Price of Power

She was at her destination, a small city in the south part of the kingdom, there supposedly was Dapper. Journey has passed her without any further ado and thanks to map and notes drawn up by her father she has found the right apartment quickly enough. That’s how she ended up before one from the row of three-story blocks. She couldn’t just go inside, Dapper supposedly had three guards assigned to him, and they were under the cover.

At first, she thought she could just write a letter to him explaining the circumstances, but was afraid that he could think it’s a deception and run away. She also could just wait for him to come out and catch him in a crowd or a narrow alley, but she had no time. No one except her father had an idea that she was there. Also, in that city there was no district, so she couldn’t count for any help. Eventually, she decided to wait till night, if to this time nothing would pop into her head or luck would not smile at her she was ready to break in.

She went for a reconnaissance around the city. Despite that it wasn’t decorated as much as the capital, it had its own charm, architectural style. Even though she could not find anything interesting for her, the citizens indeed were making an impression of being more friendly and open. She also noticed that a lot of women were wearing hats with a large brim. It could be some new fashion, she had didn’t know, but she bought one herself and put on the way it was covering her face. She still had no idea how to play it all, but something to let her blend in the crowd was sure helpful. During the walk, she was able to recognize two out of three guards. Although they were masking themselves very well, so good that an average citizen couldn’t distinguish them from locals, they still were from the capital. Just eyes were revealing them if you could properly watch.

She stopped at the bar and sat at the counter hoping that by eavesdropping she will learn something useful. Place seemed crowded and not so tidy, yet somehow crush wasn’t so noticeable. She was sipping her water when out of sudden woman entered the bar. She tried to blend in the crowd, she even had the same hat as the local women, but Lariska immediately recognized that she is the last guardian. So, or they were changing, or Dapper was at that moment without protection. However, it was quite possible that in block was receptionist who could know something more.

Then she got an idea, not very sophisticated but always something. She found with his eyes a drunkard that clearly was running out of money for the next pint and proposed him a sack of money for initiating a fight. He didn’t let her ask for long and bar customers quickly separated between those that tried to stop the brute and for those that were already fighting in full swing. Seeing that guard tried to make way out, she took a bottle, stunned her, dragged into a corner, took her coat and made her way to the exit.

Proud of herself that such a dumb plan worked out and not knowing how much time she had, with sure step she went to Dapper. Indeed, just when she walked in receptionist asked her for an identity proof. Good for her she found a badge in a coat’s pocket, it was enough to let her in. On the first floor, she saw one of the guards who was walking back and forth not knowing why the person which safety he had to protect was so important. When he saw a woman in a hat and coat of his partner he just glanced at her and wasn’t paying much attention.

She tried to open the door as quietly as she could. Finding Dapper writing a letter she was surprised, she saw his picture before but she wasn’t expecting someone this young. He turned and asked her what does she want, but Lariska wasn’t in the mood for games. She closed the door, took off the hat and said that she wants answers. Dapper stood up ready to scream for help or even jump out of the window if he had to, but Lariska was faster and suppressed him holding dagger on his throat.

"Only for answers, nothing will happen to you if you will cooperate."

"And what if you will not like the answer?"

"So better tell the truth."

"And will you be nice to first put down this?"

Lariska has put down dagger, he stroked his throat like he still felt steel on it.

"So what do you want to know?"

"Why did you stole casket instead of just withdraw? You had to know that doing it you will endanger yourself."

"I was afraid, I wanted to retire but I was afraid." Lariska released him, he only came to bed and sat on it. "Now I also am and I was promised safety, opportunities to develop, ease. When I saw what technology and magic can achieve together I was fascinated, dumb I took the bait. District I was directed to was not in any city, so it was nothing unusual I was sleeping and living there. Not that I was completely isolated from the outside world, there is a village not so far from the district with a railway station.

Estremoz at first seemed to be okay, but later on, he began to demand from me and others to focus on more offensive solutions. It’s not like that we were forced to anything. However, I do not know how many Clerics there is in your district, but in that one there is way too many for it to be just a school if you ask me. There also are rumors that Estremoz is making some arrangements with ordinary bandits. Despite this, the majority is supporting him, but I knew I couldn’t stay there after I heard whispers that he wants to get rid of the Princess, how you say it, the 'Sister'. Although, I cannot imagine how he could possibly do that. If I would want to just leave they could start to think that I found out too much and want to silence me for good, then I heard about the reactor, and ...you know."

"Was it your idea?"

"Yes ...but no, I was thinking about it, but only some woman convinced me to do it. Next, she was supposed to meet me in a hostel. Guards were already there and took care after me, but one Cleric was able to find me anyway. He managed to only steal the casket, but she retrieved it, now ...I am here."

"That woman, have she told you her name?"

"No, but what I was supposed to do?" He did a pause and raised head only to lower it even more, and spit. "Once I was a son of a respected doctor, after good school and bright future, now I have to hide like a criminal."

"If what you are saying is true you did well, and no, you don’t have to. I can bring you back to my district, where you won’t have to be in fear of your life and keep developing in this direction, without any coercion."

"I am sorry, but no, even if I was sure things there are different, I already have enough problems."

He did not even look at her, was only staring at the floor stooping. It seemed like without any purpose he lost all his will to live. Lariska was standing there for a moment to finally snap out of it.

"So be it, I have to as soon as possible convey what you said. No one can know I was here, understood?"

She opened the door and looked if the guard was still in the corridor

"Yes, from where you have this coat anyway? You did not kill her, right?"

"What? No, I only stole it. I will throw it on a bench before the doors, she will find it."

"You know if you would just write a letter explaining the circumstances I would go out."

Nobody was there so she let herself smash the door.

She had to quickly return and tell about what she have heard. She covered her face with a hat again, left the building, threw not her coat on the bench and made her way to the railway station. Looked like she left just in time, on the way back she passed all three guards. The first one running and then the other two, the one who was guarding corridor was upholding that woman she stunned before. She just was hoping that Dapper will keep the promise.

Express finally 'deigned' to come and she could sit in a train car. She was more worried than stressed, view of someone without will to live left a bigger mark on her than she was ready to admit. All her life was focused on being Cleric so much she had no idea that it had any sense without it. There she reminded herself about her parents and how they met, she was not sure if she would even exist.

For the rest of the travel, she wasn’t thinking about it anymore, she was thinking more about this Estremoz and if there can be more of his kind. When she arrived at the place she didn’t go straight to the district. Instead, she wanted to meet again with her old mentor so she could explain to her some things. Doors even weren’t closed, she went down to the basements, but didn’t found anyone. She wanted to look around and for clues. Began to wonder what was that place, it was way too complex for just a simple basement. However, she did not found anything. She couldn’t find at all any signs showing that she was there just a few days ago, maybe just traces in the dust. She has lost enough time. She left and went straight to the district to convey what Dapper have told her.