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

Chapter 32 Scent

Adelia turned away, and Connor got dressed.

"So, what happened?" Connor asked.

"How much do you remember?" she asked.

"I remember everything up until I got stabbed... then it gets a bit fuzzy. I remember you carrying he me here, but that's about it," Connor said, "how'd you find me anyway?"

"I was out with a group of Korvac's thieves pursuing any leads on the kidnapping victims and slavery—"

"Any luck with that?" Connor interrupted.

"No, I kept losing the trails of the kidnap victims, and the slavers weren't much help," she said, "The Syndicate is insanely paranoid. Most of the slavers made their deliveries to Bvorn and those that didn't don't even know who they're selling to.

"They meet in different places each time, so I couldn't even find something there. As I was saying though... I'd just reached another dead end when I heard the guards sound alarms all over the city.

"Knowing you, I thought you were probably the cause of the chaos, or at least heavily involved. So, I headed straight for the commotion.

"I saw some Shadowcloaks rushing down the street, and I questioned one of them. When he told me about what had happened, and who they were after I knew it must be you, so I followed your trail."

"How did you follow my trail through all of that?" Connor asked.

Adelia scoffed. "I'd know your scent anywhere," she said. She froze as if realizing what she'd said.

"My scent?" Connor asked.

"That's not important," Adelia said.

Connor let it slide... for now.

"I lost your trail a few times, but it wasn't hard to figure out the direction you wanted to go, so I went that way. When I heard fighting, I rushed up and saw a Shadowcloak standing over you with a sword, so I threw my dagger," she said.

"Thanks for that by the way," Connor said.

"Anytime," she said.

Connor started strapping on his leather armor on over his shirt and winced. It was awkward enough without a fresh scar on his stomach. "Could you help me with this?" he asked.

She helped strap him in and continued, "After you were stabbed, I ordered my men to take Vadik and Bvorn to Korvac and instructed them to keep Bvorn alive. I knew you'd want to interrogate him.

"Then, I carried you here as fast as I could and demanded The High Priestess heal you. I waited while they fussed over you, and when they were done, I watched over you until you caught me having a nap."

The gown had been comfortable, but it felt good to have the familiar safety of his leather armor once again. Not safe enough though, he thought bitterly.

Thank the gods she'd showed up when she did... though it might make things awkward if he kept thanking her. One thing still bothered him though.

"After I was stabbed... I could barely think, but I vaguely remember hearing you arguing with someone. It sounded like you were arguing with Lyra about some kind of bargain or agreement? I'm not sure if it was a dream, but I thought I'd ask," he said.

Adelia said nothing for a long moment. "We can talk about it later," she said.

"So, I wasn't just imagining things?" Connor asked.

"No. It happened. I'll tell you about it, but let's get Victor back first, okay?" she said.

Why didn't she want to tell him? Just what kind of bargain had she struck with the goddess?