Poison Powder!

We were about a half day into our journey and only about a quarter way to our destination. Cal was currently taking his turn once again to pull the cart. Each of us had at least pulled the cart about four times today. We'd probably be a lot further along, but Erika moved at a much slower pace than Cal and I.

Cal had also slowed us down a few times because he'd stop to pick certain plants that caught his attention. I still wasn't really sure what he needed these plants for nor did I really care enough to ask. The other issue was he wouldn't shut up. I thought Erika was bad, but this guy was on a whole different level. Since we left Pipi Town, he has nonstop babbled about booze and women.

At some point I had to change the subject.

"What are those crates in the cart?" I asked.

"They're filled with a bunch of miscellaneous produce. The cart has a false bottom, which is where we'll put the mushrooms." He responded.

"That's actually quite clever. If our cart were to be searched by soldiers they'd see the produce and think nothing of it."

He nodded.

"Yep. This was actually my idea initially. The mafia built this cart off my specifications."

I wonder if that was actually true. This guy didn't seem all that smart, but maybe I'm underestimating him.

Suddenly Cal stopped.

"Hey, can you both wait a minute? I have to take a leak."

He ran off into the bushes.

"I can't do this anymore, Mr. Arno. If I hear another story about him getting blackout drunk, I think I'm going to literally kill him."

Erika was the last person I thought I'd ever hear that from.

"If you're alright with it, I say we just cut our losses and ditch him. The only thing is we'll have to flee the country for at least a few years, until the Mafia forgets about us. If we head straight south, we can be in Southan in a few days." I said.

"I was starting to really like Stercusville, but if that's what we have to do, then I'm fine with it." Erika Responded.

We turned and as we were about to make a break for it, a cloud of purple powder flew in our faces. I was unaffected, but Erika began to violently vomit rainbow colored puke.

"Bleeeeeechhhhhhh! It tastes like blueberries. Blllaaaaaarghhhhhhhhh!"

"I was hoping you two wouldn't try anything."

Cal had returned. He obviously heard us talking.

"What did you do to her?" I said.

"That was just a special mixture that I invented myself. It should subside soon, but it's good at stopping people in their tracks. What I don't understand though is why it didn't affect you?"

"Looks like you're more in tune than I thought." I responded.

"You seem like a smart guy, Arno, but there's two things about me you didn't realize. The first is that I'm an incredibly fast peeer. The second is that you're in the presence of the greatest alchemist in the world."

So, he was one of those freaks. I didn't even think there were any alchemists left. There were barely any around when I was alive. I would have thought they'd be extinct by now.

I pulled out my dagger and thrusted it towards him. To my surprise he pulled out his own and parried my attack. He quickly counter attacked. I didn't have time to dodge, all I could do was block with my hand. The blade went through the palm of my gloved hand.

Cal seemed surprised.

"What kind of magic are you using? My blade is coated in a very potent sedative. There's no way you should be conscious right now... And why aren't you bleeding?"

He pulled his dagger back, as he did my glove fell off, exposing my skeletal hand.

"Woah! What the heck!?"

He jumped back towards Erika, putting some distance between us.

"I have to admit, you're more skilled than I thought." I said.

"Listen Arno, I don't know what the heck you are, but either way I need you to cooperate with me. Once we're back on the road we'll talk this over and we can all be buddies again."

"Do you honestly think that's going to happen?"

"Yes, you have no choice."

At that moment, he threw some orange powder at Erika. She coughed.

"My eyes and nose burn!" She said.

"What did you just do to her!?"

"That powder is a slow acting poison I made myself. It won't affect her physically for now, but she only has about a week until it kills her. If you two see this job through to the end, I'll be more than happy to give you the antidote."

I dropped my dagger.

"Fine, you win. We'll help you get the stupid mushrooms."

"Great! Then let's get back to it."

Just like that he acted like nothing happened. I helped Erika up and had her sit on the back of the cart. Cal started pulling again.

Erika stayed quiet. I couldn't blame her, she was probably in a panic after being poisoned.

I felt completely defeated. This drunken fool somehow outsmarted me. As of now, I was completely at his mercy. If we didn't get that antidote, it would be the end for both Erika and me.