017 - Journey to the East

"Master Telemundo! Show these ignorant peasants the might of a master Alchemist!" The Alchemist declared arrogantly, backing away from Magnus. The mob hesitated, peering at Magnus and trying to see under his hood.

"A toad?" A fat man at the front of the mob sneered. "Go on then. I'd like to see what a the master of a fake Alchemist can do."

"Yeah!"

"Swindler!" A peasant spat at Magnus.

"I'm not with him, I don't know what's going on, I . ." Magnus waved his hands at the mob.

"Don't listen to them Master!" The fake Alchemist retreated rapidly up the path shouting at Magnus.

"Wait, I've really nothing to do with . ." Magnus said frantically.

A child threw a rock at Magnus, hitting him on the head, a woman threw another - the stones bounced of his skin doing no real damage. Magnus tried to turn his horse and ride away, but the fat man grabbed the reins and it bucked, throwing Magnus to the ground. The mob of peasants rushed him, tearing at his clothes. A peasant swung a hoe, striking him across the shoulders and snapping the wooden haft in two.

"Enough!" Magnus roared, getting to his feet and grabbing the nearest peasant, holding him up in the air in one hand. Another rock came sailing through the air toward him, Magnus raised his free hand and caught it, crushing it with ease.

The peasants fell silent.

"Bloody hell, can't you see I'm just passing by?" Magnus growled, the peasant backed up, fear and uncertainty in their eyes.

"Show them what's what Telemundo sir!" The now distant fake Alchemist yelled and danced about in glee.

Magnus tossed the helpless peasant into the mob sending half a dozen men tumbling to the ground. "You!" He picked up a rock and hurled it at the distant figure, it shot from his hand like a cannonball, striking the man squarely in the head and knocking him to the ground.

When the fake Alchemist came to the first thing he noticed was that he was naked. The second thing he saw was Magnus sitting just opposite glaring at him. They were both in the center of the village, the naked man tied to a wooden post, Magnus sat on a stool, around him the peasants.

"Not a real Alchemist. A thief, a swindler." Magnus sighed. If only it were this easy to catch a real Alchemist.

"Good sir," the fat peasant held his cap in his hands. "This man is a criminal. We only wanted to catch him and take back what is ours. That, any hang the bastard."

"Ohhh, ooh my head. My poor head." The naked swindler slumped back.

"Yes, yes." Magnus sighed again. "Alright, you've told me already. I don't care. What did he say about the Witching Road?"

"He said that he was hunting for them, him and his master Telemundo, and that they were close by, uh, sir, the Witching Road that is." The fat peasant hesitated. "This fake alchemist came here a week ago sir, he sold us lotions and tonics for health."

A women villager interrupted, "He said he had to apply them himself! Touched me and my little Nancy all over, the swine!"

"And he charged us three gold bits for it!" Another peasant declared. "The tonic he sold for our cow killed it stone dead!"

"Hang him!"

"Throw him in the well!"

"Yes, alright." Magnus waved his hands. "Do any of you know where I can find the Witching Road?" Magnus asked.

"No sir, never heard of it myself."

"No sir," chorused the villagers.

"I know!" The swindler cried out. "I know where it is!"

"You do?" Magnus grinned. "Well? Out with it."

"Ah. Ah ha." The swindler grinned back. "Great Master Magnus, I'd be more than willing to guide you there myself. But as you see, alas, I find myself in a little bit of a predicament."

"Right." Magnus got to his feet. "Hang him, drown him, do what you will. I've got to be on my way." Magnus walked unsteadily to his horse.

"Wait! Magnus, please, wait!" The naked swindler struggled against his bonds. "To the east! The Witching Road is to the east!"

"I know that." Magnus hoisted himself to the saddle.

"In the Empire Swamp!" The swindler called out desperately. "In a hidden place! The Witching Road! Those who gather there fight the tyranny of Alchemists! I know where it is!"

Magnus halted. He looked back into the desperate man's eyes. "And you know where this secret place is?"

"I can take you there! Honest!" The man beamed at Magnus.

"Don't believe him sir! He's a liar and a thief!"

"Release him. Give him some clothes and bind his hands." Magnus ordered.

"He deserves to hang!" A peasant shouted.

"I know, I know." Magnus shook his head. "But he is coming with me. Your name?"

"He's called Quorum sir, so he said." The fat peasant responded.

"Hehe, my name is Caj, boss." Caj laughed.

The peasants threw filthy rags at Caj's feet, one of the girls spat in his face.

"Tie him to my horse. Here, take this for compensation." Magnus threw a couple of gold coins to the fat peasant. He pulled the reins, cantering out of the village to the east, Caj stumbling and running to keep from being dragged behind the horse.