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

Chapter 51 Erik

The ship started into a gradual sense of acceleration. No doubt easing its way out of the harbor.

Connor felt bitter, thinking about all the people he was leaving behind at the Syndicate's mercy. Not by choice, of course. But that made it little better in his eyes.

He focused on his meditation again, allowing that bitterness, anger, and shame to course through him and drain away from his mind. There was no room for such things on the path that lay ahead of him. Only calm, calculated decisions and using Victor's training to its fullest.

The ship continued picking up speed and a series of sharp turns changed into a far smoother, faster sense of travel. Connor had no doubt they'd left the harbor now and entered the open ocean.

Sometime later, the lock in the door to the room clicked open, though Connor heard no rattle of keys. The door swung open with a heavy groan and the robed man entered the room. There was no key in the lock and he did not touch the door.

The robed man stepped inside and it closed behind him as though by some unseen hand. Another click of the lock followed. Connor tried to keep his face impassive, his breathing steady in the meditative rhythm.

Connor would've thought the man a wizard if not for the lack of anything to indicate he'd even used magic. No components. No words. Not even a gesture. Nothing.

Perhaps that door has more sophisticated enchantments than I'd thought... but then why did the others use keys? Connor wondered. Everything kept getting stranger.

The robed man had lightly tanned skin with sandy brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His brown eyes were sharp and carried a feral edge to them like some rangers Connor had met.

It stood in stark contrast to the elegant crimson robes stretched over the man's barrel chest.

He walked with utter confidence as though he were the largest predator around. The metal strand of a necklace around his neck led into his robes, which hid whatever hung upon that chain from Connor's eyes. Whatever it was, it looked expensive as the metal chain glittered gold in the light.

The robed man smiled. It looked genuine and friendly.

"What a pleasure it is to finally meet you," he said, "my name is Erik Broaix. Please, call me Erik. I'm sorry about the delay. Last minute details had to be taken care of, I'm sure you understand? But, now that's taken care of and we have a chance to talk. I see you're already standing. I'd heard about that. I'm impressed, but I suppose I should've expected as much. How are the accommodations? Is everything acceptable?"

The words and questions came fast, like a barrage. Erik seemed almost overwhelmed with excitement. His sparkling eyes only made his words seem even more genuine. It caught Connor off guard for a moment.

"I expect I don't need to introduce myself?" Connor asked.

He wasn't sure where to even begin with the rest of what Erik had said, and he watched Erik closely. Looking for any sign of deception. Something to show that this was an act.

He saw none.

"Oh, most definitely not," said Erik, "I've been waiting to meet you for... well... a long while now. I wish we could do away with the bars and have a proper meeting on the deck with sun and sea air, but I can't risk what you might do to my crew. Or to yourself."

But not to you? Connor thought.

Connor studied the man. Vadik's betrayal was still fresh in his mind, and he wondered if he were perhaps not as good at reading people as he'd thought. Still, the man seemed to mean every single word he said.