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

being out to sea, felt an overwhelming need to feel the earth beneath his feet. Uther and the rest of the crew followed at a more sedate pace.

Eddred sighed. “It’s good to be home.”

Beside him, Uther snorted. “This little patch of dirt is no more your home than it is mine. Where is your master? We need to plan our next move. You know that bastard Shenk isn’t going to be sitting still for long.”

As if summoned by Uther’s words, an ethereal projection of Lord Valtan appeared a short distance away. Everyone but Uther bowed.

“What happened?” Valtan asked.

“The assassins lost their nerve!” Uther said before Eddred had a chance.

“Two Garenland ships loaded with wizards showed up in the City of Coins’s harbor,” Eddred said. “Wolfric demanded the assassins be handed over or they’d burn the city to the ground. Otto’s war wizards made a credible start the first day. And that night he set a bunch of ghouls loose in the streets. They killed more people than the fire.”

Valtan shook his head. “Is there no depth the man won’t sink to?”

“The city lords decided to make a deal,” Eddred continued. “The leader of the assassins promised not to accept a contract on Otto, Wolfric, or their loved ones in exchange for the city being spared. I have our payment on the ship.”

“So what do we do now?” Uther demanded. “It’s been nearly a year since I arrived and we’ve accomplished exactly nothing.”

Valtan turned his glowing gaze on Uther. “You are not a prisoner here. If you wish to take your chances elsewhere, by all means, go. A boat can be arranged by the end of the day.”

“I don’t know how to sail a boat,” Uther growled. “I just want to save my father and free my people. Killing Otto Shenk would be a nice bonus.”

“I share your frustration,” Valtan said. “But this was never an enemy that would fall quickly or easily. Though I had high hopes for the assassins.”

“I’ve had enough.” Eddred spoke so softly the others didn’t seem to hear him. “I said, I’ve had enough.”

Every gaze focused on him and his throat went dry.

“What are you saying?” Valtan asked.

“I’m saying, all we’re doing is making things worse. How many more people have died because of our efforts? If we’d just minded our own business, Garenland would have left us alone and our families would still be alive. Hiring the assassins only caused more people to suffer in the City of Coins. Worst of all, we’ve accomplished nothing to even slow Otto’s efforts. It’s time to let it go.”

Uther took a step towards him and for a moment Eddred feared the angry prince might strike him. “Let it go? You mean forget that my land has been conquered and my father made a slave?”

“Your father started this mess.” Eddred didn’t care what Uther did. He wouldn’t let the younger man pretend his precious father didn’t play a major part in the chaos that had infected the continent. “If Straken had curbed its ambition, none of this would have happened.”

“Enough!” The force of Valtan’s roar nearly put Eddred on his backside. “If Otto Shenk succeeds in his quest, what has happened up until now will seem a pleasant memory. Arcane Lords consume and destroy. It is what we are. Only by the narrowest of margins did I escape that fate and only then after seeing the horrors the others committed. Power and lack of experience will cause Otto to overreach, probably killing thousands in the process. He. Must. Be. Stopped!”

Eddred swallowed a sigh. That was exactly the response he’d expected. “Do you have a new plan? If it seems feasible, I will continue the fight. But not at the expense of more innocent lives.”

“Thank you, Eddred. Unfortunately, I don’t, as of yet, have a new plan. Take some time. Rest here. When I think of something, I’ll return.” So saying, Valtan vanished.

There was a modest, seemingly deserted village not far from the dock. Maybe they could find some fresh food and a clean bed. For now, that was the best Eddred dared hope for.

Chapter 29

As Otto stepped out of the portal into Lux, a warm spring breeze washed over him. After the madness with the assassins and the City of Coins, the rest of the winter passed without issue. Otto focused his time on researching the Celestial Empire, both with Ulf and on his own using the library in Lord Karonin’s armory.

His master had very little to say about the empire. It seemed she and Lord Xi Cheng didn’t like one another and avoided each other as much as possible. The way she said this made it clear that further questions wouldn’t be welcome. It seemed that, despite there only being six of them, the Arcane Lords didn’t all especially like one another. Too many big personalities, Otto suspected. No doubt only Amet Sur’s overwhelming power kept them from going to war against each other. That and the distance between their various empires.

He shook his head at the pointless speculation and stepped aside to make room for the rest of his team. Axel was coming, along with ten scouts, and Hans and his squad rounded out the combat portion of the group. Corina would be joining of course. If he left his apprentice behind, he’d never hear the end of it. Besides, he found her company pleasant and sometimes even insightful. On a journey of over ten thousand miles, having another wizard to talk to would be welcome and he didn’t want to bring any of the war wizards on the off chance more trouble sprang up in his absence.

When the last member of the team emerged, Otto deactivated the portal and led the way toward the dock. Henry, his agent in Lux, fell in beside them.

“I trust everything is ready,” Otto said.

“Yes, my lord. All the supplies I could fit on board your ship, plus the special trade goods. If you don’t mind my saying so,