The Heart of Alchemy by James Wisher (e book reading free TXT) 📕

Jade grimaced. He had far too many scruples for someone in their line of work. “You don’t have to hurt the baby, just use it to lure him out of the city away from all the soldiers. Then you can have your one-on-one fight. After you kill him, take the brat back to a church or something. They’ll make sure she gets to her mother.”

Ahmed’s scowl deepened, but he nodded. “Very well. I shall begin scouting the estate. Two days should be enough.”

“Good. I’ll try to time my move against Wolfric for the same moment. If the Reaper stands with us, both our targets will be dead and we long gone before anyone knows what happened.”

Chapter 10

“Where are we going again?” Allen asked as he and Lord Shenk made their way through Gold Ward toward the portal.

His ill-humored employer had roused him at the unholy hour of dawn, ordered him to prepare for a journey, and waited with poorly concealed impatience for him to dress and belt on his sword. An explanation had been offered, but Allen had been too exhausted to follow the whole thing.

“We’re going to Rolan. I’ll arrange a horse and supplies for you, then you’ll ride to a town on the coast called Blue Cove. I want you to find out if Jade spent time there regularly. A noblewoman is bound to stand out, so either way it won’t take you long to learn the truth.”

“Right.” Allen forced his brain to focus. “And I’m doing this why?”

Lord Shenk turned to look at him with those cold eyes. “You mean besides me telling you to?”

Allen swallowed hard. “Uh, yeah, besides that.”

“Because I want to know if she lied about it. If she did, she may have lied about other things. The emperor is besotted with this woman. If she’s trouble, I need proof that I can show him. One little lie might not be enough, but it is a start. I need to know everything before the love-struck fool proposes.”

Allen stared for a moment. He hadn’t realized the emperor was so deeply involved with anyone. He’d seen the girls Sin picked out for his private harem. Why in the world would anyone choose to marry when he had those beauties on standby? Of course, being the emperor, he could probably enjoy the wife and whatever side action he wanted.

“Sounds simple enough.” Allen resigned himself to days of riding through the tedious plains of Rolan. The serving girls would keep the tavern running. At this point he was seriously considering turning it over to them. It seemed he seldom had time to handle anything anymore.

“I hope you’re right,” Lord Shenk said.

They reached the fort a few minutes later and received a welcome of such enthusiasm you’d have thought Lord Shenk was their husband returned from two weeks at sea. The reaction experienced soldiers gave a man barely in his twenties never failed to impress Allen. Lord Shenk carried himself with the sort of confidence only the nobility had. It had to be in their blood.

As soon as the portal opened, they stepped through and emerged in a nearly identical fort in Rolan. More smart salutes greeted them. Allen could barely see the soldiers by the light of the quickly dimming portal. Only the crackling magic of the runes illuminated the yard. They were far enough west that the sun hadn’t actually risen yet.

“How may we be of service, my lord?” a man Allen took for the fort commander asked.

“Fetch Oskar and have a horse prepared for my man. He’ll need a week of supplies and a bit of coin.”

“Of course.” The commander barked orders and soon one soldier was running towards the stable and a second toward the barracks.

A couple minutes later, a figure emerged from the barracks and jogged toward them. He was fairly young, with short brown hair and gray, civilian clothes. He saluted like a soldier, fist to heart, and said, “Lord Shenk. How may I be of service?”

“What do you know about a fishing village called Blue Cove?”

Oskar frowned and chewed the inside of his lip. Allen knew that expression and a moment later the man said, “I fear I’ve never heard of it. Is there trouble?”

“I don’t know yet, but I hope to get some answers there.” Lord Shenk turned to Allen. “Looks like you’re going in blind. I don’t expect any real trouble, but be careful all the same. Replacing you would be an inconvenience.”

“For both of us, my lord,” Allen said.

“Would you like me to join him, my lord?” Oskar asked. “Matters in the capital have been quiet and I would like to do something useful.”

“Excellent idea, Oskar. Allen will fill you in on the mission as you ride. Oh, I almost forgot.” Lord Shenk dug something out of his pocket and handed it to Allen.

It looked like a glass stick about six inches long. A flash like lightning ran the length of it so quickly Allen thought he might have imagined it.

“This is my latest experiment. I haven’t tested it yet, so this is the perfect opportunity. As soon as you learn whether or not Jade lied to me, snap that and speak a message up to ten words. They will be carried to me through the ether. There’s no need for you to hang around, either. As soon as you complete your investigation, return to Garen. Not you, Oskar. You can resume your duties here.”

Oskar saluted again and Allen nodded.

“We won’t let you down, never fear,” Allen said.

Lord Shenk just gave him a look before stepping back through the portal.

Chapter 11

Annamaria watched the snow fall as it added yet another layer over her garden. The cold and snow combined to keep her in the house. She tried going for a walk the other day, but the bitter chill turned her back before she reached the end of the entry path. She hated winters and always had.

She even found