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

of the market reached them before the sights. Merchants shouted about the quality of their wares. Others cried out with offers of food and drink. Everyone spoke the same language as Otto and his companions only with a dozen different accents.

As they walked through the market, Otto kept his eyes peeled for someone in black and red. This would be the most natural place for Lady White’s agent to try and spot them, especially if he didn’t want to attract attention.

“What are we looking for exactly?” Hans asked. The good sergeant kept a constant watch on the crowds and sounded nervous. He probably expected an attack at any moment.

“We aren’t looking for anything in particular,” Otto said. “We’re just getting a feel for the lay of the land.”

“It’s crowded, loud, smelly, and an attack might come from any direction,” Hans said. “What more do you need to know?”

Otto chuckled but said nothing. Hans would worry. It was his nature and part of his job as a bodyguard. No doubt losing Cord made him even more vigilant. Speaking of vigilant… “Has anyone seen any guards?”

“Plenty,” Axel said. “I think every stall had at least one.”

“Not them, I mean a city guard. People in uniform making sure no one gets murdered or robbed.”

“Oh, then no, I haven’t.”

“No officials, no guards, it’s like this city has no authority.” Otto frowned. There had to be someone in charge. The walls and docks didn’t maintain themselves. “Let’s find a tavern. There’s bound to be someone that can tell us what’s going on here.”

“We passed a stand selling maritime supplies a little ways back,” Wainwright said. “I want to go back and see what they have.”

“Take a couple scouts with you,” Axel said. “Cobb, pick a man and keep him safe.”

“Sure, send me when we’re on our way to a tavern.” Cobb grabbed the youngest looking of the bunch and set out behind Captain Wainwright.

Leaving the open-air market behind and moving into the city proper, Otto couldn’t help noticing the buildings. There was no cohesive style. People just built whatever they wanted. Single-story buildings, multistory buildings, shops, residences, and taverns all mingled at random.

“There’s a place.” Hans pointed across the street at a two-story building with a frothing mug on the sign. It looked reasonably maintained so they wouldn’t have to worry about it collapsing on their heads.

Otto led the way across the street and pushed through the swinging doors. As he expected at this time of day, the common room was nearly empty. A single table held five men that, judging by their weapons and scars, worked as mercenaries. The sole other occupant was the bartender, a slender, almost gaunt woman around forty wearing a simple tan dress.

He went to the bar while the others found them two tables.

“What can I get you, stranger?” the woman asked.

“A round of drinks and some information.”

She looked over his head, her dry, cracked lips moving as she counted the members of his party. “Drinks will be half an ounce of silver. Information is more costly.”

Otto placed a silver coin on the bar and she dug out a scale. A little weight went on one side and the coin on the other. When both sides stabilized, she shrugged and said, “Close enough,” and pocketed the coin. “I’ll bring your drinks then we can discuss your questions.”

“That’s fine, thank you.” Otto returned to the others and took a chair beside Corina.

“Learn anything?” she asked.

“I learned this city doesn’t mint its own coins. They sell by weight of metal. Probably wise given the different nationalities I saw in the market.”

A few minutes later, the bartender arrived carrying an overloaded tray that looked far too heavy for her skinny arms. She set the tray in the middle of the table and everyone helped themselves to a mug. Otto took one sniff, grimaced, and set his mug back down. He’d have to be considerably thirstier to drink that swill.

“Will you join us?” Otto asked. “I have many questions.”

“Do you have gold to pay for the answers?” she asked.

Otto placed a double eagle on the table. “I believe that should purchase anything I want to know.”

She licked her lips and nodded. “Yes, it will.”

When the bartender had dragged a chair over Otto said, “When we docked, there was no sign of a port authority or guards as we strolled through the market. Does this city have an organized government?”

“Not as such. The five most powerful merchant companies act as a city council of sorts, overseeing the docks and making sure the city doesn’t fall apart. But for the most part, people are expected to look after themselves. We all pay a small fee every month for collective maintenance, but that’s it.”

“So you could walk outside and murder someone and no one would arrest you?” Axel asked. “Sounds like chaos.”

She shrugged. “It is to an extent. And we like it that way. Who needs a bunch of smug nobles telling you what you can and can’t do? We have collectives that provide security. If you killed me, for example, the other members of the collective would hunt you down and kill you. Everyone knows the rules, except new arrivals, who learn quick or die quicker.”

“What about the Celestial Empire?” Otto asked. “They don’t mind having chaos on their southern border?”

“They don’t care about us. Their merchants come here with a small army to trade before crossing back over the wall. Our fate doesn’t interest them in the least.”

Otto perked up at the mention of a wall. “So their border is fortified?”

“Ha! That’s putting it mildly. Only registered merchants can cross and only with native guards. The wall is patrolled at all times and stretches from ocean to ocean. Magical guard beasts swim in the waters offshore, devouring anyone stupid enough to try and swim. No, trying to get into the empire uninvited is a death sentence.”

That was an unfortunate bit of news. His hopes of sneaking in without the help of Astaroth’s cult dimmed to