Unspeakable Secrets The Alchemist Series (A Dark Medieval Progression Fantasy)

Chapter 17 Reporting Back

They stepped out of the driving rain and into the tavern, where the rich caramel-like scent of ale hung heavy in the air.

They pushed their way through the drunken mob, and into the kitchen, where they headed down to the lowest level.

Illyian sat in an armchair reading a book propped up on his crossed legs while he nibbled on a crumpet covered with a dark jam.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"Bad. We were ambushed," Connor said.

Illyian looked up from his book and wrinkled his nose. "So I see," he said, "what did you two do? Swim in their guts? And you're both sopping wet. I take it, it's raining? You'd think it would've at least cleaned you two off a bit."

"Fighting is a messy business," Connor said, "we need to report to Victor right away. Send some men down to the east side of the docks. Have them collect the corpses, everything they carried, and anything that looks remotely like evidence.

"We need to learn everything we can about them. This is the highest priority. Oh, and send an armed escort with your men. They might try something else."

"I'll get right on it," Illyian said, "how many bodies am I dealing with?"

"About twenty?" Connor said.

"Twenty-three," Adelia corrected.

Illyian's lip twitched. "Twenty-three?" he asked, "what did... how... are you two sure you're okay?"

"We should be," Connor said, "but see if you can identify what exactly the enchantment on those rods does. I got hit with one on my arm, and it's still numb. I can't even twitch my fingers. I'd like to know if it'll wear off, or if it'll spread or what."

"I shall do so as a matter of urgency," Illyian said.

Connor massaged his arm as he and Adelia walked down the winding passages of the labyrinth once more.

At least they had a name to go on now. The Syndicate... but who were they? Were they the ones buying the slaves? Were they the masterminds or another puppet?

Still... whoever they were, those men at the docks had been skilled and with enchanted weapons and even two wizards and a necromancer? Where did they get the resources for that? And why had he never even heard of them before...

Neither of them had spoken much since the attack at the docks. Connor fingered the hilt of his rapier with his good hand and eyed every corner warily.

They stepped out of the mausoleum into the rain. It was coming down even harder than before, and thunder boomed across the sky.

Still, despite the rain. It was good to be back behind palace walls, surrounded by guards...

He took a few steps forward and stopped.

"Adelia... where are the guards?" he asked.

It was late in the night now, but despite that, the pelting rain, and the howling wind, there should still be guards patrolling the grounds.

There were none.

Connor drew his rapier and walked toward the manor. His walk quickly turned into a run and dread gripped his pounding heart like a vice.

He kicked open the front door and stormed inside.

The floor was slick with blood. The dark-clothed bodies of Victor's guards lay beside men with the same gear as the ones that had attacked them at the docks... just a lot more of them.

Doors and furniture were strewn among the corpses in shattered remnants. Scorch marks adorned the walls and droplets of blood ran down them as though the house were crying. Still wet.