Even though we were not that far from the main, larger street where we earlier saw some people wandering minding their own business, here we were the only ones in eyeshot. Good for us, I guess.

Goldie knocked at the door. It didn’t take even five seconds for someone to respond.

-Who’s there?

The voice was weirdly familiar.

-Your clients.

-Ah. Come on in.

The door opened to some dark room. The only light was a small wooden candle, similar to those I’ve seen on the island, but this one looked a lot shittier. It was standing on a curved bar, in the furthest corner of the room, with two barstools besides it. Near it, almost parallel to the entrance there was another closed door. Outside of that, the room had three tables with some benches at each wall.

The man that let us in walked behind the counter and was waiting expectantly. He was wearing a hooded cloak, casting a shadow on his face, making it impossible to see.

-You didn’t say you will be having that big of a company.

-You said that you have multiple rooms free, so I didn’t think it would be an issue…

-It isn’t. For me that is. It’s just gonna be more expensive that’s all.

-Works for us - chimed in Bert, still clutching his hand on the kid's shoulder.

As soon as he spoke, the guy flinched.

-Oooh, I see… I didn’t know you were one of his friends.

-We know each other? - Bert asked, curious.

-No. But I’ve heard of you. I understand the secrecy is the main reason you choose my place so I am not going to ask any questions.

-Good.

-That aside, the price is 10 gold per person per night. Plus service, it would be 50 gold.

-WHAT.

-You heard.

-That is straight up robbery.

-Funny. Especially coming from you.

-Ha, ha. We are not going to pay that much for some run down rooms in someone's basement.

-Excuse me, my rooms are not run down, and who cares where.

-I do - said Goldie, just to be silenced by Bert’s gesture.

-Listen. I will pay five gold max, nothing more. Take it or leave it.

-No no, you listen. Do you realize how much I risk running an establishment like this? Bribes aren’t cheap, you know. I need to make a profit somehow. So either you leave now or you pay.

They argued for a solid minute. In the meantime I took a better look at our host. Even though his voice was familiar, thanks to his cloak I could not recognize him, which was odd, since I haven’t met many people since I’ve arrived here. Could he be someone from before all that? It was possible, but who then? I took a step closer, to maybe try and see at least part of his face, but for nothing. The “candle” gave out a little light and they finished their haggling so he stepped out from the counter and kneeled down, looking for something under the bar.

Meanwhile Bert was cursing under his breath, looking for money.

-We will stay here for a couple days. Or however long it's gonna take for him - he pointed towards Goldie - to fix his gear.

I looked at him with curiosity, but he did not acknowledge that.

-For now, let’s go to our rooms.

-Money first - the guy finally emerged from under the counter, holding a small key.

-Damn money-grubber… here - he tossed him his whole pouch - should be enough.

-Two days? Okay. Follow me then.

He opened the only other door in the room and let us in. It was a small circular room with a ladder leading up and a set of stairs leading down. He gestured towards downstairs.

Below, there was a short, dark corridor with four doors on each side. He opened the door to the one directly next to the stairwell, on the left, and let us in.

The room was as bland and dark as the corridor. No distinguishable features, just two beds and a small table between them, with one glowing crystal embedded in the wall, right above the table, which started to glow, touched by the innkeeper.

-A bit small for four people but I am sure you will manage - I managed to get a glimpse of a smirk from under his hood as he was about to leave and got stopped by Bert.

-Wait, what's that supposed to mean? There are obviously just two beds, how are we supposed to fit?

-And that is not my issue. You paid for one room, you got one room.

-THAT MUCH FOR ONE ROOM?

Oh boy, here we go again…

Before he started arguing again, I decided to step in.

-How much for another one? - I stepped in front of Bert before he managed to start yelling.

Innkeeper carefully looked me over.

-I am sorry but I don't think you have enough.

Well true, after our trip I did not look particularly presentable. Not like I started good looking anyway, but now with tattered clothes and the coat ripped in many places, with muddy stains, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

-Try me.

He started counting something, muttering to himself.

-Another twenty gold daily.

-Deal.

From my bag I pulled out forty gold and gave it to the surprised innkeeper. Behind me I heard some muffled curses from Bert.

-Follow me.

He led me to the room next door, on the right side of the stairs. It was basically the same, but even smaller - it had just one bed, although this time there was a chair standing next to the a bit larger table, also with a singular crystal in the wall.

-It's one person only , but that shouldn't matter. - he said lighting up the crustal

-Works for me.

-Hey! If he's paying on his own, why don't you give me my money back?

Bert followed us, apparently still did not lose his will to haggle.

-And I don't care. You bought a room and paid for four people to cover, you got that. For all that I care you can order yourself a girl from somewhere around the corner to keep you company.

-Very funny.

-Right? Just like your haggling.

-You fucking…

-If you are gonna argue can you at least do that outside of this room? I will most likely gonna hear everything anyway, but…

-Ah, sorry, sir, we are on our way out - the innkeeper bowed down and started pushing Bert out along with him.

-Yeah, yeah, don't think you'll get rid of me that easily.

I don't know if that remark was towards me or the innkeeper, but he responded anyway.

-No refunds! If you are not satisfied with my services you can always sleep on the street. Or any other inn. Too bad all of them have a register of guests!

-Grrr!

As I closed the door, their voices got muffled a bit, but I could still hear the remnants of their argument.

For the first time in a long while I had a minute to myself and to think about what to do next. Even though I finally reached the capital, for some unknown reason we had to lay low. Yeah, it was supposedly Goldie and his crap, but who in their right mind would care about something like that? And there is also this innkeeper… I could've sworn I heard his voice somewhere before, but he definitely didn't know me, either that or he hid it so well… But what for then? Weird… And now there are also money problems… I pulled out my bag and started going through the contents of my "coin purse". If all this was to continue like this I would run out of money pretty soon, especially with those prices. Well, whenever I like it or not, I will have to look for some kind of employment office. A guild office? Guild hall? Whatever they are called here. I guess even if I don't feel like it I will have to do as that stupid hag said…

My thinking got interrupted by knocking at the door. It was not Bert though, I could still hear him argue about prices in his room. Goldie?

-Who's there?

-Felix, sir. Can I talk with you for a moment?

That was unexpected. During this whole trip he rarely talked, and usually it was not with me. He managed to slip out, but judging from the shouts next door it wasn't very difficult.

-Yeah, sure. Come in.

He was looking a bit shaken, no wonder, since he was basically getting held hostage now for some odd reason. Still with his book, he quickly closed the door and just stood there, in the middle of the room, staring at me.

-Oh come on, sit down. What is this all about?

He did not sit down and with a trembling voice, started.

-Thank you for letting me talk to you, sir.

I just raised my brow at him.

-Huh?

-I also wanted to apologize for my earlier behavior. I am sorry if I offended you in any way. - He bowed his head, almost hitting the bed frame in the process.

-Huh? - I repeated, dumbfounded.

-I didn't know you were a Red Mage, so please, I beg for forgiveness.

-First of all, stop all this nonsense. I am not someone that you have to bow to, I don't know how using a type of magic makes me some kind of celebrity.

-You are too modest - he continued. - Everyone knows all of you deserve respect and most praise for what you do.

-What, wave some fire around? Stop. Sit down and tell me what you wanted to talk about.

This time he listened to me, but was still visibly stressed, his knuckles almost completely white from clutching his book to his chest.

-Oh please, stop. Don't know what you imagined about me, but I am just a random person. You weren't nervous when we talked before, at the caravan, remember?

-R-right… - he took a deep breath. - I wanted to ask you to read my book.

That was a new one.

-Huh? Where did that come from?

-I'm sorry, but I don't follow…

-You want me to look at the book. That you were so protective about. That you refused to even let me get a peek of contents at.

-Ah, yes. I am sorry, I did not know of your status before, never expected to meet a Red Mage so close to my home…

-What does my magic have to do with anything? No matter, show me then.

He handed me the large tome. Not without any hesitation though, even though he was sitting right in front of me, like I was gonna destroy it or something. It was heavier than I expected, even considering that it was pretty large with a thick cover.

-Before you open it - he said, as I was about to look inside - I already showed it to a couple of mages. Most of them laughed. But I know there is something in this book and I have to find it.

-And they said they laughed, because…?

-They just said to not waste their time.

-Curious. Well, let's see.

I opened the book and after reading the title I almost laughed out loud as well.

The kid noticed, visibly sunk down in his chair and already started pulling his book from my hands.

-You don't want to know what's inside?

He stopped.

-Please tell me.

-As I understand, Goldie gave you this, right?

-Yes, he said he never knew what was inside.

-Well I can translate it for you. It's a bit of a mouthful but…

I flipped a few pages and started translating, or rather trying to remember the translations I saw a long time ago.

-”Loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great. To take a trivial example, which of us ever laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it?”

-What does that even mean? Is that even proper language? - he asked, confused. - I feel like even some words are missing… or just wrong...

-And you would be right.

-You mean some words are unreadable?

-No, no, It is in pristine condition. I’m honestly surprised that you managed to keep it that way, considering you are carrying it around constantly without any bag or anything.

-I don’t understand...

-There is nothing to understand, really.

He looked at me, lost with this explanation. No wonder.

-Well, how do I put it… It is a part of some old book, but not exactly word to word. Abridged version? Let’s go with that. I don’t remember the original author, or the title. The title that I know this by, and is used here, is “Pain Itself”.

-So what is it about? Any magic formulas? - he asked, suddenly excited - That sounds like some powerful spellbook.

-Sorry to disappoint but no. It might be an interesting read if you are into this kind of stuff, maybe a bit confusing, but nothing besides that. Definitely no magic in the text itself.

-Oh… But…

-But what? You don’t believe me?

-Of course I believe you, sir! - he straightened up suddenly - But I showed this book to a couple of people already. And one of them said that it has some weird aura about it.

-Aura? Like a magical aura?

-I don’t know, sir. I hoped that you would be able to tell me.

-Hmm. Do you mind if I check something?

-Please do.

I focused on the book, looking for traces of magic in the tome lying on my lap.

But I didn't feel anything. It was as mundane as it gets, as if I was inspecting a piece of wood. Even less maybe, after all even trees pretty often have a hint of aura to them.

-Sorry, but I don’t. It is just a book. I think whoever told you that it had an aura just either was incompetent or just lied to you. Don’t know why.

-With all due respect - he stood up and took back his book. - Thank you, but I believe them. - It is not that I think you are lying or are unable to feel that aura for yourself - he added quickly - but I will ask the person myself when I meet them.

-Sure, it’s your book - I shrugged. - By the way, who told you about the aura and all this?

Before he managed to answer, the door to my room opened suddenly and crashing loudly Bert entered the room.

-I would appreciate it if you knocked before entering.

-And I would appreciate it if HE was not running away from me - he gazed at the kid intently. - As you are well aware I am in no place to break another deal, would it be on purpose or not.

-Maybe then don't scare people off like a mad man?

-Take him to the other room and don't let him leave this time?

Without a word, Goldie emerged from behind him and led him out of the room, closing the door.

-Besides looking for the kid, I also came to talk to you.

-You too, huh? What's going on?

-Well… - he sat down in the same chair that kid was a second ago. - I had a serious "talk" with our friend Caleb.

-And?

-And I am relieved to say, and a bit dumbfounded, that he is just an idiot.

-Like that's news.

-Funny. But I am serious. What he said during our encounter with those plant-things… he actually meant it. Well, most of it.

-I am listening…

-He told me how he managed to escape at first.

-I thought you were caught together?

-No, he was in another cart, but that is beside the point. He said, as the vines started crushing the cart he instantly used his "fire" to try and burn them, but, as we know why, it did not work at all. He managed to escape only using his raw strength and just cut through all that mess, just barely avoiding crushing. That's why he said that magic or fire won't work. He also swore that I am the only one he was working for, so it is not some double agent bullshit.

-Well, at least he is not completely braindead. "Completely" being the operative word. I still can't believe he never noticed that what he was using was just some stupid illusions. But speaking of "believing". How can you be sure that he is telling the truth?

-I have my ways…

-Yeah, no, explanation please.

-I made sure he can't lie to me. That is as much as I am willing to say.

-Truth Infusion? But… - I tried probing him a little bit - aren't you an ice mage? Or rather Blue Mage, since you people like using colors here.

-Yes, I am. But that does not mean I don't have some other means to…

-Ok, stop. Just tell me, was that it, and if not then how sure are you about that?

-Well… It was not exactly that but something close enough.

-Ah great, secrets. And how sure are you about that?

-As sure as I am of the Law of Triple Binding.

-Meaning not much.

He shrugged.

-I honestly think he didn't lie. What I used was sort of my last resort, so I am pretty sure about all this.

-Eh. Whatever. So did you tell him about my magic and what exactly happened?

-Not yet. I wanted to ask for your permission first.

-Yeah, go ahead. Just tell him to not spread word. Every time someone learns I use fire, they want something from me.

-Ah, speaking of.

-Oh here it comes.

-No, no, it's not anything new. I wanted to ask you if you are interested in the job I was offering earlier.

-What job?

-Bringing back the armor. You know. He won't stop pestering me about that.

-Ah, that. You really don't have people for that?

-I had.

-Oh. Riiight… My bad.

-Shit happens. Pretty often actually. So, you interested?

-Maybe, but why do you want me for that?

-Besides you being the only additional person that knows where that pile of junk is, I want someone to check that armor of his as well. He will never let me. You are the only one available on hand. Well, besides…

-Ehe…Wait, what do you mind, check the armor?

-Since he is working under me, I don't want to have another situation like last time. Like pulling out some magical item that, for all I know, might be used against me.

-What, so you think he is actually working with someone else? To kill you? Or what? What happened to believing his word?

-I don't think he WANTS to kill me or betray me. Quite the opposite. I think he might do so accidentally.

-Okay, that is hilarious. What, are you his father or something?

-Funny - he said stone faced. - What if this time he thinks that he has some, let's say, a glowing crystal. I ask him for a light and that shit explodes in my face because it was a rock enchanted with fire magic or some crap.

I laughed.

-Well, after the deal with the sword I guess it might happen. So what am I supposed to do then?

-Meet up with the people that guided us here. In a day or two they are gonna be returning to their camp. I'm thinking of hiring one of them as well to help you, he seemed competent. I think he knows how to deal with enchantments as well…

-I will be fine on my own I think.

-You sure? And what if some more of those creatures appear?

-If any survived, the rest of their group dealt with them. Seemed capable enough. I also can handle myself. I managed to deal with them three times, I can do it again.

-Three?

-I had an encounter before I met you. Weren’t exactly the same, but still. Doesn't matter. What is my pay then?

-That depends. First of all, are you sure you will be able to detect the enchantments on that armor by yourself?

-Of course.

-I know you are a Red Mage and all, but that is not very easy.

-What, you want to test me or something? Not this shit again…

-Don't worry, I am not as strict with the rules as my father. I just need you…

-Father?

He stopped and realized what he just said. Apparently too much.

-Forget I said that.

-Harsh is your father? - I decided to ignore that sentence. - I mean, yeah, it looked like he knew you but…

-I don't like talking about my family. Please, can we continue the topic at hand?

-Okay, okay. So how do you want to test me then?

-With this - he pulled his bow from his back. - Try finding out what enchantment I have on this.

It was a nice bow. I didn't have the opportunity to look closer before, but it looked well made, but was a bit plain, just straight up wood, nothing fancy.

-You sure? I already saw it in action, you know…

-I am.

-Okay then.

I put my hand and focused on the weapon in front of me. As expected, I did feel magic on it, but, to my amazement, not the kind I’ve seen in action. I thought I would feel some strong frost magic, but no. I could feel some remnants of his frost spells, but no inherent magical element. Quite the opposite in fact. It felt… empty. Not like it had no magic, no, it was more like I was touching some empty container…

-And?

-That is some interesting weapon you have… This is not frost magic, is it?

-Ah. So you are the real deal then.

-What does that mean?

-I had some doubts about you, but if you can recognize the difference you have to be the real deal - he said, putting his bow back on his back.

-What is that supposed to mean?

-That means I am sorry for doubting you. And that I will increase your pay for that mission accordingly.

-I never said I agree.

-Thousand gold. Plus extra for checking the enchantment of course.

-But I am willing to work with you under certain conditions.

-I am not using the Law of Triple Binding.

-And I don’t care. Don't worry. I'm not gonna make you promise your firstborn or something. My needs are a bit mundane. First, if I am to work with you, I need you not to spread the word about me and my magic. I have enough requests as it is.

-I can't promise anything. Like in, ehm, my fathers case, some people have to be informed, or everything else becomes incredibly complicated for me. Also Law…

-Law, whatever. I’m not telling you to shake my hand or promise anything. Can’t we just somehow avoid all that garbage? I hate how strange that Law is…

-You aren’t the only one. Well, I can say that… I can say that I will try to keep the information to a minimum…

-I guess that has to be good enough… Second. This one is easier. I need some supplies. Clothes, some paper maybe, something to write with, preferably good quality. What I have is… not the best.

-Easy enough. Any specifics?

-Not really.

-That's all?

-Yeah. What, you want me to demand more?

-No no no… Just people usually haggle more… Not that I am complaining.

-Well I am not the haggling type. If that's all, can I finally have a moment to myself?

-Yeah, of course. Pleasure working with you. As soon as I get my hands on supplies I will notify you.

-Sure, sure. Take your time.