With his finger still on Dark Moon Mountain, Draken looked up at the young merfolk in front of him. "Since it's on the way, would you also check Dark Moon Mountain? There's a small chance my son went there too."
Felix looked at the map again. "Of course."
Draken smirked, "Thank you. How soon can you leave?"
Felix looked towards the ceiling, thinking. "I think… If I can find a few herbs fast enough I should be able to leave by sunrise."
"Which herbs?"
"Amanziwort."
Draken gave Felix a confused look. "And what is that?"
"It's a special herb for merfolk. It helps us stay on land longer," Felix explained.
Draken hummed. "You are welcome to check the temple's apothecary. If they have any, take as much as you think you'll need."
Felix bowed low, "Thank you. I'll go now."
Draken waved him off, already thinking about something else.
As Felix exited the office, he let out a sigh of relief. He hated being around the Head Priest, but he needed to in order to be in the temple. Only vampires were allowed to enter as they pleased. Other species needed special permission from the Head Priest and that permission usually had strings attached.
Making his way to the temple's apothecary, Felix let himself daydream about one specific vampire.
Draven Mortenson.
He might not like the father but he was crushing hard on the son. He was pulled out of his fantasies when he almost ran into another priest.
"Watch where you're going!" The man said angrily.
Felix gave him a subdued bow, "My apologies."
Felix didn't straighten up until he could no longer hear the angry mutterings of the priest. Moving forward he reached the apothecary in no time.
There he was greeted by the alchemist in charge. "Hello, young man. What can I do for you?"
Felix gave him a small smile. "I'm looking for amanziwort. Do you have any?"
"Amanziwort?" The alchemist stroked his long, white beard as he glanced around the shop. "I think I should have some. Let me look."
"Thank you, I appreciate it." Felix sat in the guest chair by the door as the old alchemist disappeared down the rows of herbs.
As he sat there, soaking in the final rays sunlight coming through the glass ceiling, Felix's thoughts once again drifted toward Draven. The way the light caught his raven black hair. How his blood red eyes seemed to glow with an inner light. And how they dimmed anytime the High Priest was nearby.
Thinking about how Draven feared his father, Felix's blood boiled. He would find Draven and make sure he was never hurt again.
A quiet shuffling brought him back to his surroundings as the alchemist rounded a corner, a small clay pot in his hand.
"I'm sorry, young man. I don't seem to have much amanziwort in stock."
Felix gently took the clay pot and peered inside it. There he could see the few bundles of turquoise blue kelp sitting in fresh seawater. "I'll take all of it if that's okay. I have a long journey inland."
"Of course," the old alchemist replied. "I'll get the pot sealed so it doesn't leak in your bag."