"You've mentioned a guild. Who are they?"
"The Alchemists' Guild ostensibly makes its home in Gokan, but they rule themselves, and keep their secrets close. Their chapter is in Wengwai, and they alone know the secret of the black powder, an invention none can now do without. My two hundred warships are all armed with cannon, and need the black powder, as do my five hundred musketeers. Over time, I plan to move all of my swordsmen over to muskets. When you see them in battle, you'll understand why."
Miro wondered if he could look to the Alchemists' Guild in Wengwai for the answers he needed.
"We have a library here," the Emir said, and Miro turned his head. "In a week or two I might give you access. There is much you need to learn."
"Emir, I have one question" Miro said, looking directly at the older man's penetrating eyes.
"What is it?"
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"Why, because you seem a capable man, Miro Torresante, and I am always looking for capable men. You tell me you were a leader among your people, and Deniz praised you to me, telling me you easily defeated a number of his best men. I never turn a good man away, and there may be a place for you here."
"I… I'm honoured, Emir, but I need to return to my people."
Emir Volkan shook his head sadly. "No, Miro. There is no way I will let you return to your people. By your own admission they do not know our lands exist, and we wish to keep it that way. It is your choice whether you think there is a place for you here."
The Emir's last words were final. "But you can never return."
24
THE NEXT day, Miro pestered the guards until they gave him a few moments with Amber. They met in a courtyard beside a fountain while the soldiers stood a short distance away, watching them carefully. The sound of the burbling water allowed Miro to speak freely.
He told Amber about his conversation with Emir Volkan, admonishing her not to mention lore to anyone.
"What about Tomas?" Amber said. "Did you ask him about the poison?"
"I can't ask him about it." Miro sighed. "The only thing keeping us alive is the fact he thinks I might enter his service. If Volkan realises we'll do anything it takes to return, he'll have us killed."
"How do you know that?"
"Amber," Miro said in exasperation, "I know."
"What can we do then?"
"I need to find this library, where there may be mention of the poison. Whether I find the information or not, we need to leave this place. If I'm unsuccessful, these alchemists in the north will know. I'm sure of it. When we have the cure we can steal a ship and head back home."
Amber started to cry. "I just want to go home."
"I know," Miro said. "I'm sorry I brought you here."
"Do you think Tomas is still alive?"
"Yes," said Miro with a certainty he didn't feel. "I'm sure he is."
The soldiers came forward. Their time was up.
~
THAT night, when two of the guards brought Miro his evening meal, Miro took action.
He stood behind the panelled door as it opened. He pictured the Emir's soldiers scanning the empty room, wondering where he was. He saw a uniformed soldier come forward.
Miro shoved the door with all his strength, bringing it crashing into the two men on the other side. While they were off-balance, he came around and pulled first one man, then the other, forward, sending them both stumbling into the room. He quickly closed the door and then squared off to face the angry guards.
Rather than giving them time to draw their swords, he cannoned into them, once more sending them sprawling. Miro elbowed a man in the stomach and heard the breath come out of him with a whoosh. He punched the second man in the face, smashing his nose and sending blood pouring down his face.
They were all in a tangle on the floor, but Miro was the first to stand. One of his opponents was comatose but the other was just angry, wiping the blood from his face and climbing to his feet.
Miro drew the sword from the prone man's scabbard while the soldier with the bloody nose took out his own sword. They faced each other, each taking the other's measure.
"I don't want to kill you," Miro said.
"I'd like to see you try," the guard said.
He thrust at Miro's chest, but Miro moved to the side. Conscious of the sound of clashing steel, Miro chose to duck the next slashing blow. Miro came inside the soldier's guard and rammed the hilt of his sword into the man's chin.
The soldier cried out and fell down, dropping his sword. He slumped on the floor, breathing heavily.
Miro kicked the fallen sword out of the way, and then squatted next to the soldier.
"Where is the library?" Miro asked.
The soldier wheezed and coughed. Miro put the point of his sword under the man's chin. The guard's eyes went wide with fear as he struggled to regain his breath.
"I'll ask you again, where is the library?" Miro repeated.