Bound as they were, the mercenaries couldn’t even scream.
Otto kicked them over onto the floor and repeated the process on their feet at the ankles. With them dealt with, he returned his attention to the bartender. A small adjustment to the binding spell allowed her to speak. “Please. I didn’t know you were a wizard.”
“Obviously. Do you think that makes me any happier? Is the poison you gave my companions fatal?”
“No! No, they’re just knockout drops. Lethal poisons are too expensive.”
“Of course. Once the unlucky people are unconscious, a dagger to the throat is cheap.” Otto rested his still-flaming sword on her shoulder, drawing a pained screech. “Tell me, what’s the job market like for a bartender with no hands?”
Tears streamed down her face. “What do you want?”
“Are there any other ways into the empire? Surely there are smugglers.”
“No. I swear, the imperials have cut off every means across the border. Unless you can fly, it’s the gate or nothing.”
Otto saw nothing to indicate she was lying. “Very well. I’m going to spare your worthless life and in exchange, you’re going to tell your friends we are not to be messed with. Spread the word far and wide. If I have any more trouble during my time here, I’m coming for you. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly. Thank you.”
Otto nodded and collected his double eagle from the table. Now he just needed to wait for everyone to wake up so they could find an inn. Preferably one that didn’t poison their drinks or try to murder the clientele.
The knockout drug only lasted an hour. One by one the others came around, groaning and rubbing their faces. The bartender was long gone with orders not to return until Otto and his companions had left. Her thugs lay where he’d left them. Most of them had passed out from shock, but one unfortunate fellow remained conscious, whimpering in the fetal position. Otto had no pity for the would-be murderer. When you lived by the sword, you best be ready to die by it.
“What happened?” Corina asked.
“Our charming hostess drugged your ale,” Otto said. “Lucky for all of us that I prefer wine. It seems poisoning and robbing patrons from outside of the city is a sideline for them. It was nothing I couldn’t handle. How are you feeling?”
“Like I swallowed a rat’s nest and termites crawled into my brain.” Corina groaned and laid her face on the table.
“Try channeling ether through your body. That should help purge any toxins.”
“What about the rest of us?” Axel asked in a pained voice.
Otto took a breath and sent a fine mist of ether through his brother’s body. Axel’s eyes popped open and he stared at Otto. The spell lasted only seconds, but hopefully it wiped out any poison in Axel’s system.
“Better?”
“Much.” Axel chuckled. “Where were you when I used to go out on a bender in Castle Town?”
“Probably sound asleep in my bed like you should have been.”
Otto repeated the spell for Hans, then the rest of the soldiers. When he had everyone back in fighting form he stood and said, “If the bartender can be believed, there are inns that offer protection as part of their services. I want to rent a room where I can leave a rune in case I need to flee quickly. Hans, you and your squad will be in charge of security.”
Hans nodded and Axel asked, “What about me and the scouts?”
“Having seen the state of this city, you will focus on protecting the ship and Wainwright as he handles our resupply. Corina, you’ll help out wherever you’re needed. If we find a reliable inn, I suggest eating there as a group just in case.”
No one argued and they quickly set out from the tavern. Otto led the way deeper into the city toward some of the bigger buildings. He assumed some of them would be inns. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a figure in black, but as he turned for a closer look, whoever it was slipped into an alley and out of sight.
Cursing his luck, Otto focused on the task at hand. If that had been his contact, he or she would try again later. Right now, finding a secure base of operations was most important.
The first inn they found had a red tile roof, three stories, and half a dozen guards dressed in leather armor and carrying crossbows and short swords patrolling the outside. It looked promising, but Otto didn’t want to raise his hopes too high.
As they neared, four of the guards raised their weapons while the remaining two stepped off the porch to greet them. Not wanting to risk getting shot, Otto bound their triggers. The guards wouldn’t notice anything amiss unless they tried to fire and if they did that, he’d kill them all before they had a chance to complain.
“What’s your business here?” the right-hand guard asked.
“We need a room for six guests,” Otto said. “My other companions will be coming and going from time to time. Having seen a bit of this city, security is paramount for our needs.”
“That is an expensive list of requirements,” the guard said. “I assume you have gold to pay for it.”
“Payment isn’t an issue, but the last time I showed my gold, I was nearly killed and robbed, so you’ll understand my reluctance.”
The guard’s stony expression finally cracked into a faint smile. “If you weren’t completely correct in everything you just said, I’d be offended on behalf of my city. As it is, I need some proof of payment before I can let you in to negotiate with the overseer.”
“Fine. I killed the last group of thieves. If I have to, I can kill a second.” Otto reached into his pocket and pulled out the same double eagle he’d shown the bartender.
“Now that’s a coin. Okay, weapons down, boys. We have a new guest. Follow me to the overseer.”
The other guards lowered their crossbows but continued to watch with narrow, suspicious eyes. He didn’t blame them. In fact, if he was going to stay here, he’d prefer suspicious guards. By the same token, Otto waited until they were inside to remove his spell.
“Wow.” Corina gaped at the inside of the inn.
Otto agreed with the sentiment even if he controlled his expression better than his apprentice. The common room was decorated with white silk tablecloths. Red lanterns hung from the ceiling casting a warm glow over the room. Attractive female servants in skimpy red dresses carried drinks to the handful of occupied tables. The guests were dressed in fine robes and tunics. At least three different nationalities were represented among the guests.
Everyone looked up when Otto and his companions entered. Apparently a large, armed group wasn’t that strange and they quickly went back to their meals. Their guide led them to a small desk off to one side of the room where a portly man with a long gray beard and expensive silk robe stood waiting.
He eyed them with the same narrow, suspicious eyes as the guards outside. “Samhain, what have you brought me?”
“Guests, sir,” the guard said. “They have gold.”
The portly man’s face brightened at once. “Well now, that’s fine. Run along, Sam, I have matters to discuss with our newest guests.”
“Yes, sir.” Sam took his leave, hurrying through the common room and out the door.
“So, what can I do for you fine people? But where are my manors? I am Clarendon, the owner of this establishment.”
“We need a room,” Otto said. “Members of my group will be coming and going and I’m not certain how long I’ll need the room, so I’d like to pay for a month in advance.”
“No problem at all, sir. We have several rooms available. A monthly rental will cost you six ounces of gold. Food and drink are extra.”
Otto placed two double eagles on the table and Clarendon pulled out a scale. He weighed the coins against a lead disk. “Looks like about seven ounces. Shall we call it five weeks?”
“That’s fine. Can you show us the room now?”
Clarendon gave a pained expression and snapped his fingers. One of the scantily clad serving girls hurried over and bowed. “Show our new guests to room sev
en.”
Otto accepted an iron key and followed the girl upstairs to a room marked with a golden seven. “Here you are, sir.”
She bowed again and hurried away. Otto pushed the door open. The room itself was quite large, with a living area and two bedrooms. More of a small apartment than an inn room.
“For what that thief charged, I expected more,” Axel said.
“It is sufficient.” Otto went to the left-hand bedroom.
There was plenty of clear space between the bed and the wall. A few deft slashes carved a rough symbol. Next he poured ether into it until it glowed in his magical vision. That should last at least a year or until he erased it.
He stepped back out of the room and said, “We’re all set here. Hans, no one sets foot in that room until I’m back. Understood?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Axel, let’s return to the ship. Hopefully Captain Wainwright has completed his shopping without getting his throat cut.”
Axel chuckled though Otto hadn’t really been joking. They left Hans and his squad in the room and started toward steps.
Corina started to join them, but Otto said, “Stay here until we’re sure we weren’t followed.”
She pouted but turned back. Satisfied that she wouldn’t abandon her post, Otto went downstairs. At the foot of the steps his gaze was immediately drawn to a woman dressed in an all-black dress with a slit running to the hip standing beside an empty table. Their gazes met and she shifted, revealing a rose tattoo on her right thigh.
No question about it then, this was his contact. “Go on ahead of me. I’ll catch up.”
Axel looked from Otto to the woman and back. “Careful, little brother. She might be more than you can handle.”
Otto snorted. “We have a mutual friend. She’s supposed to be my way into the empire.”
“All the same, be careful.” Axel waved and led his scouts out of the inn.
Otto angled over to the woman. As he approached, he looked her over closer. Judging from her skin tone and black hair, she hailed from the Celestial Empire. In fact, she could have been Ulf’s younger, more attractive, sister.
He stopped across the table from her. “You’re Lady White’s associate?”
“And you are Otto. She told me a great deal about you.” Her voice held a warm, melodic tone like that of a singer. “My name is Jet and I have great confidence we will accomplish our mutual goals. Shall we sit and talk?”
Otto moved around the table and pulled her chair out for her before seating himself. With a thought, a bubble of ether surrounded them preventing anyone from listening in.
“So, from what I’ve heard, getting into the empire is a daunting proposition. How can you accomplish it?”
She smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. “Simple. I’m a registered merchant. I can come and go pretty much as I please. When we reach the wall, you’ll have to hide in a special compartment. Once we’re across, you’ll be in danger of execution every moment should you be found. As will I and all those with us.”
“Risky. What did the Cult of Astaroth have to offer a beautiful, obviously rich woman to convince you to put everything you have in danger?”
“I am all those things, but time will eventually claim everything that I have. Astaroth offers eternal life to all those that serve him. You spent time with Lady White?”
“Some.”
“She is beautiful as well.”
“Very,” Otto agreed.
“She is also over two centuries old. Her heart hasn’t beat for most of that time. Her demonic servants grant her immense power.” A hungry look came over her. “I want that power for myself. Rich as I am, I’m still weak compared to imperial officers. If I say or do the wrong thing, it could all be taken away. If we succeed, my place in the Immortal Circle is assured. I will gamble everything on that.”
Otto didn’t know what the Immortal Circle was, but he assumed it was some high office in the Cult of Astaroth. He also didn’t doubt Jet’s sincerity. The woman was as determined as Otto himself.
That made him feel considerably better about putting his fate in her hands.
Chapter 36
After their meeting, Otto set out with Jet’s caravan the next day. He traveled light, carrying only the clothes on his back, his mithril sword, and a modest sum of gold. Everything else he left on the ship under Axel’s supervision. There was enough wealth in the hold to resupply them several times over, so he had no fear that the others would have problems on that front. Surviving the madness that was Port Han was another matter altogether.
Given their considerable skills, he felt certain Hans and Axel would manage. Should worst come to worst, Corina’s magic would be an important asset as well. He said a silent prayer to any angel that might be listening that they avoided serious trouble.
“You look lost in thought,” Jet said.
They were seated side by side on the bench of the center wagon of her modest caravan. The journey to the border took three days so he wouldn’t have to hide for a while. Having seen the tiny smuggling compartment, he was happy to avoid it for as long as possible.
“Just worried about my people in Port Han. That is a city unlike any I have ever visited.”
She offered a bright smile. “There are certainly none like it in the Celestial Empire. The lords and ministers all desire order and control. Anything that interferes with that gets dealt with. Harshly.”
“When you say lords, you mean the Lords of Alchemy?”
She blinked in surprise. “You’ve heard of them? I’m surprised. Few outside of the empire would recognize their name. Yes, the lords are the true power in the empire since Lord Xi Cheng died. The emperor, may he rule for a thousand—”
Jet stopped in midsentence and spat over the side of the wagon. “Excuse me. I hate myself every time I repeat that stupid expression. He may sit on the throne, but that’s all he’s in charge of.”
Replacing a minister made more sense now, especially if they were the ones that wielded real power. “Are there many others who feel as you do?”
“Not that many. The empire has run this way for thousands of years. The majority are content with the current system and those who aren’t have already been either executed or driven out. Only those able to hide their true feelings and work within to undermine the system remain. But with your help, we will finally make our first decisive move.”
Otto glanced at the guards marching alongside the wagons. They didn’t so much as flinch at her seditious words.
“Don’t worry,” Jet said. “Everyone that is a part of my caravan is also a member of the cult. Their loyalty to Astaroth and our mission is absolute.”
Otto nodded, only somewhat relieved. In his experience, you could never rule out a spy or traitor in your midst.
“What, exactly, is the plan? Lady White was a little vague on the details.”
“The goal is simple.” They had fallen a little behind the lead wagon, so Jet flicked the reins prompting the mules to pick up the pace. “One of our members has worked his way up to second minister of the interior, a powerful position that oversees the day-to-day operations of the peacekeepers. Once his immediate superior is eliminated, he will move into the fifth highest post in the empire.”
“And you need me to kill this minister?” Otto asked.
“He is protected every moment by a force of twelve, totally loyal guards, the finest warriors in the empire. An ordinary assassin would have no hope of success, but a wizard is another matter. You can kill him from a mile away and no one will know.”
That was a bit of an exaggeration, but not a huge one. “Surely someone so important will have at least one wizard among his guards.”
“Wizardry of the sort you know is frowned upon. Those born with the ability to see the ether are trained as alchemists and eventually join the lords. It’s their way of controlling a potential threat.”
So even here wizards were treated as second-class citizens with no real control over
their fate. He would have dearly liked to help those that wished for a different life, but had neither the time nor the power to do so, not yet anyway.
“And what is it you wish us to do for you in exchange? I assume it is more than simply passage into the empire.”
“I’m looking for an artifact that would have belonged to Lord Cheng called the Heart of Alchemy. I assume you have some idea where I might find such a thing.”
“Indeed. I know exactly where you must look. The Forbidden Garden. Getting in and out of it alive is another matter.”
Otto swallowed a sigh. Why weren’t these things ever hidden in a place called the Garden of Delights?
“There it is,” Jet said.
The caravan had stopped on a hill overlooking the border wall. And what a wall it was. Nearly as tall as the one surrounding the City of Coins and with more guard towers, this barrier would keep out an army. Maybe not one equipped with magical armor like in Colt’s Land, but anything less certainly.
Otto couldn’t begin to imagine how long it had taken to build and the less said about the cost, the better.
A dirt road led to an open gate wide enough to allow two wagons to enter at the same time. Otto counted fifty spearmen on the ground led by a smaller group armed with swords. On the wall itself, over a hundred archers manned stone watchtowers directly above the gate.
As he watched, another caravan approached, this one consisting of ten wagons and forty guards. One of the swordsmen marched up to the lead wagon and a discussion was held. A pouch was exchanged and after a cursory examination, they were allowed to pass.
Seemed simple enough. Hopefully it went as well for Otto and his companions as it did for the last group.
“I suppose it’s time for me to hide,” he said.
“That would be best,” Jet agreed. “If the head guard dislikes our looks, he may order a closer search. Rest assured, the smuggling compartment has been used many times without being found. Stay calm and all will be well.”
The Heart of Alchemy Page 17
