Finally, Mira was breathing normally. I could even hear her do so, thanks to the silence that fell over the room after all was done. But the silence itself was a bit uncomfortable now because no one present was looking at her anymore. Their eyes were on me. Or, more precisely, on the book, the empty vial, and the fact that I came back with something so valuable to be used on a simple street kid—not even my own kid. Well, the important part was over, so I tucked the vial away, not wanting to leave behind anything from Silverhaven. Who knows if the glass turns out to be made from some ancient material or whatever...
While doing so, it was Markus who broke the silence first.
"You've got some connections, I'll give you that," he muttered, still staring at the empty spot where the potion had been. "That… that wasn't something you pick up from a street vendor. Who is your boss, really?"
I didn't say anything—not that I could just say it was me and that I used a quick cheat. So, to keep the mystery up, I adjusted the book's position on the table and looked down at Mira's now-healed form with what I hoped passed for studied detachment.
"You're just going to leave that there?" Willem asked, glancing from the leather tome at me with a bit more provocative tone, but I could feel he was just testing me. He wasn't going to go for it. "Unattended?"
"Try to steal from Silverhaven." I leaned back a bit while saying this, just enough to look casual, even as I kept one boot hooked around the leg of the chair—anchoring myself in case I was reading him wrong and he would indeed try something. "You both seem tempted," I continued slowly, letting the silence stretch just a heartbeat longer. "Didn't think you'd recognize it."
"Heh," Markus looked at me sharply and then at his brother, signaling him to be more careful with his words. Then, glancing at his son, the one who was just as lost as I, Markus exhaled and gave a quiet laugh. "Recognize it? Auriel, that book is written in Murian. Anyone worth a damn can recognize the curved letters of that language!"
"Hm..." I raised one brow, nothing more. "So?"
"Wait..." Rellen suddenly blinked his eyes. "Wait, you can read Murian?"
I didn't answer him, and I just let the question hang. I can't, duh. But it seemed neither could they. Or at least, it wasn't something common.
"I am not surprised that he can..." Markus, bless him, turned toward his son and brother instead of pressing me, shaking his head. "Murian," he continued, his tone shifting to something more... Hm. Maybe reverent... Or child-like. A mix of the two, really. "That language was the tongue of the very first alchemists of humanity. That was long before the Kingdoms—hell! It was before the Adventures Guild formalized anything. It was in the days when we, as humans, were still the youngest species!"
"I only know what every scholar repeats," Willem nodded, looking at the book. "The humans learned alchemy from the elves. Some even theorize that they made us help gather ingredients all over the continent; that's why you can find a human anywhere. We learned from watching them make potions, creating extracts, and learning the skill without them actually teaching anything... All of it. And then, we freed ourselves. Later on, if it is true, it was the Murian scholars who codified it when we were no longer under their thumbs. Supposedly, they were the ones who started pushing it beyond what the elves used it for. They tried to bottle elven magic."
"If that's true," Rellen muttered. "I still wonder why the elves didn't stop us from doing it."
"Who said they didn't?" Willem scoffed, not missing a beat. "That's why Muria doesn't exist anymore. The whole lot, our ancestors, everybody was wiped out. Some say it wasn't the elves who did it, but they had to be afraid that their own secrets would be exposed. I heard that the elves believe that it was their own fault, that they tried to make something they couldn't control. Hogwash, I say; otherwise, why would we always be at odds with the pointy-eared bastards? This feud goes back a long time..."
"Regardless," Markus added, feeling the topic was going way off its course, although I was really enjoying it, "their language survived longer than the people. Of course, it is not a spoken tongue anymore, mind you. Nobody speaks Murian. But their script? Their potioncraft terminology? It's still used today, and every master alchemist learns it. They don't really have a choice, really."
I gave a small nod, trying to look like I was recalling that from memory rather than learning it on the spot. So... it is like this world's Latin, eh? It makes sense. The logic is there, and I could connect the dots.
"Your potion," Markus continued slowly, turning back to me, "was Murian, too." He said it like he was announcing a royal decree or recalling some kind of miracle. Well, kind of, because the way it corrected bones and flesh was very much miraculous.
"Mhm." I hummed while I didn't blink. "And?"
He stepped closer to the table, glancing once at Mira before resting both palms on the surface beside the book, gulping and probably a bit aggravated by my simple answers. As if I didn't understand the importance of what just happened.
"I've only heard stories," he said. "From one of the old trade guilds I was working at while training in the art years back. They got access to some banned materials for a week before the local Adventurers Guild swooped in to take it all away. They described a Murian regenerative potion as top-tier, not for sale. I can even imagine it being the same thing! Something.. that can only made by Silverhaven-like alchemists and only brewed in ritual quantities..."
"That's just your guess... but I remember. They took it, and anyone wanting to speak up against it was put down then and there..." Willem gave a long sigh. "I can now see why."
For a moment, we all remained silent, and Markus looked at me like he was trying to solve a puzzle he'd already convinced himself he couldn't afford. He was trying to figure out how deep my, or in this case, 'Shade's' pocket went.
"That potion," he gulped, "probably could revive a man even after his heart stops. Heal injuries like hers—limbs, organs, bones—all in one go. And not just mend them or correct them... You saw it. It could rebuild as they were meant to be!" He looked pale now, his lips drying up as he began licking them. "One dose of that... It's worth more than Veren & Sons."
"Probably," I offered with a shrug. "Good thing I didn't pay for it, then."
Markus blinked, caught off guard as the other two also leaned closer, trying to figure out if I was joking or not.
"It was a favor," I added. "They owed Shade." It was a white lie... of sorts, and there was a different silence after that. It is different if they think that Shade could make something like Silverhaven owes him rather than having a pocket filled with gold and being able to buy anything he wants. There is a big difference in that! I watched as Markus was revising his mental ledgers, and I could see where he was drawing the line, slowly nodding his head... And I saw that for the first time, he was afraid of who was behind me.
"Does he... often deal with them?" He asked, his voice dry.
Now, now... Slow down, Markus. You are already starting fishing... But I needed him to talk, not question, so it was time to play the merchant's game: give and take.
"I can't tell; I'm not the only one he works with," I gestured to the book. "Are you interested in its contents, I assume?"
"Of course." He nodded at once.
"What do you think," I continued, "would Silverhaven do if you read what was not meant for you to read?"
"How would they know?" Rellen asked, only to receive a glare from Willem.
"Believe me, they would know."
"But... How?"
"We won't even know!" Markus grunted, holding his head, shrugging while shaking his head, "Willem is right... People of their kind will know."
"But I do have a proposition," I said, using their short discourse to develop my own plans. The fact that I got myself an ancient potion book means I have the go-ahead to start making them. For that, I will need resources. Who better to get them for me than Markus?
"I'm listening..." He said, seeing me fall silent for a minute.
"For now, I can't tell you everything. But the fact that Shade requested this book," I put my hand on it, tapping its front cover, "also means he has plans for it."
"He can make potions?!" Rellen suddenly cried out, and it also made the other two of them step backward for a beat. Oh... so potion makers were highly regarded. I knew that much, but...
"Look!" I shrugged, "Even I don't know, okay? But he may be or may have someone who can. Anyway! What I'm saying is if he needs stuff for it, you may be of help getting it."
"I don't think we can get anything that goes into such a potion..." Markus mumbled, which, of course, was true. However, I wasn't going to exclude the opportunity. It was better to have one than to miss one.
"Who knows? Maybe he will need something else from you. Anyway, the fact that we are partners and you are our first actual help in this city makes it only logical that we reciprocate accordingly. As you can see," I pointed at Mira, "Shade takes care of his people, no matter who they are."
"..." Slowly, the three exchanged glances, and I could see their heads nodding before turning back towards me.
"If there is a potion coming about from this," I pointed at the book, "then it could be sold through you."
"What?!"
"What?" I asked back, surprised by their yelling. "I thought you would jump on the opportunity."
"We don't have the clientele to sell something like that!" Markus cried out, feeling his face flush, "We just entered the ranks to trade with local nobles and––"
"And now you are in bed with the City Lord." I raised a hand, reminding him, "You have the clientele, and if so, you could even strengthen your position in his court."
"..."
"Look, it is yours to work the details out; I am just telling you that if it comes to that, Shade will probably come to you with the opportunity. If you want to refuse, it is fine, but he likes to work with people he can trust."
"We are honored, but..." Markus gulped, his mind failing to think of anything proper, visibly lost in a sudden confusion.
"Plus, we have the same enemy," I added, standing up, picking up the book, and glancing at Mira's sleeping figure.
"The Ledger..." Willem muttered, making me nod my head.
"The Crimson Ledger. Just so you know, the Ledger will be gone. I don't know how or when, but they will cease to exist. Along with anyone they are involved with."
"Confident words..." Willem scoffed, but I just shot him a glare that shut him up.
"I know how people like them work..." I continued, not breaking our eye contact. "I have learned that there are moments when it is unwise to try to reason or find a middle ground. Sometimes, to make sure the future will be worry-free, we raze it to the ground and salt the earth. Make sure nothing will grow, especially not a chance for revenge."
"..." Hearing Rellen gulp, I couldn't help but form a small smile, turning towards Markus, who was opening his mouth to ask a question.
"Is this how Shade feels, too...?"
"It is why he employs me," I answered, "The Crimson Ledger will be gone... And I will make sure it happens."