Untitled (Fitzpatrick)

A Master becomes accidental trespasser.

**Untitled** is a story in the second volume of Fantology, written and illustrated by Kevin Fitzpatrick.

## Synopsis

Traveling Potion Master Ichzil is arrested for trespassing unannounced in the Dukedom of Herneyse. When taken before the Duke Eman Herneyse, the Duke explains that the territory Ichzil found himself in was recently captured from the nearby Dukedom of Kumsal the year before. The Duke offers Ichzil his freedom in exchange for a reasonable explanation for his presence in his territory to which Ichzil politely refuses as a protection of Academy secrets. The Duke, incensed at Ichzil's refusal of such simple terms has the Master imprisoned. Master Ichzil patiently serves his sentence, making a companion out of his cellmate, knowing that the Academy would work to secure his release in a matter of months. One night, the Duke's daughter has an attack from her incurable but treatable illness and asks Ichzil to treat her, the daughter's condition left unattended since the death of the Duke's previous Potion Master and former colleague of Ichzil, Master Temur. Ichzil assists the Duke's daughter and considers her condition one that will require his daily attention. The Duke gratefully provides Ichzil with the tools necessary to continue treating his daughter. Ichzil's prisoner companion questions what possible secret could be so great to make the Master allow himself to be exploited for his talents by the Duke, to which the Master refuses to answer. After some time Ichzil becomes irreplaceable to the Duke for his services attending to his daughter, providing Ichzil additional luxuries as a prisoner which Ichzil shares with his companion. One night, the other prisoner reveals they are set to be executed the next day for an undisclosed crime of significant gravity. Ichzil, feeling for his companions fate, lets the prisoner in on the secret he refused the Duke: that he was collecting silk from a rare Rouge Dipped Moth, incapable of cultivation in captivity, that lived in the region that if discovered by less principled powers could easily be driven to extinction. The prisoner takes comfort in having a secret denied to their executioner. Later, the Duke visits Ichzil, informing him that a replacement Potion Master has been dispatched and Ichzil will be freed for his generous assistance with his daughter. He reveals that Ichzil's imprisonment was a scheme on his behalf, Master Temur having demonstrated for him the strict honor Potion Master's treat thier Academy secrets, knowing he could rely on Ichzil's honor to assist his daughter and exploit the Academy for assistance under the pretense of legal authority. He assures Ichzil that he will be compensated for his trouble which Ichzil accepts. Walking with the Duke through the estate's gardens Ichzil observes Rouge Dipped Moths which he questions the Duke about. The Duke informs Ichzil that Master Temur during her service had cultivated them, a former impossibility, during her service to the Duke, something the Duke passed off as a mere pastime of the Potion Master. Ichzil contemplates the moths.

## Bartlebee Poem

*"Duke Herneyse is on the hunt'*
*For a proficient potion crafter.*

*He'll keep the Master Ichzill till*

*He tells him what he's after."*