Esica Figg crept from his hiding place behind a dusty wall-tapestry. Blinking in a shaft of early-morning sunlight, he surveyed the bodies that lay strewn across the floor. Marauders had struck at dawn. After a night of carousing, the inhabitants of Dunburton Manor were too befuddled to offer resistance. The invaders cut them down without mercy, stole everything of value, and left a pyre of furniture burning in the centre of the Great Hall. Anger replaced Esica Figg’s fear. He cared not one jot for the murdered people of Dunburton, but he did care about the silver he had loaned the incumbent Lord. Now it was gone – stolen along with everything else of value in the manor. Figg’s business was money lending and he stood little chance of recovering his loss.
Frustrated, he beat his fist against the wall. His desire to become the wealthiest man in the realm had taken a huge step backward. Smoke from the blazing furniture seared Figg’s throat. Poised to make his escape, the sudden slam of a door arrested his movements. Hastening back to his hiding place behind the tapestry, Figg peeped through a hole in the fabric. A tall, thin boy raced into the Great Hall and came to an abrupt halt beside the still form of an old man.
“Master Deveril! Master Deveril!” The boy dropped to his knees and rubbed the man’s blue-veined hands. “Are you hurt?”The Dunburton alchemist’s eyes flickered open.
“Praise the Lord!” the boy gasped. “I thought you were dead.”
Deveril fluttered his hands. “Pay attention, Oric, for I have little time left.” His voice was surprisingly strong for one so near death. Figg, hiding only feet away, could hear every word. From around his neck Deveril took a chain with a key hanging upon it and pressed it into Oric’s hand. “This key unlocks the secret to great wealth. You must promise to keep it safe. If it falls into evil hands, untold disasters could occur.” Oric curled his fingers over the key.
“I promise, Master Deveril. But I am confused. What kind of disaster? And where is the wealth you speak of?”
Oric and the Alchemist’s Key Description:
Oric returns from an early-morning foraging expedition to find his home, Dunburton Manor, sacked by a band of marauders. Alchemist Deveril, Oric’s mentor and friend, lies fatally wounded. The old man thrusts a key into Oric’s hand, saying that it will unlock the secret to great wealth. Deveril also warns of terrible danger should the key fall into wrong hands.
Essica Figg, moneylender and arch villain is determined to steal the key – even if he has to kill Oric to get it.
Oric escapes the burning manor and wanders the countryside until he stumbles upon Bayersby Manor, the ancestral home of Sir Edred and Lady Myferny.
Together with his new friends, Ichtheus the apothecary and kitchen maid, Dian, Oric experiences many adventures, some hilarious, some life threatening. The trio is helped, but more often hindered by Sir Edred’s comical wolfhound Parzifal, and a donkey named Braccus. The story culminates in a vicious battle when Esica Figg attempts to unseat Sir Edred. But does Oric unravel the mystery of the Alchemist’s key?
What do readers say:
“I’ve been reading a few different books recently including YA. When I saw this one being recommended I thought I would give it a go. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can honestly say I am looking forward to the next one in the series. Oric is an apothecary’s apprentice and he is learning about the puzzle of a key he is given. This is the basic premise for a very enjoyable and well written story. Wilson is a skilled writer and uses words to good effect. The setting and the language are spot on one this gave the story a real sense of place and time. I really felt I was there. The book kept me reading way past any sensible bedtime as it had me engrossed. A rattling tale which pulls you in to the story and I would highly recommend. 5*!” – By Wendy Jones TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE VOICE
“Oric and the Alchemist’s Key is the adventure of a young lad and the writer has understood the way to fascinate and transport one right into the story . Just could not put it down and almost felt like I was there. Before i knew it I had finished the book – can’t wait for book 2 to go on another adventure with Oric. 5*!” – By Elfriede Mai
“Subject Oric: Finished Oric a week ago. I thought it was a great book! And it was really exciting. It’s now up there with one of my favourite books.” – Daisy aged 10
