I entered the house after a short climb, and noticed the state of the inside. It was not much better, compared to the outside. The old Atol asked "Apam said you can make medicine, how did you learn this?". I replied "Someone taught me about herbs, medicine and how to treat injuries. That person is no longer alive though. He spend half of his life, in order to learn all that medical knowledge".
The old Atol nodded, and said "He must've been really dedicated. So youngster, what is it that you wanted to ask?". I said "I wanted to find out, how to plant the herbs you grow here, and collect some at the same time. It's very hard to find herbs, in the North". He nodded his head, and said "Yes, there are really no other places, which have as many herbs as we do. But why should I teach you? I'm quite busy".
I said "Can you show me your best medicine?". He was a bit confused, and asked "What for?". I said "Show me your best medicine, and I show you mine. You can treat it as comparing results of our medicine making". The old Atol thought about it, and nodded his head after a while. "Alright, let me get my best medicine". He went over to one of the shelves, and took one of the bottles that was standing on it. The bottle was not made from glass though, it was made from wood.
He then handed me that bottle, and said "Here you go, study it as much as you want. I'm curious, what sort of medicine, can you show me?". I nodded my head, and said "Let me see this first, I will show you mine in a moment". I opened the cork, and fresh smell of herbs filled the room. I dropped some of it onto my hand, and looked at the colour, impurities, and whatnot.
'This medicine, is as good, as my Vital Liquid. It's not that great, when compared to Nick's recipes' I thought. I placed the cork back into the bottle, then handed him my Vital Liquid. I said "This is the basic medicine, that I can make. It's of the same grade, as your best medicine. Check it, then I will show you my best medicine".
He seemed a bit angry, that I called his creation basic. Nevertheless, he checked the medicine, and exclaimed "You are right. It is on the same level, as my best medicine!". I nodded, and said "Now check this one out". I handed him the Healing Essence, and awaited his verdict. He tested it for a while, then asked "Can I have it?". I knew why he wanted it. He wanted to figure out, how I created it, and how to improve his own medicine.
I replied "Only if you show me how to plant new herbs, and how to collect them. I need to make more medicine for myself, that is why I require herbs". The old Atol didn't even hesitate, and said "I will show you everything I can. If you work in the fields, and grow your own plants, you will have the right to harvest as many as you grow. The workers below, already keep the necessary balance". I nodded my head, and said "Deal, keep this medicine then".
He hid the medicine carefully, then asked "When would you like to learn?". I replied "Let's start from tomorrow. I know you are itching to get your hands on that medicine. Go ahead, and study it as much as you like". He was very satisfied with my answer, and escorted us back to the doors. As we walked outside, he said "Visit me tomorrow. Who knows, maybe I will be able to learn something from you", then laughed.
When we climbed down, Apam said "I never seen old Ulon so excited about something. It seems your medicine really did make a good impression on him". I laughed in my mind, and thought 'Impression? My medicine was at least five times better than his, and that is just intermediate recipe. An advanced recipe, would be the same a miracle cure for that guy'.
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I decided not to comment on that, because Apam wouldn't understand either way. Instead, I said "I know Atols like to craft. Can you take me to some master craftsmen? I would like to meet them too". Apam was a bit confused, and asked "How many things are you interested in? Not only can you fight, and make medicine, you can also craft?". I smiled and said "Actually, that was my profession, before I started travelling".
Apam nodded his head, and said "Alright, let's go then!". We headed toward the north eastern direction this time. After a short walk, we arrived at an area with loads of houses, that were both on the ground, and on top of the trees. 'That's weird. I thought they build their houses on top of the trees. Yet these houses are on the ground'. I decided to ask Apam about it. Apam said "Actually, the houses on the trees are for the Atol craftsmen, and those on the ground, are their work". I was still a bit confused, so I asked Apam to extrapolate on that.
Apam replied "They live on the houses on top of the trees. The houses on the ground, are not their living place, but the workplace. They build them, in order to show off their skills. Our craftsmen are really popular, so loads of other races employ Atol craftsmen, when they need to create buildings and so on. That is as much as I know". 'Now I get it. He could've just said that in the beginning. So the houses on the ground, are there to show off the skills of craftsmen, to the potential customers' I thought.
I replied to Apam "Now I get it. Can we meet one of the master craftsmen?". Apam shook his head, and said "I don't know. I only know a few apprentices, but no masters. Let's go meet my friend, maybe she will be able to help us" I nodded, and said "Sure, let's go". We headed towards one of the houses that stood on the ground, and a few Atols were working on it.
Apam shouted "Hey Ama! Are you busy now?". One of the Atols that worked on the doors, replied "Apam? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be training?". Apam didn't have to shout anymore, as we managed to walk up that Atol called Ama. Apam said "I have a day off, I'm taking care of my guest. He wanted to visit you guys, and learn more. I telling you, he is interested in everything!".
The Atol called Ama looked at me, and asked "Are you also a craftsmen?". I nodded my head, and said "Kind of. I used to be, before I started travelling. I learned the basics, but I wanted to see, how you guys work, and maybe learn a thing or two from you". Ama nodded her head, and said "You are free to watch. When I have some time, I can give you some hints too, as I carry out my work". I nodded, and said "I will visit here often then, and check out how you work". She nodded, and said to Apam "Stop being so lazy, and go do something useful!". Apam laughed a bit, then said "I'm not lazy".
I checked out the work of others, while they conversed about some stuff. A while later, we said our goodbyes, and walked towards the central region of Apium. As we walked, I said "This place is really amazing. I can learn loads of things here, and relax a bit". Apam nodded, and said "Yea, this place is great! Stay as long as you want. If you want to visit me, just head towards the training field. That is where I'm, most of the time. You can also find me at my home. If you don't know where to go, just ask the Atols around you. They will point you in the right direction". I nodded my head, and replied "Will do".