A Path Toward Home (The Annals of Avonea) by Heather Lorenz Page A

about. The stone walls were musty and damp and felt cold against her hand as she guided herself along the wall.
    It seemed that she walked for hours until she reached a dead end. Why would a tunnel come to a dead end ? Constance lifted her candle against the wall to see if she could find a handle or lever. Spotting an odd looking torch above her head, she seized it in both hands and spun it downward as the wall opened! She hesitantly entered a massive round room with shelves reaching as high as 40 feet with bottles and books neatly arranged on them.
    Constance stepped up to a round table with bottles of all shapes and sizes. Was this the lab of some mad scientist ? She picked up a container with green liquid and read, a potion to make your freckles disappear . Next, she picked up a bottle labeled, the potion to regain arm strength, a nd another f or growing a thick beard. I don't think I would like that one , Constance thought, glancing about the room. A book that lay open on a small table gave instructions for creating potions. One line read, use lemon, lavender and clover to get rid of warts .
    “This is amazing! How in the world did Moolow come up with all these concoctions?” Constance whispered aloud.
    “It took me many years,” boomed a voice from behind her.
    “Oh Moolow, I'm sorry. I should not by prying.”
    “I don’t mind, as long as you can keep this place a secret.”
    “I promise, I won't tell anyone, not even Drinian or Woodphere.”
    “I believe you. Now what can I get you? You surely do not need a beauty potion.”
    “No, I don't need anything. But how did you invent all these potions?”
    “I experimented on many different people,” Moolow replied. There are over 2,000 remedies here.
    “How do you get away with doing that?”
    “I tell people that I am trying a new experiment. If it works, I start selling it and they get half the profits. So they let me do it.
    I did feel bad one time when I was creating a potion to grow hair. A bald old man was the guinea pig and it ended up turning the top of his head blue!”
    “Oh my!” Constance exclaimed smiling.
    “Actually, you would be perfect for my next experiment. I want to see if my potion of changing hair texture works.”
    “No thank you. I don't want to end up bald like Woodphere.
    “Very well then. But perhaps you could use a poison snake bite healing potion?”
    “How did you know about my snake bite?”
    “Drinian told me and wondered if there was anything I could give you. And over here's just the thing,” Moolow said, as he walked over to his desk and picked up a clear bottle with red liquid.
    “Thank you, Moolow. How much should I use?” Constance asked as she took the bottle from him.
    “Take it with you and apply it every two hours. Within three days your leg should be as good as new, without even a blemish.” Come, you should get changed before dinner.”
    “Alright,” Constance replied, following him out of the circular room.
    Once Constance had made her way back to her room she went straight to the closet which was full of many beautiful dresses. Constance chose a violet color dress with delicate cream lace around the sleeves, hem and neckline. She quickly put on the dress, combed her hair, put it into a neat bun before stepping into the hall where she was met by Moolow.
    “Please, follow me Constance. Drinian and Woodphere are already waiting in the dining room for us,” said Moolow.
    Constance followed him downstairs into a large dining room. The table was very long, and could sit at least ten people on either side.
    Drinian and Woodphere both stood when Constance entered. They were both wearing dashing white shirts, with red vests and brown trousers.
    “You look quiet elegant, Constance,” Woodphere said approvingly.
    “Indeed you do,” agreed Drinian.
    “Why, thank you! You two look quite handsome yourselves,” Constance replied.
    “Please be seated and I shall bring out the food,” Moolow said, as he exited