The Apprentice (Five minutes freewrite)

marie-jay (61)in #freewrite • 7 years ago (edited)

The lessons were boring and, frankly, not quite what she had expected. When her mother told her old Gertha had agreed to take her on as an apprentice she was thrilled. Officially, Gertha was an expert on herbal medicine and dished out tea mixtures for indigestion or bad breath, but everyone around the village knew she dealt in the other kind of potions - like when you wanted a boy to fall for you or even when you wanted to get rid he was actually in love with. That sort of thing, nobody speaks out loud about.
Gertha was going to pay a few coins per week for her services - because, after the lessons, Elizabeth would be required to also clean the house and feed the animals. They needed all the money they could get, as her mother struggled to feed seven children and her husband, Thomas. What he required was mostly wine, but occasionally, when he was half-sober he'd shout to his wife to bring him some food. And lots of it.
'Who knows, if you're good enough maybe you can take my place one day!?', Gertha told her after the first days of apprenticeship, obviously pleased the girl had a quick mind and a good memory. The girl did her best to remember the names of the many herbs Gertha grew in her garden and their multiple uses. Actually, she had been relieved to discover none of the potions required weird things you read about in story-books like eye of a newt, powdered salamander or the horn of a unicorn.
'Don't be silly, girl, unicorns are the most beautiful thing in the world. Who'd want to hurt them?', the old woman said when Betty mentioned her childish fears.
The girl could not believe what she had just heard and she pestered Gertha with questions for weeks about unicorns and where they could be found, but the woman shooed her way. 'They'll find you.'

After a couple of months, Gertha trusted her enough to make simple potions for stomach aches or warts ointments, but she watched her closely nevertheless.
'This is ancient stuff and it will give you powers few mortals can cope with. It's about life and death. Some things cure and others can take you to death's door. You'll need to be able to handle them both and decide when and how to use them. That powdered mushroom over there in the green jar - just a pinch of it can get rid of liver pains, but two spoonfuls of it will put down a horse. And a glass of milk would bring the animal back. That's a lot of responsibility, my girl. You'll meet people who'll offer you more money that you can dream of to help them in their evil schemes. It will be tempting, don't shake your head at me, girl, I know what I'm talking about. You must always do what is right and help even those who cannot pay you. If you do your job well and only do what is right, maybe, one day a unicorn will show itself to you'.
The week before Christmas her father came to Gerha's door, no more drunk than usual. He threatened his Elizabeth won't be working for her anymore if she didn't pay twice the amount of coins. The girl grew pale and was on the verge of tears, but the old woman had grown to love her. So she spoke nicely to the nasty man and dropped a few coins in his hand, to get rid of him.
Betty thanked her, but the witch answered simply: 'Only do what is right, remember'.
That evening, Elizabeth offered to cook for her dad, baked him his favorite meat pie. She did not go far and as soon as she heard him choke and bang his fist on the table she rushed in like a dutiful daughter. She hastily gave him something to drink. Unfortunately, her father never drank milk.
The night after the funeral, as she went out to fetch some water, Betty caught a glimpse of something shining among the trees. Just for a few seconds and than it was gone, but the girl knew what is was.