CHAPTER 7

"Something very bad," Aldric grinned. "How did he destroy it?"

"With magic, which—I did not understand," I honestly answered, leaning against the weathered wall of the house.

My head was spinning a little after the use of my strength, and there was someone else's cloak on my shoulders, which is not for me to wash, so even if I wanted to slump to the ground, I couldn't. The main thing is that my dearest boss did not decide that I was lazy.

"Coercion? Brainwashing?"

"Impossible. It's worth a person under mental influence approaching the statue, and all that effect subsides," I remarked. "And… I would understand."

"So, a group of fanatics who believe that darkness will come with a fall in the light and it will become good for everyone," Aldric concluded.

"Why a group?"

"Because, my dear assistant, any creature who damaged the bright artifact will be cursed and die a couple of days later in terrible torment," Aldric winked at me. Yes, yes, a very cheerful topic. "And light sources have been going down for several months, so one couldn't cope alone."

"Only if this is not an immortal," I remarked, stepping away from the wall. "It seems I've come to my senses."

Aldric waved his hand, urging me to follow him. He… gave me a break? Or has he not decided where to go yet?

"It is impossible," Aldric immediately rejected my assumption. "In this world, there are only three immortals, including me.

One plunged into a deep sleep and has not come out of it for more than a hundred years, and the elf of Marwyn is too busy with a wilting Tree of Life to get to Ashmoor and curse an uncontrolled artifact."

"Do you think it's easier with fanatics? How many artifacts are destroyed? A couple dozen, more? And we would so easily miss several dozen deaths of rather strong mages at once?" I asked, following Aldric.

When you go after him, strange sensations always arise: behind Aldric's broad back there is practically nothing; you have no idea if there is danger ahead, but for some reason it's not at all scary that you might miss something.

Perhaps because Aldric himself is the greatest danger to everyone around him.

Aldric ignored my question and only said:

"They've arrived. Go through, Lysandra, don't be shy."

I looked out from behind Aldric and saw some kind of tavern of dubious reputation with a skewed roof, uneven walls, and a door that seemed about to collapse on its own—not even necessary to touch.

"Should we not return until Shane notices us and tries to kill us?" I asked.

If Aldric stands out with his malice and indifference, then Shane was worse than a rabid dog. He will beat me before I have time to bless him with anything!

"It's worth it," Aldric replied, putting his hand on my back and pushing me forward. "But he hasn't noticed me or tried to kill me yet, so we might as well stay here a bit longer. Considering his total bad luck, I suspect that this artifact isn't the last one to go out in Ashmoor."

"For how long?" I asked, trying not to show how nervous I was.

I shouldn't stay in the area where the light source has gone out for long, otherwise someone attentive and curious will definitely notice some strange things. And my power…

I pushed aside unnecessary thoughts by force of will. I will solve problems as they arise!

"Until another statue goes out in Ashmoor." Aldric shrugged. "I think we'll stay for about three days. And this is our shelter for the time being."

The haven greeted us in a very specific way: with loud laughter, shouts, a rich meaty smell, and the bitter-herbal aroma of tinctures—an atmosphere of debauchery and some revelry.

"Do you like it?" Aldric asked sarcastically.

"I'm delighted," I replied, smiling and moving toward a free table.

I plopped down on the creaky wooden chair, pulling my hood down further—my platinum-gold hair, being a rare shade, would surely attract a lot of unwanted attention.

"This place is occupied, lady," a warrior with a scar along his temple barked from the next table. "If you want to borrow it, pay me."

"With what?" I grinned. "I can bless you. What do you want?"

Will I get caught or not? I got caught!

"Oh, bless me," he giggled. "That I may always have the one who loves me most of all by my side. An exceptionally beautiful young lady. And that I don't have to wait long for her; she'll show up right now!"

If you are not sure about a light mage, never agree to anything. Any of our powers works fully only with permission; that is why we are called light. But here is how a light mage uses this permission…

"As you wish," I smiled. "I bless you."

"How quick you are, Lysandra," Aldric appeared behind my shoulder completely unexpectedly. "And you found a table for us, and worked like a light mage. Apparently, I don't burden you enough, since you have enough time for all sorts of side things. I placed an order; they'll bring it now."

Aldric patted me on the shoulder and then sat down opposite me.

"Not any side business," I said. "An exclusive desire to please you—I'm not sure that loud, bad, and annoying company will suit you."

"This one?" Aldric nodded toward the man who was still looking at us.

Well, yes, Aldric's impressive figure is capable of holding back even rabble without much intelligence. For the first time. But for the second…

"Yeah. A couple of minutes and everything will be done."

The door of the tavern suddenly swung open, and a lady of impressive size, about fifty years old, flew inside:

"Where is my sunshine? Where is my baby? Where is my little son? Your mommy is here! Greg! With my motherly heart, I understood that you are not well!"

Greg—yes, the same man who tried to make me "pay" for a seat at the table—suddenly jumped up from his seat and stared at his mother in horror.

"It's you!" the man next to this very Greg suddenly barked.

Oh, well, at least someone in their company has a bright head. Oops, I take it back: a person with a good brain will not go toward Aldric with a threatening look.

And this one went.

"That's her," Aldric nodded. "The insidious light one, isn't she?"

"Exactly!" Greg confirmed. "And how could she?"

"It's easy, believe me. The face of a holy virgin, but the essence… it's hard to say. My subordinates also suffered because of her," Aldric said heartfeltly. "She loves to bless so that everyone cries and suffers."