An Artificer Cornered

The gnome working with the malfunctioning item gripped in one gauntleted hand is surrounded by the fragrance of the oil. They clench their teeth and murmur a curse. They appear to see the approaching girl as they throw aside the twisted piece of fabric.
The artificer evaluates the elf girl like a child, peering behind fancy glasses. Their thick eyebrows twitch. "Yes elfie elfie what toy do you want?"
''I do not want toys, artificer. I want something more powerful.'' The elven woman spoke in a trained and calm voice. She did not seem happy to be addressed as a little girl and showed her badge of infiltration from the city guards.
What she showed looked official. This gnome had seen the guardians of the city go on similar missions before. Sneaking into places and dropping bombs or scouting for information. This woman's outfit looked like that at first glance.

The gnome, of course, quickly realized what was going on and pulled a bronze arm from under his thick wooden, and dark brown desk. Suddenly there was a clonk! sound from the bookcase at the side of the room and the path behind it opened. Gnome grabbed a kerosene lamp, pushed the bookcase aside, and gestured for the elf woman to come as he made his way down the stairs. The woman started to follow.

When they came downstairs, to the basement, the smell of alcohol and gunpowder filled the air. Many chemicals were lined up on wooden shelves. Pieces of metal were scattered harmoniously around and the work table they walked through was covered with paper notes and scrolls.

Gnome started to pour different toxic compounds into a spherical metal container from vials and heaps of components in his alchemical collection. Green steam rises from the metal ball's nozzle, harmful vapors attempting to enter his nostrils, lips, and eyes. He caps the explosive as soon as he can, despite the burning stink. The tinny squeak of the cap tightening into place finally allows him to relax his shoulders. He stands to get some fresh air, ensuring sure the bomb is properly seated in a stand to protect it from moving around.

''I think that's enough. I assume you've decided to attack the goblin camp outside the city.''
The gnome was holding a handkerchief to his mouth as he spoke, trying not to be affected by the smoke.
The elven woman nodded in agreement as she watched him from a few meters away. As the gnome looked at her, he began to notice how different the outfit she wore was. Yes, he knew that some of the secret guards in the city wore different armor, but none of them wore black cloth that were very comfortable to move in.
When he looked at the reflection of the light on the fabric, it didn't take him long to realize whether this person was really a secret agent working for the city or a thief. Or some assassin for hire...

The elf woman must have realized what the look meant, for a smile tugged at the corner of her lips and she spoke in a threatening voice.

''You haven't seen me, you don't know me. It will be better for you.''
''But whatever you're going to do, there will be pieces of my bomb at the crime scene, and I'm one of the most skilled artificers in the city. This will end come to me.''
''Then I have to hurt you a little bit and you can say I forced you to do it. Finish the work first. ''
''It is done but please. Let me drink this potion, to help me hurt less.'' gnome po

gnome pointed to a bottle in the corner. Inside was a liquid the color of gray clouds. He held out his hand towards her and she let him, unsuspecting. The gnome stepped forward and reached for the potion. The woman began to walk with stealthy steps, keeping her eyes on him.

With a satisfied sound, the Gnome uncapped the potion bottle and began to drink the liquid. As he wiped the liquid from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, he looked at the elf woman with a small smile and suddenly disappeared with a sound like the popping of a gum!

''Damn it!'' The elf woman was very angry and didn't know what to do, so she pulled the dagger from her leg and started swinging it around. But the dagger did not hit or cut anyone. Silently she tried to listen around and hear the footsteps of the Gnome man if he was invisible. But he could hear nothing.
''Damn it, damn it, damn it, I can't believe it, damn it, damn it!''

She quickly grabbed the bomb from the table and started running up the stairs.
That's when he heard a clonk and realized that the steps up the stairs suddenly felt very long. By the time she ran all the way up, the wall where the bookcase was fixed had already closed and she was trapped there.

''Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry, but I'm an honest Artificer. I don't do business with murderers like you. Wait here and wait for the city guards who will come for you in a few minutes. Don't go anywhere. Promise? ahahahha!''

''Son of a donkey!'' the woman yelled.

A few short minutes later the city guards arrived and arrested the woman and took her to jail. The Artificer Gnome made a name for himself and from that day on no vigilantes came to him. In fact, two of the city guards were permanently stationed on his street.

Thank you so much for reading. This story is inspired by The Ink Well Prompt #100 / To Create