-Should we really believe him, your Majesty?

-Do not insult me Odar. I know my spells better than you.

-I am sorry, sir.

-But you are right, there are many ways to sneak past what magic interprets as “truth”. For example, a person can straight up think that he is not lying, while he was fed some false information from someone else.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes with disappointment at that remark.

-So how can I make you believe me?

-You say that is a piece of technology, yes?

-Right.

-Show us how it works then - he said, pushing forward the item towards me. - You say that anti magic is its “side effect”, what is it supposed to do then?

-That is impossible. This thing - I picked up the drive, taking a closer look - is a storage for information. Sort of like a book, although it can fit many more things than a tome. Can’t really tell for sure how much. But for you, it probably would be equivalent to “impossibly more”.

-A book? Hidden within a book? Funny. What’s in there then? - asked For, half mockingly, half curious.

-I do not know, nor am I able to tell you. To open it, you need, as you would call it, yet another artifact, that judging by your response to this little thing, you do not have. I am not sure if it worked here even if someone was to assemble it here...

-Here? So those things are made?

-And what did you think? That they grow on trees? Of course they are made, I already told you this is technology, not magic.

-Your Majesty, I think he is telling the truth - For announced, surprising us all.

-King does not need an opinion of a slave. Know your place. For all we know you can be made to say anything he wants.

-Odar. Stop.

-Yeah, stop. And I thought we already established that I was not manipulating her this way.

-And why do you think he’s right? - asked the king, more curious than anything.

She was pretty talkative, considering not so long ago she was even refusing to speak a word.

-I… I’ve seen something similar to… this. Or rather… I heard of it. I never was told how it looked, but the story about something that stores information… a relic of the past left behind… my father mentioned that he found something like this in his travels. In your travels.

-”Our” travels?

-Yes.

-And are you sure that this is it? What were his words exactly?

-I am afraid I cannot recall the exact wording but it was along the lines of “something that has more information than you’d ever learn in one lifetime”. He also did mention that it was impossible for him to read.

-That’s one way to put it - I agreed, but then something immediately struck me. - Your father was an interesting person. I keep hearing about him. Who was he, exactly?

-I… I am afraid I cannot…

Her neck started glowing with flames as she spoke. I managed to notice before anything happened though, so I added:

-Don’t need to tell me, that’s fine.

The brand immediately fell dark again and I swear I heard a sigh of relief from Odar, of all people.

-Her father was one of the Lost.

His words shocked both of them.

-Your Majesty, you can’t! You’ll…

-Can’t I? - he pointed at his chest with one finger, like he was waiting for something, but nothing happened. - Apparently I can.

They both looked at him in shocked silence.

-How… did you not…

-I did. But remember: we cannot speak about it with people other than us. Meaning…

-He’s one of the Lost…

-Oh Gods, he is one of them.

I was the one confused, for a change.

–Lost? Your so-called Gods? - I couldn't help but laugh. - I am sad to say, if I am to be a God, I see a very bleak future for your cult.

-We are not a cult - said Axelrod calmly, stopping Odar, who was about to get angry at me. - We are also not exactly a religion, but, let’s leave that for later.

-The hell are you then?

He smiled.

-A group of old friends that used to travel together.

He looked at me with newfound curiosity and attention.

-I have not expected to see any of you… well, ever…

-Okay, pause - I stopped him, sensing he is about to start to evangelize me. - I am not some kind of God. I might be lost in your country, but that’s about everything I have to do with being lost.

-That’s what they all said - he suddenly looked strangely melancholic.

I noticed that even For reacted to that.

-And what’s wrong with you?

-That… that’s what my father used to say…

Axelrod nodded.

-I remember… he never wanted to be called a God either…

-Oh great - I rolled my eyes, seeing the situation slowly spiral out of control. - I am not some reincarnation of a God, give me a break.

All of them looked very excited all of the sudden.

-Oh, no, let me be straight with you - stated king - no one is calling you a reincarnation. A God however…

I just gave him a mean look.

-...that is debatable. Every time one of you appears somewhere, they always say they are just regular people. We always believed them, yet their actions proved that VERY hard.

-Okay, pause - I stopped his story. - “One of you”. Would you all explain that a bit? How do you even begin to know who or what I am?

-Ah, that is simple. There are only two groups of people that are aware of those artifacts - he pointed at the hard drive - and how they can interfere with magic. One of them is Insight. The other is sitting right in front of you.

I squinted my face at him.

-And how do you know I am not one of them? Or if I am just some double agent, or a traitor, or anything fucking else?

-Well, for one, you wouldn’t be asking such questions if you were - he laughed. - Second, you are still under the effects of my spell, you literally can’t lie. And third - he put his hand on his chest - I have a good intuition, and it is telling me I am not wrong.

-Right… Ah - his words reminded me of something. - I’ve been meaning to ask that. You are pretty much holding onto this - I pointed at the item. - How can you even use magic and not be disrupted?

-I am just too strong - he immediately replied without even losing a breath. - I guess your “technology” is not enough for me.

-Riiight…

That was bullshit and the one of the obvious kind to boot, but I decided to not prod him more.

-Okay, I got the picture - I finally said after a moment of thought. - Your religion, or, eh “group of friends” - I corrected myself before he was able to interrupt - worships people with knowledge of technology. By some stroke of luck you manage to find one. So where do we go from here? To a church?

-We do not worship them. That part is just a story for the masses, we need to keep some kind of appearances. We just look for them and provide them with safety.

That was a surprise.

-A safety? From what exactly?

-The exact thing that attacked us today.

-The monsters? Well it was not the first time nor was I the target soo…

-The Insight. And yes, that is very strange…

-Strange? What would they want from me?

-How much do you know about the Insight?

-Just as much as I read at her place - I gestured towards For.

-That means not much - Odar shook his head. - Let me give him a quick overview, your Majesty.

-Go ahead.

-Insight is a group that appeared along with the first Lost - started his lecture Odar. - They believe in one God and hate technology of all kinds, looking for it all over the world, trying to destroy it, to “keep the world clean”.

-That is more or less what the books at the Edge had, yes - I confirmed when he paused briefly, waiting for my response.

-That is public knowledge. What I am about to tell you is… less known, yet I assure you, that is true.

I nodded, waiting for the inevitable shoe to drop.

-According to what we know, they are actually just a branch of Lost. When they first appeared, it seems like one of them has been, ehm, some say enlightened, some say corrupted, or just straight up insane. They created their own religion, the Insight, with one sole purpose: to keep a very strict control over any technological advancement.

-How do they even manage to do that? - I asked, confused. - I mean, I can see the effects, you are in a pretty fucking dark age, but…

-I have nothing to compare to so I will refrain from commenting. Although if what you said is true - he looked at the drive - I can see what you mean. As for how, that is simple. First of all, they look for technology. Their people scout villages and cities and if they find something that they deem worthy of attention, they… appropriate it.

-I can’t see how that’s not gone wrong yet…

-Oh, it did, multiple times. They have their methods.

-Let me guess. Murder and this - I pointed to my mark where the contract was sealed.

-That too. But that is their last resort, believe it or not. Mainly, when they find an item of interest, they replace it with something that works pretty much as the thing they found, but runs on magic instead.

-Oh?

-Like this for instance - he pulled out a glowing crystal. - Long time ago, some guy, I don’t remember his name, invented something he called a lightbulb. It’s a piece of…

-Yes, I am aware of what a lightbulb is. And what, he got stabbed?

-No. When they found him, they straight up paid him. A lot. And took all his belongings, including all his research papers.

-They always give them that whole ultimatum… - sighed Odar. - Here’s a mountain of money, we are taking your invention and you can never work on anything like that ever again. Or…

-Right. The pact is always sealed with blood, like you guessed. And if you break it…

-Yes, I figured. Eh… I guess I can see why they would be interested in Lost. New knowledge that can fuel inventions…

-Same with you - said Axelrod. - You may say that you are not Lost, but you indubitably have knowledge. And that’s what they care about.

-Riiight…

-That’s where it gets strange. It is clear that they were after this… “drive” as you call it.

-What’s strange with that?

-Nothing. But prioritizing it over someone who clearly knows a lot about it seems a bit…

-Well, not really - I shook my head. - It seems like you have some misconception about me. I am not some kind of engineer or inventor. I know about how to use that stuff, right, but I cannot actually make anything of value. Bah, to be honest, I know more about creating new magic than about technology.

-How does that even work? - pondered out loud Odar. - Using without knowing how that works…

-And do you know how to forge a blade?

-Where did that come from…?

-You have one. You have to know how to make one then, precisely and without any help, right?

-Yes, we get your point - stopped me Axelrod.

-Besides that, they might straight up not know that I exist. You found out not so long ago, after all…

Odar looked nervously at the king.

-About that… I, or rather we, knew about you for a good while now. Do not underestimate the power of a king. You just need to know what pawns to use.

That took me by surprise.

-I didn’t expect for a king to deal with shady people like that…

-How dare you call…

King stopped him mid sentence.

-May I remind you that you dealt with the same “shady people” as well?

-Sure, but I am not a ruler of a country, just some random dirty wanderer.

-And a Red Mage. And one of the Lost.

-I thought we cleared that one already. I’m…

He did not let me finish.

-In any case, let’s get back to the topic. The point is, we believed that Insight was trying to destroy all the technologically advanced items and replace it with magic. So pray tell, why haven’t they done that? It’s not like they lack power. They can use the same magic as me and not like they didn’t have the opportunity to do that multiple times.

-Good point… - muttered Odar. - From what I heard from you, there’s been at least two attacks on people in your proximity, or rather in proximity to this device. Strange that they have never succeeded…

-I think you know why - I calmly said, looking straight at him.

-What do you mean? - Odar asked, a bit pale.

-They never wanted to destroy it in the first place. They want to use it for something.

-That is a bold claim, Mor. While it definitely looks like that, I fear it can mean more than you think…

-They have been “confiscating” different kinds of items for, I don’t know, tens of years? Maybe more - said Odar, probably thinking aloud.

-It’s closer to a hundred - nodded king, concerned. - And that’s not even the worst part… We, by ourselves, gave them a good chunk of them. Including a couple of those “drives” as you call them.

That made me think.

-What in the hell might there be written on this stupid thing… - I picked up the drive and started examining it closely. - Fuck, I wish I had some kind of PC…

-P… C… ? Is that another artifact?

-Well, more or less. One of the ways to read those things. Were quite popular where I came from. I doubt you have one lying on standby though…

-I am afraid not. As mentioned, all things similar to this were being given to the Insight, as an act of goodwill. I now am slowly regretting that decision.

-You cannot change the past, Your Majesty. Also, that was not just your decision, we came to the same conclusion together, so the blame is also on each and every one of us.

I couldn’t help but smile.

-Man, I feel like I was not even a little bit wrong about you. Your cult seems more and more pain in the ass by the second.

-Say whatever you like. They are family to me.

The deafening silence that fell upon the room was interrupted by knocking at the door. Or rather pounding.

-Your Majesty! Urgent message to His Majesty!

Odar quickly stepped up to the door and peeked through the crack. He probably recognized the person, because seconds later he opened the door wider and let yet another armed guard in.

-What is it? His Majesty is busy, as you can clearly see.

The soldier froze for a second, noticing who was in the room, hanging for the longest time at me. Not like I blame him, I was the odd one out in this gathering of important people.

-I don’t think…

-What is it? - repeated himself king.

The soldier leaned towards Odar and started whispering something.

Whatever he said was definitely not good news, judging from his face.

-Thank you for the report. Wait behind the door, I will be with you shortly.

-Sir!

He slammed the door behind him with an unexpected force.

-Odar, what’s going on?

-I don’t think I should talk about it with this one with us… - he said with his eyes drilling me.

-Really? After just now saying that I am your God or whatever?

-Whoever you are, you don’t have to…

-He is right, you know - Axelrod interrupted. - Speak aloud. Whatever it is, you have my permission.

He sighed.

-Yes, sir. Melle is missing.

It didn’t even take a second for him to storm out of the room, dragging us all along with him.

-When was she last seen?

-I had my men stationed right in front of her room, but they have been scattered since the attack.

-I think I told you to keep watch on her! I cannot be everywhere at once!

-I am sorry, Your Majesty, I never expected for any of my men to disappear like that…

-Who discovered that she’s missing?

-Harsh. After he was told to escort that kid, he noticed that people that should be on duty guarding the corridor next to her room went missing, so he went to check it for himself. After that…

He hesitated for a second. I expected that he’s going to look at me and complain again that he can’t talk in front of the stranger that he does not trust, but that was not the case. Instead, he was gazing towards the corridor and the room we were approaching.

-Good. At least he’s here.

During the whole discussion we were almost running through the whole palace, with me and For reluctantly following the two.

-Excuse me - I finally managed to sneak in a word - I understand that you have a bit of a problem right now, but why am I dragged into this?

-I already said what was needed to say - said plainly Axelrod. - Whenever you want to accept it or not, you are now part of the Lost and I am not intending to let you go out of my sight for now. That is for your own safety - he added after a brief pause, not looking at me.

I found it strange for someone to actually be concerned about me for once, but hey, it was not all that bad. That is I would, if not for it meaning that I was essentially a prisoner.

At least this time I was not locked in a cell. Yet.