Ethan Wright and the Alchemist's Order, (Book 2) by Kimbro West

seat behind the desk. “Heinrich, I want you to find Edison Rupert, and bring him to me,” he said with his cheeks ablaze and veins popping out from his forehead, “…bring him to me, NOW!”
    “And what about us?” asked Ethan.
    “What about you?” retorted the Castellan.
    “Wi’ yer permission … sir, we need tae replace MacArthur … er, Odin. These wee jimmies waur tauld tae fin’ a replacement.”
    “And who are you , anyway?”
    “Mah nam is Keavy. Ah am th’ new professor at th’ alchemy academy,” stated Keavy.
    “You’re new, eh?”
    “Aye.”
    “Looks like you’ve just been promoted … Captain . Now get your students out of my sight,” ordered the Castellan. “Heinrich, you can give them their swords back. With this new confession, I find it hard to believe the Orobori had anything to do with the murder,” he declared, peering at the bloody dagger resting on the floor.
    “My lord, it would make sense to examine Ethan’s sword a bit longer — just in case,” begged Heinrich.
    The Castellan sighed. “Fine … and have them take that captain of the youth Guard with them — what’s his name?”
    “Marcus Grenwise, sir,” answered Heinrich.
    “Yes,” ordered the Castellan. “I don’t want you two getting into any more trouble. Now get out.”
    Heinrich threw Auren his Losalfarian blade and walked out of the study with Ethan’s sword. Ethan’s anger heightened as Heinrich exited with his fire sword. He clenched his fist and examined the veins on his arm that had held the Dead Hand bracelet. The veins that had been grey were returning to their normal color, and the odd feeling left as quickly as it had come.

Chapter 5
Xivon’s Plan
    In a small dark room inside the city of Gilfangir was an instrument made of blackened metal. The base of the device was fastened to the floor. At the neck, a rudimentary swivel allowed the hooded alchemist to move the arm of the device over his target. The tip glowed, a hot red alchemical symbol cast in silver-colored metal that was slowly being lowered onto General Xivon’s collarbone.
    The hooded man used a slight effort as he pushed the symbol into flesh. The smell of burning Mitan skin made the alchemist momentarily nauseous. A soft purple glow came from Xivon’s mark as he eyed the procedure. The burning symbol released itself from the device and sank into his skin. He smiled triumphantly as it settled into place. It nearly completed the circle of similar alchemical symbols that encompassed the top of his spine and led around to the opposing collarbone.
    “Ahhh,” said Xivon satisfactorily, “I’m going to miss these little sessions, Seafarer.”
    “Yes … my Lord — as will I,” replied the hooded alchemist in a deferential voice.
    Xivon’s flesh smoked slightly as the metal symbol rested flush with the contour of his collar bone.
    “Another,” ordered Xivon.
    “But … your Greatness … it is my recommendation that you heal first — it needs time to—”
    General Xivon looked up at the alchemist with intimidation. “Do it!” he insisted.
    “Yes … of course,” replied Seafarer, picking up the next symbol and fumbling it toward the tip of the device. He tried to open the device, but it was still extremely hot. As the hooded alchemist undid a small clasp, he could hear his skin sizzling and let go with a hiss. But with one look at an impatient Xivon he forced himself to open the latch. The now-empty cartridge discharged onto the floor. Seafarer shoved the new symbol into the device and snapped the latch closed. His fingers were blackening from the repeated abuse and he shoved them in his mouth, hoping his saliva would cool them. It did not. He ignored the pain and pulled a lever on the side of the device. A small click was heard and the tip started to glow red; soon the new alchemy symbol followed suit. The alchemist pulled dark goggles off his scarred forehead and down his scarred face, covering his eyes. He lowered the