The Price of Knowledge

"Where are we going?"

"Will you wait for just a moment? We are already near, calm down."

"How near? What is this?"

"It is a travelling market. While you were in your lab dealing with greenery, merchants set up a fair. I made a deal with a farmers and they agreed to lend us one of their horses to travel to Ravenloft along with the traders. We will spend a night there and head back on our own the next day."

"When are we moving out?"

"In a couple of hours, merchants are almost packed up. Right now I am going to fetch a horse, and you should ask the church for travel package I prepared."

"Of course! But... What about Seth?"

"Sorry, but this little fellow has to stay behind. Unless he will hide in a backpack, of course."

"Thank you! You are the best!"

With that they went to deal with preparations. Sirius excitedly ran to the church, almost knocking Mark to the ground.

"Hi Mark! Do you know where Gregor's packed stuff is?"

"You? Any new perpetrations?"

"Did I not apologized enough?"

"Did I not warn you?"

They looked at each other and laughed.

"Of course I forgave you, it's just fun to mess with you. Yeah, the package is in the storage, near the barrels."

"Thank you, Mark! Oh, wait. Is your head alright? Did the concussion heal?"

"Wow, you still remember about it. Thanks for worrying, I am fine, apart from a few serious headaches from time to time."

"When I will return I will look into the possible painkillers I have in stock. Take care!"

Sirius went to storage room and took the backpack. On his way back he stopped near the library entrance. He sighed with regret and went towards the merchant caravan that should be taking off sooner than later. While waiting for that he met up with Father Gregor and asked the question that made his night restless.

"I have a thing I found out while making medicines, but I am afraid Order is not going to be happy." Sirius said in half-whisper.

"What? Again?" Gregor asked in a hushed tone.

"I literally stumbled across it, honestly. I meditated and noticed how mana passing through some of the plants changed its properties. In theory it can be a method of spellcasting."

"In what way?"

"Did Verden told you about how a spell is manipulating the properties of mana, which will change how it affects the world?"

"Yes, he told me that before I was taught this by the church."

"So the church knows that?" Sirius asked, bewildered.

"Of course. But only priests and higher, deacons and townsfolk are not taught the details, just the rituals."

"I found out that magic circles everyone uses for rituals in their daily life just change properties of mana passing through them."

"That is how you got in trouble, I reckon."

"Yeah, right, sorry I didn't tell you earlier that time. That is why I am telling you this. I can't control a lot of mana, but I can feel its properties quite well. So when I experimented with herbs, I wrote down their effects on passing mana. I wanted to tell that to the Inquisitor, but I am afraid he will kill me on the spot."

"Sure. I haven't heard about such things you described, so I can't guess what he might do either."

"But if I hide my findings and it will be found out later..."

"He will certainly view you as a heretic."

"That." Sirius confirmed. His future was deeply uncertain. Gregor sighed.

"It is dangerous for you to be in this country, my dear. The rules will only hinder your progress. But you are only sixteen, and you still haven't managed to condense the organs. You won't survive without spells in the wild."

"If only..."

"Yes." Gregor said without stating the obvious. "As for the herbal magic... Do you have a name for it yet?"

"I think alchemy suits well. I read about it in fairy tales."

"Seems fine to me. As for the alchemy, I think it is better to disclose to Inquisitor. We will stop by the chapel and I will see what I can do."

"I think so too."

"Let's hope for the best. Maybe it will garner their interest."

"Caravan! Gather up!" The merchants shout pulled them out of their thoughts.

"Let's go."

"Yes."