Chapter 326- Baiting Alchemists

Chu eyeballed the end of the bimetallic strip as it hovered horizontally. Directly behind it was a cut of parchment paper stuck to a rectangular block.

"The water is boiling. The bubbles are now floating up and popping at the surface from all around."

"Nice, just where we want it."

Chu replied to the freckled girl while marking the paper with a quill. Standing up from the table, he walked around and then leaned over to scrutinize the steady blue flame under the cauldron.

"Erin, take note of the height of the base of the cauldron from the table, and also the height of the flame. Even though the room is perfect for alchemy, having a windshield around the flame prevents changes in temperature. It's these little things that count."

Without moving, he looked toward the two white-haired elders hovering from the side.

"How long does the flame last?"

"Four hours with that reservoir. I expect a few glass ones to arrive from Limerock next month. Test materials of course, but I can read the smiles of those Guild fellows from their letters."

Grandmaster Bing answered.

Chu nodded,

"Good enough. When Tye comes, we'll have him control the quality of the alcohol. That way there won't be issues from that end."

Turning to Sue,

"Clod sent word, everything is ok. We can also move forward with Potion X. Have the Alchemist Guild or Tower source the ingredients. Call me as soon as possible so we can begin. We'll requisition this hall."

"Ahem, young master Chu. This old man shamelessly asks as to what type of recipe is this Potion X?"

Chu eyed Elder Shi standing behind Sue. Grandmaster Bing had a hand on the girl's shoulder. The two returned gazes similar to the two old ones in the slums yesterday.

'I'm beginning to think Frost City is home to some seriously shameless relics'

As if on queue, the doors opened in the amphitheater to allow another one in.

"Elder Shi, the girl is ok, but stop coddling up to that brat. He always has his own agenda."

Mage Norivak scoffed while walking over. Despite his hunching back, he covered the ground quickly.

For an old man that is.

"Ahem, as I was about to answer. Potion X is a recipe of extreme rarity. The chances of success are next to nil. The process is so complicated..."

"Brat, get to the point. I have a hundred newbies to train and send out to the Pass. Heaven alone knows if they won't crap their robes and shame the Tower. I'm being worn out by the months each day."

Tower Mage Norivak grumbled,

Ever since this brat helped reveal the knowledge about hidden starfields, the mage towers around the Empire have been swamped. The influx of new mages to Frost City next winter would shrivel him dry.

"If you guys want to know about the effects of this potion. You need to swear an oath."

Before Mage Norivak could reply, the other two white-haired men scoffed,

"Just an oath? Where to?"

 ***

Late, with the moon rising over the horizon above.

In the sewers below,

Ming glanced down at the wide-open sleeves of his robe. Twirling around in the sandy-colored cloth, he raised a foot. He wiggled the straw sandal.

"I miss my buttons. And if I do Blink, I think these things might burn. I think I understand your infatuation with boots. Chu."

"Don't forget to wrap around the cloth scarf like I showed you."

The younger of the boys replied.

Behind him, Doug and Hans checked the bags.

"Do you have the Deeds?"

"Yes, ink and everything."

Chu waited until the three girls squeezed past the six other similarly dressed men. A voice drawled from behind,

"Wow, your disguises are perfect. I swear you were boys. Then again, they weren't that big."

Miki shot him a deathly glare. Her smaller companion raised a hand to her shoulder,

"Leave him alone Miki. He's just vexed Elder Kruss refused to take him in training. Doubly so when Mr Thomas brought along Lucy."

Dyna smirked.

"Chu, I hope you see how it is. You need to get me in there. Elder says he was amazed at their in-depth knowledge. It rivals the Military, the Military Chu. Remember, I am the eldest!"

Chu turned to Doug,

"The moon should be up. Like planned. We infiltrate the servant quarters and spread out from there. Bag them and tie them. All we want is a thumbprint."

Maek wiped himself down with a rag and then slipped into a long shirt. Fancying a romp with a serving girl, he tossed on a cloak and opened the door.

A voice called out to him,

"Tim?"

"No, it's Maek."

Pitch-blackness covered his head, followed by a painful knock.

Waking up under the dazzling morning sun, he struggled under the pain and disorientation. The screaming and yelling helped him regain his senses. He moved his limbs only to find his hands bound.

Focusing on the closest companion lying beside him in the courtyard, he understood his predicament.

Trussed like fowls from the market.

*

"So what you're saying is that you opened the kitchen door and the candle went out?"

"No! I said I entered the kitchen and then poof! That was it."

"You mean you fainted?"

"No! What don't you understand? Poof... poof! Oh wait they called my name. Or was it someone else's. But poof."

The lean investigator and the fat cook both arrived at a common ground.

Both agreed they didn't understand each other.

Next to them, Maek spoke to another City Guard.

"I stepped out of the room and felt a pain at the back of my head. The bump is still there."

"Are you saying you were attacked?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Where were you going?"

"To the maid quarters. Like I said, the bump is still there."

"Uh-huh, you didn't see your attacker? Who were you going to meet?"

"Sharlene, the maid over there with the you know... hey I said I didn't see my attacker."

"Ok, that's all for now. Oh, one more important question."

"Oh, what is it, if I smelled or heard anyone talking? Yes, they asked for Tim I think. Is that what you want?"

"No, nothing so trivial. Is Sharlene single?"

The captain of the guard handling the investigation twisted his mouth. After another intensive round of questioning by him and his squad, he found out Sharlene was engaged.

As for this blatant robbery in the noble district, he found no clues. Someone said they saw someone wearing sandals, but they lost their sight in a flash. The entire manor was tied and dropped in heaps all around.

The robbers made off with everything they could carry. Not even the clothes were left. As if blatantly egging the investigators, they left a calling card. Smearing ink on the faces and hands of all the occupants.

All this occurred when the head of the house, Lord Arash, had left the mansion with most of his guards to survey his holdings. The captain could only imagine the headache when this nobleman returned.

"Captain, captain Qable sir! We found something!"

The round-belly man stood up to meet his underling

"I found out sir, I found out! Sharlene has a sister! Twin at that!"

"Thank the heavens!"

Captain Qable raised his arms and cried. At least there was a break in the case.

***

 Chu wiped himself down after last night's escapade. Utilizing their speed, they systematically prowled across the mansion searching for their targets. Lord Arash had ensured the ones whose names were used were those under contract.

With most having ten or more deeds in their name, the operation proceeded quickly. The mansion had nearly a hundred servants residing. Double the staff for a spread of that size.

"Lucky for us, most of Arash's guards followed him to the villa."

Chu nodded as he slipped on a plain cloak.

"With all his properties spread out, the remaining guards are the same. Where are you going?"

Chu replied and then asked the teen.

"Heading out to the farmhouse. Dyna and the others are training this morning. I'm heading out to check on the wolves and renew my bets for how long it takes for Arash to crack in isolation. Loggs says he wants to recreate the skit we did for Jink. How about you?"

"Sue sent a message with Brella. I'm heading out to brew potions."

"Why don't you carry Ishara with you, she might offer guidance."

Chu recalled the young-old Hakkim.

"No, Ishara never came across as an alchemist. She has the bearing of a fighter. Besides, I think Lucy dragged her off to train with them."

"Chu, between me and you, I think Elder Kruss is not nice. Oath or not, he holds onto grudges."

"Uh-huh. I think it's between you and me."

"..."

"..."

***

Mica waved to the elder at the gate.

"I'm heading home Aunty May."

"Say hello to your grandfather for me. He did us a real favor in shingling the roof. Most of the newcomers in the village don't know that the eatery there is the home of our Boss. Make sure you pass by the communal kitchen and grab a sandwich for him."

"Thank you Aunty May, I sure will. Stavia makes a mean sauce, it's to die for."

"Off you go. You remind me of those greedy girls. A bunch of foodies. One day you'll meet them."

May waved the girl off and headed into the gate. She had to submit the report that the large smokehouse in the kitchen was completed. It was time for her husband Jim to train a few of those itching youngsters in the art of trapping.

Before any semblance of snow, she knew they would have the smokehouse and storerooms crammed with smoked meats and sausages for winter. Shine had made a rather accurate prediction on how long their food stores lasted.

"May, what are you doing? Why didn't you call for a transport cart?"

Halter questioned as he walked towards her. His eyes glanced at her large belly in concern.

"You should be resting in the clinic and having the girls take care of you."

"It's no bother. I just went to inspect the handing over of the smokehouse. I'll rest after this."

"You'd better. If I see you moving around, I'll report you to Clod. You know he is a stickler for work."

Helping the woman to the entrance to her homely cottage of stone and wood, he bade goodbye.

May exhaled a contented sigh.

Never would she and Jim imagine they would join the ranks of the younger couples in having a child. That was a dream she had given up on a long time ago. Her eyes gazed towards the north where the shadow of a high stone wall slowly shaped every day.

"Boss, there is nobody in this world who can hold the title of young master for me except you."