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italiangenius91 · #2 [ ] 01-21-2007, 12:03 PM

Chapter I

“MELMAR!” shouted a voice from afar. “MELMAR! You’re late! I started making potions two hours ago. Hurry up!”

Ugh, Melmar thought. Why do I have to get up? It’s too early to start. None of the other Koroks have to attend to their job this early.

Melmar rolled out of bed and drank a bit of forest water. His annoyance at the time vanished, and he left his house to get to Hollo’s potion shop. On his way he gathered some green herbs to use later that day. Greeting the few awake Koroks, he finally arrived at Hollo’s.

Hollo said angrily. “Did you gather your morning herbs?”

“Yeah, I did,” replied Melmar, holding his annoyance back. Why does he constantly yell at me? The workday hasn’t even started yet, and it’s not like being late ruins any potions. He really needs to calm down.

“Good, good. At least you didn’t forget that,” Hollo said more kindly. “Your main task today is to attend to the third cauldron. We’re making green potion there, something that you should be able to do well by now. If you finish that early, gather supplies and make a red potion in the fourth one. If you can finish both, I might teach you how to make a blue potion. Only if you’re quick.”

“Yes, sir,” he replied. It’s amazing how quickly he can change his mood. One minute he’s angry, the next he’s professionally giving instructions, no emotion at all. He’s such an interesting Korok.

Melmar walked over to the third cauldron and began emptying and cleaning the old brew out. Green potion was very useful to the Koroks, as they used a lot of magic while flying and performing everyday tasks, as they use magic for nearly everything. Melmar felt quite proud to be put on green potion duty, although he’d rather make blue. At least his primary task wasn’t red potion; barely anyone used it, as there aren’t many ways for Koroks to hurt themselves.

He started the water boiling, and went out to gather Boko Baba Seeds, which are found in the most foul plants on Forest Haven. He picked up a stick as he left, and went out to fight.

He approached the bud and waited for the plant to appear. As he got close, the plant lunged, its teeth narrowly missing Melmar. He jumped back, and hit the plant with a crack. The plant’s stem stood straight up, and in one last lunge, Melmar broke the stem and took the seeds from the bud. He then flew off, fearing the plant would grow back.

He returned to the potion shop to find the water boiling aggressively, ready to use. Melmar threw the herbs and seeds in, and carefully began to stir it. The potion crackled and hissed, and began to change to a light shade of green. Melmar, recognizing the color, quickly through in more of the herbs, and the potion darkened to the correct color.

He ran out to the middle of the Forest Haven and flew up to the upper levels. I love my Deku Leaf. This would take forever without it, he mused. He arrived at the upper levels and began to gather different herbs, ones that would make a red potion. He searched for twenty minutes before finding enough of what he needed.
That took way too long, he worried. I really want to make the blue potion today, and I can’t do it if I can’t make the red and green potions fast enough. He looked to the sky and attempted to judge the time. It seems to be close to noon, maybe a bit later. Maybe I’m worrying for nothing! I can do this!
He flew back down to the potion shop and cleaned out cauldron four. He set the water to boil and did a check of his supplies.

I’ve got enough herbs, but I only have two more Boko Baba Seeds. What should I do? He sat and wondered, and something in him told him to proceed with only two. It will work. I know it will.

He made the potion without a hitch, and found its red color to be spot on. He ran over to get Hollo, and was proud when complimented on his speed.

“Wow Melmar!” Hollo muttered in amazement. “That was really fast! But it’s not the speed that counts, only the quality. Let’s see how you did.”

Why can’t he be happy with anything I do! I work the fastest I ever have, and he just talks about quality. Any other day he’d lecture me on my speed!

Hollo went up to cauldron three and took some of the green potion. “The color looks good, and it smells fine,” he commented. He took a sip. “The taste is fine, and I can feel the magic power. Very good. This potion passes.”

Melmar sighed with relief. Only one more to check and I’ll be on my way to a blue potion!

Hollo took a taste from cauldron four. “AUGH! This potion is horrible! It looks and smells fine, but it tastes horrible, and there is no magical property to it! What did you do wrong!”

“Well, I only used two Boko Baba Seeds. Is that really going to mess up a potion?” Melmar wondered. He was crushed; he really wanted to learn to make a blue potion.

Hollo noticed Melmar’s disappointment. “Well, without the other two seeds, it just doesn’t have the magical strength to do anything. As for the taste, I’ll have to teach you what herbs make things taste better,” he replied tenderly.

“Will you still show me how to make a blue potion?” Melmar asked hopefully.

“Well, I guess I can. You improved a lot from before, and your mistake was just an ingredient one, so I guess I can teach you,” Hollo said kindly. They went to cauldron two.

“Now then, this potion is quite simple. It involves, of course four Boko Baba Seeds, and several herbs. The herbs consist of the herbs for both red and green potions, and a special, more rare herb. There is a grove where it grows in the Forest Haven, and I think it grows in other wooded areas, but very rarely in the field. Let me show it to you.”

Both Melmar and Hollo flew up to the upper levels. Up near the top of the Forest Haven was a patch of plants, with a strange looking herb growing from it. “That is the plant we want,” instructed Hollo. They took it back to the potion shop.
“Here are all the ingredients you need. Now then, if you’ve learned nothing else, you know that stirring the pot and timing the boiling time is very important. Note the herb that will improve the taste; it’s that one. I’m going to test you now to see if you’ve got the…intuition to make it one your own,” he said, pointing to the cauldron.

Intuition? What does he mean? How am I supposed to know how long to stir this? Melmar thought. He walked up to the cauldron and threw the ingredients in. Concentrating, he started to stir. He let his hands do the thinking, and waited until it felt right. When that time came, he blew out the fire, and finished stirring. He waited for Hollo to criticize him, but heard nothing. Hollo was standing with amazement.

“You’ve done it! You created a blue potion successfully on your first try with no guidance! I took months to master this potion, and you did it on your own on the first try. Amazing!” Hollo acclaimed. “Very good! You may be finished today. Something that amazing deserves a reward.”

Melmar left, with pride radiating from him. Hollo, with excitement, called to the Great Deku Tree. “I must talk to you!” he called. In curiosity, the Great Deku Tree called for Hollo to be summoned first thing in the morning, hoping for the message he’s wanted for years.