Chapter 48: Charlie Westcot

  A human figure drifted in the empty space. He was none other than the reminiscing man, a god that thought back on his time as a human. At times he spoke to himself and at other times he was silent, deep in thought.

  “The beginning of the war was slow. And the second part was the most difficult time of my life.” The reminiscing man laughed softly.

  He started reminiscing about what happened next in his life. A nefarious smile formed on the man’s face.

  “Was this where it all started?”

  …

  Shade and Red Flag walked along the streets. Their destination, the northern district. It was a morning like any other. Both of them was a bit tired because it was rather late on their schedule.

  “Red Flag, wasn’t your branch in the noble district?” Shade asked carefully.

  “Yes. Most sects have two locations in large cities such as capitals or similar sized cities. Most have one in the noble district, as most call it, and the other in the commoner districts. Most churches’ operation money comes from nobles, that is why they have at least one large temple in the noble district.” Red Flag explained.

  At times, Red Flag forgets that Shade hasn’t been a mystic for half a year yet. Whenever she does remember that Shade is practically a baby in the mystical world, she usually overexplains.

  The noble districts as most commoners call it is the district in each large city that has a high concentration of nobles and rich merchants. Shade has been to the noble district only once, that was with Ms. Snow and Mr. Specter.

  At that time, the mood in the district was rather normal. However, something had changed since then.

  “Is that… soldiers?” Shade asked in surprise.

  The northern district is separated by a river that comes from inland and runs out by the docks in the eastern district. The only way into the northern district is by using one of the many bridges that is built above the river.

  And right now, the bridge which Shade and Red Flag was planning to take was guarded by soldiers. Red Flag and Shade looked at each other. Both surprised about the situation.

  “I didn’t see anything in the newspapers about soldiers on the bridge.” Red Flag said confused.

  “Mr. Zephyr or Mr. Rouge would have warned us if there were soldiers by the bridge.” Shade said with a heavy tone.

  Red Flag looked around and saw that a store selling dessert pies was open. She walked in and started ordering with an energetic body language. She talked with the seller and asked a couple of questions. Shade observed the whole situation. After a moment, Red Flag pointed towards the streets, straight at Shade.

  After noticing this, Shade focused spirituality on his anti-divination characteristics and then waved. Even though he was unsure why Red Flag pointed at him he knew that he needed to be seen by civilians.

  Magician commented… So, you have already gotten used to your spirit characteristics. You lowered the effects of your anti-divination characteristics making you perfectly visible to civilians. Didn’t know you could do that until now.

  Red Flag walked out with a pie in her hand. The way she walked and moved, even her aura had changed. Her energetic smile reminded Shade that he and she was about the same age and the two of them had yet to reach the age of 20. The thought that the two of them have been drawn into war with gods and saints was a heavy reminder to Shade that the world is much more dangerous than he once thought.

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  As Red Flag was moving closer towards him, Shade thought back to his siblings. Maybe they would be implicated by the fact that Shade was a mystic. Maybe they would experience a fate worse than death because of the enemies he would make. Just as Shade was about to have a mental breakdown, Red Flag pushed the pie in her hand towards his mouth.

  “Honey! Why are you making a face like that? Are you that sad over the fact that I wanted to buy you food for once?” Red Flag said with a kind and energetic tone.

  Shade was brought out of his dark thoughts as he took a bite of the sweet apple pie. Unable to speak, Shade looked at Red Flag with surprise.

  Before Shade could say anything, Red Flag pushed the pie in her hand towards his open mouth. “Young Master, play along.” Red Flag whispered with a smile.

  Shade was surprised but he understood that Red Flag had a plan. He decided to play along.

  “Yes, of course I am sad. I promised to provide for you when I spoke with your parents. So, why are you using your first salary on buying me food?” Shade spoke with a muffled sad voice as he had his mouth full of apple pie.

  “Praise the Lady of Fire and Flame, I do what I want with my money! Now eat!” Red Flag spoke with an energetic mood and pushed even more pie into Shade’s mouth.

  Shade’s mood shifted greatly. His downhearted thoughts disappeared along with the sweet apple pie he shared with Red Flag. Shade and Red Flag walked towards the bridge. They were stopped by the soldiers by the bridge that had seen and some even heard the theatrics Red Flag and Shade had prepared.

  “Show us your identification cards!” The officer said, sour about the fact that his wife throws him out of the bed at times.

  Red Flag jumped back in fright and grabbed Shade’s arm. Shade made an angry expression but calmed himself. Red Flag had managed to quickly explained her conversation with the pie seller and what her plan was to Shade before they were stopped. Apparently, the military had closed of the northern district for the past 3 hours. While the seller didn’t know the reason why, she did know that everyone that left the district were given an identification card which is their ticket back in.

  Shade was to play the role of a low ranking noble son that just returned with his lover that was a commoner.

  “Why are you here? What is an identification card?” Shade said with an angry tone.

  The military officer huffed before speaking. “Our presence is none of your business. An identification card is issued to the residents of the northern district when they leave, and it acts as their ticket back in. We informed every residence in the northern district yesterday.” The officer said with distain.

  Shade’s expression became even angrier as he shouted towards the military officer.

  “I leave for one day and this is what happens?! Are you lot stupid?! What of the residents that wasn’t here yesterday and are returning today?! Are we to just stand here because some incompetent dog from the military can’t plan correctly?!” Shade’s voice became louder as he screamed at the officers, gathering the attention of onlookers.

  Red Flag had hoped that this little play would work but unfortunately, they were denied entrance to the northern district. Red Flag and Shade walked away angrily and hid in an alley with sight of the bridge.

  Shade sighed and turned to Red Flag. “That didn’t work, great plan thought. What now?” Shade asked with a coarse voice.

  “Now… We sneak in. Make your anti-divination characteristics work overtime! I will use this!” Red Flag spoke with her usual tone again.

  Red Flag brought out a card. It was one of the anti-divination charms they received from Mr. Zephyr. Red Flag activated the charm, and it turned to ethereal silver dust that seeped into her body. With a nod, she signaled to Shade that she was ready to go.

  The two of them walked through the military blockade and then entered the northern district with quick tempo. Red Flag was worried that the charm would lose its effect before they managed to enter the noble district. However, its effect was much longer than she previously thought. They headed for Charlie Westcot’s home and found it surrounded by the military. Neither Shade nor Red Flag said anything. They simply looked at each other.

  Even if they used the natural camouflage which anti-divination provides, they would have a hard time sneaking past all of the soldiers.

  “Should we try or report back?” Shade asked the more experienced mystic.

  “Neither. We still have time to head towards the docks. I suggest investigating Daniel Meyer. And while it is only a rumour, I heard from mystics that came from the main temple that the military has mystics in their ranks. Apparently, they are controlled by the royal family, but I have yet to confirm the rumours.” Red Flag spoke carefully.

  The rumour about the existence of mystics in the military was spread by squires. Only the mystics at the formal rank of Mystic knows if that rumour is true or not. Shade and Red Flag decided to head towards the docks where Daniel Meyer lives.