The Price of Knowledge

Sun rose once again, showering Rivervale in green flickers from the 'World Tree', as the townsfolk called the crystalline giant to the east of the village. Somehow getting used to its presence life went on its way, with the usual preparations for winter troubling people a bit. Sirius for the first time in the last two weeks was enjoying the sleep without a nightmares about forest fire and his soul shattering into pieces. But of course the peace could not last forever, as he was awoken by the knock on the front door. Whomever came here this early must have urgent matters to discuss with Father Gregor, Sirius thought. He lazily rolled over from the straw bed on the attic in Gregor's house and peeked through the floorboards. Father Gregor hastily put the priest's robe and opened the door.

"Priest Gregor, may I come in?"

"Brother Inquisitor, I am honored by your visit! Pardon my manners, please come in."

Gregor opened the door wider and a person in a robe, divided vertically into black and white haves, came inside. Beautiful patterns of snakes and vines adorned his clothes and his face was covered by a black mask with holes just for eyes. The clothes were just like Father Gregor described the members of the Order. Sirius shuddered and without a sound went back in bed. He closed his eyes and strained his hearing to listen to the guest.

"Priest Gregor, I come from the Ravenloft Chapel. Half a month ago our people should have visited your church. Did you attend to them?"

"Truthfully, Silver Brother, I did not meet them. Last time members of the Order visited us in the last week of summer."

"You are saying the truth. Say, Priest Gregor, what do you know about the tree to the east of your village?"

"It appeared overnight just around two weeks ago, Silver Brother. Was it the Order's experiment?"

"Has anything else happened in the village?"

"That day was the last when healer Verden came to our village. Also, now that I think about it, some boy appeared in the village from the south the following morning."

"Describe him."

"He was around 15 years old, with golden hair."

"Where is he now?"

"Why do you need him?"

Metal singed. Slowly, the blade was unsheathed from under the man's robe. Sirius' heart was pounding. He had to do something.

"Do not defy my order, Priest. Answer me, where is the boy?"

"I..."

"Father Gregor, good morning..." Sirius imitated a sleepy voice as hard as he could in his position. He walked down the stairs, rubbing his eyes and then feigned surprise and hastily bowed. "Oh... Greetings, esteemed guest."

"Good morning, Sirius. I didn't want to wake you up, but now that you are awake, can you please show yourself to our visitor. He is a very important person from the church!"

Without sheathing the blade, a person looked at the Gregor and then at the Sirius. He lowered his blade, but the arm was ready to strike any second. He walked towards Sirius.

"Stay still."

He pulled off his left glove with a pinch of an armed hand and placed his palm on Sirius' forehead. Sirius felt his astral body bound in shackles.

"Now tell me, did you learn magic? Do not you dare lie to me, though, as your soul is now in my grasp."

"Yes, I did."

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen, sir."

"Why did you not condense a Mana Pool?"

"I did not want to."

"Why did you not condense any other organ?"

"I too, did not want to."

In confusion the man tilted his head.

"Why? Did you not want to become a mage?"

"I never knew what magic I wanted to pursue, so I never made a choice."

Sirius felt a relief as man lifted his hand. He sheathed a sword and began putting his glove back.

"Your goodwill nearly cost you your life, Priest. The boy is two years late to become a mage. Next time I advice you to follow the Codex and not lie to an Inquisitor. Farewell."

With that the man went out of the house and closed the door. Long seconds passed in silence. Then, when Sirius was sure the Inquisitor won't come back, he let out the air he was holding in all this time. A cold droplet of sweat rolled down his forehead, as he slumped down on a staircase.

"What did he mean?"

"What?" Gregor fell on a chair, also in a daze.

"About being two years late to become a mage."

"On a royal couple birth days every capable twelve-year old is baptised. During the ritual they condense a Mana Pool. If a child misses the day, they miss the chance to become a mage under the church."

"What about condensing without a ritual?"

"Any home-condensed Mana Pool is also a bit different from the one achieved during the ritual and is viewed as inferior. Why did you not condense an organ? You are old enough already."

"I never settled on something in particular."

"Did you consider Thought Constellation? It will act like a second brain inside your astral body."

"I did, but then I lose the Mind's Eye advantage of seeing the unseen of the ability to store mana in Mana Pool. They all seem... I don't know how to say... Wrong? And my body just doesn't feel right. I can't describe it, it's just a feeling I have."

"And yet you are still able to cast spells, even if just simple ones."

"I know how to, but I don't have loads of experience..."

"People can't do that."

"What?..."