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

Chapter 44 Blood And Gold

With everything ironed out with Maya, the rest quickly fell into place.

Connor, Maya, Adelia, Vadik, Illyian, and Korvac all sat around Korvac's table going over the few remaining details.

"After going through those in the guild and the handful from Illyian's side we have fifty-three people with the skills and loyalty we need, not counting the six of us. A few even have a direct motivation to see The Syndicate destroyed," Connor said,

"the core idea remains the same. We'll split into two groups. Korvac you'll lead the larger group, consisting of six wizards, Illyian, seventeen people skilled with bows or crossbows, and twenty-two others.

"Illyian, you know the most about magic, excluding Maya, so it'll be your job to direct the wizards. Korvac is going to have his hands full as it is. It's up to you to use the wizards as effectively as you can. Remember, The Syndicate will almost certainly bring out wizards of their own.

"Korvac's group will first secure Zauberer itself and then make their way in through the secret passage. We don't know how the slaves will react to your presence, so it's best to assume they'll be hostile. Incapacitate them if you can, kill them if you have to. In a perfect world, we'd save them all, but we may not have that luxury.

"You'll want to take up positions on the catwalks and choke points. Stir up as much commotion as you can and keep The Syndicate tied up and distracted for as long as possible.

"While Korvac's group is busy with that, the rest of us led by myself will sneak in through a different entrance. It's the only other one I know of, and it should be far enough away from Korvac to serve our needs.

"From there, we'll make our way to where Victor is being held. Maya will remove his collar, and the slaves' if possible. If she can't remove his collar when we find him, we'll subdue him if needed, get out, and remove his collar when possible.

"We have no idea how these damn things work, or exactly what they have in terms of defenses, so it'll be up to all of us to adjust and react as best we can."

"Are you sure we can't we take more with us? I expect the ones you've chosen are too loyal to the guild to refuse the mission, but there's still a chance someone will, and it's fewer than I'd like as it is," Korvac said.

"I'd love to. Believe me, I would, but it just isn't worth it if we can't trust them. The Syndicate have us outnumbered. If something leaked to them... we wouldn't have a chance. I don't expect you to invade the facility. I just need you to draw them away and keep them distracted.

"Everyone we've picked is highly skilled, and the wizards should help you immensely. I know it seems too few, but as long as they don't know we're coming they'll be spread out, and it'll take them time just to respond to your attack.

"When they do, they'll be out of our way. No matter how many they send, I'm sure you can hold them back if you use the chokepoints. That's the important thing. You just have to hold their attention. As for getting them onboard... we don't want anyone who isn't all in here. If we don't get one or two, we'll just have to make do. I think I can get them motivated to join us though," Connor said.

Korvac nodded, but his eyes looked far away.

"I understand your worries, but with Chamberlain Davison's power play, I dare not bring in the guard, and we don't know who we can trust in this guild. We have to be careful. Even if we brought everyone, they'd crush us if they knew we were coming.

"With small groups, we can cause a commotion, slip in, grab Victor and get out. Once that's done we can get rid of The Chamberlain and bring in the army if that's what it takes. We'll wipe these bastards out, but for now, we're outnumbered, and our strength lies in surprise and misdirection. I need to know that I can count on you," Connor said.