Chapter 39: Enclave IX

Chapter 39: Enclave IX

A pale yellow light crept in the apothecary window, confirming that I had once again stayed up all night. It wasnt my intention. I had planned to go to bed a little after four, but after taking stock of Mayas gift, Id decided to give it one more shot. Casikas had cut me a great deal on the required ingredients, so I went a little overboard. As of the current moment, my gift for her included a mess of antiseptics, salves for various afflictions including frostbite and burns, and a vurseng tea mixture.

But there was one particular potion I had tried and subsequently failed to make over half a dozen attempts.

It all started with a story: Casikas had told me about somewhat casually about a phenomenon the infernals referred to as death tunnels. As I already knew, the sanctum was constantly shifting the further you moved from the center. It was possible for some passages to completely close off, trapping inhabitants at a dead-end inside. But this was relatively rare. What was slightly more commonalbeit equally problematicwas that the earth would shift slightly, intersecting with one of the many aquifers present at that layer, and a previously dry passage would completely flood with water. This was a major problem, as the passages could in some cases extend for miles.

The solution was the iron-lung potion. It simultaneously increased oxygen in the blood while reducing the heart rate, making it possible to triple or quadruple the standard time a person could hold their breath. It was, however, inordinately expensive and difficult to brew. Id blown most of the modest savings Id accrued from the apothecary on the ingredients attempting to make it the first three times. The problem was that the same ingredients were also used to brew mage-bane, a mixture that was similar in that it reduced heart rate, but also drained mana and slowed regeneration. The main difference in the brewing process was the temperature of the mixture. It required a higher temperature than a standard flame, which necessitated using my magic, as Casikass apothecary lacked the necessary equipment. But, it took hours. If the temperature was too inconsistent, the potion wouldnt form anything of use. If it was too high, Id end up activating the secondary characteristics of the ingredients, producing a batch of mediocre mage-bane. Only if it achieved the exact temperature maintained consistently, would it result in the potion I needed.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

The bell to the front door chimed as Casikas entered with a dour Morning, sleep still heavy in his voice. I ignored him, staying focused on the task at hand. I removed the flat-bottomed glass flask from the fire, recalling the flame absent-mindedly.

He entered the lab, identifying what I was doing immediately and reaching for the strainer. He observed silently as I poured the liquid through it into another beaker.

Any chance you actually got it this time? He asked, voice expressing exactly how much of a possibility he thought that was.

I shrugged. Not sure. Ive gotten better at narrowing the range of the heat to a matter of degrees, but theres always a margin of error. I glowered at the flask. Pretty sure the temperature spiked for a few seconds there.

Well, we can always sell more mage-bane. Are you here for the day or just tinkering?

Tinkering. I swirled the beaker and held it up to the light. Hey, how does the color look to you? It was pearlescent blue, much clearer than the previous attempts.

Casikas took it from me, pushing his round spectacles up his nose and studying it for a moment before handing it back. Looks decent. But theres really only one way to tell for sure. He shot me a toothy smile. Grimacing, I poured a small portion of it into a half-cup and, sending off a quick prayer beforehand to any god that might be listening, tossed it back.

The taste was mostly the same. Pungent bouquet. A viscous and briny body. But the finish was different, nuttier: More briar nut than elm.

I waited anxiously, bracing myself for the dizziness and discomfort as the mana drained from my body. Unlike the last time, it didnt come. But something was happening. My heart, which was pounding in anticipation just moments ago, began slowing down, almost to a normal rate. Experimentally, I called the flame, and it manifested in my palm with no issue. Then I held my breath. I hadnt taken a full dose, so I wouldnt feel the exact effects, but the typical urgency to breathe didnt manifest until what much later than normal. I grinned, holding the bottle skyward and pumping a fist.

Finally.

I knocked on Mayas door. It swung open, and she waved me in, barely contained panic in her eyes. There was a half-packed travelers bag and rucksack on her bed, haphazardly strewn across a rumpled red blanket. Everything else in the room was immaculately ordered and dusted, making the mess from packing stand out starkly. Maya darted back and forth, moving between the two bags frantically, looking into the air and muttering to herself and counting on her fingers.

So I take it youre excited, then? I took a seat.

Up! Up! She shooed me away from her bed. I am sorry. I am in a rush and am certain I am forgetting something, though I cannot for the life of me remember what it is.

Name it, I said quickly, cutting her off.

Maya looked down, and her lip quivered. After everything with Barion I thought I would never see my them again. Thought I would never feel my mothers embrace, hear my fathers laugh. Now, I am terrified to leave them.

I suddenly understood, a little too well. You dont have to say it. Ill look after your family, Maya. I promise.

Its a lot to ask, but I do not know anyone else who can see the future. She smiled up at me, shyly. There was so much trust in her eyes.

Well, its a good thing Im here then, I said, smirking. Designated seer, at your service.

See that you dont end up believing your own tall tales. Maya rolled her eyes. If you are a seer, then I am the Empress of Aiphela.

Pretty sure you have to be a dark elf for that.

Cairn. Theres something

Jorra stuck his head in. Maya, mom says towoah. He wiggled his eyebrows, and we immediately released hands, stepping away from each other quickly.

Get out! Maya exclaimed, her cheeks flushed red. Jorra scampered away, cackling. I helped her with her bags, and we prepared to leave.

Nethtari and Kilvius stood side by side, Agarin squirming in Nethtaris arms. Jorra was teeming with barely withheld jealousy. And Maya was loaded down with a rucksack and a number of other bags, standing on the lift with a dozen other infernals her age. They were awash in a mix of emotions. Some looked cautious, others terrified, but most were practically vibrating, overcome with uncontainable excitement. Kilvius and Nethtari had peppered Maya with last-minute advice on the way there, but now stood silent. Maya hugged each of them, even Jorra, then planted a kiss on Agarins forehead. Ill be back before you know it.

You best come back after the requisite three months, Nethtaris face was stern. And not a day later.

I know, mom. Maya took her place on the lift. A violet infernal snapped the entrance rail into place and held out his hand, casting a spell. There was a burgeoning creak of metal, thick cables larger than two fists held together slowly unspooled, and the lift began to descend.

I waved. See you soon, Maya.

She waved back, growing more distant by the second. Eventually, the lift disappeared, swallowed by the darkness of the chasm, the only evidence of its continued existence the still unraveling wires

Feeling strangely forlorn and empty, I turned away from the precipice. Hair prickled on the back of my neck.

Near the back of the square, Guemon was watching, his expression cold and unreadable.