(Check out EyesOfAmethyst for her side of the story!)

Amongst other things, witches are considered to live longer lives then normal humans. While arguably they are normal humans, just with higher magic levels, they seem to be able to live a longer life span then most.

I close the book and rub my eyes. I was at the library yet again today. With a grunt, I pushed myself up at put the book back. This was useless. Obviously there was no information on how to get home here. The closest thing I've gotten to finding a way home was that over a thousand years ago, witches used to create potions to go into different dimensions to gather magical  ingredients or study new species. Aside from that, I got nothing. Dixie peeked around the bookcase to check up on me. "You ok?"

"Yeah."

"So. . . You still haven't found anything?"

"Nope."

"Ok." Dixie disappeared back to her desk. Well that conversation didn't last long. Heaving a sigh, I leave the library. I'm gonna take a walk. . . Maybe then I'll know what to do. I walked around the entire village but no awe inspiring ideas hit me. I was officially running on empty. I don't even know what to do right now. Go see Meli? She did say she'd show me how to make some potions. . . Eh why not? Not like I have anything better to do. I head over to Meli's infirmary. Amethyst was already there with her, talking to each other in hushed voices. "Yo," I greet as I open the door. "What's going on in here?" Their heads whipped toward me, alarmed. "Oh Aria," Amethyst said, relaxing. "It's just you." "Well yeah, who else would I be," I joke going over to them. "So what's going on here?" Meli and Amethyst exchanged a few looks before Meli finally said, "Nothing much." I raise an eyebrow. "Really?" I didn't believe that for a second. I turn to Amethyst. "Really?" I repeat, staring directly into her eyes. Amethyst fidgeted. "Yes," She replied.

I still didn't believe her. Was she lying to me? She must have been. A wave of hurt washes over me, but I quickly mask it with a face of indifference. "Fine." I turn to Meli. "Hey Meli, do you mind showing me how to make some of those potions you were telling me about?" She let out a breath of air and gave me a smile. "Sure. I actually was just about to make some sleeping pills and potions." She led me over to the counter and pulled out a small cauldron and a book. "The ingredients are in here," she directed, opening a cabinet above the counter. Multiple bottles and jars were in it, all filled with ingredients for potions, creams, or medicine. Can I trust you to do this yourself Aria? Meli asked, slightly concerned. "I'll be out in the back with Amethyst, so I won't be here to help you." I nod. "Yeah, I'm good."

Meli and Amethyst went out and I opened the book, flipping the pages until I found the right page. Let's see. . . Sleeping drought, guaranteed to make the user sleep deeply for two to ten hours. May be turned into pills. Warning: do not take in great qualities everyday, do not give to those who may be allergic to any ingredients, do not give to anyone who is not in pain or sleep deprived. If any of these warnings are violated, use might be fatal. Well that's nice. Ingredients: Blue Wisteria petals, Snow Snail Egg, Sleep root, Nightberry juice, Butterfly Milkweed, and if Snow Snail Egg is not available, Sleeping Slug Egg may be used as a substitute, though the effect may not be as strong. Please follow the instructions given:

I skimmed over the page. Seemed simple enough. I began pulling out the ingredients, checking the labels to make sure I didn't grab the wrong one. When I got all the ingredients I needed, I pulled out some measuring cups then got to work. Grind half a cup Butterfly Milkweed into a small bowl with a cup of Nightberry juice and add three Snow Snail Eggs. Mix together until blended. If there are any chunks in the mixture, do not worry. It will be fixed later on. Next, boil four cups Nightberry juice. When it turns pale green, add in seven Blue Wisteria Petals and one sliced Sleep Root then stir. If potion turns bright blue, stir in the Snow Snail Egg and Butterfly Milkweed mixture and let simmer for ten minutes or until the mixture is clear like water. When clear, pour into glass flasks or potion bottles and set into cold water to cool. Ok, so as long as I follow the instructions, I probably won't blow anything up. Good.

Fifty minutes later, I was just pouring the potion into a bottle when a very distressed looking Chase barged in. His eyes scanned the room then finally fell on her. "Aria!" He choked out, stumbling towards me. "Uh. Yeah?" I look at him uncertainly not knowing what he wanted. Amethyst walked back in and paused in surprise when she saw him. "Chase!" She cried. "What are you doing here?" A slightly dreamy look crossed her face and she twirled a strand of her hair. "Are you here for me?" I don't even try to hide my eye roll. Chase looked over at Amethyst and forced a smile. "Oh uh hello Amethyst! You look great today." He quickly took her hand and kissed it, causing her to turn a deep shade of red.

I was extremely tempted to slam the bottle I was holding over his head. I was actually preparing to do so, when he turned to me, panic evident in his eyes. "Aria, I need your help." I stare at him. Was he serious right now? "Uh. What?" "Please! I really really really need your help with something! This is extremely important!" I raise an eyebrow at his actions. "What's it about?" He bit his lip. "What else could it be about? The village." Amethyst went over to his side and placed an arm on his shoulder. "I can help you." She offered. "Uh no thanks Amethyst, this is something I think only Aria can handle. I don't really need your help right now." She look stricken by his words. Aw. Wait, why am I feeling bad for her? This could work in my favor actually. I can break them up like this way. Sorry Ammy. But no boyfriend for you.

"Ok," I placed the bottle down. "I'll help." Amethyst's mouth fell open. "W-what?" She stuttered. Chase's eyes lit up with relief. "Really? Oh Aria, your a life saver! Ok come on!" He grabbed my wrist. My eyes immediately hardened. "Don't touch me." He released me at once. "Sorry." He smiled sheepishly. "Can you come with me please?" Sighing inwardly, I nod and follow him out of the infirmary. I wanted to look at Amethyst. But I didn't. If I did her face would have made me stop.

"They want to WHAT?!?" I screech, not believing my ears. Chase nodded and looked down at the papers. We were in Chase's office, and he had just shown me a couple of papers from a neighboring lord. I quickly snatch the papers from him and read them again.

Dear Lord Chase of Starry Night,

It has come to my attention, that you are housing a witch school on your property. As you might know, you are also in a great deal of debt with my village, Wrightford. So I propose this; give me three of your top witches from your village, and I will clear your debt. Fair deal. If, however, you do not send three witches by the end of the May Harvest, I expect you to pay your debt in full. No gold or silver. I want what you promised. Three pure diamonds. No more, no less. I hope you will make the right decision.

Lord Ty of Wrightford

"You can't be serious!" I slam the paper down onto the desk. "Please tell me you aren't going through with this!" Chase shook his head. "No. Believe me, giving them three people in exchange for a stupid debt is the absolute last thing I want to do. They are people, not cattle to be traded and sold," He rubbed his forehead. "But this is a problem. I really do have a debt with Wrightford. And if I don't pay it, I risk getting into a fight with them. Which would not be good." "But why do they want witches?" I ask, crossing my arms. Chase shrugged. "It could be for multiple reasons. Maybe they want to train them into soldiers or have them enchanted something for them, or maybe they just want to make sure that three of our most powerful witches are gone. Whatever the case, giving them these people are out of the question. But this debt has to be paid. We have two pure diamonds, but haven't found a third. And the end of the May Harvest is next week." He pulled at his hair.

"Well what do you want me to do?" I question. Chase looked up at me. "I was thinking that. . . Perhaps you can help."

"How?"

"You know how I said we haven't found a third diamond?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that's not exactly true." He shifted some papers around and pulled out a map of a cavern and tunnels. He pointed to one of the tunnels. "We think there's one in this section here, but it was blocked off by a cave in. We found a small tunnel that leads into this one, but it's too narrow for any of my miners to get in." He looked at me pointedly. "So we need someone small and strong to go through the tunnel and get it." I frowned at him, getting the point. "Let me get this straight," I put a hand on the desk and leaned toward him. "You want me to go into dark tunnel, into a place that had a cave in, mine out a diamond when I have no idea how to mine, then climb back into the tunnel and bring you the diamond?" Chase shrugged. "Now you know why Amethyst couldn't help me with this." "Ok, yeah no. I'm not doing that."

I cross my arms and give him a glare. There is no way I am potentially killing myself for this guy! Let him get the diamond himself! He's not very big either. Chase sighed and picked up the paper. "Well, it looks like I'm sending three witches to Wrightford." A tremble of shock went through me. I narrowed my eyes at him. "You wouldn't dare." He met my gaze. "Try me." Whelp. Looks like I'm dying this week. Creepy tunnel it is.