Free The Echidna's Scale (Alchemy's Apprentice) by Jeffrey Quyle Page B

Marco knew he could not and did not intend to return to his role as an apprentice in the Lion City.
    “Barcelon?  I thought you were on an island full of beautiful women?” Teresa spoke.
    “I was expelled from the island, and they put me on a ship.  I went to Barcelon, and I started working in an alchemy shop there,” he again simplified his tale.  “The plague started, and I developed a cure for it.
    “Then the city was attacked by the Corsairs.  The sorcerer was with them again.  They weren’t just raiding – they went into alchemists’ shops looking for gorgon’s blood,” he told them.
    “And you just happened to have some?  The rarest item known?” Phillippe asked skeptically.
    “Yes and no,” Marco answered, aware of Algornia’s deep scrutiny.
    “That’s enough for now,” the old alchemist stood up suddenly.  “Here we’ve made you tell your tales all this time, without a thought about hospitality.  Have you had any breakfast yet?” he asked Marco.
    The mention of the meal, made Marco’s stomach flip.  “I haven’t; I haven’t had much to eat for a couple of days,” he answered.
    “And maybe not much to eat before that!” Teresa said.  “You’re skin and bones.  And you still haven’t told us about your golden hand.”
    “After the meal, child, after the meal,” Algornia said.  “Come with me Marco,” he directed, and he started walking towards the front of the shop.  “You keep working on that potion, Phillippe.  I’ll be back later.”
    Marco looked at the two who remained behind, and gave a shrug and a wave, then followed Algornia out to the front of the shop, where he was opening a chest that was locked.
    “Here Marco,” he held out a small leather pouch, one that felt heavy in Marco’s hand.  “This is a reward of ten gold florins that the Doge offered to you as a reward for your part in fighting off the sorcerer and saving the city.  Angelina – and more specifically her maid – said that you had saved them and then gone back to the dock just before the protective dome was disabled.
    “Let’s go to my club and get a bite of food, shall we?” Algornia asked.  “I sense there is a great deal of your story that has been left unsaid, or that should be left unspoken except for only the most particular ears, such as mine, eh?” he suggested good-naturedly as he opened the door and let Marco lead the way out into the square.
    Algornia stepped in front of Marco as they walked, and led him on a leisurely, silent walk that happened to take them directly past Abrianna’s dress shop, a reminder to Marco of the time he had modeled women’s dresses, on the last day he had spent in the Lion City as a matter of fact.  The same day he had met the willowy, tall model Constance, who had been helpful and friendly to Marco in his time of need.
    They passed Abrianna’s shop, and two minutes later walked up to a discreet doorway, where a doorman silently held the door open for Marco and Algornia to enter.
    Inside, the building was dark, the walls paneled with dark wood, while dark portraits of men were hung in straight lines along the hallway ahead.  Algornia plodded straight ahead without pause or guidance, then led Marco to the side, where a small room held only three tables, all unoccupied.
    As soon as they sat, a waiter materialized magically.  “We’ll have two plates of the veal chops, with parsnips and a bottle of wine,” Algornia spoke without looking at the waiter, who quietly glided away.
    “What has happened to you?” Algornia asked simply.
    “I don’t know; I don’t understand it all,” Marco said.  “I tried to fight a sorcerer, and then I met a merboy, and then the spirit of the island declared me to be the champion, and the dolphins saved me.  I read that book, and killed the sorcerer, and chopped my hand off – then had it put back on.  And there’s more than that.
    “I’m a marquis in Barcelon, and I’m betrothed to a beautiful girl,