A Study in Purple (part 1)

This is a new story I'm working on, mostly likely 1-2 chapters, that I'm planning to complete in the next few days. It's about an alchemist researching a new species of slime that doesn't go quite as expected... 

“Slimes are predators by nature, as any seasoned traveler is aware. But what the layman too often fails to observe is that the nature of their predation varies according to their species - a mistake often fatal to the would-be hero.”

Ramsey Caine, Chief Researcher of His Majesty’s Society of Alchemists, drew a glass flask from his coat as he studied a trio of large wrought-iron vats filled with bubbling, colorful liquid. He continued speaking with his apprentice as he worked, carefully drawing a sample of red ooze into the vial before stoppering it. Caine was a short, thin man with quick brown eyes and pale, nimble hands. He dressed practically in heavy leather boots, a short-sleeved brown alchemist’s robe, and a slightly stained white shirt and trousers.

“Green are the most common, of course. Simple creatures, but hearty in comparison to their more sophisticated cousins. They have a natural affinity for regeneration that makes them best handled with magic or explosive weaponry.” Caine eyed the vial, which ceased bubbling almost immediately after being sealed.

“Blue slimes are ambush predators. While practically immobile, they have excellent camouflage abilities and find locations like caves or ruins where the creatures can lie in wait for their prey. Their danger is compounded by a potent sedative. This renders prey helpless in minutes while the creature dissolves and consumes the unfortunate victim. Caught in the open, however, the creatures are functionally defenseless. Even you, young Albert, would have little difficulty dispatching the creature.”

Caine produced another vial, drawing and stoppering a sample from the vat of blue liquid. He set the second glass next to the first before turning to the young man, pointing and snapping his fingers. “The blending jar, quickly if you please. That’s it, good lad. Now, the third variety is more potent than its companions due to its adaptable nature. Red slimes are known for their strong aggressive instincts and tendency to overwhelm their opponents.” He unstoppered the pair of vials with one hand, picked them up, and poured their contents simultaneously into the container. “Stir. Slowly, we don’t want to agitate them. Even in this form we must take precautions.”

The two liquids blended and churned, resuming their bubbling as they blended together into a sticky purple substance as Cain continued his lecture. “The red slime’s true danger, however, is its ability to take on new forms from those it absorbs. This phenomenon has been little studied and less documented, more the pity, but from the information available we know that red slimes can take on characteristics of other creatures' magic. A slime absorbing a salamander will grow resistant to flame, while one devouring a mermaid has been seen learning to swim. Scholars speculate that it could develop burning breath from absorbing a dragon, but this is of course impossible to test. The method of the slime’s acquisition is still unknown at this time, but it is this capability that makes them more dangerous than their simpler brethren.”

“Sir, it’s… it’s climbing!” Albert swatted ineffectively with his heavy wooden spoon at the purple liquid latched on and attempted to climb toward him. “Oh gods, it’s getting out! Sir!”

With a heavy sigh, Caine took a packet of green powder from the adjacent table and upended it into the vat. The substance smoked and hissed, unable to retreat from the caustic substance. Moments later the jar was coated in scorched black residue; no sign of the purple liquid remained.

“Pity - I had hoped that heating would… But perhaps with better containment?” Caine shrugged. “We shall endeavor again. Tomorrow, I think. The enchantments will have arrived by then, offering us a new avenue of attack.” The man examined the remnants of his work before turning to his apprentice. “Albert, kindly douse the fires and reseal the vats before tidying the lab. We’ll start tomorrow after breakfast.” He spun on his heel and turned to leave.

“Sir?”

“Mm?” Cain turned back, looking over his shoulder.

“Well, I just… what was that you added? Some kind of poison?”

Cain smiled. “Ah, of course - silly of me to forget. Your final lesson in slime anatomy is this:  two slimes are able to merge into one another, the larger subsuming the smaller and growing into a larger, more dangerous creature. But should three slimes of different colors meet and merge, their chemical structures negate each other. Total obliteration, as observed previously. An uncommon, but quite useful failsafe in our current research.”

“Yes sir.” He stared at a worn spot on his boot tip, kicking idly at the ground. “And if you don’t mind me asking, Professor Caine… what is our current research?”

The alchemist blinked, then grinned. “Why, to combine the creatures properly, Albert. We’re going to make a purple slime. And what’s more, we’re going to tame the beast.”

“For the war effort, sir?”

“What else? It’ll be my masterpiece, Albert, I promise you that. Those damn elves will never see it coming.” His eyes narrowed. “Now, enough chatter. Clean up, eat, and get some rest. We’ll need to be sharp and ready for tomorrow.”