The witches set about their brews with varying degrees of deftness, though none appeared immediately as disastrous. The cracks, though, began to show when the finished potions were held up to more scrutiny.

Gideon approached first Miss Oakby's cauldron, the debutante having been the first to finish. It was wholly adequate, he thought, though as he held up a small vial to judge it more critically, the wizard noted some particulate in his sample.

"A good effort, Miss Oakby," he murmured to the witch with an encouraging smile.

Miss Dempsey's cauldron was a formidable effort, but it was the pleasant Miss Farris who proved quickly to be the frontrunner.

"Were I a healer destined for house calls rather than the hospital halls, Miss Farris," he praised the witch with a charming smile, "I should be grateful for my livelihood that you had not chosen to enter the healing field. This is, I must say, exemplary work!"

A last smile at Miss Farris before Gideon moved on to the remaining would-be potioneers. Miss Clarke's efforts were standard enough, but it began to fall apart from here. Miss Russell's cauldron emitted a foul smelling odour.

Miss Potts', however, was on fire.

"Miss Potts, you seem to have added wormwood stalk instead of root." His words were offered apologetically, his countenance surprisingly mild given the small fire before them. Deftly, Gideon vanished the contents of the cauldrons before him before bidding Miss Russell and Miss Potts depart.

"Your next potion," the healer addressed the remaining young ladies, once their cauldrons had been emptied and their former competition dismissed, "will decide which among you will proceed to the final stages of competition, and which will have to content themselves with having done this well. A cure for boils," Gideon declared. The directions, once more, inscribed themselves upon slates as he reminded the competitors where to find their ingredients. Unnecessary, likely, but better to be overprepared than under.

"You may begin!"

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Lycoris Dempsey Idris Oakby Matilda Farris Effie Clarke

OAKBY 5.5 | DEMPSEY 8 | FARRIS 8.5 | CLARKE 6.5 | RUSSELL 4 | POTTS 3