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

if he ever got his hands on Eddred of Markane, he might just make an exception.

Chapter 20

“I had always heard that the walls of the City of Coins were impressive,” Wolfric said. “It seems that was no exaggeration. How will we get inside?”

Otto and Wolfric stood in the front of the first ship and studied the distant city. Even from several miles away, the walls looked massive in the midday sun. Otto guessed their height at several hundred feet and probably another hundred thick. The only way in was the port. When they were raised, the walls were built solid without gate. They ran from the ocean’s edge in a semicircle back to the shore again. Even worse, enchantments had been woven into the stone to protect it from magical attack.

The harbor didn’t look any easier to approach. A pair of massive towers held a chain that could rise to block any ships from entering and they were protected by the same magic as the walls.

“We don’t necessarily have to get inside,” Otto said. “We can just burn it down from a distance, assuming they refuse to give us what we want. After all, the city isn’t our enemy, the assassins are.”

“If the city’s rulers are giving shelter to the assassins, then they are our enemy as well.” Wolfric crossed his arms and his face settled into that hard, stubborn scowl Otto had come to know and dislike.

“I’m confident that once we explain their situation, whoever’s in charge of the city will do the right thing. They may need a bit of coaxing, but that’s what we brought the war wizards for.”

“Sail off the starboard bow!” the lookout called from above.

Otto sent his sight out over the water and quickly spotted the small sloop headed their way. It held a dozen sailors and one wizard. Not an attack force then, probably someone coming to ask their intentions and decide if they could be trusted to enter the harbor.

He blinked his sight back and said, “The welcoming committee. They can carry our message back to their masters.”

“They won’t try something foolish, will they?” Wolfric asked. Otto couldn’t decide if he was hoping they’d attack or concerned that they might.

“Not with the tiny force they’ve sent, assuming they’re not suicidal. I suspect it’s a formality for visiting merchants. Either way, we’ll know soon enough. Captain, slow us down and prepare to receive guests.”

There was a shout of acknowledgement followed by orders to do things with the sails. Otto still didn’t fully understand the processes aboard ship and he didn’t especially care to. As long as the sailors knew their business and got him where he wanted to go, that was enough.

Ten minutes later even those on deck could see the approaching ship. They were lowering their own sails and slowing as they came closer.

“Do you want to do the talking or shall I?” Otto asked.

“You start and I’ll jump in if I want to add anything,” Wolfric said.

Otto nodded and a few minutes later a rope ladder was lowered to the smaller sloop. The wizard climbed up first. She wore a crisp sailor’s uniform in white and gold with polished black boots. A shield of modest power surrounded her. If that was the extent of her power, then she represented no threat.

When she stepped aside, an older man Otto assumed commanded the ship joined her on deck. He wore an identical uniform, though his stretched tight across a massive chest. Tattoos covered his bare arms and a brass-hilted arming sword dangled from his hip.

“Welcome to the City of Coins,” the man said with a bright, warm smile that seemed totally out of place on his blocky, scarred face. “I’m Captain Hotic of the city navy. What have you come to trade?”

“My name is Otto Shenk of the New Garen Empire. We are here because a group of assassins called the Coiled Serpent attempted to kill the emperor and myself. Your leaders allow them to operate openly in the city. We require that all members of that group be turned over to us for punishment.”

A much more appropriate scowl replaced the captain’s smile. “We don’t take kindly to demands. All are welcome to do business here. What happens outside our walls does not concern us. If you have a problem with assassins in your empire, that is hardly our concern. I suggest that if you have nothing to trade, you turn your ships around and sail back where you came from before we send you to the bottom of the sea.”

Wolfric stepped in front of Otto. “And I suggest that you tell whoever’s in charge that they’d best hand over the people I want or we’ll burn the city down, assassins and all. You have until sunrise tomorrow.”

The female wizard started a spell.

The moment she did, Otto crushed her shield, wrapped a tentacle of ether around her neck, and drove her to her knees. “None of that, now. We only need your captain to deliver our message. Behave, or he can take your body back as a warning.”

Her magic clawed at his tentacle, but her feeble power didn’t come close to breaking his grip.

The captain went for his sword.

He only drew it halfway before Borden and Hans both had their own weapons at his throat.

“I suggest you calm down,” Otto said. “Before you make us do something you’ll regret.”

Captain Hotic eased his half-drawn sword back into its sheath and Otto released his grip on the wizard.

“That’s better,” Otto said. “Now, tell whoever’s in charge of your city what we said. I assure you it’s no idle threat. We’ve brought enough war wizards to do the job with some to spare. Your wizard can confirm that’s the truth. Now run along.”

The pair climbed back into the sloop and Otto shoved the ships apart. He doubted the city fathers would see reason right away. Some people needed a slap in the face from reality. They’d have to keep a close watch tonight lest