The Beggar Alchemist

Summer was gradually coming to an end. Rade and Andrei had maintained a great pace so far, although the heat was getting increasingly more difficult to deal with. The nights were still warm, the insects irritatingly active and the smell of lavender perfumed the roads leading to Dryfort. Maybe it was the sun that pushed people to stay hidden, since the roads were for the most part empty. Sometimes they would cross a young man walking to the Hatchets just like them, and they would share a night of conversation before continuing their course.

The dirt path slowly made way to a road of gravel, and around them an abundance of green grass and tall trees formed. Andrei could feel the air getting slightly cooler as multiple small rivers were flowing down their path, leading to some wooden bridges overgrown with vines. As the melodious chirping sound started resonating around them, a calmness enveloped the young man and he found himself gazing at this overflowing nature, seemingly untouched by mankind. There was a feeling in those woods of something ancient, profound, and powerful that anyone would regard it with respect and admiration.

The pair had spent the first few days of the journey without uttering a word, though as time passed the silence was getting unbearable, and Rade broke the ice. He talked about his love for freezing weather, and the time he got lost in the woods of his childhood home; almost dying in the process. Andrei remarked that it could have made this bad experience turn into a hatred for winter, but Rade argued that the silence of the cold season brought him a certain peace he couldn't really explain.

They shared meals, sometimes took naps under green trees, and debated to choose where to find a place to sleep. Andrei was slowly getting his strength back thanks to Rade's strict diet, since overeating would only bring him sickness and pain. Having company caused memories of his dear friend Lina to fill his mind, but he always found a way to distract himself.

One night, as they were nearing Hatchet territory, Rade confessed that most of his coins have been spent since they started travelling. He suggested sleeping out in the open, in a place they both deemed safe enough. Andrei agreed with a conflicted face not having much choice, and they scoured the surroundings looking for some kind of threat. They both ventured out of the road, and pushed through some bushes and trees, proceeding with caution. It was not rare for a disturbed man to prey on some travellers to strip them away of possessions or valuable objects, or anything that could satisfy them: sometimes, they just wanted meat, and you were the only way to provide it.

Rade took the lead giving his leather bag to Andrei, as he masterfully walked without a sound on the dried grass. He carefully pulled out a kitchen knife he stole from the tavern they stayed at the start of their journey, ready to defend himself against potential threats.

Suddenly, a quick movement behind some bushes caught his attention. His silver eyes looked down where he presumably saw the movement, drawing his blade forward. Discreetly moving towards the target, Rade stopped breathing for a moment, a slight apprehension taking him. He braced himself and jumped in the bushes, knife ahead. A high pitched squeak bleared out, making Andrei jolt in surprise. The knife had met with a brown hare, making Rade's eyes shine in excitement.

"A hare Andrei!" he exclaimed, genuinely happy. "What do you think, should we grill it? Use it in a stew? Oh how lucky we are!"

Andrei sighed in relief, turning behind him. It seemed that no one had heard the commotion, but he wasn't sure if this place was safe yet.

"Let's decide where to stay first while the sun is still out," he said, looking back at Rade.

Rade's expression slowly faded, and he nodded, grabbing the dead hare in its hands. Both went through the woods a bit more, as Andrei tried to look for a spot that could grant them some shelter.

They both settled inside a nearby cave, apparently deprived of its original inhabitants giving the two a perfect place to sleep for the night. As the sun set giving the lands an intense orange and amber colour, Rade had begun removing the skin and the guts of the animal, while Andrei was trying to find some herbs he could use. It was unsuccessful however, as he'd never yet studied the plants of the region: since Master Ikron's domus was located in the deep south, he never got the chance to experience this side of the empire yet. He picked up dried herbs and twigs instead to help Rade start a fire.

The small ambers of a flame began to form, as Andrei gently blew to let it take more importance. Rade seemed lost in thought, moody even, and Andrei watched him pierce a stick through the hare before placing it above the small fire.

"Is something the matter?" Andrei asked, brows knitted.

Rade didn't immediately answer, focused on the fire growing in size. Without looking his way, he answered with a controlled tone.

"Nothing, just excited for the meat."

"Oh you are radiant indeed," remarked Andrei chuckling.

Rade shot him an annoyed look, and plucked the wooden stick in the ground, leaning towards the fire. He laid down and put his hood over his head.

"We will be there tomorrow," he said in a distant voice. "Might be the last time we eat some meat, if we get out alive."

Andrei stayed silent for a moment, studying his face. His silver eyes seemed lost, as if having visions of an obscure past that he could not reach.

"We will," affirmed Andrei, eyes determined.

Rade pivoted his head towards him, curious.

"You will keep me alive, right?" quipped Andrei.

Rade burst out laughing.

"I have other things to take care of, but sure, if you insist," he chortled.

"Other things? What exactly?"

"There are things we both want at the Hatchets. You want one of the most coveted objects in the empire, while I... I'm looking for someone." Rade confessed.

As Andrei was going to ask more about this mysterious individual, he caught a glimpse of a great rage in his eyes. They were filled with wrath and intense hatred, and the rest of his face slowly twisted in anger. Andrei wondered what could have procured the young man such rage as the simple thought of it. He decided to ask no more, and dropped the subject.

"Do you have any idea where the artifact could be?" he asked.

Rade's traits soothed slightly.

"They have a deep dungeon, probably the Hatchet's pride and joy."

"That's interesting, I'm not sure I have heard of this before," replied Andrei, eager to know more. "Tell me about it, I'm intrigued."

Rade sat, and picked up the wooden stick bearing the hare before slowly twirling it above the fire. He took a few minutes of reflection, trying to find the word to describe the place.

"It is... Big. No, gigantic. Imagine this: a deep underground dungeon where traitors and criminals are gathered, a gargantuan labyrinth where without a guide, you would never see the light again. Halls and cells that succeed in a distorted manner, stairs that seem to never reach the bottom."

Rade paused. Andrei looked at his face, trying to find what thoughts were afflicting him. But when he saw his eyes, he stopped for a second. Rade's silvery eyes were filled with fear. He was afraid. The fire crackled, and Andrei shook his head.

"A louring place it seems. And tell me what is it called?" inquired Andrei, uncomfortable.

Rade kept twirling the wooden stick, and the luscious smell of grilled meat filled the air around them.

"Howling halls."

------

The night came, and after the conversation, Rade's mood significantly decreased. Fright had left his eyes, but he remained silent, unwilling to talk more about the place. Andrei was not sure what to think, giving the description of this underground labyrinth. He needed to have access to some plans, or a guide at the very least, but how to get even close to the place if they were assigned as simple soldiers? No, being a soldier won't do. He was not the best fighter, but he was knowledgeable, more than the average man. Andrei had to reach higher grounds, reach Lord's Hatchet closest man. Gain his trust, at the very least. He had to prove he was worthy of keeping close at hand, not thrown in the dirt to battle with a sword.

The meat was exquisite. Nothing in this world could come close to the absolute bliss this grilled hare was giving them. Every bite felt like a new found joy that kept them going. When both finished, only bones were left.

Rade volunteered to stay awake and guard the small camp, and he got up with haste without asking for Andrei's answer. Defeated, he laid down near the fire watching the dancing flames as his thoughts slowly carried him to sleep. His mind was a jumble of emotions and images he could not remove from his head - Lina's death, especially, barely gave him any rest.

Andrei thought about Rade's anger at the mention of the man he was looking for. He too was filled with wrath, but it was fueled by a deep injustice and resentment of the crown. Though it was nowhere near as or as the deep resentment hidden away in Rade's silver eyes. Lina's death brought him sadness, anger also, yet he mourned his previous life more. It was incredibly selfish, and Andrei hated himself for it, but the memory of his sweet life had never left him. The tender feeling of peace and the ability to lose himself to his studies fully,ached deep in his heart. He missed this life dearly.

Alas, this time was long gone now. Forward was the only way to go, and with it, the hope to change the world to a slightly gentler place.