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

Chapter 80 Gonghammer Caravan

After another few days in the city, they set out at dawn with the Gonghammer caravan.

They moved swifter than Connor had expected and he busied himself with working on potions and transmuting lead and other cheap metals into gold as they traveled. As such, he saw little of the surrounding countryside.

Adelia spent most of her time walking outside their wagon while one of the dwarves from the caravan drove it smoothly in line with the others.

Adelia said it gave her a chance to enjoy the scenery while he was working.

But, in truth, Connor had the feeling it was more to make sure nobody bothered him and saw what he was doing. And, so she could guard them against any threats.

The dwarven guards were more than a match for most of what they faced on the road, but the caravan quickly came to enjoy the extra safety she offered.

They passed through several towns and the occasional city as they traveled and the days felt as though they blurred together for Connor.

He very rapidly built up an enormous supply of wealth and started the beginnings of a network, getting his hands on more and more alchemy supplies. Although it never felt like enough. And, he'd bought up damn near every magical scroll he could get his hands on.

He even bought shares in the Gonghammer caravan itself as Seamus impressed Connor with the speed he was growing his business, the trade routes he'd made for his caravan, and the dwarf's sharp, perceptive mind.

Given that Connor planned to make Magna'dur the base of their operations for now, having a trustworthy caravan delivering him ingredients seemed incredibly useful. And, it seemed that Seamus too had rapidly come to trust and respect Connor and Adelia.

Especially after the goblin attack.

The little green monsters had hidden in the tall, wild grass on either side of the road, making them impossible to spot until they'd attacked.

They'd brought several ogres with them, huge hulking brutes that carried small trees like clubs. The dwarves, though steadfast, were hopelessly outnumbered and caught by surprise.

The entire caravan would be lucky to have even a single survivor... or that's how it had looked for all of a moment before Adelia fell upon the green horde like the shadow of death.

Fountains of goblin blood sprayed in her wake as Connor stayed back and fired enchanted crossbow bolts into the ogres' eyes with impossible accuracy.

Even the tough, brutish behemoths couldn't withstand that and they fell one after another, shaking the earth as they crashed to the ground like felled trees, their eye sockets bristling with enchanted crossbow bolts.

All while Adelia's new axe beheaded goblins by the score.

In less than a minute, what had seemed like all but certain death for the dwarven caravan devolved into a rout for the goblins as they ran screaming into the long grass. Adelia followed them inside like a hunting cat.

The only sound of her passing was the rustling whistle of rapidly parting grass punctuated by the occasional agonized shriek cut off by unnatural silence as Adelia pursued the creatures like a monster out of folklore.

After that, the entire caravan revered her as though she were a divine guardian sent by Anvilus himself to watch over them. Something Adelia seemed to find equal parts flattering and amusing.

They even seemed impressed with Connor's aim. Though even the best placed crossbow bolts couldn't compare to Adelia's flare for the dramatic.

"I told you they'd take a liking to you," Connor said.