Flush
Languages were something that came easily to Elias, when the opportunities to learn presented themselves. He knew a few words of Spanish, how to introduce himself in French, the conjugation of love in Italian, and a decent amount of Danish after a fur trader wintered in their town.
But he didn’t know enough for this . . .
complicated mission. His main objective was to meet Victor, force him to release him from these foul magics, and then slaughter him as slowly and painfully as his patience would allow.
His secondary objective was to make certain that anyone Victor met or would meet had a full understanding of his sins so he could not lie to get the help he was seeking.
Victor obviously was untruthful and cowardly at heart. Elias did not put it past him to spin a tale that put Elias in the wrong and himself in a good light.
Also, the places where Victor was headed were speckled across the continent: a true singular path would be difficult to determine. Elias might arrive at locations long after Victor had left them, and he must have a plan for that as well.
But Elias could, with consideration, make a few conjectures.
First, he knew that Victor would go to Russia last. It was the farthest away, and the weather was uncomfortable in winter.
France was the closest, and Italy and Greece were just beneath it.
The boat ride from Italy to Ireland, Scotland, and England would be the longest distance on sea they would need to take.
The boat ride from England to the Netherlands would be only a few days, then he could head to Russia on land by way of Sweden.
Victor could perhaps also head up to the Netherlands first if he would be traveling through Germany, but Elias didn’t think a coward running from justice would travel that way. It was much more likely he would escape immediately to France.
However, it didn’t matter how well Elias guessed Victor’s path: The fact still remained that he had a list of places, not a road map to him directly.
It wasn’t unlikely that he might arrive at certain locations before Victor did.
It would be easier to encounter people who had met Victor first—undoubtedly Victor’s natural wickedness and agitating personality would provide a smooth introduction for them to receive Elias with mercy and understanding.
But if Elias caught an alchemist unexpected because he’d simply chosen the wrong destination and outpaced Victor on his path .
. . there might be difficulties. It could be dangerous.
Elias leaned his head against the window and looked out at the grass and hills going past. His booth on this train was empty.
Most people were heading to Switzerland from France for this season, not away from it, and he was glad for the peace.
He didn’t feel much like being pressed against another body right now.
He did need people, though. Besides for comforting the gnawing loneliness, he needed translators.