Alchemist

by Terry Reid

  “Terry...” was all Faye could say, before the sharp device plunged into the back of her neck.

  Terry screamed, crumpling over. Lyle’s head shot up at the noise.

  Faye and Connor made for her but Fallo warned them off with hisses as they came too near. Seconds later the spike pulled free and the tentacle retreated.

  Terry’s friends rushed to her, while Fallo looked on.

  “I’m fine, I’m fine.” She said to the chorus of panicky voices around her. She turned to her dad, her expression dark. “What the hell is wrong with you? You could have told me you were going to do that! You know how much that stings!”

  Fallo growled indifferently, lying back down.

  “What did he do?” asked Connor, examining her neck.

  She pushed his hands away. “I’m fine! It was just an energy shot.”

  “A what?”

  “He gave me some of his energy. I’m not hungry now. It’s fine, that’s all it was.” She said, brushing them away.

  Darius stared at her in disbelief. “I thought he was attacking you or something!”

  Taking exception to the remark, Fallo turned and hissed through barred teeth. Darius shrunk away.

  “Dad!” Terry shouted, raising a hand to him. He growled but backed off. “Can we all calm down please?” she asked, looking around all their faces. Everyone stared at her, unsure what to say or what to do next.

  Lyle grumbled. Rolling over, he fell back asleep.

  ******

  They did not set off again until after nightfall. Two primeval Alchemists, especially an abnormally large one like Terry’s father would not have gone unnoticed. After walking for the first several miles, suburbia ended and they entered the wilds once more. The two giants ceased the opportunity to run; the foot soldiers running swiftly behind.

  As the morning sun crept over the horizon the ocean appeared as a glittering silver ribbon to the east. Fallo and Lyle has changed course during the night, heading further to the north east in direction of the Alega Sea to give Marrich as wide a berth as possible.

  The brothers had slowed to a trot, although Fallo still appeared fresh despite the huge distance he had just covered. Lyle was beginning to hang his head from exhaustion and their escort were beginning to trail.

  Progress came to a sudden stop when Lyle gave a whimper and stumbled to the ground. Fallo stopped and turned round. He growled in question.

  Lyle groaned, barely opening his eyes. Fallo grumbled a response.

  Terry leapt down from her father’s back, landing in a crouch. Connor and Faye had already disembarked Lyle when he went down.

  “Shit. He doesn’t look so good.” said Connor, fearing for the fallen Alchemist.

  Fallo growled something else.

  “He’ll be alright, he just needs a rest. Dad, you’ll just have to carry us all for the rest of the way.” said Terry, kneeling down beside Lyle and patting his muzzle. He grumbled, peering at her through half-lidded eyes.

  Faye looked around the flat grasslands. The soldiers trailed into view. The first to arrive began to sit down, without leave. But they still kept a keen eye, despite their fatigue.

  Faye continued to look this way and that. With exception of the occasional rise and tree they were exposed in all directions. She knew that this was the worst place for them to have stopped, especially being so close to the capital, but she did not say it – she knew everyone harboured the same concern.

  As midday approached the weather had gone into reverse. A heavy drizzle and murky fog swamped the landscape. Having grown weary of the rain, Fallo had opted to seek shelter in a small stand of woods. The cover was not great, but it gave him and the soldiers the opportunity to lie down and rest. After the brief respite they continued northwards, using the cover of the weather to their advantage. Little did they know at the time that the rain and fog would last another two days.

  It was long after nightfall that they crossed into the border lands. No one celebrated the fact that they had reached safety; everyone, save Faye and Darius were cold, soaked, tired and hungry.

  A couple of hours after their crossing, Fallo suddenly stopped, his antennae standing on end. Terry and Lyle stood; the latter still a little sluggish despite having regained much of his former strength.

  “What is it?” Darius asked worriedly.

  Fallo craned his head and barked a cry the young man had never heard before. The world fell silent again all but for the patter of raindrops striking against the king’s metal armour. Then out of the night came a reply; distant, but clear.

  Fallo roared and then continued forward.

  Darius grabbed a spike for support as the Alchemist launched forward at a shocking speed. “What was that?” He shouted as he was jostled about.

  “The border patrol!” Lyle shouted back to him, holding on. “We’ll be getting an extra escort back to the colony.”

  Darius laughed with relief. “I can’t wait to sleep in a proper bed again.”

  Lyle wiped his face, the rain doing little to refresh him from his fatigue. “Yeah, I think I could sleep for a week.”

  Connor looked at Terry and she smiled back at him through the dark. The relief of the party was palpable as the thought of safety filled their hearts. Fallo ran on, leaving the fears of the road far behind them.

  Chapter 18

  Dance with the Dead

  Fallo plunged his head into the fountain, ignoring the officials who had gathered about him. The councillor who had been nattering away fell silent. The act had been simple but poignant. The King was in no mood to listen to the politics that took place during his absence - he simply wished to satisfy his thirst after such an exhausting journey. He drank deeply for a few minutes.

  As soon as he raised his head the clamour began again. “Councillor!” shouted Lyle, silencing the man. The man’s babbling was beginning to grate on his nerves.

  Fallo roared, his cry ringing through the large amphitheatre of the family quarters. Unnerved, the councillors bowed awkwardly and hurried away, fearful of provoking his wrath. The King snorted wearily.

  “Bloody pain in the arse the lot of them,” Lyle swore as he sat down on the edge of the fountain beside his niece, “You would think at this time of night they would have enough sense to stay in bed regardless of our return.”

  Terry smirked. “They’re politicians, they don’t sleep.”

  Fallo growled and darted his head in direction of their quarters. It was time for bed.

  ******

  “Terrifallo! Terrifallo!” The King called, storming threw the large oak doors that led to her rooms. “Daughter!” he bellowed, his face turning red as he crossed the large room to her bed. He was dressed in his finery of office, a high-neck, open fronted, knee length robe. The crimson garment was heavily embroidered with golden highlights. Beneath it he wore a simple white under-shirt and black trousers, to maximise the draw of the eye to his robes. Her bed was empty. Hissing furiously, he turned, his robes billowing behind him.

  “So there were ten of them?” repeated the man as he leant over the table.

  “Aye, ten of them.” Terry said again for affect. A dozen faces had gathered around the bar table, listening intently to her tale. Behind them even more Alchemists gathered.

  “I’ve seen those things before, they are really strange looking beasts.” said one woman from down the end of the table. A murmur of agreement went up from the crowd and some of the older Alchemists, men and women alike gave a knowing nod.

  “But that’s the thing, they aren’t dangerous.” Terry jabbed a finger against the table. “You could walk through an entire field of them and they would not even look at you. But this time was different.”

  “How?” asked the man who sat opposite her. He was enthralled.

  Terry leant forward on her elbows, as if to whisper. Everyone else followed suit, hanging on to her every word.

  “I was walking a friend’s dog.”

  A laugh went up from further down th
e table. “You silly girl, cow’s hate them!” chuckled the old man.

  Terry held up her hands in a guilty as charged manner. “See, I’d forgotten that. That’s why they had formed a circled around me and the bull was making his merry way towards me.”

  The young man who sat beside Terry shook his head. “I don’t understand Your Highness, why were animals so big so scared of something so small?”

  An older woman cackled. “Ha! The boy has never been to Earth, he has never worked on a farm!”

  Ignoring her Terry answered loudly for all to hear, “Because these dogs, that humans keep as pets used to be a different animal. They used to be bigger and hunted in packs thousands of years ago. They still exist in the wild today. They’re called wolves.” She tapped a finger on the table as she spoke. “See, the point is despite having domesticated dogs and cows, there is still something built deep into the cow’s psyche that they are predators. No amount of breeding or handling has ever taken that out of them. So no matter how much an animal is conditioned you can never make it fully lose its true nature.”

  “Like you child.”

  “Shit.” Muttered Connor, lowering his head and making a serious effort to pretend he was minding his own business; something he poorly performed by taking a sip of his drink.

  The rest of the drinkers quickly dispersed, many abandoning their drinks and lowering their gaze as they moved away. Others gave slight, awkward bows to the King before scurrying off as soon as they realised he was paying them no heed.

  Connor was not sure how to react. He looked first at Terry then at the King. Finally Fallo noticed him. “Leave.”

  He did not need to be told twice.

  Terry also stood, making to leave.

  “Sit.”

  With a look of resignation she sat back down.

  Her father leaned across the table, his face set in anger. “This is the third day in a row I have found you here.” He said, his tone brittle. “What have you to say for yourself?”

  Terry lowered her voice. “Do we really need to go over this again?”

  His eyes flashed. “If we do the answer will be the same as yesterday. You are not here on holiday. Your powers and rank have been restored. You will do what is expected of you, not tell tales in bars.” He spat the last part.

  Terry gave a slight nod. “Ok.” She said, gesturing to a seat. Her father remained where he was. “Can you please take a seat so that we can discuss this like adults, please?”

  He stared at her sternly.

  “Dad, will you please stop being a total...” Terry stopped herself when his gaze narrowed. She sighed and closed her eyes for a minute. “I was just having some fun. I’ve not been home for a long time and when we arrived we were not here for very long.” She shrugged innocently. “I just want to catch up with everyone, that’s all.”

  Now he sighed, the first emotion she had seen from him during this frosty encounter. “You are not a child anymore. You have responsibilities now which I must teach you. You are already far behind on where I would like you to be.”

  “Dad.” Terry said firmly. “I’m not staying. As soon as Lyle can source another temporal device I am going back to Earth. We still need to find Edward.”

  Fallo straightened. He looked stung. “You would abandon me and your people?”

  “No, I’m not doing anything of the sort. I’ll be coming back...soon.”

  Fallo sighed tiredly. “Daughter, you must drive these human ideologies from your mind. You are not one of them. You can never have a live like them. Your place is here. Your family, your people are here.” His expression hardened once more. “And do not think I have not seen you struggling to keep your form. You are yearning to be free of this carapace.” He gestured toward her.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Do not lie to me!” He slammed his fists against the table, the wood splintering under the force. The abandoned tankards rattled with a clatter. “Everything about you is reawakening. Do not deny what you are.”

  “I am doing no such thing. Besides, you know I have a condition. I can’t always control her.”

  He raised a hand to her. “I grow wary of this. You should not fight it, you should let it out. Maybe then you’re fractured mind will begin to heal.”

  When she did not reply, he continued. “Your uncle Kila and officials from Troqueer will be visiting in two days for a banquet celebrating your return.” He leaned closer. “You will be there and you will behave.” He turned away without waiting for an answer.

  Terry watched him leave. After he had gone she glanced around the empty bar. She was surrounded by twenty million people but she had never felt more alone.

  ******

  Attendants tampered with the King’s robes. With a nod to the aide sorting his collar, they were dismissed. Looking in the full-length mirror before him, he fiddled with the collar of his white and gold trimmed robes. He stopped when he saw his daughter enter his rooms in the mirror’s reflection. He spun around, stunned.

  Terry wore a similar garment to his robes, but instead of finishing like a jacket, herd ended in a brilliant white skirt. She wore her hair high, tied back by a simple white feather.

  “Do you like it?” she asked, suddenly feeling self conscious.

  “You look beautiful.” He muttered, crossing to her.

  She smiled.

  “You look like your mother.”

  Terry looked away, suddenly feeling sad.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s not that.” She looked back at him with teary eyes. “I just miss her.”

  Fallo embraced her, resting his head on top of hers. “I know.” He whispered, soothing her.

  Fallo was left distraught by what happened; the memories had remained crystallized in his mind even after so many years.

  Terry’s mother had died during childbirth attempting to bring their twelve daughters into the world. The trauma had been too much for her body. Most alchemist mothers delivered many more and survived, but the royal family’s lineage and a normal Alchemist was a dangerous mix. History had recorded the deaths of at least seven previous queens. But what had been unusual was the loss of so many infants. Terry was the only one who survived. Doctors had later told the King that it had been no miracle that she had. Terry was the only child to be carrying the Alpha gene – or royal blood as their people called it – the single genetic sequence which made the King the leader of their race; what gave him his superior strength and rank. His perished children had his lineage, but they lacked that one thing that would one day make Terry queen. It had been mere strength, despite her small size, that had saved her.

  Fallo remembered lifting her, pining for his lost mate and infants. He thought that she too had died, having lied so still like the others with her eyes shut. Grief stricken, he had closed his eyes and wept. When he opened them again he found two, big, round, amber eyes staring back at him. For the longest time she simply lay there in his arms, blinking curiously. He hummed deeply and nuzzled her, but she still did not make a sound. Newborn Alchemists were usually loud and noisy, screaming like most animals do after the sudden trauma of being dragged into the world.

  She only began to move once Fallo’s probes had gathered to check her, but that had been out of wariness to the strange, spider-like metallic creatures. Taking a dislike to one of them that was shining a light in her eyes she shrieked and took a swipe at the thing. Despite only being a few minutes old she had a strong right hook. The probe fell to the floor, prompting the rest of the dispatch to beat a hasty retreat.

  Then it happened, the sweetest noise Fallo ever heard in his life. She opened her mouth and called out to him, it was little more than a squeak but it was the call she would use the rest of her life to find him. Fallo called back and her antennae went up. She squeaked in content.

  Fallo came out of his reverie as Terry moved away, holding his hands in her own. She smiled.

  He smiled back, though his heart ached.

  An
aide appeared at the door. He bowed but remained in the doorway until such a time as he was summoned, as etiquette demanded. Turning his attention to the young man, Fallo waved him in.

  He approached, before bowing again. “My Lord, the guard of Troqueer and his guests have arrived.”

  “Thank you.” The King said, turning to his daughter. The aide bowed and slinked away.

  “Are you ready my dear?” he asked her.

  “Not really.”

  He gave her a look.

  “Dad, I’m joking! Lighten up.”

  He forced a smile and held out his elbow to her, which she took.

  Laughter rang through the King’s dining hall. The entire table seemed to be enjoying themselves, with exception of Terry and Lyle, who exchanged bored glances. Terry’s cousin Ninu, who was sitting on her left, picked up on the exchange.

  She looked Terry up and down disapprovingly. “So what was it like living with humans?” she asked, feigning interest.

  Terry looked round to her. Ninu made a display of sipping her drink, with exaggerated elegance before looking down her nose at her older cousin. There was no love lost between the pair. The two of them had always hated one another.

  “You’d have liked them.”

  “Really?” Ninu asked, disinterested. “I heard they are ignorant, noisy, boorish cockroaches.” She looked to her younger sister who smirked.

  “Yeah, they’re like you, which is exactly why you would have liked them.”

  Lyle faked a cough, poorly concealing his amusement at the quip. Ninu picked up on this. She glowered at Terry.

  “You know,” she said, flicking back her long blonde hair, “Some of us were talking earlier. We were wondering why the King would allow someone who had been gone so long to become his successor again.”

  Terry smirked as she sat her cup down. “At least I am actually related to the King.”

  Ninu and her sister were adopted; which had always been a thorn in the older sibling’s side.