quotes when you said magic?”

“Because you know the energy usage is not really magic silly goose,” Lily answered.

“I’m a silly goose, am I?”

“Yeppers.”

“I would chase you for saying that, but you’re correct. I can be a silly goose and I need to go harvest some chicory,” I replied. “Coming with me?”

“Do you really need to ask that?” Lily asked putting her hands on her hips and mock glaring at me.

“Well, you could have decided you would rather stay and play with the others,” I replied.

“You know better than that. We’ll go with you and play while you work!” Lily said.

“Figures.”

“Oh yeah. April told me Elder Trillium wants to show you something else too,” Lily said. “I’ll let her know we’re going out.”

“Ok. Thanks.”

*

“Greetings young ones,” Trillium said when she joined us.

“Hello elder,” Lily and I chorused.

“You two have practiced that,” Trillium said.

“Maybe,” Lily replied grinning at the elder. I coughed to keep from laughing. “Jase, are you ok?”

“I’m fine,” I answered mock glaring at my innocently smiling familiar. She could feel that I wasn’t upset with her.

“Are you two done?” Trillium asked.

“Never,” we chorused.

“Don’t make me hurt you two.”

“Alright,” I laughed holding up my hands. “I understand you have something you want to show me.”

“Yes. Have you heard of Red Clover?” Trillium replied.

“I have. It’s used for food and to treat many ailments including…women’s issues,” I answered. “There is Red Clover around here?”

“Correct.”

“I haven’t seen it before,” I said.

“Have you ventured northeast yet?” Trillium asked.

“We haven’t,” Lily answered.

“We shall today. In addition to the Red Clover, you will find Mountain Maple there as well,” Trillium informed us.

“Mountain maple is used for sore eyes, flesh wounds, and even internal hemorrhage,” I said seeing Trillium’s raised eyebrow.

“Very good,” Lily praised me and patted my head.

“I’m not a pet!”

“You’re my pet!” Lily retorted before flying out of my reach.

“Come children,” Trillium said interrupting Lily and me.

Lily and I exchanged a glance and feelings over our bond.

“Yes ma’am,” we chorused. Trillium zapped us both with electricity.

“Elder, that’s not fair!” Lily complained rubbing her backside.

“That hurt!” I complained rubbing my backside.

“Hopefully, you two learned your lesson,” Trillium replied.

“Doubtful,” we chorused. Trillium held up her hand with lightening flickering along her fingers. “Ok! No more joking. We’re coming.”