Alchemist (The Four Corners of Santerria)

  “One hundred and eight deceased Monoglyphs attack us this night.” His eyes found his daughter, then the rest of them once more. “This necromancy was created by the war criminal, the Phantom, Edward. I have every reason to believe that there will be further attacks. If you notice or hear anything unusual, you must report it to me or to General Lyland immediately.”

  He looked at Lyle. “Have you managed to locate a temporal device?”

  “Yes, I have.”

  Connor sat up, surprised, but refrained from speaking out of turn.

  “Where did you find it?” Terry asked keenly, asking the question everyone else silently wanted to know.

  Lyle hesitated. “A friend. It was originally going to be here in a couple of days but after tonight I have asked him to bring it here by first light.”

  Terry was a bit suspicious of the explanation but let it slide. “So we can go after him?”

  “It’s not much good if we don’t know where he is.” Lyle looked at the King. “The last time we encountered him on Earth was in Edinburgh. He could be anywhere now.”

  Fallo began to say something, but his daughter wasn’t listening.

  Terry muttered something to herself, lost in thought.

  Everyone looked at her. “Daughter?” her father asked, raising an eyebrow.

  She snapped out of her reverie. “I was just thinking...”

  “Thinking what?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing, it’s probably just my imagination.”

  “Tell me.”

  Terry looked about the room. She waved a hand for him to come over. Darius leapt out of his seat, something the King took without acknowledgement. He pulled the up the chair. Lyle also drew closer to hear. “What is it?” asked Fallo, lowering his voice.

  “Edward always seems to know where we are.”

  Her father’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand. How?”

  Terry closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t explain that very well. What I mean is, no matter where we seem to be he seems to know.”

  Lyle appeared troubled by this. “What makes you say that?”

  “When we went to The Southlands, we found one of the tribes murdered, right in our path. And a few days ago when we were in the mountains and we found the Iok tribe, again, right in our path. They were miles from home and there were no footpaths. Then there were the two attacks in Edinburgh and tonight’s attack...”

  “We don’t know who killed the tribesman.” Lyle cut in.

  “No but don’t you think it’s strange that their bodies were conveniently lying in our way both times? No-one could have possibly known that we were in the Gyris Mountains. I think Edward put them there to try and scare us and I think he used dead Alchemists to carry out the attacks so that we would not think it was him.”

  “What were you saying about tonight?” interjected Fallo, returning to her unfinished thought.

  She looked at him. “When was the last time the colony was attacked?”

  Fallo had to think about it. “Not for many years. Why?”

  “Don’t you think it’s strange that this is the first time we’ve been home properly in nearly a decade and suddenly there is one? Why would Edward suddenly decide to attack here and now when he’s had plenty of other opportunities over the years if he’s still being alive?”

  Fallo’s eyes narrowed. “How could he possibly know where you are?”

  His daughter’s gaze slowly drifted across the table and Fallo and Lyle followed.

  The young water elemental fidgeted uncomfortably as several thousand eyes fell on him. “Why are you all looking at me like that for?” He looked about nervously. “I haven’t done anything...”

  Fallo stood, drawing his blades. “No!” Terry shouted, running into his path. His blazing eyes met hers, seeking an explanation.

  “I don’t think he knows.” She said softly.

  The King slowly shook his head. “You can’t be sure.”

  Darius started backing away from the table. “What the hell’s going on?”

  “Calm down Darius.” Lyle said, holding a hand out in an attempt to calm the young man as he approached.

  Darius backed off. “Stay away from me...”

  Lyle stopped. “I’m not going to hurt you. But you might be infected with something.”

  “What? What are you talking about?” He rambled anxiously. His gaze shot to Faye, then to Connor and Terry, desperately seeking answers.

  “Years ago we found a spy in one of our colonies, an Alchemist, who had been touched by a Phantom.” Lyle explained. “Those who are touched act like a pair of eyes for them, what they see, the Phantom can see. We think the same might have happened to you.”

  Darius looked about frantically. “But...but...I’ve never even seen a Phantom before!” He began to sob, as the gravity of what the general said sank in.

  Lyle shook his head. “You wouldn’t remember it. But you have to calm down and let us help you.”

  “Why? What are you going to do? Put a blade through my head?”

  “No. No.” Lyle waved a hand at his brother. “The King was only trying to defend his daughter, that’s all. He won’t hurt you. I know how to get it out of you, but if you don’t calm down, it might take over.”

  Darius suddenly froze, his eyes shut and his head dropped. A few moments later his neck straightened and his eyelids opened, revealing jet black orbits. An audible gasp passed through the council hall.

  “General.” Darius said bluntly, but the voice was not his own.

  “I don’t recognise your voice.”

  “But I remember you general and the kiss of your blade that ended my last host.”

  Lyle’s eyes narrowed. “Sigonna.”

  A dark smirk flashed across his face and then vanished.

  If Lyle was surprised to see a dead Phantom he hid it well. “You’re the second one I’ve ran into who doesn’t stay dead.”

  He barked a humourless laugh. “Phantoms never truly die general, you know that. We simply...move on, so to speak.” He cocked his head, staring curiously at his killer. “I thought you would have killed me by now.”

  “And kill Darius in the process?”

  He smirked again. “Very clever, I thought you were no more an animal than you’re brethren.” His gaze shifted to the princess. “Like her, working it out.”

  Fallo bristled. “You will hold your tongue when you are in our presence.”

  “Dad, don’t.” Terry said, grabbing his arm.

  “Go on, do it! Kill me! Send me back to the other side!”

  Fallo held his ground, but he looked poised to strike any second.

  “Edward bought you back, didn’t he?” Terry asked, getting his attention.

  “Yes and this was one of his conditions. Possess a being and be his eyes and ears for him as Edward can no longer do it to a living host himself anymore. He is weak, nothing more than a shadow than he used to be. That is why he has never attacked you directly.” An evil smile peeled his face.

  “Why are you telling us all this?” Lyle asked.

  “Because I have been caught and if you do not kill me then my master will send me back to the nether for failing anyway. I have nothing to lose.”

  “He could always bring you back again.” Connor said, regarding him warily with lit hands.

  A mocking smile creased his lips. “It is Edward we are talking about, you know he wouldn’t. And if he catches me, he will torture me before he sends me back.” He turned to look at Lyle again. “That’s the only thing I like about you Alchemists, you are quick and swift in delivering death.”

  “We could always torture you.”

  The demon shook Darius’ head. “But you won’t. I’m a Phantom in a colony of twenty million, one of you will kill be sooner or later.”

  “Can Edward see what you’re seeing right now?” Terry asked, taking a step closer.

  “No, he has run back to Earth and all the portals have shut behind him. B
ut he will create one again soon, looking for me. Then he will know what happened here unless you kill me.”

  Whilst distracted talking to Terry, Sigonna did not see Lyle nod toward a few of the guards behind him. Quietly, they signalled amongst themselves and closed in. The next thing the demon knew he was being pinned to the floor, by six heavily armoured Alchemists.

  “Don’t hurt him!” cried Faye, rushing forward and fearing the worst. Connor grabbed her and pulled her back. “No! Faye! No!”

  “Darius!” she screamed, tears rolling down her face as she sunk to her knees.

  The guards dragged the possessed man to his feet. “What next general? Death at last?”

  Lyle approached. He met Sigonna’s dark gaze, then turned to look at The King. “My Lord, I can cure him. You know I have done it before, I can save Darius’s life.”

  The King stood silently, regarding the request. Terry’s heart pounded like a jack hammer, fearing he would choose the merciless option. It felt like an eternity passed in the hall; the life or death of an innocent man rested on her father’s whim.

  He nodded. “Thank you my Lord.” Lyle sketched a bow and led the guards away, dragging the screaming man between them.

  The tension in the room broke and everyone began talking amongst themselves, exchanging as much shock as relief. “Take care of her.” Lyle shouted to Connor before he disappeared.

  Connor gave his back a silent nod. Faye sat on the ground, her head in her hands, distraught.

  “Father!” shouted Terry, running into his quarters. She had lost him in the throng on the way back and he had not answered her shouts.

  “I wish to be alone.” He said, facing the large brazier.

  Terry’s heart sank. Turning away, she whispered a thank you.

  He did not reply.

  Chapter 19

  Funeral for a Friend

  “Terry.”

  She jerked awake. “When did I doze off?” she asked, angry that she had.

  Connor sat down on the stone bench next to her. “I don’t know.” He checked his watch. “But we left about thirty minutes ago.” He handed her a small, earthen cup of water. “Don’t worry about it, you’ve not missed anything.”

  “How’s Faye?”

  He shook his head. “Not good.” He wiped his face with his hands. “But there is nothing she can do. I think sending her to her bed is the best we could have done. Hopefully she won’t feel so bad if she gets some sleep.”

  Terry nodded, but did not reply. For a few minutes the two friends shared a sombre silence. A regiment of primeval Alchemists marched passed them through the wide street, while others scuttled across the rocky wall behind them, rather than lose ground on their comrades; an activity that left them unfazed. They all called to their future queen; a unique, high-pitched shriek. Terry ignored them as they passed.

  Normally she would have responded, even if it was just a courteous incline of the head. But her mind was on other things. She gazed upward to the lights that shone from the spires that towered high above. She then looked at her personnel guard who stood by at a short, but respectable distance. They watched vigilantly for trouble, despite the late hour. “I wish they weren’t following me everywhere.” She muttered, nodding in their direction.

  Connor followed her gaze. “Your father’s jumpy. I can’t say I blame him.” He looked back to his old friend. “Not after what’s happened.” He rubbed his hands together, more out of boredom than cold. “Did your father say what he intends to do now that we have found a way home?”

  She shook her head. “If he has he hasn’t told me. We’ve not spoken since what happened in the council chambers.” She nodded towards the guards. “Their captain just turned up at my quarters.”

  Connor made no attempt to mask his anxiety. “You can’t let him send an army after Edward, it would be carnage.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” she asked bluntly. Checking herself she sighed, drawing a hand over her face. “Sorry, it’s been a long night.”

  He forced a smile. “It’s ok.”

  Neither of them spoke for several minutes. Finally Terry said: “I wish Rufus was here, he’d know what to do.”

  Connor smiled. “You know, I was thinking the exact same thing.”

  “We need find him when we get back. We need all the help we can find.”

  “That’s if we are allowed to go back.” Connor said dubiously.

  The sound of heavy footsteps cut off the conversation. They stood as a group of half a dozen guards hurried toward them.

  “My Lady.” The leader gasped heavily, bowing. “I have been sent with a message from General Lyland. The water elemental has died.”

  It was all Terry and Connor could do but stare at each other in shock.

  ******

  A heavy silence filled the office. The small, poky room, which had been fashioned from a small cave, belonged to one of the prison deputies. This evening though it had been commandeered by the general when he had first bought Darius in.

  Lyle sat behind the desk, little more than a wooden table and chair littered with a few amenities, staring blankly into space.

  Faye sat on the floor, her face buried in her arms, Connor with his arms wrapped round her. A trail of silent tears trickled down the side of his friend’s face but she had not made a sound since she had woken to the news of Darius’s demise.

  Terry sat slumped in the corner, her gaze fixed in the distance. She had not spoken since they had arrived in the office.

  “I shouldn’t have left.”

  Connor looked at Lyle, almost unable to hear what he said. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  Lyle shook his head. “Yes it was. They are my soldiers I am responsible for their actions.” His gaze fell to the desk. “I should have known one of them would have got jumpy. They hate the possessed, they always have.” His eyes narrowed. “Generations of superstitious nonsense, fears that they will somehow become the same if they touch someone who is possessed.” He muttered, slamming a fist against it.

  Faye jumped and Connor held her tighter. Lyle had the decency to look ashamed when he realised he had scared her.

  “What did you do with the guard?” asked Connor, peering back up to him.

  Lyle merely looked at him. It did not have to be said. Connor leant his head against Faye’s.

  The general sighed, a heavy sound. “And now there could be an invasion...” he shook his head; “all because of one man...”

  Terry suddenly stood. “This temporal machine you said about earlier, where is it?”

  “It arrived here a couple of hours ago. Why?”

  “Can we use it now?”

  Lyle’s eyes narrowed. “Please don’t even suggest it...”

  “Why not?”

  Lyle rose from the chair. “Because if we left without his leave he’ll come after us and we’d have an invasion anyway.”

  “Not if we break it.”

  For one of the first times and one of the few times she saw fear on his face. “Terry...”

  “Please don’t start.” She asked, holding a hand out to him. She was not in the mood. “I know you know how to work those things. You might not be able to build one, but I’m pretty sure you could break it.”

  He leant against the desk, levelling his gaze at her. “And then what? They will find another one and come anyway.”

  Terry raised her hand again to him, but this time it was gesture for silence. She was wary of unwanted ears listening in. Lowering her voice she said, “They’ve had ten years to find a temporal device and they never have but managed to in a couple of days. And no-one in this colony certainly knows how to build one.”

  Lyle shook his head. “That was different. Your father was honouring the agreement of your exile and your wishes for him not to start a war with the south. But that has now all changed. You have seen him lately. He even told you himself he would go to war with the Southlands if it meant he could keep you here. This time he won’t stop.”
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  Terry walked to the desk, facing him from the other side. “What other choice do we have? There’s only two ways out of this and one of them is us sitting back and allowing an invasion to happen. This is the best we’ve got. We’ve dealt with Edward on our own before, we can do it again.”

  Reluctantly Lyle knew she had a point, no matter how much he begrudged with every last inch of his body betraying his King. The thought made him sick to the stomach, something owed to millions of years of instinctive obedience to the monarch that had been bred into his race.