After a night scouting the areas in the map Eigil had returned to the guild and asked for some resources from Garlin. Paper, ink, some quills as well as a disguise; most of it he could get across the city but it was better if no one saw him buying them. He went to be he filled a repot for his father; it was not what he wanted to do but it was better to give him this news that to wait.
The next day the scholar Eigil Andrew entered the Stone Boar, a tavern and inn in the middle of the northern district of the city.
He was a chronicler from the university; as soon as word came about what was happening in the city, he took a boat to be able to record the events in person.
This scholar was not remarkable for the normal patrons of this establishment. Wearing a plane white button up shirt, simple grey pants, high white socks and dark leather shoes he was the stereotypical image of a scholar. At least what locals believed to be a scholar.
His leather post-man bag and glasses where the most important part of his disguise, these objects are not common in places like Atrix but most people had heard of students and researchers of the university that carry them.
He had given the inn keeper a gold coin to stay there for a month with meals included and asked for a room as far as possible from the tavern as he needed peace and quiet for his job. The room he was given was ideal, the window was big enough for him to exit to the alley behind the inn at night and far enough from the other patrons that they would not notice any sounds as he left or entered during the night.
This persona he made up helped him investigate without suspicion, however, it was much more public than he usually did. The only reason he decided this approach was to accelerate the process so that he could give an update his father as soon as possible.
After a hefty breakfast in the Stone Boar, because off course ‘he always got seasick when traveling’, Eigil made his way across the stone section of the city trying to get more information on the children of the garden.
It was easy to find people to talk under this pretence, he was able to speak with seventeen different citizens before noon. Their responses were not helpful, at all. All of them shad the same story, similar to the one Garlin told him but making the people of the church and the inquisition holy saviours. They even omitted the death of the boy in Nahua.
It was a lost cause; they were either really that grateful for their intervention or scared for some reason. Deciding he needed a break Eigil started his way to the inn to get some lunch.
Halfway to the inn he run into a patrol, he had been so lost in thought he had forgotten to turn left last block in sync with the patrolling schedule. Trying to avoid them seeing an outsider Eigil entered a long narrow alley between a bakery and an unmarked building.
As he waited for them to pass, staying half way across the alley, he heard shouting coming from the other end. It sounded like a normal dispute at first but the tone of one of the voiced made him turn and start walking.
Curiosity peaked as he exited a narrow alley and he heard voices in what seemed like an argument coming from the entrance to the house across the street.
“You traitors will pay in the afterlife; if we keep this up our entire country will fall apart” It was the voice of an old man.
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“Father, I understand your frustration. We know no one is as devoted as you are to lady Qhistia but your days as a priest are over.” Responded a middle age man while trying to guide him inside.
“I have told you before, boy. This is exactly what our ancestors told us would happen. I have told you the legends again and again. But my words fall in deaf ears” The old man seamed emotional, close to tears.
“Come on father, those are bed time stories, things you tell kids for them to behave. You need to get serious and get in, you are acting like a child” His condescending tone told Eigil they had this discussion before.
“My faith will never be over, boy. I will not live in a house full of heretics like you. You are a DISGRACE!!, good thing my late wife died before she saw her son betray her in such a repugnant way” His words were punctuated strongly to emphasize his anger.
“Fine old man, you want your space then go” The son responded before he went back up “You will either respect my decision and come back before sun down or look for another place to live” He finished as he closed the door.
The old man started to walk in the opposite direction to Eigil’s location. This was a good opportunity to get some information. Putting on a scholar persona he jogged towards the old man.
“Scuse me, scuse me sir” Eigil spoke to the old man giving himself an accent while panting to seem out of breath.
“What do you want, Medur” He had used a word
Eigil had not understood but he could deduce it was a way to insult to foreign or scholars.
“I heard the altercation you had with your son; I apologise for the intrusion but may I have the pleasure of interviewing you? I am a chronicler and I am searching the truth of current events” He had to be very polite, the people of ria tend to be offended with ease.
Normally to convince someone like him Eigil would use an accent and vocabulary closer to the man to evoque a sense of familiarity, of belonging. Now however, he had a part to play and this man needed somewhere to stay.
“I am staying at the Stone Boar, five minutes from here, could I invite you to have a meal with me? I am very interested in your telling and the legends you spoke of” Eigil sounded like an exited child.
This changed the face of the old man. His face was a blend of curiosity and nostalgia.
“Fine young man, let’s go. I will tell you my story and that of this country, After, we have eaten something good” He responded after a sigh.
“Thank you very much sir. My name is Andrew; how may I call you?” Eigil asked while guiding the old man towards the inn.
“You can call me Karlo”
In the time it took to get to the inn Eigil was the one speaking. He told this man the wonders of the university and how he had studied under the best historians in the world. A few anecdotes helped to keep his story personal but he focused on the history and knowledge the university had preserved.
This was to ensure the old man he wanted nothing more than knowledge and to preserve everything Karlo told him as a treasure. The excitement he displayed helped convince the old man and by the time they entered the building Karlo was laughing with him.
They both ordered the same for lunch, a classic Rian dish consisting of soup and a great number of additions. The soup used a base of charred tomatoes creating a wonderfully smoky, flavour; to accompany this a separate plate containing chicken, avocadoes, fried tortillas and an assortment of vegetables. It also contained red peppers adding spice to the mix and giving Eigil the opportunity to act a bit.
All the local patrons including Karlo had a laugh when the young foreign boy started to breath heavily and looked for milk to be able to handle the heat. The less intimidating, they perceived him the more talkative they would become.
After lunch Eigil helped clean the table; the dessert was not yet ready so taking out quill, ink and paper he looked at Karlo ready to begin.
“Are you sure boy?” He asked Eigil. “This could take hours; people your age are not keen to hear an old man.”
“Yes, sir. I am sure and ready. And don’t worry, last year I had six-hour lectures will professor Dal at the university. I can handle it.” Was his response.
“Then let us begin” Karlo said while he readjusted himself on his seat.
“Around four thousand years ago …