“You are cured of the poison.”, the apothecary said to Xanto, “Go forth and let this be a lesson in dealing with dregs. They dispense nothing but evil. They may not all be as cunning, cold and malevolent as this one, but you will not find what you are looking for in them.”

Xanto remained stoic. “My vision is clear. Thank you, kind sir.”

The dregs seemed so far away now but the haze was visible in the distance, a warning reminder.