Alchemist

by Terry Reid

  The next time he woke was because something was jabbing him in the soft flesh between two of his armour plates. It wasn’t painful but it was irritating, so he unrolled. He snorted at his daughter, flashing his fangs.

  “It was the only way to get you to wake up.” she protested. Fallo rolled his eyes and grunted as she scrambled out of his arms. He shook his groggy head. Fatigue filled him, despite the many hours of rest he had enjoyed. He rose onto stiff, heavy limbs.

  Millions of years living as a subterranean race had made the Alchemists excellent time keepers. He knew it was nearing midday, despite the absence of the sun so far underground. Their body clocks used the turn of the earth beneath their feet instead to keep measure.

  Thinking better of standing Fallo sank back down to the floor with a heavy thud. He laid his long neck out across the smooth rock floor and yawned again.

  Terry walked back into view drying her hands on a cloth. “That was a relief.” She announced, tossing the linen onto the dying embers of the fire. The coals cracked and hissed as the damp cloth met them. A small trail of steam spiralled upward, reigniting the embers for a few seconds before they died down once more. The fire was nearly out now but neither Terry nor her father cared.

  Terry walked across the vast expanse of her father’s chambers. A rocky outcrop three feet above the ground had been smoothed in ages past to act as a naturally occurring shelf. Resting upon it was a long line of books, following the slight curvature in the wall. One was missing; two neatly carved wooden bookends held the rest of the line tidily in place. The wall above was adorned with a tapestry, one of reds and yellows. Terry’s eyes wandered over it for a second as she went to collect one of the empty cups from the stone shelf below it.

  Cup in hand, she walked past her father’s reading chair – a finely carved, high back affair made from the finest black wood. She made her way to the fountain.

  The sight woke Fallo’s thirst and he suddenly realised how dry his mouth was. Standing, he plodded over.

  Terry dipped in the cup and sat on the edge of the fountain. She took a long sip while her father plunged his head into the clear flowing waters. She could see his long neck flexing as litres and litres vanished down his throat. He kept his head submerged for almost a minute before deciding he’d had enough. He then shook it, dislodging a spray of droplets from his teal-coloured scales.

  Terry sat the empty cup aside. “Dad.” She said.

  He looked her direction but said nothing.

  “What are you doing later today?”

  His large ochre eyes stared at her questionably.

  She twisted around on her would-be seat to face him better. “I mean, are you joining court today or meeting the councillors?”

  He grunted and shut his eyes.

  Terry smiled. “That would be a no then.”

  Fallo snorted and resumed drinking.

  With the conversation at and end Terry found herself sitting in silence with just her own thoughts to keep her company. She quickly grew bored. She drummed her fingers against the fountain’s edge for a while. Then she began kicking her feet, glancing around the large cave that served as her father’s halls. Once she tired of that she began to run her fingers down between the plates on her neck, feeling at her flesh. She cleared her throat and hummed while pressing her fingers against both sides of her neck, just above the collarbone. She made a slight squeak and then a growl.

  Fallo’s antennae stood on end and his head darted up from the water. He growled loudly.

  It took Terry a moment to realise what she had said in their native language.

  She waved a hand at him. “Nothing, nothing’s wrong.” She laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t realise I’d said that. I was just messing around.” She rubbed her neck again. “I can’t seem to speak much of the ancient language in this form. It’s weird...I’ve never noticed it before.”

  Her father replied with a low growl.

  She laughed. “Yes dad, I know it’s nothing new. It’s just, like I said...” she shook her head, “I never noticed before how limited my vocal chords were.”

  Fallo growled again, this time more quietly.

  She shook her head. “It’s not the only thing that’s different though. Since I hit my head my hearing has been a lot sharper, I can smell a lot more, my balance is better when climbing and...” she looked at him, her face lighting up; “I feel so different, I feel so much better!”

  Fallo squeaked and his eyes widened.

  Terry stood and began pacing. “I feel like I’m me again, you know? All the thoughts I used to have are back and there seems to be a greater clarity to everything.” She stopped and looked up to him. “I can hear every piece of my mind again, it’s not like I’m two people sharing the same body anymore!”

  She strode up to him. Even sitting down her father towered over her, with his long, arching neck. He extended his arms, large claws uncurling from fingers as thick as a human’s arm. Terry flung her short, stubby, human arms around him and pressed her head against his chest. His arms folded around her.

  ******

  That evening Terry met Connor and Rufus for a drink at a bar in the lower city called The Flying Wasp. Like all other establishments in the underground city, the bar had been fashioned from the rock, making its exterior uniform to the other buildings surrounding it. Its only identification came in the form of a small wooden sign hanging above the door. Some of the other bars had much more lavish exteriors, decorated with colourful plaster or metal adornments above the signs. One such example was The Kings Arms. The doors were varnished dark, the shade of mahogany, and lined with beautiful metalwork and carvings. The sign hanging above the door was made out of wood, but its edges were lined with iron snakes, twisting one over another to form the frame. No detail was spared on the pattern of their scales or the blades of their teeth.

  The Flying Wasp was somewhat unremarkable in comparison and the boys walked straight passed it without notice before bumping into Terry further along the street. Having made fun of their lack of attention to where they were going, she led them back.

  The bar was quite busy when they entered and everyone stopped what they were doing on sight of the princess, bowing in respect and sometimes muttering good wishes. Terry had to politely tell the drinkers to carry on about their business so that they could sit down in peace.

  When they sat, Terry noticed that Rufus was staring at her in awe. It made her feel very uncomfortable. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

  Catching himself, he smiled with embarrassment. “I’m sorry Terry, I didn’t mean to stare. You never cease to amaze.”

  Terry thought how ironic that sounded. The Acara was tall, with graceful, smooth features with an eloquent voice to match. But the most remarkable thing about Rufus was his eyes. It was the one thing everyone noticed first when they looked at him. They were like large sapphires, wrought with deep veins of emerald and indigo within. Once, when she was very young she actually believed that they were real jewels. That memory made her smile. But compared to the beauty of his race, Terry felt somewhat lacking, both in appearance and ability. The Acara were also geniuses.

  “You were looking at me the same way you do when one of your experiments does something interesting.” She observed.

  He held up a hand in supplication. “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.”

  Terry’s smile broadened. “So what have you two been up to?”

  Connor shook his head. “Not a lot. Me and Faye tried going out for a walk earlier but everyone kept staring at us. I forgot what it was like being treated like a hero.”

  Rufus nodded in understanding. “Yes, you don’t miss the stares do you?”

  “That’s why I moved to Earth.”

  Terry and Rufus started laughing, while Connor quietly smirked. Their drinks arrived and the waiter gave the princess a dip of the head before slinking away without word.

  Nodding in direction of the waiter’s retreating back she said, “Me too.
”

  After the laughter subsided, Connor looked at her and asked, “So what are you going to do now? Are you coming back to Earth or are you staying here?”

  Any humour that remained in her dried up there and then. She suddenly felt awkward. It was the decision she had deliberately put off for so long. She knew her father expected her to stay even though he had never asked the question; and even though her mind was made, she still felt nervous telling her oldest friend when asked. Her fingers wrapped around the flagon of ale before her. “I’m staying.”

  Connor gave an understanding nod but she could see the sadness in his eyes. “I kind of expected you would.” He said, forcing a smile.

  “I’m sorry but it’s what I want.”

  He laughed. “You make it sound like I’m mad at you. I’m not. I’ve always expected this would happen one day.”

  Terry smiled but it was fleeting. “What about you? I take it you’re going home.”

  “Yeah...” he shook his head, “This isn’t my home anymore. It hasn’t been for a very long time...and there’s Jo.”

  “What about Faye? As she decided what she’s doing?”

  Connor sighed, his expression grim. “She said something about returning to Stormfront. She told me her parents live there now.” He gazed at his drink sombrely. “It’s half a world away but I can’t say I blame her...not with everything that’s happened.” He looked back to his old friend. “I think she just wants to be with her family just now.”

  Terry nodded, understandingly. “I can’t say I blame here.” But Terry knew there was another reason, though she did not give voice to it. “It’s going to be weird, you living on Earth and me living here? I’ll never get to see you.”

  “I don’t think this is as such a big deal as you believe it is. Your uncle has the transportation device. Earth is only ever a step over the other side. If you want to visit, it is easily enough arranged.” Rufus said.

  She shook her head. “It’s not that Rufus, coming back here is such a huge change. Back on Earth I was just like everyone else. I had a job, I had bills to pay. Here I’m a princess again.” She shrugged. “Do not get me wrong, I am so glad to be home but...maybe my dad’s right, maybe I have spent too many years living with the humans.” She stared into her drink. “I think I’m going to miss it...as strange as that sounds.”

  This struck a chord with Rufus, she could tell. “It is not strange, not at all. I know exactly what you mean.” He sipped his ale.

  Terry looked at Connor. “When are you going home?”

  “I’m hoping tomorrow but Lyle is being funny about me staying a bit longer.”

  “If you really want to go back tomorrow I can make sure it happens.”

  He smiled. “Thanks. I don’t know yet, I’m not sure about it. I really want to see Jo but your uncle is desperate for me to stay for the ceremony on Friday.”

  Terry raised an eyebrow. “What ceremony?”

  Connor stared at her, his mouth full of ale. He suddenly remembered to swallow and he and Rufus exchanged surprised looks. “You don’t know?” he asked.

  “Know what?”

  Connor shifted in his seat, suddenly appearing very sheepish. “I don’t really think I should say...”

  Her eyes narrowed, her frustration ebbing. “Tell me.”

  He hesitated, looking to Rufus for help but the Acara found himself also abandoned by words.

  “What ceremony Connor?”

  “You’re re-inauguration ceremony as heir.” He finally confessed, staring down at his drink.

  Terry slumped back, turning pale. She looked as if she had been hit over the head and left dazed. Her brow burrowed and she sat-up. “Why would my dad put on a ceremony and not tell me?”

  Connor shrugged and Rufus shook his head. They both muttered that they didn’t know.

  “It doesn’t make any sense! He’s already reinstated me, everyone knows that. Why do I need a bloody ceremony?”

  Connor fumbled his flagon, searching the dark, frothy drink for an answer. “Maybe he’s doing it because my country has ended your exile?”

  Terry shook her head. “Dad doesn’t care what they think, he never has. He told me that he only went to Marrich to negotiate because I wanted to avoid a war.”

  Connor shrugged. “Look, I don’t know, I really don’t.”

  “Maybe he did not say anything because he was worried about how you would react.” Rufus suggested. Connor looked away to the bar, unprepared to back the Acara up.

  Terry’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

  “Well how are you behaving now? We all know you hate court and fancy ceremonies. He might have been waiting for the best moment to tell you which may not have arrived yet.”

  Terry seemed to settle at his words. She looked away for a moment. “I’m sorry, I’m not angry about the ceremony, I’m just annoyed because he didn’t tell me. He had all of last night and all of today.” A look of defeat crossed her face and she slumped back into her seat. “Why is it no one tells me anything? I’m first in line to the throne, I live with twenty million people and yet no one tells me anything!” She laughed slightly. “It’s bloody stupid!”

  Connor smiled. “I know, it is a bit daft.”

  Rufus sat down his flagon. “It could be worse. You know he would have told you eventually.”

  Her smile broadened. “I know he would have. But still, it is nice to kept in the loop.” She looked again at Connor. “I don’t why you’re laughing! You’re definitely staying now if this is going ahead.”

  He shrugged, unfazed by the threat. “There’s nothing stopping me from using the portal to fetch Jo and bring her back to watch as well.”

  Now Terry and Rufus burst out laughing.

  Connor frowned. “What?”

  “Nothing Connor, you do that and see how much she screams when she finds herself surrounded by Alchemists. She’s only ever met two and now you want her to meet the entire colony!”

  He looked stung. “That’s why I wanted to go see her tomorrow. That way I’ll have time to speak to her and if she decides to come back with me then, we’ll have a couple of days for her to have a look around and meet everyone.”

  Terry continued to laugh. “You think she’d be fine in just four days? You’re sure she won’t scream the Grand Hall down when she sees everyone there?”

  “You don’t even know if she’s coming yet! And if she doesn’t, neither am I!” He decided, folding his arms.

  “Ok then.” She giggled, unbothered by the threat. She lifted her flagon and shrugged. “Dad doesn’t like humans anyway so you’d be doing him a favour.”

  “Alright, alright!” he quietened down. “In all seriousness though can I please go home tomorrow?”

  Terry forced down a laugh. The joke had ended. “Yes, of course you can.” She replied in a respectably tone. “And if you want her to come, you know she is more than welcome, as are you.”

  “Thank you. How would we let you know if we wanted to come through though? We don’t have a machine.”

  “We’ll arrange a time for opening it on this end and you can come through and tell us what’s happening either way.”

  Connor sat his flagon down. “Aye, ok then. Just as long as I don’t walk through and end up in the middle of nowhere.”

  “I’m sure Rufus and Lyle know what they’re doing.”

  “I think I shall pop back too and return in a couple of days as well. I have not had the chance to go home properly yet.” His expression soured. “Unfortunately my house has become rather dusty since I have been away. I have some cleaning and a lot of mail to open. No doubt many of them will be bills.”

  Connor nudged him. “You might as well stay here then.”

  Terry shook her head. “No, they’ll find him, especially if it’s Inland Revenue.”

  The three of them started laughing again, adding to the roar of the revellers. They drank long into the night.

  ******

  The oak doors to F
allo’s chambers creaked as Terry pushed against them. To her surprise the lanterns still burned bright. She had thought at this late hour her father would have retired to bed. Pushing the door shut behind her she crossed to the brazier in the heart of the cave. Giant archways leading to other chambers came into view as she crossed to the low burning embers. She glanced through them as best she could but there was no sign of her father.

  “Dad?” she called, her eyes scanning the vaulted ceiling in case he had taken to sleeping up there in his primeval form. Her kind were excellent climbers and the ceiling was as easy a bed as the ground. But there was no sign of him from on high.

  She spun around looking in every direction for a hint of movement. “Dad?” she called again. One of the tall archways rounded a corner before emptying out into a full size cave again; her father’s library. Sometimes he enjoyed a late read. Heading toward the archway, she called out to her father again.

  As she rounded the corner in the tunnel her father came into view. He sat with his back to her, in one of his high-backed, wooden chairs. For a moment she thought he may have fallen asleep reading. But why had he not heard her when she called? As she drew closer she could see his slumped limbs hanging over the arms and the base of the chair. A stab of panic shot through her and she ran to him. “Dad!” she shouted, rounding the chair.

  She sighed with relief when he looked up at her. “Why didn’t you...” something was wrong. Fallo remained motionless despite his eyes finding hers. “Oh my god...” She knelt down next to him and grabbed his hand. “Dad what’s wrong? What’s happened to you?”

  His eyes flicked passed her.

  Terry spun, bringing her right arm up in an arc as she went. Metal clanged as her armour met a downward sweeping blade. With a hard shove, she forced her assailant away.

  Ninu staggered back, her two forearm plates sliding back into their place of rest.

  Terry lowered her arm – her armour fully fledged now. Her brow furrowed. “Ninu? What are you doing?” she asked, troubled.