“As ordered, I am continuing the investigation in your southernmost villages.

A host of various animals started migrating to the north recently. In hamlets I’ve already passed by, many farmers had been wounded during their encounters with the beasts when they tried to defend livestock. I have confirmed deaths of three serfs of yours so far.

The disappearances of hunters in the forests are concerning, but so far I am willing to believe that they weren’t prepared for the increased activity of creatures living in the woods. Remains of only few of them were found.

Thankfully, a wandering priest visited the villages last week, tending the wounded and comforting the folk. The situation seems stable right now, yet I advise you to send some troops to support a defence of Stillrock and Weaverpeak.

Graydust, a south-eastern hamlet belonging to House Boeward, was raided by a group of at least 20 bandits two days ago.”

- a report delivered to House Faranger

Ion was pacing an alcove in “Hook & Plot Restaurant” nervously. Thanks to his Alter Self spell, the wizard seemed taller, his hair much darker. His transmutated face was covered with a make-up by Sae, just as his real one before he had casted the spell. Even if he wore an ornate black gown that the redhead managed to get somewhere, his Disguise spell made him currently look like a middle-class merchant.

“Calm down, it will be fine. Just do as we rehearsed,” Sae said.

She wore an outfit matching his illusory one, her blackened hair kept in a bun by two long and surely sharp needles.

Sae’s words calmed him a little. They have spent most of the day practising for this conversation and being tutored by Darmud and Orryn what Ion should ‘decipher’ from their notes should he see them.

In spare time, just to keep his thoughts away from what they’ve done last night, he engraved runes on the robe he received. Due to him using Prestidigitation as a core of an enchant, it was now much harder for it to get dirtied.

Most of the competent artificers, given a chance to inspect his robe, wouldn’t believe that it required such large amounts of mana just to sustain this simple enchantment. Ion supposed that his work was quite crude and wouldn't last for long, yet nonetheless, it gave him a sense of an accomplishment.

‘I once dreamed of becoming an artificier or a runescribe… now, thanks to my visions and insights from Orryn I managed to take first steps in that direction. Isn’t it a little nostalgic?

Now, however, after all the things I saw during the visions, that goal feels to me like the one from another life. I doubt I could ever again consider becoming like Darmud’s gnomish friend, putting artificing above the pursuit of arcane knowledge. I still see potential in this discipline, yet learning it is only secondary to my desire to truly understand magic…’

To pass the time, Ion once again inspected runes sustaining a privacy ward in their compartment. When the wizard checked them for the first time he was surprised to find out that the pattern appeared genuine, without additional symbols that could be used by their creator to eavesdrop.

‘It seems that the owner really cares about his reputation.’

It made a perfect sense; even a rumour that someone was able to learn secrets discussed here would ruin this place. However, it doesn’t stop Ion from setting his own, smaller ward inside this room. Better be safe than sorry.

Just outside the room stood Dorian, also disguised, pretending to be their guard; it was common for merchants to have at least one.

‘Especially in a day like this…’

“Don’t you think we’ve made a mistake last night?” Ion asked, ashamed.

After Ciros found out what they did, which wasn’t that hard considering a whole situation, he left their inn angrily not wanting to even look at the duo nor hear their explanations.

“Things might have gone a little bit out of hands, yet I suppose it wasn’t exactly bad…”

“Heinrich Silverford arrived,” Dorian knocked the door and announced, ending their conversation.

****Heinrich Silverford****

Heinrich was clad in a well-made breastplate, a sword hanging on his hip. Contrary to many puny nobles, he really knew how to use his weapon. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that he was one of the five best fighters in his family, retainers included. If not for that, his hot-headiness would have probably already ended badly for him.

Unlike his older brother, Conrad, he wasn’t a talented merchant, nor like his younger sister had he any talent in wizardry. Heinrich was contributing to his family in another way. He was the one in charge of taking care of their more unofficial businesses. Which were earlier outlined to him by his parents or the elder brother. Coming up with intrigues wasn’t his forte.

Currently, he was walking down the street, cursing his little sister.

‘If she hadn’t left for Aethera University I wouldn’t have to take care of this shit today.’

Arienne was a prodigy. Having only tutoring from passer-by wizards Silverfords hired, she was able to learn casting Evocation and Conjuration spells of the 4th circle by the age of 14. Their parents decided it is worth to nurture her further and have sent her to the school last year, as finding competent wizards willing to teach her was getting harder the more she learned.

‘Yesterday, I was lectured by the father and brother for hours what to offer and what not. Today, they summoned me again, changing what I was told to do. Instead of playing in taverns, I had to waste time for their intrigues. I hope it would be worth.’

He licked his lips thinking about the girls he was going to meet.

The streets were full of tension, people whispering silently to each other. The sudden appearance of undead at night caused riots and panic around the city. Many superstitious folks believed that tonight’s ruckus was a work of a vampire coven.

Some passer-by were looking at his group as if they were about to unsheathe their weapons and start attacking everyone. It was not unreasonable, considering that there were already a few skirmishes between the noble houses today. Most between his family and House Boeward.

‘At least I know that I really killed that bastard, Marius, in our duel.’

A vicious smile appeared on his face. After their fight last week, Boewards hid the wounded man. Heinrich had never expected that they manage to bribe the clergy so no one would say the word that one of their scions died in the aftermath of that fight. It seems that an alchemist that sold him a poison wasn’t lying about its effects. He will surely order more from the old man.

‘And now it seems that they even gave the offerings to the temples so that a high priest from Grasshaven resurrects him should he arrive. I wonder if he manages to do it now…’

His short laugh caught Gunther’s attention. He was one of the few people whom he really trusted and the one who got in touch with someone claiming to be a servant of the wizard.

“There is another armed group of Boewards ahead, we should not provoke them.”

As they passed, Boewards' retainers observed his group of ten guards with open hostility. Even if he wanted to show them their place, he was in a hurry to complete his task.

For a moment Silverfords hoped that Gunther managed to contact a powerful wizard. Yet, after the events of the last night, Heinrich’s father supposed that it was just a cover for two teenage girls, that Heinrich’s thugs spotted running away from the graveyard. Maybe wild mages or another runaway apprentices drunken with power. Having this intel, he immediately changed his orders.

“Find out what they want. Deciphering those notes is important but it could wait, eventually. At worst we could ‘convince’ their authors to talk or even recall your sister back from the university if they won’t cooperate… I start to think that we should have kidnapped or arranged to have those smiths inside a prison from the very beginning, screw pissing the dwarves even more… Maybe a plan for later.

For now, the turmoil in the city is beneficial for some deals Conrad is about to conclude. Yet if the panic escalates too far, it might backfire. So, if you deem those puny necromancers too hard to control, get rid of them."

With Gunther assisting him, he was sure that they would be able to kill two mere apprentices. It would be a piece of cake, considering that they would start from a close distance. A few months ago, they’ve managed to assassinate a 4th circle wizard, comparing to this it wouldn’t even be breaking a sweat.

‘Though, it would be a pity to kill those girls. My agents told me they looked gorgeous. I’d really like to show them that a man is better than a corpse. As my gratitude for getting rid of Marius for good, haha.’

Honestly, he was impressed by deeds done by the two girls. He had no idea why his father had a problem with those necromancers. After all, they’ve made resurrecting Marius nigh impossible for Boewards.

‘I could use them as my servants if my father doesn’t want them.’ Heinrich imagination was running wild. ‘He can keep those two useless apprentices who have already started licking his ass after he invited them in.’

“You two continue with us, the rest of you stay here.” He entered into ‘Plot & Hook restaurant’, ordering two of the guards assisting him to go with him and Gunther.

Inside they approached an owner of the place, Stephan.

“We’re here for a meeting with Mr Evans.”

Gunther handed the man a bag of coins.

“I’ve been already paid,” Stephan answered, hesitantly returning the bag.

“It is a payment for an eventual cleaning.”

“Please head to alcove number 11.”

The man was known as the one not asking any unnecessary questions.

‘Good for his business I guess.’

The restaurant was crowded, the ground level occupied by numerous bodyguards. Seemingly anyone coming here today brought an entourage with himself.

They climbed up the stairs. Heinrich was surprised to spot a guard standing outside the alcove they were heading to. The man wore a chain mail and judging from the way he was standing was an experienced fighter.

Heinrich exchanged a gaze with Gunther; they were surprised to see that two apprentices they were sure to meet here could afford to hire a guard like that.

From the way the man moved, the noble judged him to be more used to fighting with a larger weapon, despite carrying only a longsword currently.

‘I guess he has chosen a weapon more suited for fighting inside a crowded space.’

Heinrich supposed that in the worst case his two bodyguards could stall the man for long enough for him and Gunther to take care of the apprentices.

‘But I still hope that there will be no need for that.’

“Heinrich Silverford arrived. We’re here to meet with Mr Evans.” Gunther approached the guard.

After the man announced them they entered the alcove, leaving the guards outside.

Heinrich’s attention was immediately on the two people inside the room. They looked like the average merchants. For a moment they observed each other.

‘I expected two girls here... is one using an illusion?’

Heinrich pressed a gem on a signet he wore. It was one of the items his sister managed to buy in Aethera University. Thanks to it, even someone like him could see through illusions, even if only for a time.

In front of his eyes, the moustached face of the male merchant shimmered than disappeared along with his clothes, revealing a pale-skinned man, with a hooked nose and cold, black eyes. His robe was covered with various runic patterns. For now, when he focused, Heinrich could see both the real and illusory image of the man.

“You took your time to arrive.” The female ‘merchant’, the one not using any illusions spoke. “This is Master Evans, I’m Rita, his assistant. Please, take a seat.”

‘And here goes my dream about two sweet necromancers… even the guy's assistant seems older than reports were saying...’

Heinrich couldn’t help but feel slightly annoyed and suspicious.

“I am Heinrich Silverford. Gunther is my guard.”

As everyone seated themselves around the table, Heinrich for a moment felt that something was wrong.

‘Have they tried to deceive me once more, with some kind of spell?’

He could swear that there was a hint of surprise on Rita’s face.

‘Are they a real deal or just two weak illusionists believing they could take an advantage over my family?’

Along with Heinrich’s disappointment, his temper was slowly flaring.

**Sae**

When the men entered, Sae immediately felt something was off. Gunther seemed to wait for a sign from Heinrich, tensed as if before a fight. She switched her attention to the other man, trying to sense his intentions.

She was assaulted by his lecherous imaginations, soon followed by the man’s vexation.

“You seem to have an offer for me,” Ion finally started to act.

Seeing that his superior wasn’t going to answer it was Gunther who spoke.

“We are searching for someone able to translate for us certain writings. They appear to not only be ciphered but also written by infusing symbols with mana, making them hard to understand for those not proficient in sorcery.”

“Ah! You might not know, but deciphering ancient texts is a speciality of mine.”

Ion’s illusory face was beaming with an honest smile; the acting he could make by using the illusion was much more convincing than when he tried to fake it for real. Sae inwardly cursed, as she felt Heinrich’s suspicions rising even more.

‘What’s wrong with this man?’ She tried to soothe his emotions a little, yet the effect seemed to be quite opposite to what she intended.

Unaware of her doubts, Ion continued.

“Actually, that is the reason why I have even travelled to this city; my research implies that not far south from there should still be traces of an old Dworcen civilisation. Have you found your writings there?”

“No,” Gunther shook his head. “The records we wish to decipher were made quite recently.”

“Too bad,” Ion sighed, then murmured, seemingly to himself. “It’s not like Divinations would reveal something as simple as the most direct connection…”

“So, Master Evans, let’s discuss details of our cooperation…”

Gunther’s words were suddenly interrupted by Heinrich.

“Before we start I’d like to ask if you have been somehow involved in today’s night events on the graveyard?”

“Ah, that accident… To be honest with you, it was only an overzealous apprentice of mine,” Ion waved his hand dismissively. “Youths these days… She just made it to 3rd circle and was too eager to try spells she had recently learned. I’ve already taken care of her punishment for her lack of discretion.”

Ion’s casual mention about an apprentice who could actually call herself a full-fledged wizard in her own right caused Gunther to be struck with awe for a moment, but Heinrich’s reaction was different. Having received reports about two necromancers on the graveyard, not only a single one, Heinrich assumed that the people in front of him were trying to deceive him.

“Do we have any guarantee that you are really a wizard, not just some trainee pretending to be the one?” the noble asked.

Ion stared at him coldly and retorted in a mocking tone, letting his illusion drop as he spoke.

“Are you still in doubt? If so, I believe that you couldn’t tell a wizard even if he pointed at you with a Finger of Death.” He made a gesture as if shooting a crossbow with his fingers.

“You have balls to threaten me!” Heinrich shouted, hitting the table with a clenched fist. “I've already seen through your petty illusions. They won’t scare me. Know your place when talking to your betters. Who do you think will hire you if not Silverfords family?”

‘Shit!’ Sae thought, preparing for a contingency plan, seeing that Gunther’s tries to calm Heinrich also weren’t showing any results.

“Let’s see… House Boeward, perhaps?”

Contrary to her expectations Ion’s tone was slightly amused, as if unconcerned by their plan falling apart.

“Everyone knows you are not a friend to them. Recently, your family has been even hiring wizards, I doubt it’s a secret anymore. Now everyone seems to know for what purpose. Boewards' heir died recently... maybe your family wanted to also prevent his resurrection? You searched for rogue wizards to desecrate his remains. Who could disbelieve this version of events?”

Ion’s speech, completely outside of Sae’s scenario for this conversation, was surely not helping in relieving Heinrich’s anger problems.

“I wonder, would it be enough for Boewards to consider this a declaration of an open war? It is you who needs an ally now, not me. State your offer, if it doesn’t satisfy me, I might consider working with their house instead. A strong wizard could help them achieve a rightful vengeance, don’t you think so?”

Feeling that Heinrich already snapped in his fury, Sae reached for her hidden daggers and prepared for an inevitable fight that could erupt at any moment.

“You... you really dare to threaten me, my family?” The noble stood up, with both hands on the table looking from above on the still seated figure of Ion. “Do you know who we are? We control most of the guards in this city, every thief and assassin is hoping to gain our favour. You can try to hide in one of the villages around, I wonder how long you would be able to until we find you. If you dare to mess with us…”

“Then what?”

The atmosphere suddenly changed as Ion also stood up. His hand was immediately covered by azure blue flames. They felt a temperature in their alcove dropping, a chill passing down their spines.

Something at the back of Sae’s head was telling her to run away when she felt those vicious flames trying to leech on her. Knowing that the dread she felt came partially through her connection with Heinrich’s mind, she tried to calm herself, separating her feelings from his. On the opposite side of the table, Heinrich was shaking, his face appalled. Gunther kept both his hands on the knives, yet was seemingly unwilling or too afraid to unsheathe them completely.

“It always amuses me that you, nobles, think you can threaten us, wizards.”

Ion’s tone was casual and conversational, yet nobody dared to interrupt him. Observing Ion’s demeanour now, Sae could almost believe that she was really observing a proud mage whom someone offended.

Flowers on the table were withering, slowly engulfed by the ice. With every breath they took, a small cloud of mist emerged.

“Do you think that you are better because you amass mortal riches? That they impress us? The only reason why we are willing to work with you is that we dislike being bothered with such mundane matters in our pursuit of arcane knowledge. Whereas you can control thugs, hire mercenaries, it is our call that is answered by forces you can't even fathom. Trust me, you won’t like to have an enemy such as myself.”

The flame he held faded as he sat and an illusion of the moustached merchant covered him again. The menacing atmosphere suddenly ended, the only clue about Ion’s earlier spell was what remained from the flowers on the table.

After a moment of silence the wizard added:

“Now, that we’ve reached a common understanding we may finally discuss the terms of our contract. At first, I planned to help you mainly in an exchange for your contacts, but after this insolence, I would expect some amends...”

The meeting continued.

In the beginning, Ion was active, wishing Silverfords to provide him with a few caged monsters or some alchemical components. There was a problem though, as of some of them never Sae nor the noble heard.

‘Does he makes them up?’ Sae tried to keep a straight face when Ion created an illusion of another herb, which she wasn’t able to recognise.

“Master, those are native only to Iriath, we won’t be able to find them there.”

Seeing some she wasn’t able to recognise at all, she had chosen to bluff, hoping that his behaviour passes as that of someone not bothering with the outside world if isn’t forced to.

‘I will strangle him for this!’

At some point of the discussion, Ion finally took a more passive role, letting her settle fine details of their payment. Thanks to Ion’s overbearing acting, the noble already was willing to grant them more than she hoped they will be able to obtain, yet it would be mostly in form of alchemical supplies, which doesn’t satisfy her.

‘You will keep that damn green-stuff or monster’s parts for yourself, but the whole gold goes for the rest of us!’ She thought angrily while she used all her abilities to negotiate the amount of coins they would receive.

Suddenly Sae had an impression that Ion was getting very disturbed. As she was currently already too tired after extensive use of her abilities to try influence anyone anymore, with a heavy heart, afraid that they screw up everything at the end, she settled the deal they had already.

They quickly left the restaurant and she led the way she deemed the best for losing a possible tail.

As they walked Sae wished to ask Ion many questions, yet for now, she has chosen to maintain their disguise by engaging in a pointless conversation that a couple of merchants could have while walking on the street.

Or at least she tried to, as Ion was answering almost only in monosyllables, probably not even listening to her. Somewhere along the road, they split with Dorian, so that he could stall those who might have followed them.

Angered by a lack of cooperation from Ion, Sae used most of her remaining energy to pry a bit into his mind. As usual with wizards and clerics, it was a strange and unpleasant experience. The patterns which their minds followed were often so chaotic and strange to her that instead of gaining any useful information she received only a headache.

It was a common knowledge among her people that this kind of mind’s inner workings was partially a reason why spellcasters were able to shape mana, as well as a defensive mechanism most of them developed as a protection against mind-affecting spells. Which regrettably was also effective against their abilities.

The only thing she could sense was that his mind felt even messier than usual. She tried to soothe it a little and sighed, embracing Ion as they continued their walk.