The Heart of Alchemy by James Wisher (i like reading books txt) 📗

deal with the assassins permanently. If I need to burn the whole city down in the process, I can live with that.”

“I’ll be joining you on the journey,” Wolfric said. Before Otto could argue he continued. “It will be safer than staying here where an assassin might jump out at me at any moment.”

He had a point and Otto didn’t feel like arguing. “Fair enough. I’ll gather the war wizards and we’ll head to Rolan to commandeer a ship. From there it’s less than a week to sail to the city. When we’re finished, they’ll wish they’d never accepted that contract.”

Otto turned his focus back to Jade. “How do you recognize each other?”

“We have marks, serpents, tattooed on the inside of our lower lips.”

“All your agents or just the assassins?”

“Just the assassins. Most of our agents are simple mercenaries. They care only for our gold.”

“Interesting.” He scratched his cheek before turning to Wolfric. “Do you have any more questions for her?”

“No. Before we go, I want to see her publicly hung.”

“That might not be the best idea,” Otto said.

Wolfric glared at him. “Surely you don’t think we should let her go.”

“Of course not. I think we should kill her and toss her body in one of the foundries. We don’t need everyone knowing what happened here. The baron wants his family saved and will do anything to make that happen. Convincing him to say Jade met with an accident on their way home to collect some family heirloom for the wedding will be simple enough. You can play the grieving lover and make the people love you all the more.”

“We turn her betrayal into something of value for us.” Wolfric rubbed his face. “I wonder if I shall ever come to think as clearly as you. I’ll leave the arrangements in your care. The sight of her sickens me.”

“As you wish.” While he forced reluctance into his tone, having Wolfric out from underfoot would only make completing the many tasks ahead of him simpler.

That said, he didn’t want Wolfric losing all his confidence. Otto reached into his pocket and pulled out the atomizer he’d taken earlier. “I took this from her room at the villa. It’s an alchemical solution designed to weaken your mind and make you more susceptible to suggestion. Don’t be too hard on yourself, my friend. No one could have recognized what she was doing.”

Wolfric grunted, seeming less than reassured.

Probably best to move on. He pocketed the perfume and said, “When I’ve found the ships we need, we’ll leave for Rolan and set sail for the City of Coins and revenge.”

Chapter 19

Otto and Wolfric rode into Port Palomino on the Rolan coast at the head of a column of fifty war wizards, along with Corina, Hans and his squad, and a company of royal guards. The city had an actual wall, a rarity in Rolan given the sparse forests. The warmth and fresh sea air did wonders for everyone’s mood. Even Wolfric had relaxed a fraction, though he still scowled far more than he smiled.

Six days had passed since their discussion with Jade. She and all her co-conspirators were now so much ash thanks to a convenient foundry that did some side work for Sin and her guild. Otto had also rescued Baron St. Croy’s family. The grateful baron had eagerly agreed to spread the word of Jade’s tragic accident. Before setting out through the portal, Otto had ordered Sin and Allen to try and track down anyone associated with the Coiled Serpent.

“Your Majesty, Lord Shenk!” Oskar came marching their way. The spy must have been waiting just inside the gate.

“Who is this again?” Wolfric asked.

“One of our agents. He placed the patch on Rolan’s portal and has been keeping an eye on the province for us.” Otto waved him over and the royal guards made a path. “You found ships for us?”

“I did. Not the most awe-inspiring vessels, but both are seaworthy and will carry you safely to your destination. Given the time crunch, I couldn’t afford to be fussy.”

“Don’t worry, Oskar,” Otto said. “The war wizards will make up for any deficiencies the ships might suffer. Show us the way.”

The column marched behind Oskar to the docks, where a pair of double-masted sailing ships were tied up at the farthest-out piers. The spy hadn’t lied about their rough condition. Neither looked like it had seen a drop of paint in years. Despite living on the water, the sailors watching them dismount didn’t look overly familiar with a bath.

“There’s still time to remain behind,” Otto said to Wolfric.

The emperor just shook his head. “I will see this through if I have to sail with the Reaper himself.”

Arguing with him would be pointless so the group divided itself up and climbed aboard. Otto hung back with Oskar and said, “I assume you vetted these men?”

“As well as I could in the few days I had. Both are merchant men and neither has any dealing with the city as far as I can determine. They care nothing for politics, only my promise of gold. Besides, how stupid would they have to be to betray a ship full of wizards?”

“Fair point. Look after our horses. With any luck we should have this wrapped up in a couple weeks.”

“Count on me, my lord.”

Otto clapped him on the shoulder and hurried up the gangplank where an impatient Wolfric stood tapping his toe. “I assume we can leave now?”

“As far as I’m concerned. Oskar will take care of things here.”

Ready though they were, the ships stayed in dock for another hour before the tide and wind were correct for launch. As soon as they were, the ships set sail.

Otto stood beside Corina near the rail and out of the sailors’ way. He wasn’t going to pretend to be happy about going to sea again so soon, but the assassin threat wouldn’t wait. He swallowed a sigh. Things had been going so well up until now.

While he might find torture distasteful,