“Well,” John started while putting the last books away, and picking out another one. “The history of York is old, but a lot of it isn’t recorded. We know it used to be a military base for the Romans, and there might be clues indicating an ancient settlement, but most of the eventful things happened around the time of the Forgotten Hero.”
He leafed through the book, before swapping for another, though none seemed to provide what he was looking for.
“Of course,” he continued. “There might be texts, and records elsewhere that expand upon the history of this city, but I haven’t heard of them, or they aren’t discovered. The efforts of the Forgotten Hero caused a lot of changes, and among them was the loss of some knowledge. He focused on military, and mercantile infrastructure, to improve the movement of goods, while increasing the survivability, and comfort within the city. It was only in the latter time, just before the church arrived that he pursued knowledge and scholarship.”
He put the last book to the side and sighed. His expression soured, and he shook his head.
“It does not help that my esteemed colleagues are disinterested. While I understand the need to catalogue and record our present time, and its events, understanding the past is key in not making the same mistakes, or meeting the same fate.”
“True,” I said, understanding what he meant. History has repeated itself due to the erasure, and censorship of historical texts. People remained ignorant of what happened before and thus followed a similar path. “What can you tell me about the church in the city?”
His eyes narrowed, but he complied.
“Nothing different to what you would see in other cities,” he said. Now he spoke from memory, not bothering with finding a book, or scroll. “While some of their practices, at least suspected ones, are questionable, their conduit to the divine is important. We must strive to live up to God’s expectations, or we will suffer.”
The look in his eyes made me think he wasn’t quite as zealous but didn’t dare voice it. I understood his caution since one never knew who might be listening, and if there was a divine power, then angering them would be ill-advised.
It raised another question that I’d wondered before, one I couldn’t ask him without knowing how he would react. I wondered if there really was a God in this world. Could that be the reason why the Gift refused to provide guidance? Was there another power that muted my Gift? Or could said silence be my distance from my world?
The last part caused a shiver to run down my spine. Did that mean that despite the common atheistic belief, there was a God, a divine power that granted some of us power? I had no way of learning the truth without finding some way to contact my world, but it might be something to consider.
If the church acts as a conduit to the divine, as John said, then that might allow me to ask God, but that would require me to trust them, and I doubt that’ll happen.
“That would be all the questions I…” I started but stopped myself. I had another idea, but it was risky. John knew my face and my voice. If he was connected, it would be a bad idea to ask, but the nature of his profession didn’t mesh with the idea of the Commerce. He wasn’t trading, or asking for payment, at least not yet. Risks were to be avoided most of the time, but I felt that it would be worth it.
“Actually, I was wondering about something, though it is very recent, so to speak.”
“Continue,” he responded. “I’ll share what I know. It has been a long time since I’ve enjoyed myself as much as today.”
I smiled at him and took a breath.
“Do you know about the Commerce? And, if so, what can you tell me?”
His expression darkened, but his anger didn’t seem directed at me.
“Bah!” he said, shaking his head, and tapping his finger on the desk. “Those greedy fools. They’re clever though, and shouldn’t be underestimated. I don’t know much, but I’ve heard whispers among my colleagues. Apparently, they’re backed by some powerful nobles, and seek to control the market in the city.”
I nodded.
“I figured as much from my own investigation,” I said, hoping that my words would evoke some trust. If he knew I wasn’t aligned with them, he might open up some more. “But, no clue as to who is backing them?”
“None,” John responded. “I fear what will happen if they do succeed. What I’ve heard is distressing. Harassment, coercion and threats. Pushing the hardworking people of this city out, in favour of their own. My colleagues have ranted at length about the drop in quality around the market.”
His finger tapped a steady rhythm on the desk, and he looked at me and inspected me for a few seconds before he came to a decision.
“If I were to investigate, I’d look to the pleasure district. There may be some people there who have resisted them. For some reason, there have been no changes in that district for a long time. Even the church has given up, it seems.”
He gave me a meaningful look as he said that before he busied himself with returning the books to their place.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my research,” he said, as he opened the door for me. “I hope you’ll return, and we can discuss some choice historic texts together.”
He smiled at me as he guided me back to the lobby. We didn’t speak, and he left without a word, once I’d exited the building.
John’s idea had merit, and it went some way toward answering another question I hadn’t thought to ask. How was it that the pleasure district was located next to the religious district? If there were someone there who could resist both the Commerce, and the church, then they could be an important ally, but they could also be a threat.
In all likelihood, they were in some way connected to the criminal underbelly of the world, otherwise they’d be more transparent, and known in the city. John would likely have known who they were, and how they managed to resist.
It provided another avenue that I couldn’t afford to ignore. I made up my mind and started making my way there while weaving through the carts, and people of the city. Investigating this clue might also give Burgheard enough time to decide.
I dipped into alleys to alter my appearance, and hopefully throw off any pursuers, though I’d never been that good with clothing.
While I could change my face, all I could do for clothes was alter the colour. I did what I could, and hoped it would be enough.
“Hopefully,” I thought. “They’ll overlook the similarities in clothing style, as I can’t imagine they’d know about magic. At least, until I find evidence of magic in this world, I’ll assume it doesn’t exist. Based on the couple, and Burgheard’s reactions, it shouldn’t be anything but myths and legends.”
The pleasure district was mostly empty this early in the day. Few people were moving around, most likely people who worked in the taverns, or other businesses getting ready for their day. As it stood, I didn’t know where to look, so I prepared myself for a lengthy investigation. It could take days or weeks, and I also had to figure out a way to earn some money.
I still struggled with that, as the docks had been a decent option, which had been closed off to me. Most other ways of earning money would involve other crafts, and that might drawn me into the grasp of the Commerce. While that could be an avenue for me, I wanted to keep my distance from them for as long as possible.
Perhaps, I could find some work in the pleasure district?
Not sure what options I had, as the obvious ones were out of the question.
Getting work in the district might also be a way for me to learn some things about the mysterious individual, or group who resisted.
There were a lot of possibilities, but few of them appealed to me. I only needed something for the short term, and I wanted to avoid any long-term entanglements. A job that allowed me to earn enough to survive while giving me an avenue to gather information would be ideal.
As I pondered, I watched the few people around me. Most of them worked on deliveries; messages, merchandise, and materials.
If I took a job like that, I’d be moving around the area, encountering different people, and I could also overhear conversations I otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
None of those around me answered my questions, so I decided to ask more directly.
Most buildings were closed, and I was turned away when I knocked. They refused to hear me out and sent me on my way. It was only when I entered a tavern by the river that I got a chance. I entered a dimly lit room. Tables and chairs filled the open space, and I saw a small stage for musicians, near the back. A young man had entered before me and immediately busied himself with cleaning the tables and preparing the room.
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“What’re you doin’ ‘ere?” the coarse voice came from my right. I turned to see a grizzled man, perhaps a retired soldier, standing behind a bar. “We’re closed. Piss off!”
“I apologize for the intrusion, but I’m looking for work,” I said in my most diplomatic tone. “I can do most things; deliveries, protection, and such. Not much of an entertained, though.”
My attempts at humour fell on deaf ears, but he seemed to consider my request nonetheless.
“Hmph,” he grunted. “I might need some ‘elp later on. People tend ta get rowdy, and I’m not as young as I once was. Ye say ye can work protection? How about that?”
“That’ll work very well,” I reassured him, injecting some confidence into my voice, and expression. “I’m well trained and capable.”
“We’ll see,” he responded. “Ye won’t get paid if ye can’t do the work, got that?”
“Of course,” I agreed.
In the end, I was asked to return a few hours later, once the tavern opened.
I couldn’t think of anything to do, so I started wandering around, listening, and asking some questions.
I didn’t learn much, but I did find something I hadn’t considered; moneylenders.
It didn’t take me long to disregard that as an option since it would be an excellent avenue for the Commerce to gain control.
Lend money to the desperate, and start coercing if they can’t repay you, perhaps orchestrate things so they can’t. Give them the option of working off the debt, and steadily increase your control over them.
It was good to know they existed, and it might be a way for me to learn some things about the forces at work in this city, but I would only borrow money if it was a last resort.
The hours until the Tavern opened were spent wandering, listening, and thinking. I saw more people entering the district as time passed, and once the taverns opened, it was very busy.
I arrived at the tavern just as the tavernkeeper opened the doors, and he looked at me before gesturing for me to follow.
“So,” he said. “your job is to break up fights before they start damaging my tavern, and preferably before they cause too much injury to themselves. If it breaks out into a tavern brawl, then I’ll hold you responsible. It’s your job to stop that. Understand?”
“Yes,” I responded confidently. “I understand.”
He nodded and gestured for me to take a place near the wall, where I had a good view of the tavern.
***
The evening was rather uneventful, and the night only had one moment of excitement. A small fight broke out, but I quickly pulled them away and tossed the instigator out.
The tavernkeeper, Cerdic, handed me some coins and asked if I would come back, and when I said yes, he nodded and sent me on my way.
I hadn’t learned anything, despite my efforts, but there were other nights and other opportunities.
I made my way back to the inn I slept in last, and fell asleep without fuss.
***
Shadows shifting, flitting from place to place.
Darkness spread through the city, swallowing building after building, district after district, city after city.
An everlasting darkness that snuffs out the light.
A beacon of light, then two, then three. They hold the darkness at bay, for a time, but inevitably, they fade, swallowed by the inexorable march of the darkness, until only one remains.
Ebb, and flow. Back and forth. The light pushes and is pushed. The Darkness surges and falls back.
The image splits, and duplicates.
In one, the light stands alone, it struggles, and fights, but is swallowed in time.
In the other, the light is joined by others, not as bright, but light nonetheless, and together they push the darkness away, bathing the world in their radiance.
***
I woke up from a deep sleep, recalling the dream, and feeling a sense of foreboding. Was I having prophetic dreams? Or, was it just my plans, and expectations that shaped those dreams?
The feeling they evoked was strong, and impactful, and left me with heavy breaths and a rapidly beating heart, but I once again noticed a stark difference from the Gift, and how its guidance felt. This felt similar to the sense of foreboding I felt when I looked at the church.
Could God be real? Was he talking to me, trying to warn me? Or, was this my subconscious at work?
No answers appeared, so I shook the thoughts free, rose from the bed, and greeted the new day. I had decided to give Burgheard a few days, so I returned to my investigations. This time, I spent most of the day in the pleasure district, ending the day by working in the tavern.
***
A few days passed, as I explored, investigated, worked, and went to sleep. I’d earned enough through the tavern, and a few other odd jobs, to live for around a week more, which I hoped would be enough to get going.
I didn’t learn anything new, but I was becoming a more familiar sight in the district, and thus I might be able to learn a thing or two eventually, once people grow accustomed, and familiar with me.
I had to keep it going, but I’d told Cerdic that I might not be back for a while, though I assured him I’d return eventually.
That was because I had decided to check on Burgheard. I’d walked by his smithy a few times, to ensure he was still around, that the Commerce hadn’t acted against him, or if he’d run away.
He hadn’t, and as I stood outside the smithy, I was hopeful. The last time I walked by, he appeared to be working on something, which boded well, as it proved he hadn’t given up and busied himself.
I knocked on the door, and after a few seconds, I heard him approach. He seemed to hesitate a bit before opening.
Burgheard looked tired as if he hadn’t slept for days. Dark bags and a pallid complexion marred his face, but there was a fire in his eyes, the look of a man who had picked his path, for better or worse.
“Jace,” he said before stepping to the side, inviting me in.
“Hello, Burgheard,” I said as I walked in.
I didn’t say anything more, just waited for him to collect his thoughts. He knew what I wanted.
“I’ve given your proposal a lot of thought, over the last few days,” he began as he sat down in a chair. I sat down as well, gesturing for him to continue.
“I’ve also asked around, and I found the people you spoke to, in the slums. I can’t stand idly by anymore. The Commerce… They’ll bleed this city dry, and I doubt they’ll stop. If you think we can do something to stop them, then I’ll join you.”
I smiled at him, but he wasn’t finished.
“I have my reservations, and concerns about your power, and I will not go against the church. If they come for you, I won’t support you. I hope you can accept that.”
While it did disappoint me somewhat, I understood his situation. For someone like him, who grew up with the church’s influence, to stand against them would require them to act entirely out of bounds. They’d need to break their own rules in such an overt way that it left no doubts, for him to turn his back.
For all I knew, the church in this world would only act for the betterment of all, with God at their side. I hoped that was true since that might make them potential allies.
If they used God as a crutch, or threat, while acting for their own interest, then I could never align myself with them.
“I understand,” I said. “I don’t think there will be any reason for conflict between me and the church, so long as my powers remain hidden. If I’m revealed, then… Well, it might take some doing, but if I can convince them, somehow, that it’s not devilry, but something good, decent, there might still be a peaceful option.”
I spoke out loud, and I think my words gave him some comfort, but I decided to abandon that line of thinking for now.
“In any case, that’s a consideration for the future,” I continued. Burgheard nodded and gestured for me to continue. “I’ve learned a few more things about the Commerce, some of which we already knew, or suspected; like the fact that they’re backed by powerful, influential people, most likely nobles.”
My words produced no reaction from Burgheard, except another nod. He already suspected this.
“I have learned that they’ve been resisted, and pushed out of the pleasure district, which is my current target for investigation,” I said, and he quirked a brow. “I’ve managed to secure some work in a tavern, and I’m in the process of gathering trust, in the hopes that I might learn something.”
“I see,” the smith responded. “Sounds fair, but outside of my area. What can I do?”
“Well, that’s the thing,” I said. “I… We need funds, money. I need to survive, and as long as we don’t know who the Commerce are, the best way to fight them would be to draw them out, to force a reaction. For that, we need to build our own influence. If I share more advances with you, and you produce new and better work, that might force them to act.”
“That’ll require me to meet my contacts,” he said dragging his hand through his hair. “Which is risky, if our suspicions are correct, and they make use of bandits to sabotage their competitors.”
“Right, which is why I, initially intended to travel myself, as I’m confident in my ability to fight them off, but you’ll likely need to join me, as they’re your contacts.”
“How will that go, though?” he asked. “If we, or you leave, there’s nobody here to oppose them, except the mystery people in the pleasure district.”
“Well, I haven’t done anything yet, not really,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ve been investigating, but I haven’t gotten far. I don’t think they’ll do much, unless they consider me a genuine threat, which I don’t see a reason for, as of yet.”
“Fair enough, I suppose,” he responded, though he didn’t sound convinced. “So we leave, meet my contacts, and then what?”
“Purchase enough materials to get started, or convince them to join us, and provide the materials for the cause,” I proposed. “The first choice is the most likely unless the Commerce has acted against them in a significant way, as well, which would be another cause for concern.”
“Alright, I’m not much for talking, and that sounds like a good enough first step,” Burgheard said as he rose. He started moving around the smithy, picking things up, and packing them away. “I say we waste no time and leave soon. It’s still early, and we’ll be able to make some distance to the city if we leave now.”
“Alright,” I agreed. I didn’t have anything to pack, and I’d already handled my responsibilities in the city. I could leave at a moment's notice. “Let’s go.”
I helped Burgheard pack the necessities, and we left the city together. As we walked, I couldn’t ignore the feeling of being watched, but I couldn’t see who. The morning crowds had arrived, and the city was abuzz.
The guards let us leave without issue, and we were on our way.