Louis stepped out of his house with an empty stomach and galloped toward Cleppé.
Once at the city gates, he dismounted, took his horse by the reins, and joined the crowd waiting for the usual guard inspection on market days.
With a glance, he watched the carts roll past, filled with goods and sacks likely containing grain. Soon, they would be sold at a high price in this region where the harvests were poor and made difficult by demonic creatures.
His eyes soon focused on the people walking by—on their laughter, their conversations, their sorrows, their curses, their weariness. He felt his vision weaken, his field of view narrow, and suddenly he felt utterly alone in the middle of the crowd. It was surreal… everything… everything was freaking normal! His thoughts rebelled as a deep heartache and confusion overwhelmed him. He almost wanted to scream at them, to warn them. Rage was building—
"Hey, Louis! What's wrong?" a guard named Hermut called out, noticing the vacant look in his eyes. Louis turned to him and replied, almost voiceless: "Oh, nothing…"
Hermut looked at him with surprise. "You sure you're okay?"
Louis sighed, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips."Yeah, I'm fine… just some tangled thoughts. But they'll help me feel better later. It's just a bit rough right now."
The guard looked at him seriously, stepped closer, and placed his gloved hand on his shoulder."If you ever want to grab a beer, just say the word after my shift. But maybe you should get some rest… you're really pale."
Louis nodded. "If I find the time, it'd be my pleasure."
"Anyway… you don't seem to be carrying anything… you can go through."
"Hey!" said the second of the three guards. "We can't let him through without a search on market day."
"Let it go," added the third guard. "He's a regular. Everyone knows him. And seriously, where would he hide a living demonic creature or an artifact? In his satchel? Even if he did, it wouldn't do any harm to Cleppé."
"That's kind of you," Louis replied, "but I think I'll wait with the others—it wouldn't be fair otherwise."
After a long wait, Louis entered the city and before he knew it, he was standing in front of a market shop, contemplating a blue sphere held between his index finger and thumb.
"The usual, Mr. Louis?" asked a teenager.Louis gave the sphere one last look and glanced at the boy."Yes. They're still from former warriors, right?"
"Oh yes! This is pure energy from the bravest fighters who ventured into the demonic territories! All of these are between 35 and 40 years old, as always."
"Good."
Louis placed a few coins down in exchange for the pure energy spheres."And do you have any Knight Energy?"
"Ah… I need to check on that."
The boy left and returned with an adult."Knight Energy is more sought after and less available, Mr. Louis. Knights generally don't sell their energy. So the prices are understandably high."
"I understand. Do you have any?"
"All reserved… but for you, if you'd like, we can set some aside for next time."
"That's kind of you. How much?"
The price was three times higher for the same amount of energy. Louis bought the regular spheres first, then asked:"Are you absolutely sure you don't have any in reserve? I just remembered an urgent need."
"It's tricky… everything's been spoken for…" The merchant ran his hands through his hair, grimacing in embarrassment. "Come with me. Gis, watch the shop."
Louis looked at Gis for a moment, recalling Rodolphe, then followed the man into the back of the shop. They passed a guard and entered a room filled with crates. The merchant opened a box, revealing a glowing blue sphere.
"It's a little marvel," the merchant said. "The wood comes from the demonic territories and was delicately carved by a Knight."
Louis heard the outrageous price, thanked the man, left the stand without buying the box, and wandered through the city streets until he found himself before the temple of Cleppé. He greeted the apprentice and had a brief conversation with the priest.
"A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Vinirlmo."
"You as well, Your Holiness Tiuop."
"You wanted to speak with me?"
"Yes, actually. It's a rather delicate matter… about the unfortunate war currently ongoing."