The Price of Knowledge

Sirius was so stunned and scared, he could not move an inch. He still hated the Silver Order for what they did to his uncle, but did not dare oppose them. Covering everything up now would only bring the anger of Inquisitor upon himself. In panic he got up and bowed, clenching his hands on his chest in the ceremonial gesture of the church - interlocked curled fingers. Mark did the same, but faster, almost inhumanly fast even.

"Greetings, Silver Inquisitor!" They shouted.

"You may lift your heads, pupils." He was still wearing that two-coloured robe and a black mask. Despite not seeing his eyes through the abyss-like holes, Sirius knew that the Inquisitor was looking at the board he just finished. "What is that behind you?"

"It is the ritual I devised, Silver Inquisitor." Sirius asked calmly, trying to remember if there are any rules he broke by doing what he did.

"Show me."

Sirius took the smooth board covered in chalk circles and presented it to the Inquisitor with a bow. A man took it and carefully inspected every line.

"Indeed it is not the ritual from the books." His voice lacked any intonation, not giving any hints whether he was angered or impressed. "And you say that you created it yourself."

"Yes, it is true."

"You are not lying. And you say that you know what it will do?"

"I do, Silver Inquisitor."

"Tell me."

"When presented with a piece of coal it will create a fire suspended in the air that will burn for longer than usual."

Instead of an answer Inquisitor walked to the extinguished fireplace and took out a piece of coal the size of a fist. He placed a board on the empty table and laid a charcoal on top. Golden lines glinted a bit and dimmed, fizzling out.

"I apologise, Inquisitor, I didn't have time to test it."

Inquisitor was silent. Sirius began fearing for his life, for real this time. Mark was still bowed, cursing Sirius in his mind for being dragged into his blasphemy.

"It needs more energy to start." Finally said Inquisitor. He took a charcoal in his hands and instantly set it aflame. He rested the charcoal above the diagram and it snapped into place, diagram coming to life. Fire flashed a couple of times and stabilised aloft in the air.

Sirius was joyful. It was a complex mechanism he developed for the last week, spending every minute thinking about the problem and fixing mistakes. His work was made more difficult by the fact that he only had access to final diagrams for rituals, without knowing what any of the individual components did. It made his accomplishment ever more impressive. Sirius looked at Father Gregor who was still near the entrance and reality dawned upon him. Father Gregor was pale and scared, his eyes darting between Sirius, Inquisitor and magical flame. Maybe he even regretted ever allowing Sirius to come into the library.

Inquisitor stood still, inspecting the work of the diagram a mere fifteen-year-old did without an access to detailed manuals and without astral body. His left hand was resting oh the pommel of his sword, scaring everyone in the room to death, but Inquisitor himself was oblivious to that, like everyone else was oblivious to his thoughts. Finally, the coal began flashing and was extinguished. Then the silence was finally interrupted.

"I have judged your deed, Pupil Sirius." He said and turned towards the boy. "It is against our Codex to delve into the realm of divine. Kneel." He pulled out his sword.

Sirius fell to his knee, lowering his head.

"By defying the Codex you went against the will of the Order. Only initiated must be allowed to converse with Gods and learn their mysteries, for the ignorance of yours could spell death for the whole village. Those like you threaten the rule of King and the peace of simple folk." In the end his thunderous voice made the windows rattle. "But... While what I said is true, the Order also understand that our goal is to guide fellow believers to a better future. You showed your passion and ability in your sin. For that your life may be spared, but only under the circumstance of joining the Order. Think carefully, for there will be no second chance."

Sirius' mind was racing. He still hated the Order's guts, but with his life on the line he was forced into a corner. He had to think, and think fast.

"I cannot allow myself to do that." He quietly said, drawing the gasp of fear from Father Gregor.