Witch's Lair: The Alchemist Chronicles, #1

By Joe Carter

Elrik Torstal is an aspiring young apprentice alchemist living with his strict father, hoping to someday take over the shop. Always striving to improve his alchemy skills, but frequently failing, he faces challenges that push his resolve to the limits as he and his companions struggle to survive in the wondrous magical medieval realm known as Teril. With fierce monsters, powerful magic, memorable characters, and riveting stories, readers will surely be entertained as they are transported into a fantastic and believable new fantasy world.

In Witch's Lair, book one of the Alchemist Chronicles series, Elrik is starstruck by a lovely traveling musician. But a jealous necromancer obsessed with Elrik has plans of her own, stopping at nothing to have him for herself- leading to a surprising and exciting story climax

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joe Carter
• Release date: Jun 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386306498

Joe Carter

When Joe Carter is not working on his next fantasy novel, you will most likely find him reading 1930s-1940s detective stories, smoking his pipe, or playing the Irish flute. He resides in Japan with his wife and two cats. If you enjoyed this book, please take the time and leave a review. It really helps independent publishers. Thank you. To get on the author’s mailing list for his next book release or promotion, please contact him at:   [e-mail]

Book preview

Copyright © 2017  Joe Carter

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. and international copyright laws.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Ash Amanth was a town of about 2,000 souls, located deep in the maple forests of the Sydar Mountains. It was situated along the trade route between the distant desert city of Sholea Sands to the south and the capital city of Thylos located on the high plains to the north. Its primary industry was fishing, with the nearby lake of Kos supplying the realm of Kalgoth with a steady supply of quality fish. Standing atop the surrounding hills from spring to autumn, one could look down and see the many small fishing villages dotting its shores, with multitudes of small, single-masted fishing boats bobbing up and down in its clear blue waters, looking to make their next big catch. And what would that next catch be? A Devilfish? A Flagtail? Or perhaps even the greatest delicacy of them all- a Silver Eel? 

During the winter months, when the lake was frozen over, fishing would come to a standstill. Heavy snow from winter storms would block the passes, making trade, and even basic passage, very difficult. These long, dark, cold winter months were known as the ‘Hibernation Period’ by the locals.

Now let us take a closer look at Ash Amanth. Most of its inhabitants consisted of humans, with a smattering of halflings, elves, dwarves, and other humanoid races. Whether deserved or not, most Ash Amanthian humans eyed these ‘outsiders’ with suspicion and distrust.

Many different types of businesses lined both of the town’s intersecting main streets. Here one could find a variety of services and shops, such as a bakery, a fish market, a clothier, a jeweler, a blacksmith, a butcher, a tavern, or an alchemy shop.

Ah yes, the venerable alchemy shop- perhaps one of the most important and misunderstood places in town. Here, customers could find many different types of magic potions, tonics, and other liquid concoctions- from your basic and affordable Potion of Spark used to light fireplaces, to the very rare and expensive Potion of Invisibility, allowing its drinker to vanish before their friend’s (or enemy’s) very eyes.

And this is where we shall begin our story- a story of a young man working as an apprentice in his father’s alchemy shop. A young man whose relatively mundane life is about to change forever...

CHAPTER 1

ELRIK WATCHED WITH intense concentration as he carefully poured a bright chartreuse-green liquid into a glass jar filled with a goldenrod-yellow liquid. As the two liquids came into contact with each other, the mixture became a turquoise-blue that started bubbling and steaming.

Elrik picked up the jar, but suddenly it became very hot to the touch and he was unable to hold on to it. The jar slipped from his hand and hit the floor, exploding into a large cloud of blue vapor, with a thousand shards of glass spraying in every direction.

Elrik cursed himself.

No, not again, said a deep male voice from behind Elrik’s left shoulder.

Elrik shook his head, picked up a broom, and started cleaning up the mess.

As he swept up the broken glass, his father scolded him. How are you ever going to become a guild member and take over the shop someday if you cannot even correctly make a simple Potion of Healing?

Yes, father, answered Elrik in a resigned voice as he continued sweeping. 

Elrik Torstal was a young man of 22 years. He was of medium height, with short dark brown hair and a beard. He usually wore an immaculate and pricey long royal blue hooded robe, with purple trim on the sleeves and neck. Dangling from his black leather belt were pouches filled with various reagents and potions. A short royal blue pointed hat and black leather boots completed his alchemist outfit. Yet there was no mistaking him for his father- a man of 48 years, who was much taller and had a long brown and gray speckled beard. He also wore the same style of alchemist outfit as Elrik’s, but in the colors of dark green with gold trim.

Growing up in the Bubbling Cauldron alchemy shop, Elrik had many fond memories of his now-dead mother assisting his father with the daily duties. After his mother had passed over to the other side, he took over the duties of assisting his father at the age of 17.

The shop itself was located on the first floor of a brown and white two-storied wooden building on the town’s busy two intersecting main streets. A large, black wrought iron sign in the shape of a cauldron hung majestically above the entrance door, letting every passerby know that this was indeed an alchemy shop. Upon entering, customers were greeted by a long, polished maple counter. Behind the counter were many shelves filled with all different types of potions in a variety of sizes and colors, with some vials being made of silver or brass, and others of clear glass.

Behind the locked private door to the right of the shop counter, one could find the Torstal family’s private library. This room was where all of their valuable alchemy books were kept, containing every imaginable potion recipe. A long rectangular wooden table with four chairs sat in the corner to the left, with two larger and comfortable maroon leather armchairs located in front of the stone fireplace on the far side of the room. The library was cozy indeed, with the scent