Chapter 7 - Trouble

"We are not sure. Teleportation was always that Magic skill that was a mystery to any Electus which walked upon the Earth. I know that for sure because while I mentored Electus, she did have contact with a past Electus, who had connection with the Electus before him, and so on and so on." Using hand Gestures, Mogranius tried his best to explain the fact that they still haven't thought this plan through. Indirectly, asking furthermore for Stefan's help for this matter. And Stefan indeed noticed. His perception has increased a lot because he is basically a trader. He trades books for gold, dealing with a lot of people has granted him perception bit by bit over the years. He knew what Mogranius wanted to say. But yet again he said something different, rather not the point of the topic.

"Fascinating. Being able to communicate with a soul that passed away? I didn't even think that this was possible." Expressed Stefan in amazement, temporarily losing focus of the main conversation until he heard Mogranius snap his fingers several times for him to come back to reality.

"Oh it is possible. And other people apart from the Electus can do it as well. But of course they can't communicate with an Electus' dead soul. However, getting back to the point."

He tried his best to remember what he was about to say before Mogranius interrupted him, it took a few seconds but he remembered most.

"Where was i....oh right. She refused to say how she got into contact however. Considering the fact that the Electus before her, died one hundred and fifty years before Akareas was born, it's a bit hard to figure out how she contacted him exactly. Also it can never be predicted when exactly a new Electus would be born or where they would be born. It just happens." Doing his best to make sense with information he barely knew anything about himself, mumbling, unfinished sentences, sentence redos were often to hear but Stefan was patient enough to listen and observe.

"Makes as much sense as the illas' claims of every Witch and Wizard. You would think that people would be smart enough to not believe that Demon's whose origin isn't well known and it's theory doesn't have a stable foundation, would simplu transform into Humans and bring us trouble. What smart person would believe this crap?"

It's just propaganda build up by Xakro ill.u.s.trario l, to strengthen his Alliance." Added Woldemir in anger. Especially him, is rather sick of the nonsense this Alliance has brought upon him and the Ignites.

"However getting back to the point, Akareas did approve that no Electus ever had the ability to learn about Teleportation. It is a unique type of magic. Very raw, very unpredictable. It was chosen to be left at peace long ago. An Electus was even victimized by this power. It requires the strongest intelligence."

Finished Mogranius his explanation about teleportation powers after constantly being interrupted halfway through explaining. If he didn't try so hard on focusing to remember what he needs to say, he would burst fire in order to be the main focus. Dramatic, but works.

"I suppose we are going to figure something out once we have the book. Let's keep reading through some history books and hope we find something more useful that the ill.u.s.tratio probably overlooked. With this information in our minds, we are sure to spot anything unusual, anything that could lead to the book."

Expressed Stefan and stood up, scrolling for some history books, and dropped 7 of them over a crate in the middle of the 3, so everyone could reach out and read.

Guessing the situation will lead to nothing but wasted time if books are just laying around who might or might not have a stable source or theory. At this point, reading books is their best option. Stefan started off reading a book, afterwards Mogranius, afterwards Woldemir. They all were sunken in reading carefully every word in order to not skip any details which could provide them the information they need.

The room is in complete silence, the only noise heard would be pages being flipped from time to time. But even though these books were only about the ill.u.s.tratios, two of them could not help but feel comfortable reading a book. Except Woldemir who was still stuck at page 1.

Mogranius broke the magnificent silence by reading a part of the book he was holding.

"Astonishing. Looks like right after Xakro ill.u.s.tratio became King of the country near us, Meridionali ignis, The war started days after.

The country, Orientis ignis was their first target. Septemtrionis ignis was their second target and our country, Occidentis Ignis was their third target. They took them one by one instead of attacking all. A rather smart military move." He couldn't help but envy Xakro ill.u.s.tratio l's battle strategies. It's not easy to conquer 3 Countries in a matter of 16 years.

"I'm well aware of that but I'm still confused on how they did all this. I mean, it isn't easy to invade a country filled with Witches and Wizards. There were countless Grand Master."

Explained Woldemir while scratching his head.

"Even harder if the countries had great relations with each other before Xakro was crowned king. It just doesn't add up." Even Stefan was confused. He had trouble making theories that would shed light on this disgraceful disaster brought upon their country.

"And of course not to forget, all the Kings in the big Kingdoms of Meridionali ignis, Would need to agree upon the war. Which they most certainly wouldn't if relations are considerably good between the Countries. So the question is, how did all Kings agree to start the war?"

Added Mogranius which only increased the confusion, rather than adding light. He himself isn't used to fighting along the military. When he wasn't reading, he was exploring.

"Yes i do agree. There must be something else behind this. A war doesn't start because things are going well. Let's just read more and hope to find an answer." Swiftly added Stefan as he flipped the page of his book and then dropped it when Woldemir shouted.

"I've got it!!"

"What?? What did you get?"

Both Mogranius and Stefan reply at the same time. They both noticed, but ignored that fact and focused on Woldemir.

"Mind Control! Could mind control have done this?" He gave a further explanation after he broke the short silence.

"Mind control is a Magic power, yes. But the people who can just simply mind control, are either the Lerazians or an Electus trained by the Lerazians, it simply isn't easy. But we are getting somewhere with his. It could be a good possibility." Specified Mogranius and turned his attention back to the book he was reading.

"That's a fair point. But we will keep that theory in mind Woldemir. If more light is shed upon it, it can be our only stable theory."

Expressed Stefan as he turned his attention back to the book he was reading.

They kept reading page after page, but it didn't seem that they could use any more information. Apart from all of that, Woldemir is still at page 2. So Stefan broke the silence this time with an idea.

"It is clear that there isn't anything more useful to be found here without eventually gaining suspicion by anyone outside. So I have an idea but it is crazy and insanely dangerous. What if we sneak in the Castle? Surely there will be something to be found at the Castle King Xakro first ruled. What if we go at the Capital Kingdom which Meridionali ignis holds."

Stood up Stefan explaining his idea with an enthusiastic tone. As if it was common for a Bookshop owner to break in a heavily Guarded Castle located across the continent.

Woldemir looks Stefan in the eyes with shock and says

"Have you been smoking tree root again? That Kingdom isn't exactly a moon away.

It would take months to reach on foot. Black Wind couldn't possibly carry a Wagon all the way up and down those hills. And as you said, it is way too dangerous."

"Meaning we would need four horses since we are four people. Or three at least." Added Mogranius further encouraging Stefan to put the plan together.

Woldemir feeling like he is getting ignored, added in a louder tone.

"Um. Hello! Danger!!! That will not be easy to find. And have you considered the fact that all Ignites in Meridionali ignis are slaves. If they aren't part of the ill.u.s.tratio race, they get chained and forced to do hard labour for diseased ill.u.s.tratios. The moment we get spotted by the ill.u.s.tratios, we get arrested and turned into slaves if not killed on the spot."

"Meaning we need to move at night."

Replied Mogranius who was no stranger to moving in the shadows.

The moment Mogranius finished the sentence, three loud and quick knocks were heard coming from the upper floor, signaling that there is trouble above.

Stefan didn't waste a second. He took charge of the situation right away while remaining calm but yet again urging the two to follow the plan.

"Quickly now, both of you grab a small wooden crate and act like you are carrying them up to the store."

Mogranius and Woldemir did so right away and started following Stefan who was walking upstairs empty handed, as if he hired these two just to carry. And the moment they got up there they walked into five ill.u.s.tratio guards.

"Welcome. What do i owe the pleasure of this visit Guard Commander Chan."

Guard Commander Chan with a strongly weaseling tone replied.

"That's Guard Commander to you bookworm. I never said you can call my name."

"My apologies sir. How may I serve you." Added Stefan aiming to raise Guard Commander Chan's ego. Playing with his mind like a toy.

"I will ask the questions here! What were all three of you doing in the bas.e.m.e.nt and left a child up here? What are you up to?"

"I paid them to help me bring some crates up, I pulled a muscle earlier so I can not lift. I need to sell more books in order to keep up with the taxes. Taxes aren't cheap as you know."

Formed Stefan a believable lie in a matter of seconds.

Afterwards, Guard Commander Chan turns to the Guards and yells a command.

"Guards, crack those crates open and search them. There better not be any books that teach magic there. Or else you will lose everything."

"I'm sure there aren't. They come from Meridionali Ignis, Meaning no magic books."

Confidentiality added Stefan. Knowing what to expect in those crates.

After that the Guards cracked open the crates. They weren't gentle at all with the crates. They damaged multiple books in the process but no one said a word because the ill.u.s.tratio were clearly in charge, those were the only fully filled, closed crates. Yet they didn't seem to bother to know or care. They are indeed brutal if someone opposes them, even with an argument.

Noticing there is no book that would break any law, Chan went back to his reason why he came here in the first place.

"Alright, it seems like the crates are clear. However i'm here to inform you that the Merchant tax increased. You paid three hundred gold pieces this month. You need to pay another one hundred, King's orders."

"But i'm broke. I can't afford it right now. I gave everything three days ago." Gently told Stefan, using reason over yelling but inside deeply suppressing his rage and hate towards the ill.u.s.tratios.

"That does not concern me. Pay the tax or suffer in the dungeon peasant."

Being unreasonable is something unusual coming from Guards or Guard Commanders. Stefan can die for all Chan Cares. It would be "one demon less" on his sight.

"Is this your king's continuous attempt to put the ignite Merchants here out of business? These taxes are ridiculously high. I barely make four hundred gold pieces a month, what am I going to eat? The ill.u.s.tratio merchant across from my store barely pays fifty gold pieces. Drop these source damned double standards for peace's sake!"

He lost his patience when he noticed Chan's smirking face. Looking down on Stefan who was left as one would say "left without a door to enter through."

Guard Commander Chan replies with continues smerk, practically taunting Stefan and furthermore making him feel small.

"Again, this is not my concern peasant. Pay up."

"I'm broke. How am i supposed too?"

Guard Commander Chan says

"This way. Guards. Arrest the peasant. Six months in the dungeon for refusing to pay the tax and calling me by my name. Your worthless book shop and your house now belongs to the King."

"But you can't do this. This is insane. This is insane."

Eric jumps in the conversation and from the bottom of his lungs he shouts

"It is insane. LET HIM GO NOW."

"What are you going to do about it you filthy dog? Have your mother to spend a night with me. Oh wait..."

Chan was well aware that Eric lost his mother after Woldemir spend a couple of weeks in the dungeon. That was the hardest year of their lives. Stefan supported them financially as much as he could after Woldemir and Eric got their crops "confiscated", but there was only so much he could doo. They had to scrap the forest for food.

"Oh no!"

Added Woldemir sensing what's about to happen next.

Eric tightens his fists out of anger and a tear breaks down along with another, steps a foot forward and then proceeds to move his arms forward as well, letting out a short lasting two foot wide Fire Ball towards Guard Commander Chan, which both gave a physically strong strike on his chest and lit him on fire. Chan was down screaming and burning 6 feet away from his former spot while a Guard yelled

"Get the kid."

Right after that, Mogranius shouted

"No you don't."

And blasted thin concentrated one foot wide Fire towards the Guards from both of his hands. The Fireball was as thin as a single hair from a horizontal point of view, one foot wide if viewed from above and spread eight feet across which both broke the two guard's ribs entirely and pushed them right through the store walls and twenty feet away from the place they were first shot at, leaving them split in two.