The Price of Knowledge

The landscape changed from dense forests to vast fields, cultivated by people living on the outskirts of the city. Stone houses stood in the farmlands and pastures, with sturdy roofs and stables in some of them. In Rivarvale only select few of the families were rich enough to hire a mage architect from the church. Here though, none of the homes could be called a poor man's hut. Farmers walked around the field or rode on household animals, using staves to move water from irrigation channels and spreading them over the farmland.

"How come simple farmers are using magic so freely? They are not even using rituals."

"Farmer is a noble profession in Kingdom. It became apparent that mages are more efficient than a regular person. In big cities, like Ravenloft, every farmer you see is at least a deacon. The church teaches them about agriculture and gives tools, both simple and magic ones. In return they have to work in the fields or wherever their skills benefited the city for a decade or something." Gregor told Sirius.

"But what if they will run away or teach magic others?"

"The Order has its ways, as always." Cryptically said Gregor.

After passing the fields they entered the outskirts where market stalls surrounded the busy roads, filling the main entrance with smells of sulfur and spices. Traders invited everyone to look at high quality metal ores or fabric, precious stones, try out the fresh pies and fruits. Sirius was overwhelmed by the amount of people, excitedly looking to sides. The caravan stopped near the guild headquarters and Marcus began talking to Gregor.

"We are staying here. If you need, we have stables available for your stallion."

"It would be great! What is the fee?"

"Last time it was a crown a day. I'll try to get a discount for our precious partner and a churchman." Marcus said with a wide smile and went inside the guild, giving out some orders on his way.

Not a minute later he went out and led the Gregor's horse into the stables, saying that the stay is on the house, along with a free room. Gregor and Sirius quickly dropped their backpack with Seth in the room and, after making promise to repay his dept with any favour, went deeper into the city.

The market seemed endless, but after some time Sirius noticed that temporary tents were replaced by tall three-storey stone and wood houses with counters outside, on which bakers and blacksmiths displayed their wares. Passing by a smithery Sirius noticed a burly man working on a piece of iron, but his workshop had no smoke bellowing out like it would be in Rivervale. Gregor allowed him to watch a little, so they slowed down. When iron cooled down, blacksmith took a piece of coal and placed it on a circular table in a small pit. He then took a piece he was working on and held over the table, where the iron began glowing orange and then brilliant yellow, threatening to overheat and drip.

"So that's what you noticed. It is a blacksmith's altar. I heard from a friend they aren't for sale, so you won't see them outside a city. This artisan must be one of the few who proved their skill and their goods are of an outstanding quality."

"It functions similar to the magic circle I made, when Inquisitor walked in. It's a bit disappointing such a thing already existed."

"You shouldn't be, your feat is still outstanding, otherwise Inquisitor's punishment would be less harsh. We should be going, though. The earlier we arrive to the chapel, the better."

"Sure..." Sirius was reminded about the inevitable meeting with the Inquisitor.

Their path soon led them into the very heart of the city. Wide paved streets with sidewalks stretched from the centre outwards like a spokes on a wheel, sometimes connected with narrow alleys and winding pedestrian paths. But they were going straight without turning until from behind a bending line of houses Sirius saw the chapel. Involuntary he stopped, baffled by the sheer size. Like the Rivervale church, it was hexagonal, built with brilliant-white and onyx-black bricks, with columns extending upwards, holding seven large domes. On the corners were what looked like castle towers, topped with spires piercing the skies. Stained glass windows let the sun rays through, painting the city below in rainbow of colours. Around it was a sudden lack of densely-packed buildings. Instead, the last ring of the road circled a lush garden, where members of the Order and scholars of the church spent their time, roaming around in peace, reading on benches, or having sermons or lectures for people to attend.

Father Gregor urged Sirius to move and they crossed the street, walking through the garden right towards the main entrance. Double-door gate, easily triple a person's height was divided into black and white sides. After passing through the black entrance, they entered a main hall. Gregor was prepared to catch Sirius, whose gaze was guided upwards by massive columns adorned with patterns made of gold, shiny white and matte blackened silver. Inside on the pews sat people, praying and contemplating their lives, looking at the hall coloured by the sun rays entering through windows. Gregor led absent-minded Sirius deeper inside and asked a priest for an audience with Inquisitor responsible for Rivervale. Priest sat them at the pew and went somewhere, disappearing behind the columns.

"Impressive, right?"

"Yeah..." Sirius said in bewilderment.

"It was built when Mythos and Mythra gave the gift of magic to our people. As soon as they spread the word of Divine Twins, the most skilled artisans and architects were tasked with building this masterpiece."

"How long ago was it?"

"I don't know, something like 300 years ago. A lot of records were lost to time due to the unrest."

"Did people try to dethrone the king?"

"No, not that. That time there was no Kingdom, I think, so we only have legends. It is said that Mythos was the first to give his gift to the people. But our ancestors were intoxicated by their new powers and began fighting between themselves, almost killing every single human."

"I remember that passage. After that Mythra taught us peace and cured our wounds.I never thought it really happened."

"I believe it did. As I said, the number of mages increase with each generation, so it looks like truth to me."

"Really? But what about the Silver Order? When..."

"Priest Gregor, please follow me." Said a priest from the side, interrupting Sirius' question.

"Sure, thank you. As for your question, Sirius, it has to wait. If I know I will tell you more about history, if you want. Let's go, Inquisitor waits."

"Sure." Sirius answered, and they went behind the altar, downstairs.