Chapter 5 part II
Still in shadows
Ah, yes. Hot water helps clean not only tried body, but also mind. Truly only genius could create something like this, godlike experience only with some hot water. Anyway, besides those thoughs, you think about collecting informations about things that happends in city. You will send Regreh to talk with some dwarves, yes, it is good idea... Castor... uh. Still may be useful... you hope so. Maybe he can ask about this siege? Nobody will be suprised that wizard ask about things like that.
You look around, at bathroom around you... simple wood toilet, with water 'releaser' to ride of... well, you know what, instead of carrying bucket and spilling it on streets. Box for dirty clothes. Sink, connected to water. Bath... well, you are sitting in it right now. Except that, some shelves with cleaning accessories, like soap. Empty chest in another corner. Small table next to toilet, with some books on it. Painting of... you never could tell what it was, but for you, it looks like mix between some kind of dog and dwarf. And of course, gas lights on ceiling.
You finally have some time to think about your companions for real. Regreh Mertelsson, at least as he says, is a warrior, living on roads and how he described himself 'a warrior, a gourmet of booze and a tough motherfucker'. For a second, you though about how much you told him - he knows about Hiri, a bit about House and about you. Probably much more then anyone ever, of course excluding House members themselfs... and about how hard it would be to kill him if you would be forced to... you shake your head. 'No... I won't do that. I don't need to do that. And I never will.' - you say to yourself, whispering...
Castor. He is... other story. He know almost nothing. But, also, he is a mystery. That is dangerous stance. You travel with him, yet you don't even know what magic he can use. Is he necromancer? Or maybe he is just harmless, young wizard that don't know what to do after what happend to him. Who knows.
Anyway, you sighs and suddenly jump to blade when somebody knock to door. You heard Regreh voice.
'Hey, princess, food is ready! Maybe it is time to get out? You are there for like an hour.' he chuckles and add something to his sentence. 'Oh, I see that you are smart and cover keyhole. Good to know!'
'Damn you, you dirty dwarf! Shame on you, Regreh, really!' you tries to make your voice angry, but you just can't. Do you have even idea how old I'm? I could be your mother!'
'I doubt it, I'm over 300 years old.' he laughs again. 'No, really! I'm an old dwarf, girl.'
You heard Castor voice, but can't make out what he said. And for some reason, you feel that you should hear it as Regreh laughs again, this time much louder.
'Oh, Gods, my chest, help. I can't breathe. Good one, Castor! Good one! Anyway, get the hell out of there or my stew will be cold!'
You sighs, walking out the bath and pulling out plug. Water slowly disappears with sad 'plum' sound. You take a while to dry up and put new clothes on you. Man clothes have some class in them, even for woman. You open door and come out.
Regreh stands near stove, taking some bowls from one of drawers. Also, some spoons. Castor himself was reading some book from bookshelf nearby, sitting on sofa. He looked at you for a while, nodding and smiling.
'How is water, Wev... Can I call you Wev, ma'am? I mean, when we are there, alone?' he ask shyly. You think for a while and shrug.
'I don't mind it, Castor. And don't call me "ma'am". I'm not lady... anymore, I think.' you chuckle and nods to him. Regreh coughs, placing bowls on table, including bigger, with stew itself. Well, time to eat!
You eat in silence, while Regreh and Castor argue which food and booze is better. This is good time to finally talk a bit with them, for real.
'Hmm, Castor.' he looks at you, suprised.
'Oh, yes?'
'I wanted to ask you... about your history. I think we deserve to know a bit more about you, while you are with us. Regreh and I know each other quite well, but you... you are almost stranger to us.' your voice isn't either cold or warm. You control it, don't let any thoughs or feelings get further then your own mind. He looks at you and looks at his bowl. Regreh looks at you, with cold eyes... well, sorry for destroying warm atmosphere, dwarf.
'I see... well, you are right. You deserve to know something about me... so where to start? Well, I'm Castor Bepsidan, last grade wizard from Vin-Libre. I was born in same land where I study, in family of wizards from first ancestor to me... so it is like tradition' he chuckles and shakes his head. 'Not that I wanted to be one, actually. But talent don't ask and it is better to control it. I'm pretty sure Weaver knows what happend to those that don't control it, after all she saw thing or two in her life. Anyway, I was send to Vin-Libre University where I meet my mentor and teacher. There I studied for... now, like, ten years? I'm 25 years old, now.'
You look at him, to see if he is lying... nothing suspicious for now. He seems to honest with you.
'Pretty young for wizard in last grade class. Impressive. You are powerful?' you eat another spoon of stew... damn you Regreh, why it must be so good?
'I'm not so powerful as you think, just talented. I'm quite weak, actually. Not so much Power in my veins. My father was disappointed. He had hope to see another archmage in our family.' Castor frowns. 'Well, but no. I'm nothing amazing.'
'So your family is powerful in Vin-Libre?' you don't have to ask that question. You know Bepsidan's quite well. They aren't important now, but before you even was an blink in eye of your father, they were. One of few Vin-Libre archmages was part of this family.
'Now? Nah, not at all. They still have some land on south.' They. He didn't seems to have warm feelings to rest of his family.
'So... you still didn't told us your... specialization.' Almost every wizard have some sort of specialization. Elemental magic. Offensive or defensive. Ilusion. And so on.
'Uh, I... well. I'm kind of... uh.' he don't look in your eyes... you feel that you rather will not like his answer. At all. 'I'm demonologist.'
'WHAT?!' Regreh almost falls from chair as he hear Castor answer. He jumps on his feet and touches his beard, almost pulling it off his face. His face, at leat that part you can see, is red as blood itself. 'You summon freaking demons and serve them?!'
Castor rises and shake his head, shocked. 'No! I would never serve any demon, Regreh. I never actually even summoned any, I just study them. I swear!'
Regreh hand touches his axe, but you are calm. At first glance. Your hand touches bowl with hot stew on middle of table, just in case. Hot stew in anyone eyes would be a problem, to that person, of course. You don't like this answer. Demonology isn't illegal, but people rather don't study it. Why? Well, it is almost asking for becoming an outcast in wizard society. Nobody want to deal with things that would do everything to get your soul. Why those fucking things even want soul. You cough, making both of them notice you.
'Calm down, both of you. I don't mind that, I know a few demonologists, Regreh. They aren't dealing with demons... they are researching them, their culture and powers. Don't make our friend cultist and don't mistake him for some madman.' you voice is calm enough to make them both relax... Castor looks away, silent. 'Don't worry, Castor. We are just... suprised. You don't meet many demonologist. Anyway, I suggest you to don't say anything about this in Larnman. They may don't like it at all. Anyway, we had a lot of strong... experiences.'
Regreh barely contain his wraith and you know he have his own reasons... well, dwarves old world was supposed to be destroyed after one of their own gods was fooled by demons and did something stupid enough to make it explode. Yes, it was reason good enough to break Castor neck, at least some dwarfs eyes.
'Anyway, maybe it is time to rest. Thanks for good meal, Regreh. Castor, I'm sorry for our reactions... at least, Regreh. He have right to be... nervous. Anyway, we will talk about it tomorrow. To beds, now.' you mutter and rub your eyes. You are really tired... slowly going to bed, you look at Regreh, muttering something. You shake your head and scold him with your glance... he mutters more and follows you to bedroom.
Four beds, two chest, one wardrobe and mirror. Simple bedroom, very simple. You or your agent's never spended in this room more time then you should. Beds were comfortable, but not anything above average quality.
You lies in bed and yawns. Regreh sits in bed on other site of room.
'Uh, you wanted to talk?' he scratches his beard, still a bit angry.
'No. I want to sleep. And
both of you want also do it.' you looks at Castor, slowly entering bedroom... yes. You probably shouldn't look at them like that or it will lose it's effect. Anyway, you muttered. 'Goodnight.' and closed your eyes.
Dream came soon after this.
***
Next week of your life was full of work, sweat and suprises. Mostly work. After calm first night, you woke up, washed your armor while Regreh was cooking your breakfast. Castor was still sleeping. After a short talk with Reg about Castor, you convinced him to don't act like complete asshole toward poor boy. After breakfast, you decided to finally look around Dwarf Ward. Putting you armor and cloak with hood on yourself, you finally get out.
If there is something that don't change in world, it is Earthkin. They still are same as when they were back in time, when they came on Zinoth, at least they claims so. But you can bet on that it is truth. Two hundred years is around one dwarf generation, at least on their old world, it was like that. They were dying in thousands wars or battles... but they don't do it anymore. Nobody dare to provoke Earthkin. It happend once and South Kingdoms paid price for it.
What dwarves do? They work. Doesn't matter - man or woman, elder or child. They work in factors, mines, shops... everywhere. And they are best in most of those things. But their magnum opus, heart of their work is anything connected to metals. Anything made by dwarf masters from steel never will broke unless you want it to broke or unless you hit it with magic.
Dwarf Ward always looked like part of dwarven town outside mountains. Even air started to be same, after they opened their factors there. But you like it, as you like dwarves. Something in their unbreakable will made them earn your respect.
Anyway, for few hours, you was walking around and talking a bit with some random dwarves and people, trying to warm up you contact and pull some information from their gossip. Nothing interesting, sadly. You of course didn't asked about anything important or secret, just random Larmarn things. Siege, Council, mercs... same as always or you already know that.
And then you decided to visit a shop... with glasses. Why? Well, dwarves aren't only best smiths... they also make amazing glasses... and lens. Lens changing or adding some colour to your eyes, too. And this is why you decided to spend some money on those... it will help you be... "normal". With those, nobody will be able to tell that you are souless.
You knock... and hear response.
'Come in, come in!' older voice, harsh, but patient... you get in.
Shop looked like combination of warehouse and workshop. Dwarf was standing behind counter, with display cases on it. Lens, glasses, magnifiers and telescopes... anything you could imagine was there. Dwarf himself was old, old enough to be called elder. Grey hair and beard, touching probably to floor itself tells you that he is respected around here... you can say this also becouse of how... pretty his beard is. You don't saw many beards braided like this outside Dur-bazuk.
'Yes, ma'am? Can I help you?' he smiles to you. His face have more scars on it then it seems possible to. You could bet your right hand that he was a warrior, back in time... but on the other hand, you never saw dwarf that wasn't warrior. At least on your own eyes. Every dwarf know at least basics of close combat with axe.
'I wanted to buy lens. Color lens... to change my eye color.' you don't try to change your voice, there is no reason to do it. He nods and points display case next to you.
'Oh, so you come to good place, ma'am. Choose whatever you want.' he smiles, but his expression changes, when you pull your hood. He looks at your eyes and then grins. 'Oh, I see.'
'Hope it isn't an problem.' you look at lens, trying to find blue ones... simple, common color.
'Ah, for someone like me, never. I respect your kind, ma'am. You earned our respect by kicking those damn Gods butts.' he chuckles and when you points lens, he opens case from his side and touches them, with clean glove on his right hand. 'You want it packed, ma'am?'
'No, I will use them now, if you don't mind.' he shakes his head and hand those to you, giving you clean cloth before that. You put lens on your eyes and blink. Looking at mirror nearby, you smile to yourself. Perfect.
'I can't tell difference now, ma'am. Need anything else?' he asks, pulling glove from his hand... and then you see tattoo... you know it. Well enough.
'I didn't thought that I would meet Goban-Tar veteran in Larmarn.' you look at him as he looks at you, shocked. He touches his tattoo, as he would want to cover it, but do it only for a second.
'How do you know this tattoo... wait, you was there?' he eyes you suspiciously.
'Yes. I was there.' you nods and looks into his eyes, almost like challenging him...
'If you was... tell me something. Not from those damn stories that people tell around. Describe me what happend after we get on that damn mountain.' you shakes your head with a smile and start talking...
'I remember how we was waiting for Count Zabadon orders, while our wizards were scounting area around fortress... I remember how we was running on a top of that cursed place, while gryffiths and those young riders were trying to make us fall into abyss... I remember how we were forced to shoot some of them, but didn't killed any of them. Young people, too young for my own taste. They had a dream.' dwarf still glance you, doubtfully. So you continue. 'I remember how Zabadon finally ordered us to stop, almost under gates. And I remember sad look on his face when he said that we maybe will be forced to kill some of young riders. But then he pulled that thing from his pocket...' dwarf face change it's expression, when you mention that. He mutters something.
'I remember... how he wishpered something. And then, how he disappeared infront of our eyes. Or rather, how he was faster then wind... I saw only something that could be him... it was almost flying... those people stood no chance.' he shakes his head.
'He get all of them... knocked them out in air and killed their beasts.' you continue. 'And then, after almost five minutes, that for me were like eternity, he came back. Tired, but successful. And then he shouted his spell... and gates of Goban Tar fell on the ground, infront of us... and then we get inside. Only few people were there, but they was beastmasters... that was though battle. Many of ours died already, becouse of griffiths... but we slaughtered them. Adults died by our hands.'
Dwarf mutters again, but you almost don't hear him. His voice was weak...
'Stop.'
'We killed griffiths next to their masters. I remember how young people woke up, only to see their pets dead next to them. How they screamed, becouse of their connection. Something inside of them... died. We killed part of them, that day.'
'Stop...'
'And then, we get into Masters chamber. We... group of twenty people that was still able to stand on our legs after that battle. Some of us left us to make sure young nobles don't do anything stupid... his... it was his daughter or wife? I don't remember. She jumped on us with that claymore... killed five of us before we almost tore her apart... while Zanoth, master of New Riders was escaping to elfs lands, only place he could hide from us. I remember how we get on a top of this tower and how Zabadon screamed into air, trying to shoot him down, but he couldn't. He was too tired. And he already was too far... and then, we came back down, looking at blood that we spilled on snow...
Dwarf suddenly hits counter with his hand, almost making you jump back, but you was ready for that. You didn't let any emotions out. He screamed...
'
STOP! I believe you!' his voice breaks as he leans on counter, looking at floor' Just... stop.'
You stand there, in silence, for a few moments, before he calms down. He looks at you and sighs.
'I'm sorry... I shouldn't treat my own comrade like that. You... didn't did this only to reminder me about what we have done right? You want something? What old dwarf can do for you, my comrade?' his voice is bitter, but warm.
'I need best craftsman around there to make me some throwing knives. I need someone who could sold me belt... with pocket's on it. Special kind, like those that wizards or thieves sometimes wears. Easy to reach and hide under cloak. Last thing... I need informations. Anything about Council and shit that happend in city in last six months. About Werner Kaizoku. About things that happend in whole Known World in last year. About something called Silver Towers and someone called Alargon.' you let words flow from your mouth. 'Will pay for everything.'
'For craftsman, you will need gold... about informations... I will do what I can. But I'm not one of those people that can find everything about everything. I suggest you seek also elsewhere. And... you don't need to play me about informations. Treat it like paying an debt.' he looks at you and nods. 'For old times.'
Next six days are full of same stuff, but this time, you go around. To Beggars and Whores, paying for anything they can find, without telling them too much details. In meantime, you ask Regreh to do the same. Of course, you ask him only for searching informations about common thing and Kaizoku... House and Hiri, this you leave for yourself. Looking around old safehouses, you avoid anyone that you could know. You try to find anything that could make you sure about their fate... And after seven days, you finally get raports, paid with gold.
***
You thorws your blade right into wall, as you storm into your safehouse. Regreh and Castor hide under table as blade flies between their faces. Your face could be decribed only as an mask of some ghost of wraith. Evening probably would add something to it, but room don't have windows...
'DAMN IT! DAMN THAT LITTLE WEASEL! I will fucking kill him! KILL HIM!' you hit table with both of your hands... how foolish you was. How you could be so stupid to fail like that?
'Calm down, girl! What happend?! You looks like you would just learned that Gods came back.' Regreh stands next to you and place his hand at your shoulder... well, arm. Castor prefer to stay away, in safe distance.
'I was betrayed, Regreh. That damn message was fucking trap. That damn little fucking weasel betrayed me! He lured me into trap, you understand? Somehow, someone learned about House and used that to capture me on that damn road, after Werner send this fucking letter.'
'How do you know?'
'I learned that he get shitton of money, soon after my disapperance. I didn't mean some shitty coins, Regreh. He get enough money to stop selling informations and hire fucking mercenary company, buy house in Lords and became noble. You understand? This isn't some fucking sort of weird luck and don't even try to deny it, dwarf or I will kick you in face.' you growled and hit table again. 'Damn it... he knew about Hiri and House... Hiri... FUCK THIS SHIT!' you try to hit table again, but suddenly, your legs became weak. You fell on floor and feel... nothing. You are empty... Gods, not now. Not now!
'Damn, Weaver! Get up, girl... what is happening to you?'
You look at Regreh, scared and confused.
'Hunger came back, Regreh. I need to feed on someone... Gods, I almost forget. I must suck someone this week... They were pumping life energy into me, I forget to eat... it probably just finished, this is why I almost fainted... seems that vacation is over. Here we go again...' you try to smile, but you can't. This isn't something that you should make you smile.
And then someone knock to door. Rather not someone, but group of someones. You didn't locked door, but slowly get up... you heard how their armors and weapons hits into each other.
And then you hear voice of one man.
'Open, in the name of Council!'
Well, crap... you slowly open the door, ready to jump behind those, after you hide blade behind your back.
Rather small, but still impressive party of mercs look at your face, with crossbows ready to shoot in your face. You see tabard of Bloody Larns on their armors.
Well crap.
'We are here to take professor Castor Bepsidan with us. Council requested his presence in Citadel. Any attempt to stop us will end with us, using force to take him.
Well...
'Crap.' you heard Castor voice...
***
It still isn't the end, but only small part left, tomorrow I will finish it. For now, have this and be happy. I hope quality is enough as an payment for time that you wasted checking alerts. 
I am looking forward to the next part of chapter 5.
