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

cutout in the shape of a jagged symbol Otto didn’t recognize revealed the tops of her impressive breasts. Her eyes glimmered with crimson fire against skin so pale her black veins were visible underneath.

She stopped at the foot of the gangplank and smiled up at them, bloodred lips parting just enough to reveal slightly elongated eyeteeth. “Welcome to the Land of the Demon Binders. You should be honored to know that you are the first guests we have welcomed in a hundred years.”

Otto wasn’t certain what he felt, but honored wasn’t it. “Thank you. Please, won’t you come aboard?”

She climbed the gangplank, looking perfectly at ease on the swaying board.

“No need to beat around the bush,” she said. “You told The Voice that you had trade goods. Of what sort and how much?”

“We have mithril—”

She hissed and scowled. “You will find no one interested in the vile metal here. In fact, it will be better for all of you if you take none of it off this ship. Continue, please.”

Otto couldn’t have been more shocked by her reaction. Everyone valued mithril, or so he’d believed. “We have some fine liqueurs and high-quality weapons. Perhaps if I knew what you valued…”

Her smile returned. “Why don’t you just show me what you have and I’ll tell you what I want. Fair enough?”

He didn’t think it was fair at all, but they were desperate, so he nodded. “Follow me. All our trade goods are in the hold.”

They descended into the ship’s interior. Axel and the scouts must have retreated into their quarters as there was no sign of them. Otto led their guest to the modest hold and opened the door.

The mithril was locked inside wooden chests—a precaution that seemed especially prudent now. Swords, armor, and other items made by Garen’s finest smiths gleamed in the light of two Lux crystals.

She ignored them all and went straight to the giant feline hide they’d collected on the island. “Where did you get this? An intact skull with full cape of a six-legged leopard is very rare.”

“On the Island of Giant Beasts,” Otto said. “That’s also where the mast was broken.”

“I’ll trade you this pelt for a new mast, whatever help you need with repairs, and three months’ worth of rations.”

Otto stared at the woman but saw no sign she was joking. “I accept your offer. How soon can work begin?”

“An hour? I need only give the order.” She finally stood. “You are a wizard. Would you like to join me tonight for the summoning ritual? I’ll show you exactly why that pelt is so valuable.”

Never one to pass up the chance to learn new magic, Otto said, “I’d be delighted. May I ask your name?”

“Names have power. Only Lord Astaroth knows my true name now, but you may call me Lady White.”

“I’m Otto, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Her laugh was rich with darkness and malice. “No one has been pleased to meet me in a very long time. The work crew will arrive within the hour and I will send a palanquin for you after dark. Be sure to leave your mithril behind.”

Otto nodded, led her back upstairs, and blew out a long breath after she’d gone.

“Are you sure going with her is a good idea, Master?” He’d nearly forgotten Corina was even there so distracted had he been by Lady White’s presence.

“Never let fear hold you back from learning something new. You’ll never advance like that. Besides, if she wanted us dead, I suspect we’d already be feeding the creatures of the deep.”

Even after sunset the fog showed no sign of thinning. Otto stood on deck examining the new forward mast. The workers Lady White had sent seemed human, albeit thin and poorly dressed. His first thought had been slaves, but they wore no irons and bore no brands. Nor did they speak, either to each other or to the crew. In the end, Captain Wainwright had ordered his people to stay out of the way and let the workers do their thing.

That proved to be a good decision and soon enough the new mast was in place. The captain, though troubled by the workers’ behavior, deemed their efforts acceptable. He assured Otto that they would be able to sail in the morning with no trouble.

Otto liked the sound of that. Though they had been treated hospitably enough, he had no desire to linger. On the other hand, he couldn’t deny his excitement at the prospect of learning a new form of magic. Whatever Lady White had planned, it was bound to be interesting.

The sound of loud, clattering footsteps approaching through the fog drew his attention. That must be his transport.

Hans and Corina waited beside the gangplank to see him off. Neither Axel or his scouts had set foot out from below deck since they arrived. He doubted his brother was scared, but maybe the corruption was proving too much for them. Otto couldn’t blame them if it was.

“Be careful, my lord,” Hans said.

“Yeah, that Lady White seems a little off,” Corina added.

“Both of you calm down. Everything’s going to be fine. Besides, I engraved a rune at the base of the gangplank in case I need to flee quickly. Getting out of the harbor in this fog and with the monsters guarding the water is another matter, but I have taken precautions.”

From out of the fog, a palanquin born by four creatures from your worst nightmare appeared. They had humanoid bodies, but that was where the resemblance ended. Each one had the head of a vulture; black, rotten wings; hands that ended in talons; and skeletal feet that should have crumbled under the weight of their burden.

The palanquin itself appeared to be an ordinary wooden box about six feet by eight and seven feet tall. Perfectly comfortable for a single passenger, as long as you didn’t dwell on what was carrying you.

With more confidence than he felt, Otto strode down the gangplank, never looking back lest he give Hans