summon fire, lightning and wind as you know, but beyond that, the staff can only alter or manipulate what exists around it.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Helga took a few moments to think. This was critical for Shalee to understand. “You told me that you fixed Sam’s pants.”
“Yeah, and?”
“And the staff would not have been able to mend them if it was not for the material that was already present. The same was true for Sam’s skin when you toughened it before his fight with the Minotaur. The staff did not need to search for skin because it was already there.”
The older sorceress counted the number of pockets on Shalee’s new belt. There were two rows of 13, and the pockets were small. “Twenty-six, Child. We’ll need to choose wisely and prepare an arsenal of commands that will use the ingredients available to you.”
Shalee shook her head. “No we won’t.”
“How so, Child? I’ve been doing this for many seasons, and I think I know what I’m doing.”
Shalee grinned. “Don’t you remember? You taught me that Precious can read my mind. All I need to do is command the staff to create and let it look into my mind for the desired outcome.”
Helga moved to the far side of the room. She flopped down on a bench and thought a moment. “You have a point for smaller commands, but I can only assume that it would require a significant use of power for larger effects. I have spent my whole life speaking the words for each ingredient. What you’re describing is possible, but I doubt you possess the strength to successfully complete a command of this nature.”
Shalee shrugged. “We’ll never know unless I try.”
“Perhaps we should fill the pouches first, Child.”
The older sorceress stood from the bench and walked across the room toward another wall that was covered with shelves holding jars of ingredients. She reached out and plucked a jar from one of them. “You will need to make sure you refill your belt as your pockets empty. The staff will only need to draw from a small amount, no matter how large the effect, but eventually you’ll run out.”
Once again, Shalee grinned. “For goodness’ sake, Helga, why would I do that when all I need to do is tell Precious to multiply what’s already there? Once we have the supplies, I’ll never need to go to another store to buy them again.”
Helga was floored. “I can’t believe I’ve lived this many seasons and never tried that. I’ve always waited till I ran out. Poison can be costly, Child.”
Shalee laughed. “You watch me whip up something. I’m sure it’ll work.” The younger sorceress went over to the store owner who was standing behind a lengthy counter and asked the lady to bring her a vial of poison.
The woman did as requested and produced a tiny, glass cylinder filled with a green gel.
Shalee asked for a bowl.
The lady returned with one and sat it in front of her.
Shalee poured a drop of the gel into the bowl, lifted Precious and spoke a command.
The poison bubbled as it multiplied upon itself. A fume filled the room causing all three women to cover their noses. When the smell subsided and the light from the spell faded, the bowl was full.
The shop owner stood in silence as Helga snatched the vial of poison from Shalee’s hand and put some in a cup that sat nearby. She lifted her staff and, with a forceful voice, spoke her command. The reaction of the spell was instantaneous, but it was not what Helga was after. The older sorceress flew backward across the room and landed on her butt.
Shalee panicked. “Lord almighty, Helga, are you okay?”
Helga scowled. “Help me up! I’m fine! My pride is my only wound.”
Shalee did as she was told, then turned away to hide her smile. After she collected herself, she turned back around to brush off Helga’s backside. “I suppose there is a bright side to your failure.”
“And what would that be?” Helga snapped.
“At least now you know now that you didn’t waste all your coin on ingredients over all your seasons. Isn’t that a purdy little thought?”
Shalee picked up Helga’s staff as the older sorceress grumbled. After handing it to her, Shalee looked at the lady behind the counter. “Why don’t you give it a try?”
The older woman lifted her hands and shook her head. “My staff is best left under the counter, dear.”
The women enjoyed choosing 26 ingredients. Shalee had everything