The Heart of Alchemy

by James E. Wisher

  He lunged through the door. Corina followed right behind, ready to bind anyone that tried anything. Their entrance was certainly anti-climactic.

  “Please come in,” a voice said from deep in the villa. “I won’t resist and I’ve sent the servants away.”

  “That’s St. Croy,” Sin said.

  “Think he’s telling the truth?” Hans asked.

  Corina hated being ignored, so she used her magic to send her sight into the living room. An old man she assumed was the baron sat alone in an overstuffed leather chair. No one else was visible and she saw no weapons or traps.

  “Looks safe to me,” Corina said. “He’s just sitting there waiting for us.”

  Hans and Sin looked at her.

  “What? You know he taught me the far sight spell, right?”

  Hans shrugged and said to Sin, “Would you let the rest of the men in and search the villa? We’ll check on the baron.”

  “Sure.” Sin left for the back door.

  Hans and Corina continued on to the living room where the baron sat facing them. He had his hands firmly gripping the arms of his chair. The fine robe he wore was creased and the sleeves dirty. He’d seen better days for sure.

  “Don’t move,” Hans said.

  “I assure you I have no intention of resisting. Since Jade didn’t return last night, I’ve been expecting someone to come calling. Frankly, I expected Lord Shenk himself. Are you bringing me to him? I have a great deal to say.”

  “Lord Shenk will be along to talk to you when he’s ready,” Hans said. “Until then, we’ll be keeping you company.”

  “Aren’t you worried about your niece?” Corina asked.

  “She’s not my niece. Jade’s an assassin. She used me to meet the emperor.”

  Hans shook his head. “This is not how I imagined our mission ending.”

  “No,” Corina agreed. “But at least we have a safe and cooperative prisoner. That will please him.”

  “There’s that. Do you want to watch him or fix breakfast? I haven’t eaten in hours.”

  “Have you tried my cooking?”

  “Yep. You watch him.”

  Corina couldn’t be insulted. Her cooking stunk and she knew it. With nothing else to do, she sat across from the baron.

  “Will your master punish me for my part in the deception?”

  Corina considered lying, but couldn’t see much point. “Maybe. But it won’t be as bad if you do whatever he says and don’t lie. Those two things really make him angry.”

  The baron paled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Corina hoped he did. Wittingly or not, the man helped an assassin gain access to the emperor. He’d need all the luck in the world to survive what was coming.

  Chapter 18

  Otto didn’t know how long he slept, but since he felt alive again, he assumed for a while. It was dark out, so he must have stayed in bed the whole day. A snarl from his stomach confirmed his theory.

  How wonderful it would be when he was an Arcane Lord and no longer had to bother about things like sleep and food. Exhaustion would be a distant memory. But that situation lay well in the future. Right now, more pressing matters required his attention.

  Abandoning his pleasant musings, Otto rolled out of bed, dressed, and stepped out into the hall. Other than a dull ache through his entire body, he felt back to normal. The ether responded to his call and no lingering effects from his excess magic use remained. He was as ready to face the day as he’d ever be.

  He had barely taken a step when a shrill cry grated on his ears. Clearly Abby was fully recovered from her ordeal as well and ready to complain again. He marched toward the stairs, determined to find something to eat before heading directly to the palace. Wolfric would be eager to begin questioning Jade and he wanted to be there to make sure nothing happened until he’d extracted every drop of information from the woman. After that, Wolfric could do as he pleased with her.

  He rounded a corner and found Annamaria pacing in the hall as she bounced the crying baby in her arms. She spotted Otto and instead of disappearing into her room, she walked toward him. Surprised by her reaction, Otto stopped in his tracks.

  “I wanted to thank you again for saving her,” Annamaria said. As soon as she got close, Abby fell silent and stared at Otto with her big blue eyes. “I know you owe me nothing but whatever happened between us, Abby is an innocent child.”

  “She is, albeit a rather loud one.” Otto let his expression harden. “Let me make one thing clear. I didn’t save her for you. I saved her to make an example out of anyone that would think to use my family against me, even a fraudulent family. Just to make sure no distractions like this happen again, I’ll have Axel put some of his scouts to work augmenting the guards. Clearly they are not up to protecting the mansion.”

  Once again her response surprised him. “Thank you for that. Your brother was quite concerned when he learned his supposed niece had been taken. He seems to have a kind heart.”

  “Yeah, how that happened in the Shenk family is beyond me. He must take after Mother. Excuse me.”

  He left Annamaria and before he reached the ground floor the wails started up again. Otto failed to restrain a small, vicious smile. It was worth saving her even if only to deprive Annamaria of sleep.

  After a quick but filling meal, Otto was out the door. When he reached the castle, the guards on duty opened up for him at once. Halfway across the yard, he spotted Borden walking on patrol. He had mail on under his tabard and a sword belted at his waist. Clearly the commander of the place guard was still on full alert. Probably not a terrible idea all things considered.

  Borden paused as Otto approached and offered a salute. “Lord Shenk, good evening.”

  “Is he awake yet?”

  “Not as of fifteen minutes ago. Frankly, I’m surprised to see you up and about. You looked like death warmed over last night.”

  “I’m much better now. Best let Wolfric rest as long as he needs to. I have several other matters that require my attention. If he does wake up, please tell him I’ll join him for breakfast.”

  “As you wish, my lord.”

  Otto turned on his heel and marched back the way he’d come. Anxious as he was to interrogate Jade, it would keep until Wolfric woke. Otto seriously doubted his friend would appreciate it if he started on his own.

  Since he couldn’t work at the palace, the next closest location was the baron’s villa. If Hans and Corina followed his orders, they should have a prisoner for him to question.

  Otto strode through the street, unconsciously using the ether to keep himself comfortable in the bitter evening air. He thoroughly pitied all those that had to be out on a night like this with no magic. The people of Gold Ward, it seemed, had more sense than he did and were staying inside tonight. That suited him fine as he had no desire for more distractions.

  Ten minutes later found him marching up the path to the villa. Cord must have drawn the short straw as he stood outside in front of the door. Bundled up in a heavy cloak and wool mittens, his hood up and covering his face, only puffs of frozen air gave away the fact that he hadn’t frozen to death.

  “Lord Shenk.” Cord saluted. “We weren’t sure when to expect you and Hans wanted someone out here to greet you when you arrived.”

  “Thoughtful of him. Did you do something to make him mad?”

  “Maybe won a few too many hands of cards.”

  Of course, it would be something to do with the card game. “Well, I’m here now so you can come inside. Did the baron give you any trouble?”

  “Not a bit. He was expecting us when we arrived and immediately gave himself up. Seemed eager to talk to you.”

  In Otto’s experience, not many people were ever eager to talk to him. “Then let’s hear what he has to say about his ‘niece.’”

  “Master!” As soon as he stepped through the door Corina came running and greeted him with a hug. “Are you okay now?”

  “More or less. I see you delivered my
message and completed your task. Well done.”

  “It wasn’t very hard. He just gave up.”

  “So I heard.” Hans and the rest of the squad came around the corner and saluted. There was no sign of Sin. “Where did you stash him?”

  “The baron is in the living room. He’s been reading while we waited for you. The man seems remarkably calm given his circumstances. Do you want me to start a fire so we can heat some irons?”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary. And if it is, we’ll bring him back to the warehouse, so we don’t disturb the neighbors.”

  Otto led the way into the living room. Baron St. Croy looked up from his book with the most hope-filled expression Otto had ever seen. “Lord Shenk. Thank heaven you’re here. They have my family. Please, you must save them.”

  Otto stared at him for a moment. “Maybe you’d better start from the beginning.”

  Baron St. Croy did so. Apparently, Jade, Ahmed, and three others showed up at his modest castle in the middle of November. They explained that he was going to help Jade meet with the emperor so she could seduce and murder him. He would also provide a cover for Ahmed who would find some way to deal with Otto. Should he refuse to help or fail in any way, his wife and two children would be killed. With no other choice he agreed and brought them to Garen for the gala.

  “I believe you know the rest,” the baron said. “Their three confederates are still in my barony, living in my castle.” His voice rose as he named each offense. “If word of their comrades’ failure reaches them, my family is as good as dead. Please, with your magic, surely you can save them.”

  Saving them would be easy enough, the question was, did saving them serve him better than letting his enemies think the game was still on? He needed more information.

  “I’ll consider your request. In the meantime, I want you to work with Hans, make a map of the castle, show me where your family is likely to be as well as the ones holding them hostage. I’ll need detailed descriptions as well.”

  “I am at your service. Anything I can do, I will gladly do.”

  Otto sensed no lie in the man’s words and he seemed genuinely concerned about his family. “Corina, do you want to come with me or stay with Hans?”

  “Go with you,” she said at once.

  “I assumed so. Hans, you know what to do. Have a plan ready for me by midmorning. After I finish with Jade, I’ll make my decision.”

  Hans nodded. “Understood, my lord.”

  Before Otto and Corina took their leave, he went upstairs. Jade would have had her own room, somewhere to plot and meet with Ahmed away from the servants. He wanted to take a look around. If Ahmed had alchemy to aid him in his mission, Jade might have as well.

  They found the room easily enough; it was the only one with a woman’s clothes in the closet. “Check for anything magical.”

  He and Corina spread out. Otto went right to a collection of bottles sitting on the dresser. He found nothing magical, just a collection of makeup and perfume. Completing the search took ten minutes and turned up nothing of interest. He pocketed an atomizer that smelled of the perfume she wore during their lunch meeting. He might be able to use it to help Wolfric feel less stupid and more angry.

  Otto led the way downstairs and out the front door. As soon as they were outside Corina asked, “What are we going to do now?”

  “Assuming Axel’s back with the assassin’s body, an autopsy.”

  Back at the warehouse, there was no sign of Axel, but he had left the assassin’s body in a wagon that held two more corpses. Otto frowned as he considered the bonus bodies. They had the same bronze skin tone as Jade and Ahmed. That couldn’t be a coincidence.

  Corina had her gaze locked on the bodies, but she didn’t seem especially troubled. That was a relief. She was toughening up nicely. Whether that was a good thing in the long run or not, he couldn’t say. All Otto knew for sure was that it was necessary.

  “Lord Shenk.” Allen stepped out from behind one of the giant suits of armor. “Have I got a story to tell you. Oh, your brother dropped off a body for you and said he’d be at the barracks if you needed him.”

  Otto nodded. “I assume you’re the source of the extra corpses?”

  “Yeah, those two tried to kill Oskar and me in Blue Cove. Lucky I’m a light sleeper and your spy’s paranoid. Anyway, no one ever heard of Jade. I think she fed you a line of bullshit.”

  “Indeed, I’ve recently come to that conclusion. Thank you for confirming it.” Otto saw no need to tell him the woman had nearly succeeded in killing the emperor. “Did you learn anything else from your would-be assassins?”

  “Afraid not. Their pockets were empty and the weapons they used locally purchased. If there’s nothing else, I need to get back to the tavern before my serving girls quit.”

  “There’s nothing at the moment. And well done. You’ve reminded me again why I kept you alive.”

  Allen hurried off, leaving Otto and Corina alone with the bodies. The back of the wagon was as good a place as any to do his work. Otto climbed up and went first to Ahmed. His body had relaxed enough to be easily moved. Otto turned his clothes inside out and checked his skin for marks, but found little beyond a bunch of old scars. He’d seen plenty of battles, that was certain.

  Otto yanked his dagger free of the man’s skull, grimaced, and tossed it in the wagon bed. He’d grab a new one from the armory, the blade was just ordinary steel, nothing special.

  “We didn’t learn much,” Corina said.

  “No, but I didn’t have especially high hopes. People in their line of work aren’t apt to carry incriminating information on their persons.”

  “You don’t seem as upset as I imagined you’d be,” Corina said.

  Otto considered that for a moment. He was certainly upset at this pointless interruption to his preparations, but he didn’t feel any emotion that strongly anymore. People and situations were now divided between things that advanced his plans and things that held them back. The former would be used and the latter removed. It was that simple.

  “Anger has its uses, but it can also cloud your judgement. Wolfric will be angry enough for both of us. If I’m to resolve this crisis with the minimum of damage to the empire, I must keep a clear head. Let’s head back to the mansion. A few more hours’ sleep wouldn’t do me any harm, especially with an early morning interrogation to oversee. I’ll be trusting you to keep an eye on things until morning.”

  She brightened at the prospect then frowned. “Are you expecting more trouble?”

  “Until I’m sure Jade and Ahmed were on their own in the city, I don’t plan to relax my guard. I didn’t survive one assassin only to get overconfident and fall to a second.”

  As Otto hoped, the night passed without incident. After lending Corina a guest room to sleep in, he left for his breakfast with Wolfric. The bitter air slashed at him as he made the short walk to the palace. The guards at the gate looked especially miserable as they huddled around their charcoal brazier, its feeble heat barely enough to cut the chill. Not that they would ever voice a word of complaint where either he or Borden could hear it.

  He smiled to himself. If he ever needed a distraction, eavesdropping on the guards’ barracks might be entertaining.

  Just inside the main keep, he found Borden waiting for him. The captain of the palace guard looked tense, well, tenser than usual. Otto had never actually seen the man relax, though he assumed he did so in private.

  “Everything alright, Borden? You’re looking more tightly wound than usual.”

  “It’s the emperor. He’s been up for hours.”

  Otto nodded. “And?”

  “And as soon as he woke up he went to the dungeon. He’s been sitting there staring at Jade for three hours. He said nothing, either to me or to her. He’s just sitting there. I’m worried.”

  Otto understood both Borden’s worry and Wolfric’s obsession. After what happened, it would take some time for Wolfric to get over it, assuming he ever
fully did. Otto had hoped that he might wake up and pay a visit to his harem, burn off some of the excess energy the Chamber would have given him.

  “I’ll talk to him. Have everyone pull back. What might be said needs to be heard by no one but the two of us.”

  Borden saluted. “Yes, Lord Shenk. And thank you.”

  Otto waved off his thanks. What he did, he did for the good of the empire. They walked together through the cool halls to the door to the dungeon. Borden dismissed the two guards at the top of the stairs.

  “I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed.”

  “No,” Otto said. “I’ll make sure we’re not disturbed. You need to go away as well. When we’ve finished, I’ll let you know.”

  Borden didn’t argue, hurrying away with almost unseemly haste.

  Otto watched until he was out of sight, opened the door to the dungeon, and stepped through. After closing the door behind him, he wove a simple bar of ether that would stop anyone from following behind.

  The darkness was eerily silent as he strode through the dungeon. Usually there would be small sounds from the prisoners, but since Otto had sacrificed them all to save Wolfric, the cells were empty. Just as well considering the conversations that were about to happen.

  He found Wolfric sitting on a simple wooden stool just a stride from the bars of the final cell in the row. He wore a black and gold soldier’s uniform and had his sword belted at his waist. As Borden said, his gaze was fixed on the prisoner.

  Jade was bound to a frame attached to the wall; her arms stretched to either side. She was still as naked as when they captured her. Someone had added a ball gag that kept her from biting her tongue off.

  Otto stopped beside his friend and looked down. “Borden tells me you decided to skip breakfast this morning. Shame, I was looking forward to your cook’s fine pancakes.”

  Wolfric finally tore his gaze from Jade. “I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out how I could have ever believed she loved me. There was never a moment of doubt in my mind. She twisted me around her finger so easily. If I can be manipulated by her, how can I be trusted to rule an empire?”