Byt and Tam were making progress. They had met another street gang, that ran the district where the Alchemist Guild and Great Sept had been located. Having lost half their members in the wildfire blast, they were more than willing to help Byt and Tam against Queen Cersei. It was forbidden in that area to speak her name and so even Byt and Tam got use to calling her the False Queen. Once survivors from that district, found out that Byt's parents had been part of the Alchemist Guild, more doors were opened to her. The history she'd been seeking was revealed to her, from a retired Guild member living in Cobbler's Square. She was also given access to ancient parchments which had secrets of Alchemy, from that retired member. Tam dug deeper into why the explosion happened and whom had been in the Sept.
"But why were there no safe guards built in to prevent a wildfire explosion?" Tam asked a blind elder, who's family had lived on Visenya's Hill.
"There were; above the room where the barrels were kept, was a floor, with sand. The sand would cover the wildfire and extinguish it. But if the barrels were placed down the tunnels as well, then nothing could stop it."
Byt nodded, "so it wasn't accidental like the crown claimed. Everything was deliberate, so that House Tyrell was no longer a threat to the False Queen. Yet if she ordered the wildfire explosion, she indirectly kicked herself too."
"How so?" Ella from the street guild of Visenya's Hill asked.
It was Tam who explained. "The Alchemist Guild was obliterated too, which means no one knows how to make wildfire now," he looked at the elder for confirmation.
"That's right. Our guild kept those instructions under lock and key, deep within the guild."
A wicked little smirk danced on Byt's face and she leaned in close to them to whisper, "I know how."
"WHAT?" Ella almost yelled and was scolded by the elder, then also whispered, "you do?"
"Yes." She looked at Tam, "Aulix taught me."
The elder asked, "who is this Aulix?"
Tam answered, "one very mysterious guy, with too many secrets and even more talents."
The elder nodded. "Can I meet him?"
"We might not have time, but I will send a request." Byt promised. "I have a list of things I need, to fill Aulix's requests."
"Tell us what's on the list, we'll find a way to get it," Ella said reverently.
"Pine resin, quicklime, coal tar, peat …," she began to list of the ingredients.
"Wait, let me write this down."
The blind old man said, "that's not just for making wildfire. You're making some of the forbidden potions."
Tam asked, "why are they forbidden?"
Byt answered, "because they prolong life serving the God of Death."
Ella said, "Valar Morghulis!"
"Yes, but the stuff she will create, might even kill The Mountain." The elder cackled happily. "The False Queen's reign will end soon. Enough chatter, let's start making what you need."
"How can you help, other than the parchments?" Ella asked, yet not unkindly.
"Just because my eyes are clouded, doesn't mean my mind is. You bring me Mera Terg, Rian Gar and Aenys Sova. Those children are from the families of the oldest Guild members. They live in the district from Hill of Rhaenys and they will help."
Byt asked, "where can I begin to make what's needed?"
Jett, leader of the street guild, answered, "there is a house that was half destroyed by the wildfire blast and we've taken over the remaining half. It's basement was undamaged and should be perfect for what you need."
"Let's go then." Tam helped the blind elder as they followed Jett.
They all went to the building that Jett had mentioned. Carefully they went to the basement and Byt gave her approval. With lanterns lit, debris cleared away, Byt began to set up what she'd brought from their street guild in Essos. She gave instructions to Tam for the things she needed to begin, while the elder also told Jett what to get from his house and where to find some of Byt's list. Together Tam and Jett went to fulfill their requests. Jett got his gang to help. Ella brought the requested children and the elder explained who Byt was and the plan. As he had guessed, the two guys and one girl, were all in.
Mera promised, "if you work to take down the False Queen, I will see it through to the end. I may not have as much experience as everyone else, but I've seen a lot of protected instructions and remember it all, word for word."
Aenys nodded, "it's one of those skills that comes in handy, especially when you only get a glimpse of what is written."
"We know everyone who survived and the crown knows nothing of those who work in secret." Rian said with venom almost dripping off the word 'crown'.
Byt hugged each of them. "I thank you for joining us in our fight and for your loyalty. We've got little time to get this all done."
They worked day and night, those who couldn't help Byt, stood watch to make sure no one bothered them. Others also fed them the best food and drink. Byt, Rian, Aenys and Mera didn't partake in any cider, wine or ale. Due to this united group, Byt's work for Aulix completed sooner than expected. She made a few other things, which she taught the others, that were her own creations.
"You are a natural Alchemist," the blind elder praised. "Your family would've been proud."
Tears came to her eyes, "thank you. Your kindness makes me feel like I'm one of you."
Rian said, "you are one of us; by blood, by creed, by knowledge. You live by the rules of equivalent exchange and that is the basic law of Alchemy."
Tam answered for the emotionally overwhelmed Byt, "you all are the next generation of Alchemists. Not driven by greed. Your skills and knowledge keep power in balance, so follow the laws that don't care whom is on the throne."
Byt finally added, "our work may be a unity with the elements and essential substances, but it is also the transformation of our souls from within, beginning with the elixir of gratitude. If we stay humble and always willing to learn, then both the God of Life and God of Death will remain in balance."
"That will be our new Alchemist Creed," Rian, being the eldest aside from Byt, decided.
The elder smiled, "you kids have more honour then a thousand knights."
Mera asked, "can you write down that recipe which used snake milk?"
"Since I finished early, I will write out everything I know and teach. You can than see it and burn it, once set in your mind. That way, no one can use what we know outside of those present now." Byt promised and suggested.
"If you stayed and became our Maester, to teach us of magic and science, then we wouldn't need her skills solely to act like a reserve of knowledge." Aenys was the quiet one of the group, but when he did speak, often his words were profound.
"I can't right now, but maybe in the future I'll be able to return."