Chapter 11

"Do you know how to find the black market? And is there even one here?" "All cities have one." "And hiring a bunch of criminals is safe?" "The general can't help us and knights order is too untrustworthy."

"And criminals are?" "They work for the highest bitter and we are the highest bitter. I still have red rubies. People would pay a fortune for them."

"So how do we find it?" "Only thieves and mercs know where it is. But Luckly I know how to find them. They usually put smalls signs in places only those who are trying to buy from the black market or criminals looking for refugee."

She was right. On the walls of the ally were snakes pointing in certain directions. We went many directions and took many steps to get to the black market. 

Finally, we made it to an illusion wall. "We just walk right through it now." The market was large. Full of very sketchy men and people that don't belong here. No doubt it's the criminal world.

There were a lot of artifacts that relate to black magic. Though it's not forbidden certain practices a banned. "Let's find a board. It should a list of jobs and groups for hire."

The board had tons of jobs and groups. "There are even individual hires as well."

 "What do you think Alie?" "We need someone with magic." "And maybe a sword user too." "How do we get in contact with them then?" 

"See these magic circles. Just place your palm over the circle and the mana should activate. It will let them know immediately. They will come to the board where they placed their mana at."

"How many do we need?" "Two is fine for now we need to be discreet anyway." "What's the number for? Right next to their name?" 

"That is sign of how powerful they are. It applies to only those of magic, blessings and aura." "Why is that?" "Because only those things can grow. Curses and gifts can't do that."

"So there are more powerful humans then Servin." "Yes. He was only lower rank 4." "Lower rank?" "I'll tell after I activate the circles for our partners." 

She starts the magic circles and now we wait. "Besides I think it's important to know this. You must know who you should fight and not." 

The system of the powerful was robust. Each ten rank is given a name. 1 to 10 is given the title of Novice. 10 to 20 scholar and it continues to a hundred but. "People can't reach the last rank?" "The last 2 and half." "People could only get to 75."

For some unknown reason people of this era is weaker the previous generations. No one has gotten to last in over 3 thousand years. "How would I know if I'm ranking up? And how do I rank up?"

"It's the same feeling you would get when signing a contract with a spirit. The mana in your body would naturally heat up and at times you will feel sluggish. It's very dangerous to be moving around during the process. And it just happens. The more you use your magic the more it will grow and evolve."

I wonder what rank I am at now. "But when it comes to magic users and their rank. It doesn't always show there actually strength." "What do you mean?" "If you another person were rank 1 you normally would not have the same strength. And that's because of the color of mana you have." 

"It has a color?" "Explaining it is complicated. Right now, the knowledge I know is limited. My memory is slowly coming back just a little."

"It's fine." "I hired a mage anyway maybe they can tell you. If they're willing." Not long after we activated the crest. They appear to the right of us. "Hello. You must be the employers." "Yes, we are."

"I am Laney Drow, Lower scholar 17." Though he dresses the part of merc, but his face was not. His features were something painted in a picture. "Oh, my we have quite the looker." "Alie?" "What? I'm just praising his looks."

"I appreciate that." Next to was women. She wore a brown cloak over her body SH also wore a mask on around her face. Her eyes were green. The long eyelashes made her more beautiful even with the mask. "My name is Tise. Lower scholar 15."

"I see, it nice to meet you both. My name Alie and this Ivalyo." Laney sits down on a barrel. "Now business first."

"Of course." When Alie offered rubies. They both stumbled or reacted in different ways. Tise was more excitement or desperation. "You, ok?" I ask. "Yes. I am fine Sir." She pulled back her hand into her cloak. 

Laney asked if we were nobles. "Are you guys' nobles or something?" "No, we are not. Were just travelers and traders." 

"I'm just curious that's all. I accept your patronage." "I as well." We hired mercs today. 

"So, what are hiring us for Lady Alie." "Protection." "I see. So, bodyguards...for a whole week." "Is that a problem?" "No. I have nothing of importance to do." We look at Tise. "Not yet." "Well for now we have a job to do. Do you know where the river is?"

Laney points to the west wall. "It right over the wall. You won't miss it." "Then let's go." The river was what you expected to be. The water looked normal. "Seems ok to me?" 

"Looks can be deceiving Ivalyo." "She is right." Tise nodded in agreement. "So, you two are trying to figure out why the water is so bad." 

"Something wrong?" "No Lady Alie." 

I notice the slight grin. "Let's follow the river. We need to find out who is poisoning the river." We follow the river up the hill. The day was ending soon. The stars could be slight seen. "Alie. How are you planning to sure the river?"

"I realized my magic can do a lot more than just attacking. Turns out I can heal things. When were in the village. I was helping the farmers with the livestock one day. One their cows was sick. And for some reason my mind was telling me to use my magic on it."

"You cured it?" "Yup looked just like young cow. So maybe I can do it with my magic. If there using magic to poison the river." 

Tise stops us before we could go any further up. "Look." She points to the river. There nothing to be seen. "I don't see anything." 

"The mana is clear." She waves her hand using her mana to disrupt the magic that concealing the dead animal carcass in the river. 

"Dead animals?" "Now I know this not the work of mages or cultist." This something only humans would do. Elves are too honorable to do this, and beast-men are warriors that would rather fight head-to-head instead of resorting to these types of warfare. Plus, there immune to poison.

We pull out the dead carcasses out from the river. There was a total of 12 carcasses removed the river. "This quite bizarre." "Not really. Humans tend to do whatever it takes to achieve what they want."

She seems angry. "You ok Lady Tise?" I asked. "It's nothing." We decided to burn the carcasses far away from the area to not show signs that we were there. "Next now. Capture them?" "We need to know who were dealing with first. A fight is not the answer...yet."

"Then?" "We wait and follow them." Laney points out that many of those carcasses were fresh kills. "They might not come tonight." "We should still wait. If nothing shows up in the next few hours, we'll turn in for the night."

"You're the boss." There were very large rocks the size of home nearby. We stay on top of it to get better viewpoint of the entire area. Laney and Tise did not say much. Alie was focused on the view of the area. 

Tise was adjusting her bow and Laney fell asleep. "This feels awkward." "Well go talk to them." "But." "It's good to build relationships Ivalyo. They come in handy for the future." 

Laney is sleeping. I might as well leave him be. I guess Tise is the only option, I guess. She kind of reminds me of myself a little. Her smell is not normal but it's a smell I have smelled before in the slave minds.

I slowly towards her. "What is it?" With looking at me she asks. "...You smell like the woods." She stops and looks at me with under stable confused look and disgust. Alie smacks her head. Ivalyo. "What?"

"Your...an elf aren't you." "Mind your own business half blood." I could not say anything. I just could not find the words for a conversation. "Right." So, I left her alone. I sat next to Alie. "Maybe you should practice talking to people later." 

"Right." She chuckles at me. "Your adorable Ivalyo." I could not hide my embarrassment. I could hear Laney chuckle a little. "Not funny." 

They both continued to laugh at me. Tise seem sorry for treating me that way. But I did just meet her. I guess I was rude for doing something disrespectful. 

The sun was already down. The night was beautiful as like every other night. "It's late Lady Alie. I believe we should turn in. Even Tise her is tired. "You don't speak for me. But he right. staying out all night is bad for us. We want to feel rested for the next day Ms."

"Their right Alie." 

"Alright. Let's head back then." "Hm?" What this smell...dead animals? "Ivalyo?" "Someone's coming. I smell them."

A group of men came down from the trees next to the wall carrying pig and horse legs. "This shit is disgusting. How long are we going to do this sir. "Until the boss gives his orders."

"Oh." "What's wrong Laney?" "Those guys. There from a mercenary guild. The crows." "Why would mercenary's do this? This could destroy their entire guild." "Money maybe. Or...human greed."

"We know who's dumping the corpses in the river now. But the mastermind behind is still a mystery."

"What do you want to do now Alie?" "...Do you two know where their base of operations is?" "There from here. There from the southern empire." "Really...hm." 

"Alie?" "I think just found the answer to my question." 

Tise then points out that they must be traveling through sewers. "Sewers?" "The layout of the sewers is simple and easy to navigate. People don't ever go down there for obvious reasons." "Then there must be away into the sewers."

"We can follow them." Let's follow them then." 

"Damn it! I thought I told you tie them tight. Now the corpses are in the sea!" "We did." "Forget it. Just tie the next ones. The boss wants us to meet and talk about a new job. He even paid us handsomely this time."

After tying the new animal corpses in the river, they left. We lurked behind them to follow them into the sewers. It was not far from the river. There was a sewer pipe that had its bars melted away to get in.

"Alright. We need to see who their meeting. Tise, you have a spell that could conceal us?" "I do." "Remember no fighting unless we are caught." 

Tise casted a spell in her elven tongue. "We are hidden now. Only we can see each other." "Elvish magic. Quite impressive." "Of course. No magic types are better." 

"Agree to disagree." She scoffs at his remarks. The sewers were as bad I thought. Rats and the smell were hurting my nose. "My beast senses aren't going to be useful." "We should be able to find them without your nose."

"She's right. The layout of the sewers is simple. We could easily find them. But there could be another way I can find them." Tise holds out her hand. "Eye of her grace." Her magic had summoned a white bird. "Find the evil mana." The bird fly's away leaving a trail of mana. 

We follow the trail that led us to an area of mercs resting and drinking. They were all camping near the public stairs. I ask why the knights are not noticing this. I know they wouldn't care when there wanting control of the city.

"Sir the messenger is here." "Bring him in. You gather the men." They bunched up waiting for their new orders. A young woman pulls over cloak. "It stinks in here. Anyway, Lord Kane has given new orders. We are very close to breaking this city."

She brings a few diamond and silver necklaces. "This is your new payment. Your mission is to take care of an orphanage." "I'm sorry?" The leader stopped her. "You want us to take out children?" "Of course. Is that a problem?"

"No. I'm just worried about the consequences." "No need to worry. We will make sure to cast a noise spell on the area. No one will know what's happening. You don't need to personally kill them. Just set the place on fire."

"There is business is done." "Of course. You all can leave the country after. I think it will be best. Cause after this. A war will erupt."

"I see." "Do the job tomorrow night. We also must prepare our plans as well." "Then well proceed tomorrow night." 

We leave the same way we came in after hearing the details. Tise kicked open the door to our room. "You know this our room." "My apologizes." 

"What is wrong with you?" "I did not think humans would hurt other humans. This the first for me." "I was shocked as well. I used to be a slave and all they ever preached about was how unified they all were. Then I heard of wars and conquering one another."

"You seemed to know something about the orphanage." "I do. It's mostly human children and non-humans." "There trying to start a war between beast men and humans. IF that happens the princess will really lose control of her kingdom." 

"Then we make sure that doesn't happen." "We still haven't found where abouts of the mastermind."

"Let's focus on this for now Ivalyo." Alie squints from pain in her head. "Alie?" "It's nothing. We'll meet here tomorrow morning."

Laney and Tise both turn in for the night. Alie developed random fevers that would come and go. "You don't need anything?" "No... it's fine...I'll be better... in the morning. My magic is coming back to me now,"

"All right."

During the night, Mia and Hen were holding meets on the crisis of her kingdom. "Thank you for coming general." "Of course." 

"I'll get straight to the point. Civil war is coming to Isabella, and I am prepared for the losses of your comrades." "So, you're ready for war." "I am. But I want to end it as fast as I can." "What?" "...I had just received a declaration of war from Lazare. And they will be here in a week to take me my capital."

"Princess. This is news I could have been told the day I arrived." 

"It was just today. We need to ride my city of the old knights order and the imperial dogs that are behind it."