The following morning, the caravan set out with a quick pace that spoke to the fact that everyone sensed they were coming close to the end of their journey. Once again, Toku and Theodora packed themselves away on one of the carts at the back of the long line of travelers. A few hours into the journey, following a brief visit by Nathaniel on horseback, the driver of the cart turned around to his passengers, allowing his hooded face to be seen by the travelers for the first time that day. It was Diffiden, Toku realized in shock.

"We are near the turn to the east. With any luck, we will not be missed until nightfall, and maybe even later if they are as close to the great city as I believe. Stay quiet, and I will take care of the rest."

Toku did not know what to do or say. He wanted desperately to get home, and the Alchemist seemed to be the one who would know how to do just that. And yet, now what had only been a thought the night before—leaving the safety of the caravan with this stranger—was now suddenly thrust upon him as a reality. Turning to Theodora, he could see the shock and fear in her eyes as well.

"What do you say, Toku? Do we remain quiet, kidnapping ourselves? Or, should we try to remain with Nathaniel and find the King?" Theodora asked, lowering her voice so that only Toku could hear her over the creaking of the wagon.

"I...don't know. What do you think?" Toku answered, honestly.

"You know my thoughts. I trust Nathaniel, and I don't think he would lead us into a trap."

"And yet, he doesn't know where I'm from. Maybe he doesn't realize how the king would react to someone from the lower kingdom."

"That's true. You know my feelings, but I will follow what you decided."†

[Why should Theodora follow Toku's lead, the reader might ask (as well as the author). In her mind, or so she says, she had already developed a feeling of obligation for Toku and his quest. He was, after all, the first person she met in the world. And, given that fact, it seemed reasonable to her that whatever force had drawn her to Altium had intended for her to aid Toku and not herself.]

His heart thumping rapidly, Toku took a deep breath and decided.

"Let's find the Alchemist. If he truly is from the Lower Kingdom, then I know he will be able to help."

"Okay."

A few minutes later, a single wagon near the end of the caravan slowed to a crawl, allowing the few stragglers to pass by. No one noticed when the small cart disappeared down a grown-over path heading east.

"We're here," Diffiden said after several hours of travel over what could barely be called a path.

Toku and Theodora gingerly climbed down from the cart, stiff from the journey. Before them stood a large stone house, not quite a mansion but still quite large. Something was strange about the look of the house, but Toku could not quite think what stood out.† [He was, after all, new to the idea of what a house should look like, having never even seen one until a week ago.] It was nestled in the midst of the valley of a small forest, covered by a roof of trees and protected on all sides by hills and highlands. Had we not been led there, we never would have succeeded in finding this place, Toku thought to himself.

"Come with me," Diffiden said, leading the way along a path to the front of the home. As they walked, a servant approached and stopped in front of the group. Diffiden offered some strange hand gestures, and the servant continued down the path to the cart without saying a word. As if sensing Toku and Theodora's curiosity, Diffiden spoke to them as they walked.

"He is deaf and mute. All the servants here are. The Alchemist has many enemies, and it is best if he need not worry about plans getting into the wrong hands."

The duo remained silent, not sure what to say. Strangely, Toku was comforted by these menacing words, as they confirmed, he felt, that it would have been a mistake to see the king of the Upper Kingdom. Theodora may have been safe, he thought, but I surely would have been imprisoned....or worse.

Toku was glad to finally enter the large dwelling. It was very dark and humid inside, and Toku realized that it was the lack of windows that made the house look so strange from the outside. Once again Toku was filled with comfort, feeling the camaraderie of someone else from the Lower Kingdom nearby who, like he, found the sun to be a burden to sensitive eyes. Theodora said nothing, but she felt the enclosing darkness grip at her heart as the door swung shut.

“Are you a witch?” Diffiden asked Theodora rather suddenly, his eyes wide with fright. As Toku turned to face his companion, he quickly understood the source of Diffiden's question, for a strange light was glowing from the girl. Her face and hands were softly shining, lighting up the room around her. Toku had seen such a light before—pure and radiant, no color and yet every color. It was just like the light he had seen coming from the stone he now held in his pocket.

“I...I don't know what's going on,” Theodora stammered in reply, looking at her hands as if seeking the source of this newfound power.

“You never did this before,” Toku said questioningly.

“I know. I don't know what's happening.”

She's beautiful, Toku thought.

A door from across the room opened suddenly. In stepped a tall, noble-looking man. His face was pale and soft, and his blond hair and beard was neatly trimmed.

“Astounding,” the man said with authority. “You do not come from our lands, do you, my lady?”

“Master!” Diffiden exclaimed, as he quickly bowed down onto the ground.

Ignoring everyone else in the room, the man Diffiden called master stepped lithely across the floor to stand before the girl, just out of the reach of the light.

“Truly, from whence comes this power?” the man asked, more to himself than anyone in particular.

“I'm sorry, sir...but who are you?” Theodora asked, not enjoying being the subject of so much scrutiny.

“Do excuse me, my lady!” the man said with a bow and a flourish. “I have many names. And it often depends on where we are by what name I might be called. However, here in my house you may call me Aliezar. I am The Alchemist.”

Toku's heart jumped. He did not know where to look—at Theodora, glowing with beautiful light, or at The Alchemist, one who might be able to help him return home. Finally, after a long pause, he turned his gaze to the tall nobleman.

“Excuse us, sir. I know this must be very unorthodox, but we have come here seeking your help,” Toku began, speaking in his especially-polite voice that he only used when trying to sweet-talk his master into allowing him to leave the lab early.

“My help, you say? Many come seeking my aid. Why should I help you?”

“Um...master,” a timid voice came from the floor. “This may be the one you seek,” Diffiden finished saying, his voice muffled by the carpet.

“Indeed...” The Alchemist threw a long gaze upon Toku and then again at Theodora. “Well, let us first hear from our guests and then I will judge whether I shall be of service or not. Please, come with me.”

The small group walked down several dark and empty halls before they finally arrived at a small sitting room at the back of the house. This room was different from the others they had seen in that it possessed a small, solitary window high in the back wall. Thin wisps of light trickled in, but were immediately soaked up by the dark wooden walls and the black-stained chairs. As they all filed in, Toku noticed the glow around Theodora seemed to vanish as she stepped through the door. The widening of The Alchemist's already wide eyes revealed to Toku that he had taken note of the change as well.

When they were finally seated, the Alchemist asked them to begin. And, being uncharacteristically bold, Toku told their story, starting with the bright flash of light in the closet which had brought him to this strange new world, and which he now understood to be the Upper Kingdom. Wisely, he left out the part about being chased by the King's soldiers. After all, he didn't want to lose the help of quite possibly the only member of the Lower Kingdom in all of Alitum.

The Alchemist remained silent and listened carefully to Toku's story. Afterwards, he paused a moment, and then directed himself towards Theodora.

“And you, my dear. How did you come to be here. For, I sense that you are no Earthdweller.”

Theodora gave a start. She did not like the way the Alchemist's eyes bored into her. But, the question was perfectly reasonable, and she had nothing to hide. With graceful ease she told of her journey to his home, of the strange door in her father's study and the second door that led her to Toku's aid.

When she finished, the Alchemist sat back in his chair in silence, meditating over the two stories.

“Truly astonishing,” he finally said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “I am not sure, but I may be able to help. Your problem,” the Alchemist pointed toward Toku, “is more easily understood, for I know at least where the Lower Kingdom can be reached. You, on the other hand,” his hand swept towards Theodora, “are a more difficult matter.”

“You do not need to worry about me, sir,” Theodora interrupted. “I am nearly certain that when Toku finds his answer, I will find mine.”

“But how do you mean, my lady?” the Alchemist asked, legitimately puzzled.

“Once one has become accustomed, truth is something that can be easily felt. I may not know the path, but I know the next door lies with my friend.”

Toku was thankful to hear Theodora's intentions of continuing to be his companion, though he did not at all understand what she meant. To him it sounded like some of the mystical gibberish he had been forced to read in ancient alchemy texts. The Alchemist seemed equally puzzled by his words, but he simply narrowed his gaze into her eyes and said no more.

The Alchemist then left the room and ordered his servants to make his guests comfortable. Theodora was given the room where they met, and a large, soft bed was brought up from a different room for her to sleep upon. Toku was given a guest room just down the hall from Theodora. As soon as Toku laid himself down in the bed, however, a knock came on the door. Diffiden politely entered the room and told Toku he was wanted by the Alchemist in the study. With great curiosity, Toku followed the servant through the winding hallways to stand before a great wooden door, carved curiously similar to Aleric's great door leading down to the lab.

“You were wise to come to me, my countryman,” the Alchemist began, sitting casually in a grand leather reading chair surrounded by books and scrolls. “The King of the Upper Kingdom has created quite a ruse among his people. Ask anyone you like, and they will say that the Upper and Lower Kingdoms have long been at peace, for they believe this to be true. While, at the same time, the King holds a private army that continues its war with our people and drives us still under the earth. Should you, a member of the Lower Kingdom, have been introduced to the King, he surely would have silenced you quickly, for his great lie would have been in danger.”

Toku nodded in silent astonishment. What a risk they had run.

“Do you think, though, that Nathaniel will tell the King about us? Are we not still in danger?” Toku asked, the recollection of the distrust he felt for the young nobleman suddenly coming into his head.

At the mention of Nathaniel's name, the Alchemist tensed and rose to a more formal position in his chair. Almost as quickly as the tension came, though, it seemed to vanish, and a thoughtful look came over the scholar's face.

“I am glad you told me of your encounter with that young one. I don't believe he will be the cause of any alarm. It will be several weeks before he can return to his homeland, and he poses no danger by himself. My little stronghold here has many protections built up about it. You are safe here.”

Toku breathed a sigh of relief, and he settled more easily into the stout wooden chair facing the Alchemist's desk. He was comfortable in this place. It reminded him of Aleric's own study, and even the Alchemist had a similar feel to his old master.

“Now, let me see if I can glean some information about you. You may be surprised at what I know.” The Alchemist drew himself up into his chair once again and stared at the young student with a penetrating gaze.

“Your name is Toku Ai, of the Ai family, and student of the rather renown Alchemist master Aleric. Is this correct?”

Toku stared in awe once again. “Y-y-yes...but how did you--”

The Alchemist laughed a deep, hearty laugh. “You are rather famous in the Lower Kingdom right now, my young friend. Did you not know? Even the King, himself, has set himself searching for you.”

“You know the King?”

“Naturally! I am the first line of defense, the first line of reconnaissance to his Majesty. It is my duty to report to the King regularly.”

“So, you have a way to reach the Lower Kingdom?! You can help me get home?” Toku almost shouted with excitement.

“Ah, yes. I am afraid it is a bit more complicated than that. Unfortunately, for the past few days I have been unable to return to the Lower Kingdom, and I fear it may be some time until I can. The King of these Upper Lands recently discovered one of my messengers coming from our hidden tunnel. That tunnel was unfortunately completely sealed and is now heavily guarded.”

Toku head drooped along with his spirits. A great hope had been dashed. He was getting tired of hoping...only to see his quest for home become that much longer.

“Do not fret, young one. For I know something more about you, and this may prove the answer to both our problems. You also have a stone in your possession, do you not?”

Toku's eyes darted up to look at the Alchemist's face. How did he know about the stone? The Alchemist sat patiently, smiling cooly.

Though he had no reason to feel the way he did, Toku had felt the stone in his pocket was something to be kept secret. Theodora was the only person he had really let know about the mysterious orb. But this was the Alchemist.

“Yes. I found this stone in the Lower Kingdom.” Toku slowly pulled the stone from his pocket. It was in the form of a very ordinary rock, with no hint of the beautiful light that Toku knew could come forth from it.

“Ah...yes. There it is,” the Alchemist whispered, staring intently at the stone in Toku's hand. “Do you know what that is, my boy?”

“No.”

“Your master never spoke of it, did he?” Toku shook his head in response, still feeling uneasy about exposing the stone. “Strange that he did not, for your master is quite possibly the greatest expert on that particular stone...with the possible exception of myself, of course. Its name is Elixir.”

“Elixir!” Toku almost threw the stone from his hand.

“Don't worry, my boy! It won't harm you,” the Alchemist said with a chuckle. “Though, I'm glad to see that Aleric has not entirely neglected your education on this subject. How much do you know about Elixir, lad?”

“Umm...” Toku took a moment to gather his thoughts, all that he had read on the subject. “It is a remnant, or possibly a precursor, to the Philosopher's Stone. Experts disagree on which. Its properties are similar to the Stone's, but not nearly so potent. Elixir can only be used by alchemists, first of all, and it serves to greatly enhance one's alchemical connectivity. I think that's about all I know, sir.”

“Very good. Very good, indeed,” the Alchemist encouraged. “Those are indeed the basics. And, in actual fact, Elixir is an imperfectly formed Philosopher's Stone. And it is therefore hypothesized that one may find Elixir near a properly formed Stone. Though, of course, recent history has no proper account of anyone ever finding a true example of the Philosopher's Stone. Elixir itself is extremely rare, which is why it is truly amazing that you should have found some.”

Once again, Toku simply nodded in response. Looking down at the small sphere, he turned it in his fingers, allowing his mind to grasp completely what it had always suspected as fact—for he had always known that this stone was somehow significant, and he felt he understood its link to his mind a little more clearly now.

“So...can you use the Elixir to get us home?” Toku asked tentatively, looking back up at the master alchemist sitting across from him.

The Alchemist's face turned downcast and thoughtful once more. “No, my boy, I am afraid even Elixir does not have that kind of power. But, there is one thing known to alchemy that does. Can you guess?”

Toku could only think of one thing with greater power than a piece of Elixir.

“The Philosopher's Stone?”

“Yes! That's it, my boy. We can use Elixir to find the Stone, itself. This piece of Elixir will be strongly connected to the Stone from which it came. It becomes a matter of tracing that connection mentally and locating the Stone.”

“Can...you do it?” Toku asked, holding out the piece of Elixir to the Alchemist.

The Alchemist rose from his chair and for a moment Toku thought he would take the stone from his hand. But, in the same movement, the Alchemist turned to one of the cabinets lining the study. He opened up a deep, mahogany door and pulled from it an ornate golden box.

As the Alchemist placed the box upon the desk, Toku saw that the top of the box had three holes it, one about the size of a fist, and two smaller holes on either side. From a drawer in the desk, the Alchemist removed two long, thin glass tubes. Thermometers, Toku realized all of a sudden, as he saw the etched markings on the sides. Though they were unlike the thermometers he used in lab to measure the temperature of his solutions, for Toku quickly realized that they were not filled with mercury or alcohol. Instead, he saw that one was filled will pure, gleaming gold. And he was sure the other much contain lead. How the metals were kept molten in the tubes, Toku could only wonder.

Almost as if he was reading Toku's mind, the Alchemist explained, “This is a connectivity apparatus. It is used to measure an alchemist's ability to concentrate and feel the flow of energy through the universe. You probably had a similar test done when you were young, but this apparatus is far more advanced that the one that would have been used on you.”

The Alchemist finished his explanation by screwing the two thermometers into the smaller holes on the top of the box.

“There is a handle inside. I want you to reach in and grab the handle. The device will do the rest.”

“Me?!” Toku asked, somewhat shocked. “Why do you want to measure me?”

“Do not worry about that just yet. What happens next will depend upon how you do.”

It was a menacing answer, but Toku nonetheless put his hand into the box and grabbed the rod he felt bravely.

“Good. Now we begin.”

The Alchemist took a vial from out of the open drawer of his desk. It was filled with a clear liquid that shimmered in the low light of the study. A quick flick of a latch on the side of the box and a shallow trough opened up into which the Alchemist poured the viscous liquid. As the Alchemist pushed the trough back into place, Toku immediately felt the world about him receding. It was as if he was being forced into an alchemical trance.

“Do not fight it. Allow the world to pass from around you. You need to completely give in to your inner connectivity in order to get a proper reading.” The Alchemist's voice came as if from a distance. All of Toku's consciousness was being poured into the box. He felt millions upon millions of intricate connections there. It was as if a tiny universe had opened itself up to him...all within the confines of the tiny golden apparatus. His mind struggled to keep up with the information his enhanced senses were receiving. From molecule to molecule his consciousness moved. Then from atom to atom. Toku could feel more and more connections being directed to his inner mind.

He tried to sort the chaos into some sort of order in his mind, as each molecule came into view and connected to his consciousness. The connections came too quickly, however, and soon his mind gave up in protest to the strain. And with a sudden push, as if the universe with the golden box was rejecting Toku's presence, his mind was released and expelled. Toku found his hand had released the bar, and he was sitting back in his chair, panting with exertion.

The Alchemist was busy checking and re-checking the readings on the molten metal thermometers. After jotting down the readings on a piece of paper, and doing some quick calculations to himself, the Alchemist slowly raised his gaze to look at the out-of-breath young man.

“You, my boy,” the Alchemist said with some awe, “are the most remarkable alchemist I have ever come to know.”