A heart pounding episode until Rhano was safe! You beautifully maintained what felt to be a most appropriate pacing as Jerric flew here and raced there. Necessarily your descriptions had to be light, but they nevertheless unobtrusively and fully immersed us into what was happening.
Then, as much as I love Jerric and Rhano, Master Relas stole the show! I heartily echo Rider's praise for how perfectly you portrayed him here. Wow!
Master Relas' explanation of the atronach birthsign, in terms that were both encouraging and appropriate for a ten year old, was magnificent and it was truly beautiful of him to fill the young Nord with reasonable hope and expectations.
I loved how Rhano was so sober and quiet that nothing could get him talking. . . UNTIL the possibility of Jerric becoming a mage rose its horrifying head!
I have no problem distinguishing alchemy from the other magical disciplines. I can see where rangers, foresters , wood elves, thieves and even farmers might perhaps become quite skilled with it. In fact I can see that those who would eschew spellcasting might readily embrace alchemical alternatives. Plus, escaping that water cave was notably more important than healing a clean ankle fracture. Although I see wise ghastley's point, it was certainly not a concern for me as written.