Ryris repositioned his rear end once more. He reminded himself that when he finally arrived in Hewe, he would be able to enjoy a hot beverage and hearty meal. Looking off to the horizon, he saw dark clouds billowing in the northwest. A cold wind picked up, assaulting his face with blowing leaves.
~~~
The Foolish Pig Tavern and Inn was warm and inviting despite the strange name.
When he arrived in the small hamlet of Hewe, Ryris had just enough time to cover his wagon before the snow fell. By the time he had gathered his belongings and headed toward the inn, the flakes were flying with such intensity they stung his face. Although it reminded him of home, he wasn’t prepared to encounter snow so soon. Acclimated to the balmy weather of Keld, he found himself irritated to once again encounter winter’s wrath. Sitting at a small table in the center of the room, he cradled the steaming cup of hot chocolate between his frozen fingers and inhaled the sweet aroma. Instantly, his hands began to thaw and, as he drank deeply, his body warmed.
A bard sat against the far wall, picking away on a lute as he sang a tune about giants. Two men laughed obnoxiously at the bar, obviously enjoying their mead. At the table next to Ryris, a father and his kids fought over who got the last roll in the basket. The older man settled the argument by grabbing the pastry and stuffing it into his mouth with a satisfied smirk. A steaming pot pie appeared in front of Ryris, the friendly waitress handing him a spoon with a smile. “House specialty. You won’t find one better in all the empire.”
He smiled his acknowledgement and dug in. Ravenous from his journey, he regretfully forgot to blow a cooling breath on his first bite. The roof of his mouth immediately felt like it was coated in lava. An emergency drink from his hot chocolate did nothing to squelch the fire of molten potatoes and cream sauce currently burning his tongue to a cinder.
A hand tapped his shoulder, and he turned to see the roll-stealing man, holding out a glass of water. Ryris greedily accepted the cup and drank until it was empty. Wiping his mouth with an embarrassed smile, he painfully mumbled to his savior. “Thank you for saving what’s left of my mouth.”
“Been there, done that.” The man winked. “Where’d you wander in from? I can tell you’re not from around here…your clothes are too nice.”
“Keld. By way of Blackthorne, actually.”
The man’s expression fell somber. “Keld, eh? Sad business about the emperor. Real sad. He was a good man.” The man took a long draught from a battered ale mug. “What brings you all the way up here?”
“Ingredients.” Ryris extended his hand for the man to shake. “I’m an alchemist. Name’s Ryris Bren.”
The man accepted the gesture, squeezing Ryris’ hand firmly. “Erold Lythe.” He pointed to the pair of siblings accompanying him. “And these are my boys, Alix and Jord.”
“Nice to meet you. Say, you wouldn’t happen to know anything about the caves up on the mountain, would you?” Ryris pointed out the window at the peak, shrouded in snow flurries and darkness. “I’m looking for a very specific item.”
Erold motioned to his sons. “These two can tell you, I reckon. Even though I tell them not to go up there—I know they do.” He gave them an all-knowing eye. Embarrassed, the boys looked away, pretending to be distracted by the dancing bard.
“Have either of you heard of aegis mold?”
The two boys looked at each other, shrugging their shoulders. The older of the two siblings spoke for both of them. “Can’t say that we have.”
Ryris took a small book from his satchel, thumbing through the well-worn pages. He stopped at a picture of a greenish-yellow substance. Leaning over to set it on their table, he tapped the image. “Looks like this. In the summer it’s wet and squishy, but right about now it’ll get dried out. The green color will deepen and it’ll start to flake off the sides of the cave walls.”
Jord brought the book closer to him and his brother, scrutinizing it. After a moment, he finally replied. “Y’know…I have seen this stuff. There’re a few caves above town that have it. It really stinks.”
Ryris chuckled. “That it does. But it’s essential in a lot of potions that enhance personal defense. It’s a hot seller—and I’m almost out back at my shop.”
The younger child chimed in, his eyes widened in awe of the mystery alchemist. “Do you cook the mold?”
“Sort of.” Ryris accepted his book back from the older boy as he continued. “It’s really dry and flaky, so I mix it with something called ‘base fluid’ before I boil it in a crucible with some other things. It’s really thick and smelly at first, so it needs to bubble for a long time. It sticks to the side of the beaker like glue. After it’s finally thinned out, I put the liquid into something called an alembic. It distills the potion, and increases the potency. It takes a while to get it just right, but it’s worth it.”
“Sounds gross.” Alix wrinkled his nose in disgust.
“Got that right.” Ryris winked. “But that’s the fun part of alchemy. Sometimes you know what’s going to happen…and sometimes no matter how prepared you are, it still blows up in your face.” Both boys laughed as he gestured an explosion with his hands, before turning his attention back to Erold. “Is there a merchant in town that can restock me on some essentials before I head up the mountain?”
“If you need weapons, I’m your man. Otherwise, go see my brother-in-law at The Wolf’s Wrath; he’s got everything else you’ll need—and then some.”
“The Wolf’s Wrath? Interesting name.”
“The idiot got bit by one decades ago, before he ever opened the store. Lost a few fingers. My sister named the place to remind him of his stupidity.” Erold smiled devilishly, obviously amused by his relative’s misfortune. Then he flagged the waitress down so he could pay her. “When are you planning to go up the mountain? The path starts right outside of to—“
Jord interrupted. “I can show you where the caves are. You’ll never make it up there by yourself.”
“Now Jord…” Erold scolded. “It ain’t right to assume this young man can’t handle himself out in the wilderness.”
Ryris raised a hopeful eyebrow. “Actually, a guide would be nice. If you’ll allow it, that is. I don’t want to put your son in unnecessary danger. I’ll pay him, of course. It’ll be an honest days’ work.”
Erold thought for a long moment before slapping Jord on the back. “My boys are tough. They’ll get you to the caves.”
Ryris held out his hand to Jord. “Deal?”
The teen shook the alchemist’s hand firmly. “Deal. Alix and I can meet you at the trailhead tomorrow morning at dawn. Dress warm, it gets really cold up there. And bring water and some food, just in case we get stranded.”
“Stranded?”
Alix took over the conversation. “It happens. You can just hide in a cave and wait out the storms. We’ll bring a fire starter stone just in case. Don’t worry, we won’t let you die or anything.”
Ryris had to laugh slightly as he replied. The thought of dying on the mountain wasn’t something he had anticipated, so he brushed it off to save his sanity. He didn’t want to give himself nightmares. Maybe the kids were just being dramatic to get more pay at the end of the day. “I appreciate it.”
Erold stood, his boys following. “C’mon now, let’s give Mr. Bren some peace so he can enjoy his dinner. Should be plenty cool by now.” He offered Ryris a sly wink.
Ryris also stood, shaking the older man’s hand one last time. “Thanks for lending me your sons.”
“They’re good boys, they won’t lead you astray.”
Jord and Alix shuffled past him, the younger boy looking up at the alchemist. “See you tomorrow, Mr. Bren.”
“Tomorrow.” He smiled at the boy before sitting once again. Ryris nervously poked at the still-steaming pie with his fork.
~~~
The morning was cold, Ryris’ breath lingering on the crisp air as he exhaled. A few inches of snow had fallen overnight, coating the rooftops in white splendor.
Looking out the door of the inn, he could imagine himself stepping out of his father’s shop in Blackthorne, off to the bakery on a snowy morning to get a loaf of bread.
He walked toward the back of town, where the two Lythe boys waited at the start of the trail. Each had a large pack on their shoulders, the older brother tightening his sibling’s straps as they stood in wait. Hewe still slept, the chimneys on the houses puffing gently. The stores were closed, the square empty. The only sounds permeating the hamlet this morning were the crunching of snow beneath the alchemist’s feet and the armorer stoking his forge in anticipation of the days’ work. As he approached, the younger boy waved excitedly.
“Hi, Mr. Bren!” Alix’ face lit up like a lantern, while his brother stood back and observed. It was obvious to Ryris that Jord was very protective of his brother, and was watching them very closely. He knew the boys trusted him—as did their father—but, after all, he was still a stranger. The older sibling was well within his right to be cautious until he felt comfortable.
Ryris picked up his walking pace, meeting up with the youngest Lythe. The boy held out a small, condensed bar, studded with grains and berries. “I brought you something for breakfast.”
Accepting the offering, he inhaled its delicate scent. “Home made?”
“Our mom picked the fruit herself. I’m sure she’d give you more if you wanted.”
Jord came up behind his brother, punching him in the arm, like brothers do. Alix went to hit him back, but stopped himself, keeping eye contact with Ryris. The alchemist could tell he was trying to behave in his presence. Never having a brother to share his time with, Ryris envied the two. It was obvious Alix looked up to his older sibling—and now to him. The way the younger boy looked on him with awe, especially last night when he was talking about his craft, made him wonder if Alix might even have alchemical aspirations.
“Mornin’, Mr. Bren.” Jord looked up at the cloudy sky. “We better not dawdle, looks like it might snow again later.”
“Please, call me Ryris.” He turned his attention to the mountains looming before them. “You think we should wait another day?”
“Nah. If it does snow, I don’t think it’ll be much. Just enough to be annoying…” Jord tousled his brother’s hair with a mischievous grin. “…like Alix.
“Shut up, Jord!” Alix kicked his brother’s shin and turned to pout.
Ryris shook his head with a laugh. He motioned to the mountain trail. “Shall we, then?”
Both boys nodded in agreement, Alix staying well away from his brother. Ryris hoped their tiff wouldn’t affect their journey. He knew the old adage, ‘boys will be boys’, but he really did have business to take care of, and his need for the ingredient was pressing. If he missed this small harvest window, he would have to wait until next winter. And that meant he would have to pay an arm and a leg for the mold from a specialty merchant.
Hours passed as they traversed the winding mountain path. The boys chattered away about their village, answering all of Ryris’ questions regarding the surrounding area. According to the brothers, Hewe and the small province it resided in was quiet and kept to itself. They hadn’t received a royal visit since before both boys were born. Their father was the town weapon smith, and their mother managed the small shop from which Erold sold his creations. Most of the men in the village worked in a crumbling silver mine in the valley to the east. The jewelry made from the spoils fetched a high price all over the kingdom.
Ryris learned that Alix enjoyed swimming in the cold mountain pools and climbing trees. It seemed he was definitely the more talkative of the two siblings, Jord only piping in when a query was directed at him—or when his brother answered incorrectly. Jord was very studious and precise when he spoke, reminding Ryris quite a bit of his younger self. When the alchemist had asked the older boy what he strived to be as an adult, he was very matter-of-fact in his answer. His father was a blacksmith and he would be a blacksmith. Both boys were being trained in the art of the smithy, although Alix wanted to attend Whitehaven University—for what, he didn’t quite know yet. Jord had become quite talented at the craft, and fully intended to take over the family business when his father retired. There was a striking sense of pride in the young man when he spoke of his family talent, and Ryris suddenly felt himself missing Blackthorne. The young man snapped him out from his brief melancholy when he unsheathed a beautifully ornate short sword for him to inspect.
Ryris marveled at the craftsmanship. He accepted it with reverence; he could tell the weapon was lovingly made. The hilt was wrapped in red leather embossed with runes, the silver pommel shining brightly even on the cloudy morning. The blade shone with brilliance Ryris had never seen before, intricate swirls etched into the very metal it was struck from.
“This is incredible. Did your father make it?” Ryris handed the weapon back to its owner, the teen sheathing it at his side.
“I did.” Jord’s face beamed with pride.
Ryris was gob smacked. Jord couldn’t have been more than seventeen years old, and yet he produced such incredible work that most seasoned blacksmiths couldn’t even dream of. “This must have taken you forever.”
“Six weeks.” Jord sighed and shook his head at the memories. “I worked on it after school and when I wasn’t helping my father. This is the third try, mind you. The others—well, they ain’t as pretty.”
“No one is good at something their first go-around. If you heard half the stories about my failed potions…”
Alix interjected. “It blows up in your face, right?”
“Exactly!” Ryris took his pack off and let it drop unceremoniously to the snowy path. He stretched his arms up above his head with a pained grunt. “What do you say we take a breather for a few minutes? My back is killing me.”
The boys silently agreed with a shrug of their shoulders and also let their knapsacks tumble to the ground. Moments later, Jord produced a few strips of jerky, and offered one to his new companion. They ate in silence, enjoying the peacefulness of the mountain slope. The breeze was light, and the sun poked through the clouds every few minutes, casting momentary warmth on their chilled bodies. Ryris was definitely glad he wore gloves and a warm coat, because it became increasingly colder the higher they traveled. Alix’ voice brought him out of his reverie.
“Hey Jord, are we going to tell him about the cave lady?” He immediately regretted his impulsive, unthinking decision to bring the subject up, and clapped his hands over his mouth. The older boy gasped and looked at him incredulously. Jord slapped the back of his brother’s head sharply.
Ryris was suddenly very intrigued. “A lady? What lady?”
Jord shot his brother a stern warning glance. “N-nothing. He’s making up stories.”
The alchemist wasn’t buying his answer. There was something—or someone—in the caverns, and he wanted to know more. “Alix doesn’t seem to think it’s a story.”
“Way to go, dummy.” Jord stared his brother down as he hesitated, then sighed deeply. He pursed his lips as he decided whether or not to explain. He tossed his jerky into the bushes with a huff and began speaking again. “It’s not like you’ll believe us anyway. You’ll just think we’re stupid kids.”
Ryris leaned closer to the sitting boys, beckoning them to listen with his finger. “Let me tell you something you might not realize. I love mysteries. I love strange things, history, artifacts, you name it. And I most certainly believe you. Listen, you had me at ‘lady in a cave’.” He paused, watching the boys for their reaction. When they said nothing, he continued. “Tell me about her. Please?”
Alix looked to his brother for approval. Jord shrugged his shoulders and motioned for him to speak.
“We were playing up here one day, you know, exploring. We smelled something awful coming from one of the caves. It was dead oinox! So, we harvested the teeth to sell later.” Jord loudly cleared his throat and nudged his brother. “Okay…Jord harvested the teeth while I watched. Then there were these brer-rats figh
ting over the oinox meat and one ran away into the corner. And then we decided to check out the cave more, and that’s when we found her.”
“She was just sitting there in the rear of a dark cave?” He imagined a withered old woman, mumbling some insane chants as she enticed the boys into her lair.
“Not exactly.” Alix looked sheepishly down at his feet, kicking the pebbles of the path. “We…found this hole.”
“Hole?”
“You see…we were sorta…”
Jord finished his brother’s sentiment, exasperated. “We didn’t find the hole, we made it. Alix kicked the wall when he was trying to get away from me.”
The younger boy grumbled at his brother. “You were squeezing me too tight! See, there was this little rat, and Jord didn’t want to save it…he said I’d get bone rot if it bit me. But I wanted to free it, and…”
“Shut up Alix, he doesn’t care about the damn rat!”
Ryris held up a hand to stop the bickering. “Have you told anyone about the woman? Or the cave?”
“No. There’s still some bones left to salvage from the oinox and we don’t want anyone to take our treasure.” Ryris nodded his acknowledgement and let Jord continue. “And no one in the village would believe us anyway. They’d probably just want to wreck everything in the room if we told them.”
“Room? There’s a room? What’s in it? What does the lady look like? Is she alive? Dead? Did she talk to you?” Ryris couldn’t contain his excitement, and knew he probably sounded like a raving lunatic with his excessive questioning. He and the boys just might be on the precipice of some significant historical discovery, or perhaps close to uncovering an ancient crime. Whatever it was, he was determined to get a glimpse of the mysterious cavern woman.
The Alchemist: Dawn of Destiny Page 14
