Isaac found Slate, who was hunched over several sheaves of parchment filled with sketches and designs of various buildings and devices. He didn’t see the children or Yvilli. "Where’d you send them off to?" Isaac asked.

  Slate glanced up, "Ah, to see some of the sights! They’ve been cooped up in a cart for most of the day. It’ll do them some good to get out and about. Physical exercise is just as important as mental exercise."

  Isaac walked over and took a closer look at Slate’s designs; seeing a weird pillar with various numbers and scrawlings next to it. "What are you working on?"

  Slate turned the papers over, "A surprise! So, what’s the plan?"

  Isaac sat on one of the beds, "Vythin wants to retire early and then deal with the demon business tomorrow."

  Slate nodded, "Understandable. He’s put in quite a physical labor getting us all here."

  Isaac stood, "Then I’m going downstairs for a drink," and began walking towards the door.

  "Oh! One thing before you go. We’d be better off going to The Hall of Shadows at night, when it’s most likely we can get an audience with a priest or cleric," Slate said.

  Isaac nodded and left the room.

  Soon he was nestled away in a corner of the tavern space down below, sipping on a cool mug of beer as he watched the various comings and goings. Many folks who came in over the next few hours were not the well-to-do that he had spied earlier around the upper district, but rather seemed to be working class folks that toiled for those residing in this area.

  As the night grew onward the place grew more and more busy, and Isaac found himself several cups deep in his drink, but did not feel the effects of the alcohol. I guess I can’t get drunk anymore. He pulled out a pendant, a small wooden block carved with a hawk - one of the first gifts Willow gave to him - and twirled it in his hands. He felt immense sorrow as tears welled up; finally reaching a breaking point as he cried for his lost love.

  She's gone…

  A hand nudged Isaac’s shoulder and he bolted upright, blinking his eyes clear as he saw Slate standing there.

  "Everything okay?"

  Isaac slipped the pendant back under his shirt and wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve, "I’m not okay. Just...processing. Give me time."

  Slate nodded solemnly, "I’ll leave you to it then," and walked away to the bar.

  Isaac went upstairs to his room and collapsed on the bed, emotionally drained. The realization finally sank in fully as he processed his grief.

  …I'm alone again. He had only felt this alone once prior; when he was exiled. The despair clouded his mind as he fell into a fitful slumber.

  The next morning came rudely with a bright sun shining through the windows. Isaac groaned and rolled over away from the intrusive beams. Gods above, can’t we pull the curtains? He sat up and looked over to see Vythin casually sitting in a chair in front of the window, reading some book as he glanced up. The light seemed to glow and suffuse him.

  "Good to see you awake!" Vythin said. He stood up and threw the book onto the bed. "Ready for another exciting day?"

  Isaac stood and stretched, "Sure. Breakfast, explore the city a bit, and then go to Umbra’s temple tonight."

  Vythin looked confused, "Why not go now?"

  Isaac shrugged, "Slate said we’d be better off finding someone in the evening."

  Vythin nodded, "How about we visit that coffee shop next door? I bet they do breakfast."

  "You should probably give Slate and myself a...budget? An allowance?" Isaac asked.

  Vythin sighed, "Right, you both are relatively...poor. Not to worry!" He reached into his pockets and pulled out several hundred dreks and two pouches. He handed one pouch to Isaac, and exited the room. Isaac followed as the two of them entered Slate’s room. "Slate, we’re going next door for breakfast. I figure we spend the day exploring the city and seeing what sights there are before going to the temple," Vythin said.

  Slate was hunched over his desk once more, working frantically on some design. "That’s fine! I’m in the middle of something. Just come and get me when it’s evening."

  Vythin glanced at Isaac, shrugged, and put the small pouch next to Slate as he worked. Slate grunted and the other two left the room, making their way outside and to the business next door.

  The place was quite busy and bustling with a bevy of baristas going from table to table. Isaac opened the small gate and walked into the patio area with Vythin on his heels as a server asked them their business, seated them, and served them. As they were eating they engaged in polite conversation with those sitting around them - mostly Vythin doing the talking as Isaac observed silently. He saw someone who was watching them. A young teenage boy who was dressed like one of the bussers that ducked inside the building as Isaac made eye contact with him. That can’t be good, Isaac thought. He grabbed Vythin’s forearm, "We’re being watched."

  Vythin halted his conversation with some noblewoman at a nearby table, "Where?"

  Isaac pointed to the cafe’s interior. "Some busboy has been staring at us for the past few minutes."

  Vythin nodded, "Well, I mean you are dressed quite differently from the normal clientele. You’re the only one here wearing armor."

  Isaac shook his head, "No, that’s not it. I have a feeling. There’s something going on here."

  Vythin just smiled and resumed his conversation with those nearby. What’s going on with him?

  He gripped Vythin’s forearm again, "Hey! What’s going on? Why aren’t you concerned."

  Vythin just smiled back, "Everything’s okay Isaac. Don’t worry about it. Enjoy the coffee, and the fine folk. This man was just telling me about this wonderful business opportunity..."

  Something’s wrong. Isaac looked at the coffee as he ignored Vythin’s rambling. Maybe there’s something in the coffee… Maybe I’m immune to it, like the beer last night. He channeled the heat in his chest to his palm and held it over the cup. A small flare of green flashed and he lifted his hand, seeing the coffee returned to a bean form at the bottom, and a white powder substance floating on the water. He gripped Vythin. Cleanse him of the toxin, he thought as he channeled the heat.

  The change was immediate, as Vythin quieted down and glanced around. "That...was weird. What just happened?"

  Isaac pointed to his now deconstructed coffee, "You were drugged."

  Vythin blinked a few times, "I...was drugged."

  Isaac nodded, "Yes. And I guess I can’t be affected if it’s from a plant."

  Vythin was about to respond when a female server approached with a smile, "Gentlemen, I’m sorry to bother you." She turned to Isaac, "The owner wishes to speak with you."

  Isaac stood up along with Vythin. "Did you know that you are dosing your guests?" Vythin said, quite loud, though it appeared none of the patrons seemed to care much.

  The server nodded, "It’s just an additive. Please, come with me."

  Isaac shook his head, "We aren’t going anywhere. I have half a mind to cleanse every person here of that drug you’ve used."

  The server looked quite perplexed as Isaac reached over to another patron and cleansed them of the toxin. The change in their demeanor was immediate as the server paled, seemingly recognizing the drug wearing off. "I’m so sorry. Please, Orinor will explain everything. I can’t lose this job, it's all I have for my family."

  Isaac glanced over at Vythin who had a serious expression on his face. He looked at Isaac, "We need to meet him."

  "Why?"

  Vythin gestured to the server to lead the way and began to follow her as he replied, "He’s my brother."

  The two of them were escorted up to the fifth floor, going through a door labeled OFFICE. Two clerks were sitting there, young men in their early twenties, as the server left them there. One of the young men walked over. "Here to see Orinor?"

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Vythin nodded as Isaac just stared at the young man. He seemed to notice and break eye contact immediately after meeting the intimidating stare. He led the two of them to another door labeled RESIDENCE. A brass knocker hung there which Vythin rapped as the young man went away. A few moments passed before the door was opened, and Isaac did a quick double-take. The man opposite them looked almost the exact same as Vythin - slightly more full in the stomach and with blonde hair, his eyes a deep green. Well damn, they are brothers, Isaac thought as Vythin embraced the man who returned the gesture in kind. They hugged for a moment before separating. The figure then held Vythin an arm’s reach distance before slapping him across the face.

  "I deserved that." Vythin said, rubbing his reddening cheek.

  The man chuckled, "Yes, you did deserve that. And more. But I have a feeling if I were to beat you up, your friend here would reciprocate."

  "You’re correct. Orinor, I assume?" Isaac asked.

  Vythin smiled and put his arm around the man, "Yes, this is my brother, Orinor. Orinor, this is Isaac, one of my friends."

  Orinor extended a hand that Isaac shook, and followed him inside a well-furnished apartment that overlooked the street and outdoor seating below. Vythin took a seat in a large, cushioned chair as Orinor sat in a desk chair facing him. Isaac stood near Vythin. "Brotherly reunion aside - why are you drugging your patrons?"

  Orinor sighed, "So you figured that out, did you? One of my bussers mentioned a Gori warrior who seemed unaffected. I suppose that requires a bit of a story." He looked at Vythin, "And it’s good that you hear it too. But first, before I get into that... your eyes are different. And your hair. What happened to you?" He asked Vythin.

  "I left to find work to support you and mom," Vythin said. Orinor gestured for him to continue, "I got caught up with a...bad crowd and made some good money. But one of the jobs went wrong. I had to hide in the countryside. But I sent money back home to Wallwatch! Did you never get it?"

  Orinor shook his head, and then suddenly went pale. "Oh gods, I didn’t even think of that. I’m sorry Vythin...but mom is gone."

  Isaac was watching closely and saw true sorrow in Orinor’s face as Vythin sank into the chair. Vythin spoke after a few moments, his voice full of regret. "I figured if she wasn’t with you she was gone. What happened?"

  Orinor started his tale, "Mom died the week after you left. She was hit by a cart and the healers couldn’t get to her in time. I was able to apprentice to a wealthy businessman named Marlowe Travers. He taught me everything about his trade." Orinor stood up and went to the windows, looking out towards Starfall Hall at the city center. "I was taught how to broker the most valuable commodity of all - information. Marlowe was quite the information network manager. He had eyes and ears on every street in every city from here to Lliot. Eventually when he died, I inherited his estate which included this building and the one next door. I also inherited his network." He sat down on a seat opposite Vythin, looking at Isaac, "The drug that I add to the coffee is a simple one made from a plant found in the Essence Isles. It simply makes people happier and more...loose with their tongues. Knowledge, after all, is power. And those who have information have the most knowledge."

  Isaac replied, "There are no other side-effects of the drug? Just looser lips and more happiness?" Orinor nodded. I suppose that’s not all that bad, Isaac thought.

  Orinor spoke and gestured broadly with his arms, "Now I’m the most influential information broker in the whole of the Siltar Republic, and possibly beyond. But oddly enough, I haven’t been able to find any recent information about you, Vythin, except the bounty on your head in Cruxia. Why is that, I wonder?"

  Vythin replied, "I was hiding out near the Dead Scar. No cities nearby. I kind of... trapped myself there."

  Orinor spoke once more, "Well, it is fortuitous that you came here at all. I thought you were dead. But it makes sense now why you didn’t return earlier."

  Vythin nodded his head solemnly, "I know and I’m sorry. I didn’t know that would happen, and I was just trying to help mom." There was some moisture in his eyes that he wiped away.

  Isaac spoke, "So what now? You’ve reunited, I assume you want some time to speak with each other."

  Orinor replied, "I wouldn’t mind that at all. But before that, I have an idea of what I could use your skills for. Interested in a job? Something to keep you busy while we catch up."

  Isaac raised an eyebrow, "What type of job?"

  Orinor pointed through the window across the boulevard. Isaac followed his finger and saw a small hut nestled between two more stately residences. A small cafe with three tables out front, and a Spriten woman serving several customers. "That is Selena Bowers. She moved herself there a few weeks ago, and seems to be poaching my customers. And worse than that, she serves tea." He shuddered, "Nasty leaf juice that it is. But - it’s not that she's a rival business. She is trying to build up her own information network." He looked at Isaac with a very stern expression, "Make no mistake, information is my business, and a rival is bad for business. But I can’t seem to oust her. She has some type of hold over city officials - I mean look at that place right between two residences; horrible taste and throws off the ambience of the neighborhood."

  Isaac looked back at Orinor, "What do you want me to do about it then?"

  Orinor smiled, "Well, you weren’t affected by my drug. I’m curious if maybe she is doing something similar to my coffee additive. If you go over there and can sus out whether or not she is dosing her customers, I’d reward you handsomely."

  Isaac glanced out the window, then at Vythin. "Are you going to be fine if I go check this place out?"

  Vythin nodded, "We need to talk and catch up. And we may as well have a favor owed to us by an information broker."

  Isaac nodded and took his leave, descending the stairs and crossing the street. He looked back up at the windows at the top floor of the building. It must be a relief for Vythin reuniting with family, he thought. Gods know we needed some positivity with all the recent going-ons. Isaac walked across the large street and approached the small establishment.

  Nestled between two bowerstone-style residences was a small wooden shop front. The material stood out to Isaac, Ironwood. That’s pricey. All of that to build a shop? That’s several thousand dreks worth. He walked to the small patio space that only had three tables, but they were filled with well-to-do individuals who were more ornately dressed than any Isaac had seen before - covered with jewelry and treasure the likes of which he had never seen.

  "I’ll be with you in just a minute!" a female voice shouted out. After a few moments, a Spriten woman with lustrous green flames atop her head approached. Immediately Isaac felt the tingling sensation that he felt when he first met Vythin. The individual stopped and gave Isaac a hard look before smiling. "You’re like me? Come on inside, I’ll top these gentlemen off and be with you in a moment."

  Isaac assented and went into the small shop, taking a seat at the one small table inside as the woman hopped up onto a stool adjacent to him.

  "So you’re not just any Spriten. A fellow god, eh?" Isaac asked quietly.

  The woman nodded and extended a hand, "Selena, pleased to meet you." She was peppy and upbeat, but Isaac could sense a calculating mind behind those eyes - much like when he met Slate.

  He shook the outstretched hand, "I’m Isaac. I wasn’t expecting another god in the city."

  She giggled, "You're the second one I've met."

  Isaac nodded, "If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do here?"

  She perked up and began rapidly speaking, "I’ve always dreamed of owning a tea-shop and I just so happened to come to know the right person who could get me the permits to build here. So I did! And now I have a small group of loyal customers."

  Isaac pointed across the street, "Think it was a good idea opening up with such competition so close by?"

  Selena laughed, "At first, no. But then I figured out they just do coffee and not tea! Holes in the market, you understand. And no one local was filling the need for a high-class tea shop."

  Isaac scratched his head, "Yeah I suppose that makes sense."

  Selena leaped off the stool, "Let me get you a cup!" She dashed behind the counter and Isaac heard much clinking before she came back with two cups of tea with all the fixings. Isaac picked up the cup and looked at it, the dark liquid sloshing around before taking a sip.

  "Wow, that is delicious," he said.

  Selena beamed, "I’m glad you like it," she replied, sipping on her own. She held her cup for a few moments before speaking again, "The Krekyo Dominion is renowned for some of its tea and herb gardens, so you must know your various flavors! What brings a Gori warrior all the way here?"

  Isaac shrugged his shoulders, "Travel. Sightseeing." He gestured to his cheek, "Exile."

  Selena smiled and he felt...something try to press against his mind. An intruder, seeking his thoughts. He smiled, A mind reader, eh? Too bad for you I spent time near others who could do the same, Isaac thought, recalling when he was interrogated upon entering Vaysha Rift by local druids. They had delved into his memories to find out the reason for his banishment and determine if he could enter or not. Once admitted to their territories, he had learned how to resist such probing. He pictured his beloved, and thought of her to the exclusivity of everything else filling his mind with memories of Willow - and the presence stopped pressing against his mind. Selena went stone-faced and slowly sipped her tea.

  "I’m not a fan of people trying to mess with my thoughts," Isaac said sternly.

  Selena sighed, "Right. Sorry! I'm used to using that to figure people out." She put a hand on her chest and closed her eyes for a moment, "Perhaps relying on my abilities is too much of a crutch. My people skills must be getting rusty if that’s the case," she said smiling once more.

  This woman is dangerous. "What are you really doing here, then? The center of the world for trading, and with your set of skills you could easily maneuver yourself into a position of power."

  Selena nodded, "Of course, the tea shop is just a means to an end. I might have always wanted to run one, but I can do so much more here…I've thought of trying to become a player in this city. But most representatives maintain a hold over an industry; and are elected."

  Isaac tented his hands over his tea and glanced at the jars of tea leaves behind the counter. He channeled his heat subtlety, and a few leaves vanished from the jar. He felt their slight weight in his pocket. "Well then, let me be frank. I’m not here to just exchange pleasantries and have this cup of tea. I’m working for someone, and they don’t want you around."

  Selena sighed, "Let me guess - Orinor?"

  Isaac put a finger up to his lips, "I’m not one to betray the confidence of whoever hired me. The point is, you’re apparently not welcome here. And you seem like a really nice person - I’d hate to see your dreams crushed and brought to ruin… That’s not a threat, by the way. Sorry if it sounded like it. I don't feel one way or another about the man, but a friend asked me to do this for him."

  Selena stood up and her disposition darkened considerably, her flames flaring outwards from her head. "Well, you tell your employer that I won't be bullied out of business."

  Isaac nodded, standing up and bowing slightly, "I’ve said my piece and came here to do what I intended. I wish you no ill-will. I think you’re rather pleasant, and wouldn’t mind another cup of tea on another occasion. Thank you."

  Selena pointed to the door, "You can tell Orinor to give up. I want to be a player in this grand game of strategy, and even one of the most powerful men in the city won't stop me."

  Isaac nodded and left, looking back as Selena closed up shop and sent her customers away. A most intriguing woman. But, Vythin and Orinor should be told that there is a god with conflicting interests.

  Isaac went towards the coffee shop and was met by the young man from the office upstairs. "Isaac, sir. Orinor has asked that you take this complimentary certificate and visit some of the local bathhouses. Him and his brother are still talking and don’t wish to be disturbed."

  Isaac nodded and received directions, striding with confidence through the upper city and drawing some odd looks every couple of minutes from passers-by. I’ll just meet up with him later at the Inn, he thought as he continued down the street, looking forward to a hot bath for the first time in several years.