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

Chapter 43 The Collars

He told her about Zauberer and the facility beneath it while avoiding any mention of alchemy. He took special care to describe everything he remembered of the collars.

Anything that might help her remove them.

He studied her facial expressions as he spoke, but it was like trying to read a porcelain doll.

He wondered if she used magic to conceal her facial expressions, or if it was just her.

"You realize that you sound insane? If there is a group operating on such a scale then this little guild will be crushed," Maya said.

"Like I said, the goal is to get in, get our man, and get out again. We're not planning to take them down all by our lonesome. Depending on what you find with the collars, perhaps we can set the slaves free as well. But that isn't the priority.

"Once we get our man out of there, the city guard or even the army can come in and clean them up," Connor said.

"If I were to go along with your insanity, then you realize the cost would be... extensive?" she said.

"I'm willing to pay," Connor said.

Maya shook her head. "No," she said, "not just gold."

Connor and Korvac looked at each other.

"What else do you want?" Connor asked.

"I want some of those collars to study," she said.

"Absolutely not," Connor said.

"And..." Maya continued, "I want you."

"Me? What for?" Connor asked.

"You have some magical talent if you created such destruction even under Elgar's gaze. I want to see if I can make something more impressive out of you. Besides, I could use an apprentice that can handle themselves," she said.

He couldn't believe his ears.

After years of trying to get his magic to obey him. Trying and failing to get apprenticed to Elgar, and now when becoming a wizard was the furthest thing from his mind, he was being strong-armed into it.

It wasn't even worth his time to struggle with his nearly-useless magic now that he had his alchemy.

"My magic doesn't work properly, but I'm sure we can find you a suitable apprentice. However, the collars are out of the question," he said.

"No. I don't want any other apprentice. I want you. As for the collars... why not? Scared I'll make some of my own?" she said.

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of. It's bad enough as it is. I won't risk them falling into the wrong hands," he said.

"From the sound of it, they're already in the wrong hands. Besides, I just want to study them. Learn from them," she said.

"To what end?" he said.

She shrugged and leaned back in her chair. "Become my apprentice, and you'll know all about it. Like it or not. Those are my terms, and I won't let you weasel out of any of them." she said.

He glared at her. "And what makes you think I'd accept?" he asked.

She smiled. "Clearly this is very important to you... you value the lives of the slaves and the people in this city, and you know that I'm your best bet at saving them. I also know you care a lot more for the person you wish to rescue than you let on," she said.

He gritted his teeth. "Are you using your magic on me?" he asked.

Her smile widened. "Become my apprentice, and I will teach you to recognize if someone is... and how to defend against it... at least to some degree," she said. She looked at Korvac and Connor in turn and stood up.