Chapter 172

Chapter 172 High-level Magic
CAS SANDRA
Though I wanted to immediately go straight to the dungeon, I suddenly remembered Spi ke’s request for an alcoholic beverage and the approval I’d given to Lancel in Asher’s absence.
The last time I’d spoken to Lancel, he’d told me what kind of liquor the imposter. preferred, so I decided there was no time like the present. Spi ke would likely be more willing to speak with me if I sweetened the deal.
So, I left the palace and went to Anemond’s market in an attempt to hunt it down.
The market was far more bustling than I’d expected at such an early hour. As an array of smells and conversations filled the air around me, I wove through the crowds of people and peered around at the shops.
Spi ke’s request was a strange one- it was an orange and cin namon liquor that. apparently had exotic spices and herbs in it that weren’t present in many other drinks.
I had to travel to three separate shops in the market before I managed to locate it on a shelf in the back. The bottle was tall and skinny, with a gold, engraved label. The gla*s was a strange dark green, and when I held it up to the light I was.
I surprised to see the liquid practically glowed.
When I brought it to the front to pay, the shopkeeper seemed surprised by the purchase.
“Only one other guest besides you, miss, has sought out this particular liquor,” he noted as he handed me the bottle. “The other guest deemed the flavor too strange and decided not to purchase it. I suppose we all have our preferences though, don’t we?”
< 1/4 Though the shop owner was kind, he was more chatty than I preferred, and I wasn’t quite in the mood for conversation. So, I offered him a polite smile, and after I tucked the bottle into my messenger bag, I left the shop. I walked back to the palace, and once I arrived, I made my way down the corridor that led to the dungeon. Much to my surprise, I encountered no resistance from the guards. They recognized me at once and stood aside to allow me entry. I was a little taken aback that they didn’t interrogate me, but I wasn’t going to question my bit of good luck. Spi ke appeared surprised to see me. His dark eyes glanced at the empty space behind me, and his eyebrow raised. After a moment of hesitation, he let out a small chuckle “I see you’re unaccompanied today, Healer Cas sandra,” he noted with an arrogant smirk on his face. “How unusual. Does your guard know that you’re here on your own?” I considered telling the truth but stood my ground in Lancel’s absence. I needed to prove I could hold my own without the older guard being here to watch me. “That’s none of your business,” I answered calmly, though not rudely, and then I reached into my messenger bag and retrieved the bottle of liquor from within. I gently held it out toward the bars of the imposter’s cell. “I brought you this, as you requested.” Spi ke was clearly taken aback. He stared at the dark green bottle with a look of confusion and then eyed me carefully. “Really?” he noted. “How interesting. I didn’t think you would accommodate the request.” “I wanted to offer you something in reward for your cooperation,” I replied. Spi k e nodded slowly and then tilted his head to the side. “I must say, Healer, Cas sandra, I’m very much surprised,” he said in a curious tone. “Both by your solo visit and this gift you’ve bestowed upon me. How ever did O 2/4 you manage to evade the guard? He’s not exactly known for his-” “I have questions,” I interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. “Ones that only you can provide. I entrust that you’ll be willing to answer them, given I’ve done what you asked?” Spi ke stared at me for a moment and then smiled, only this time, it was almost. genuine. He accepted the bottle from my hands and then walked over to his desk and retrieved his coffee mug. He filled it to the brim with the liquor and then turned to face me. “You’ve been withholding information in the guard’s presence. I can tell. Now that we’re finally alone, I’d be willing to answer whatever queries you have. I suppose I owe you that much. Besides, I’m taking a small break from working on the cure to the poisons. The least I could do is speak with you.” I swallowed hard. I hadn’t expected this to go over so swimmingly. Usually, Sp i ke was arrogant and at least a little standoffish, but he seemed genuinely grateful to get the beverage of his desire, and his spirits seemed brighter than usual. Though I wasn’t sure exactly what to say, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to get some clarity about my nightmare. I gathered myself and then spoke. “Spi e, do you know anything about ‘mind control… or something similar to that?” I wondered. “Had you ever heard about it during your time with Dark Abyss?” “Mind control?” he repeated back and I nodded. “Yes,” I said. “I know that sounds strange… but could sorcerers do something like that? Control minds?” As my words trailed off, Spi ke opened the bottle of liquor and sniffed at it. He then took a sip and then pondered the question for a moment. After a minute or so, he shook his head. “I must admit, my knowledge on the matter is limited,” he said. “That being said, I believe sorcery could accomplish just about anything. It had a grim reputation in the past. It’s possible elite sorcerers might have possessed the ability to control minds through spells.” 3/4 “Could they have accomplished that through poisons?” I clarified. “I know your mentioned that the poison affected the neuro system-” Spi ke’s sudden laughter cut me off and heat spread to my cheeks in embarra*sment at once. “Mind control poisons?” he chuckled, and then he wiped liquor from his l*ps. “Okay, now that’s preposterous, even by our standards. I must say, Healer Cas sandra, that you underestimate sorcery’s complexity. It doesn’t work like that, and even if it did, only the most elite of sorcerers could accomplish such an impossible feat. I know we’re dealing with some higher-level magic, but to pull off a mind-control poison… that would require an immense amount of precision and sk I immediately felt foolish for asking such a question. My theory had been so underbaked and half-developed that I probably should have waited before barging into the dungeon and demanding answers from Spi ke. The imposter had a point, one that I had to concede to. If a poison could wield such power, chaos would reign. Just as I was about to turn on my heels and leave, Spi ke’s laughter ceased abruptly. “Of course,” he mused quietly, and his eyebrows knit together. “There is one possibility. It’s far-fetched…” He set his mug down on the table and then approached the bars of the cell to stand in front of me. “If an exceptionally powerful sorcerer crafted something that could embed a spell into wolves’ bodies, it would require a strong catalyst,” Spi ke declared, but then he shook his head. “But that would be impossible.”