The Alchemist's Key

by Traci Harding

  Louisa opened her mouth to retort, but realised that to deny what he said would be a lie. How could he know me so well? she wondered on the quiet, hanging her head as she had no response.

  ‘I figured as much,’ Hugh resolved, and left Louisa to dine alone.

  Come Sunday morning, Wade felt so high that he decided to walk back to Ashby.

  Hannah excused herself from going with him on the pretext that she still had much work to do on the new dance curriculum. She vowed to make it over to see his excavation later in the week. Wade suspected that Hannah had no desire to confront Louisa after Friday night’s episode, which he felt was fair enough.

  After passing through the village, Wade cut across country as the locals did — it was all his property anyway.

  He rounded the house to find Louisa loading her belongings into her sports car. ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘I wanted to get moving before Hugh wakes up,’ she replied.

  ‘Love ’em and leave ’em, hey?’ Wade jested, sure that Hugh and Louisa would have figured out how they felt about each other in his absence.

  ‘Hardly. We had a bit a falling out, I’m afraid.’

  ‘God, you two are hopeless.’ Wade threw his arms in the air, still smiling broadly.

  ‘You obviously had a good night.’ Louisa lowered her sunglasses to view him better.

  ‘Outstanding!’ he emphasised, but when he noted how puffy Louisa’s eyes were, he dropped the cheery demeanour.

  ‘Jesus, Louisa, what the hell happened here last night?’

  She quickly replaced the sunglasses, which would otherwise not have been necessary as the day was rather overcast. ‘Nothing that I won’t get over.’ She forced half a smile and climbed into the car.

  Wade was suddenly struck with guilt. ‘I should have come back here. I’m so sorry, Louisa. It was very rude of me to invite you and then —’

  ‘Nonsense,’ she told him. ‘I’m glad you worked things out with Hannah, truly I am. If I hadn’t been so damned selfish in the first place, you wouldn’t have had to stay away.’

  ‘Well, what did Hugh do to upset you like this?’

  Louisa stuck the keys in the ignition and started up the car. ‘He just hit me with a few home truths, which perhaps I wasn’t quite ready to face.’ She sniffed and released the handbrake. ‘I should thank him really, he certainly helped put my life in perspective.’

  As she waved, Wade spied the tears beneath her sunglasses as they began to flow down her cheeks. ‘I should have known better than to leave those two alone.’ He watched her drive away.

  Wade made straight to Hugh’s bedchamber, and was not entirely surprised to find him packing. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘What does it look like?’ Hugh continued to make haste about it. ‘I want to get out of here before Louisa wakes up.’

  ‘Louisa just left,’ Wade informed him. ‘Whatever went down between you two last night, it seems to have her pretty upset.’

  ‘She’s upset!’ Hugh scoffed. ‘She makes a mockery of my emotions, and she’s upset … typical!’ He took a seat on the bed to calm himself, and then looked at Wade.

  ‘You got your end in I presume?’

  ‘If you’re asking if I had a fantastic night of unrivalled passion, yes, I did.’ Wade grinned.

  ‘What about the boyfriend?’

  Wade shrugged, figuring it would be more diplomatic not to go into it. ‘I’m the boyfriend now.’

  ‘Well, good for you.’ Hugh tried to sound happy for him.

  ‘So.’ Wade decided to change the subject. ‘Did you discover anything interesting in my absence.’

  ‘Hell, yes, I almost forgot.’ Hugh raised himself and motioned Wade to follow him to the studio.

  ‘I’d like to take them to the labs at Oxford, and have the contents analysed.’ Hugh commented, after Wade had looked the crystal objects over.

  ‘No way … not until we find the key and the notebook.’

  ‘But —’

  ‘But nothing! Until I know exactly what these things are, nobody is to know about them, understood?’

  Hugh, although disinclined to, agreed.

  ‘If you want to do something useful, you could research these shapes and see what you can find out about them,’ suggested Wade.

  ‘Consider it done.’ Hugh gave a heavy sigh.

  ‘Now don’t be like that.’ Wade had seen this reaction in Hugh many times before. ‘These objects all appear well sealed. If you start mucking around with what you don’t fully comprehend, you’re liable to destroy them before we really know their function.’

  ‘But the substance inside, which I strongly suspect to be Ghost’s Gold, has been lost to science for centuries.’ Hugh pushed his view.

  ‘And it will remain lost, until such time as we figure out that machine’s function.’

  ‘I don’t think you understand,’ Hugh stressed. ‘You could be holding the key to human immortality in your hand.’

  ‘I know I am,’ Wade responded, looking one of the objects over. ‘John Ashby told me so.’

  ‘Well, this is bigger than you or me. You can’t just deny science —’

  ‘Don’t give me that!’ Wade interjected. ‘John Ashby, the creator of this device, saw fit to deny science what he knew, and I’m sure he had good reason. I will not betray his secret. Not yet.’

  ‘All right,’ Hugh caved first, ‘have it your way. But don’t blame me if the whole thing blows up in your face.’

  ‘I take full responsibility,’ Wade assured him.

  In the months that followed, Wade and Andrew turned the house upside down searching for the fabled key and diary of John Ashby. As the warmer months approached, however, Wade didn’t have as much time as he would have liked to dedicate to the search.

  Louisa requested that the Baron attend some of the training sessions of horses they were preparing for the imminent racing season. This side of the business he greatly enjoyed, but it was time-consuming.

  The Contessa was requiring his attention as the new wings of the college were being erected at an amazing rate. The plan was to have the new buildings operational for classes the following year. Although the Contessa was taking care of most of the furnishings and decoration, Wade was personally supervising the purchase of equipment, which demanded a good deal of his time.

  His new relationship with Hannah was also very important to Wade, and although she understood that he was a busy man at present, he set aside time to spend with her as well.

  Thus between all the women in his life, the young Baron’s spare hours were very few and far between.

  Hugh had been of some help with the house mystery, having chased up some information on the strange crystal shapes they’d pulled from the machine. He’d discovered that some of the esoteric schools of thought considered these shapes to be forms-with-power, especially when combined with crystal. These forms had varying vibrational frequencies that increased the energy of the material that was moulded in that form.

  As Hugh had suspected, the objects each related to one of the elements, as with the alchemic symbols on the dining room floor. The cube related to Earth, the octahedron to Air, the tetrahedron to Fire, the icosahedron to Water, and the dodecahedron to Space or Ether. The interesting thing was that, except for the dodecahedron that was featured in the centre, none of the shapes corresponded to the same directions as the symbols on the dining room floor. For example, the Earth symbol on the mosaic was depicted to the north. Yet the cube shape, also relating to Earth, was found in the box that was positioned to the east of the cross on the machine. In fact, all the corresponding shapes were one quarter turn past their compass position as depicted on the dining room floor moasic.

  This discovery prompted Wade, Andrew and Hugh to re-examine the machine room. Using large metal props to support the remains of the roof, they dug deeper into the refuse and discovered an archaic winch. This contraption connected to the large cross that had housed the crystal objects. The lever,
which was the control arm of the winch, was frozen in the ‘on’ position, and as hard as they tried to shift it into reverse it would not budge. Even when they’d replaced the crystal keys into their respective housing, the winch still remained frozen stiff.

  ‘We must need the key,’ Wade concluded, out of breath from trying to shift the weighty metal control arm.

  Hugh raised a brow and shrugged. ‘Then again, the mechanism could just be stuffed from being buried for so long.’

  ‘I don’t think so.’ Andrew slouched beside the Baron, just as exhausted. ‘I reckon that once we find the key —’

  ‘If,’ Hugh corrected.

  ‘Okay, if we find the key, then it will only be a simple matter of placing it, throwing the lever and all our problems will be solved.’

  Wade grinned at his young friend’s optimism. ‘There will be no way of returning Grace to the past, you mean.’

  ‘That, too.’ Andrew tried not to sound as excited by the prospect as he felt.

  ‘I sincerely hope it is that simple,’ Hugh voiced his view. ‘And, should that be the case, then may I take the keys to Oxford for examination?’

  Wade nodded to confirm this. ‘Then, you can do whatever you like with them, so long as this thing remains off.’

  ‘Here, here.’ Andy seconded that.

  The next day Wade voluntarily refrained from the search for the elusive key. Louisa was finally making good her promise of a day at the races and for the first time ever, Wade was going to the track in style.

  He felt like a million bucks in his new white shirt and long black coat. He’d even invested in a pair of trousers for the occasion.

  As the young Baron eyed himself over in the full-length mirror in his dressing room, he fancied himself as rather dashing. His ponytail and plain silver earring just gave him a touch of the windswept and interesting look in his opinion.

  ‘Lady Sinclair is awaiting you at the front of the manor, Sir.’ Talbot’s announcement snatched Wade from admiring himself, whereby he turned and made immediately for his date with destiny. ‘Wish me luck, Talbot.’ Wade slapped his butler’s shoulder on the way past him.

  ‘Lady Sinclair has spent a good deal of time and money to ensure that nothing as flippant as luck will be required.’ Talbot tipped his head and smiled. ‘I wish you every success, my Lord.’

  ‘Thanks, my man,’ Wade hung in the doorway long enough to wave. ‘If I win big, I’ll give you an early Christmas bonus.’

  ‘Well now …’ Louisa lowered her sunglasses to admire the Baron as he sprang down the stairs. ‘Don’t you look dashing.’

  ‘You think so?’ He turned a full circle to show off his new look.

  ‘Not too flashy, not too shabby … perfect,’ she assured, with a clap of delight. ‘So, are you ready for the winners’ circle?’

  ‘Hell, yes.’ Wade rubbed his hands together, anticipating one win after another. ‘The question is more whether the winners’ circle is ready for me?’ He moved his eyebrows up and down a few times before ducking into the back of the Rolls, much to Louisa’s amusement.

  Wade also had another mission today. Lately with Louisa, he’d avoided the subject of Hugh, but having two of his closest friends at odds with each other was really starting to bother him. Normally he’d never dream of interfering in the personal affairs of others, but then he’d never before been in a position to interfere. Now was not the right time to broach the issue, however. Wade thought it better to wait until his subject was high from a couple of wins and a few drinks.

  Upon arrival at the venue, Louisa advised of a private lounge where they could view the races, but she wanted to sidetrack to the stables first to make sure everything was running smoothly there.

  ‘Sounds good,’ Wade agreed. ‘That will give us the chance to check out the competition.’

  ‘Exactly,’ she confirmed. ‘This way.’

  Wade strolled through the crowd taking in the atmosphere. There was nothing like the thrill of a race track, and today’s event was a little more grand and gala than the race meets he was used to.

  Louisa kept chasing him up to introduce him to people, although her associates were of a particular social class in the main, none of whom Wade was particularly interested in and none of whom seemed particularly interested in him either. Wade felt a lot more comfortable once he got in amongst Ashby’s trainers and stable hands.

  While Louisa went about reassuring herself that all was well, Wade grabbed himself a program and began assessing the competition. He wandered around viewing horses, putting crosses through the names of competitors whose chances of a win, he considered, were slim against his own stock — so far every candidate’s name had been struck out. Wade was just starting to feel really confident of cleaning up, when his eyes beheld a damning vision. The most magnificent racehorse Wade had ever seen was led from its trailer in front of him. It was a glossy black colt with a fiery presence.

  Louisa noticed the young Baron drooling and so approached to advise: ‘That’s Cyber Knight. We’re up against him in the fifth.’

  ‘We’re going to lose,’ Wade had no qualms about admitting. ‘What’s his odds?’

  ‘Five to two,’ Louisa advised. ‘Only because today will be his first race … if he wins, his odds will drop to five to four by the next race meet.’

  ‘I’ll bet his odds drop to five to four before the end of the day.’ Wade found the news rather savoury. ‘So why don’t we own him?’

  ‘Because I was outbid. I didn’t feel right spending one and half million pounds on a racehorse the same week as your grandfather’s death.’

  Louisa was obviously a bit irked about the horse’s untimely auction. ‘Sorry, I wasn’t questioning your eye, Louisa.’

  ‘Yes, you were.’ She smiled all the same. ‘But I’ll let it pass.’ She took his arm to escort him to the VIP lounge. ‘A multi-media Baron brought her in the end, hence the horse’s name.’

  ‘Multi-media did you say?’ Wade’s ears pricked up.

  For, although Wade had the money to develop and package his own 3D games, he was ignorant of the marketing and distribution side of the business.

  ‘Yes. He owns a few software publishing companies, although he is not heavily computer-inclined himself. He’s just in it for the huge bankroll. I’ll introduce you if you like?’

  ‘If you would be so kind,’ Wade proffered, ‘then I shall buy you that horse.’

  Although Louisa loved his proposal, she shook her head. ‘I shouldn’t think he’ll want to sell, after preparing him for this season.’

  ‘I’ll bet you a favour that he sells,’ Wade put forward.

  ‘What kind of favour?’ Louisa found his choice of wager rather curious.

  ‘Afraid you’re going to lose?’ Wade vexed her in fun.

  ‘Actually, no, I’m not.’ Louisa held out a hand to shake on it.

  ‘That’s the ticket.’ Wade wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. He was really starting to get into the spirit of the occasion. ‘I just need to visit the little-boys’ room, I’ll met you in the lounge, okay?’ He waved as he headed off into the excited masses.

  Louisa had never really seen Wade in his element before, and she considered that he was truly adorable like this. The peculiar thing was, that, although her love for him rivaled that of her love for his business, her emotion was not wanton as it had been in the past. Wade’s patience and understanding had got her past all that. The love she felt for him now was so pure and perfect, that she wanted nothing more from their relationship than for it to go on like this forever. Wade was truly the best friend she’d ever had.

  It was a good half an hour before Wade arrived in the club lounge. Louisa had taken the liberty of seating herself with Cyber Knight’s owner, and waved Wade over to meet him.

  ‘Baron Foxworth, I would like you to meet Baron Ashby.’ She did the honors and Baron Foxworth rose to shake the younger Baron’s hand.

  ‘Please call me Wade,’ he appeal
ed. ‘I’m quite fond of my first name and it’s so rare I get to use it these days.’

  ‘Barry.’ Foxworth seconded the comment with a ‘here, here,’ and seated himself again. ‘Louisa was just telling me that you were admiring my colt.’

  Wade nodded as if only vaguely interested. ‘I was even going to put some money on him to win, but it seems everyone has had the same idea.’

  Louisa and Foxworth looked to the board to find Cyber Knight’s odds were now five to four. Louisa looked back at Wade, recalling that he’d predicted as much.

  ‘Damn shame about that.’ Wade shrugged. ‘I’ll bet our horse for a place instead. I’ll make a better profit.’

  Foxworth laughed. ‘That doesn’t sound very confident … I thought you said this man was a gambler?’

  Louisa knew Wade was up to something. ‘I’m sure Baron Ashby knows what he’s doing.’

  ‘That I do.’ Wade smiled confidently. ‘I’m willing to bet that your colt is not as fast as he is pretty.’

  Now Louisa was really confused. That’s not what Wade had been saying an hour ago.

  Foxworth smiled broadly. ‘Does ten thousand sound like a fair thing?’

  Wade pretended to be a bit disappointed with the stakes. ‘I’ll tell you what … I’ll bet you twenty thousand pounds against a favour that our horse comes in ahead of yours?’

  ‘What kind of favour?’ Foxworth cocked an eye to inquire.

  Louisa could hardly believe how easily Wade had arranged the perfect opportunity to sell his 3D game concept to Foxworth. The Baron listened contentedly as Wade outlined the storyline, and described the visual layouts.

  ‘So, if my horse wins, all you have to do is have a look at my game and see if you think it has a market,’ Wade concluded, raising both brows to await Foxworth’s response.

  ‘Good deal.’ Foxworth shook on it. ‘You’re on, my lad.’ The round, middle-aged Baron sat back in his seat and raised his glass to toast their new acquaintance.

  The name of the horse Wade had in the fifth against Cyber Knight was Line Catcher — this young colt had a tendency to excel himself in the home stretch.