Valka was in fact waiting for us at the Inn, but wasn’t drunk. He was angry at us for not leaving him a message about where we had gone, but just as he was about to launch into a tirade his eyes unfocused for a moment and his mouth dropped open.

  “My Focus just went up by a full point! Davros, what the hell happened?” Seeing his dumbfounded expression made me smile from beneath my scarf.

  “I had the Curse that was limiting my Focus removed. It is now a 9.”

  “Nine!?” All three of my companions looked surprised for a moment, then Valka started chuckling. “You really are being watched over by the Eye. I only hope Imbolc is as generous as Marfa has been with you.”

  “You will have to explain to me what the difference is with that later. As you know, I have a lot of catching up to do. For now, I’m starving. Can we eat something?” Still shaking his head Valka called for the barmaids to bring them all meals.

  “I have a lot to catch you all up on as well,” Valka said as we sat down to bowls of mutton stew, warm rolls with fresh butter, a new vegetable called a Leek that had been cooked in oil and more of that wonderful coffee drink.

  “You go first. Might as well start with the good.” Valka, for once, did not order Vodka, but sipped a type of juice made from a local berry. It made me curious and I ordered a small glass as well. It was delicious! If I resented Madame Fevre for anything, it was her denying me such wonderful culinary delights like juice, coffee and butter.

  I briefly summarized our meeting with Booshka Krait to Valka, who scowled when he heard the name.

  “You know there is a rumor she is some strange form of Undead?” I blinked when I heard that, but it made Igvild laugh and Anya sigh.

  I finished my story with the Curse of Abu-Sai Ashgur being removed and my Focus being restored to what I hoped was its normal level. I further mentioned I was still getting used to all the subtle changes that resulted from it. I lastly mentioned Booshka Krait’s price for her services.

  “The bloody Forsaken Garden? Why that…No! Solo dungeons are difficult. Even those with a low level requirement still have low rates of success!”

  “I made an agreement, Valka. I will enter the dungeon, but only when I am ready. Madame Krait did not set a time limit.” I didn’t mention the bonus I would receive if I finished it sooner rather than later, but I didn’t want that to be an influence on the decision. It wasn’t just reaching Level 7, the minimum level to enter the dungeon, it was also preparation and ability. I still had a ways to go.

  “You have bad news regarding the Burgomeister?” Anya said, turning to Valka and laying aside her fork when she finished her meal. Valka grunted and nodded.

  “It’s not the worthless sot alone. All he cares about are his own pockets and the wheels of Bruhle’s commerce continuing to turn. No, it has to do with who Friedrich sent as his envoy. It’s bloody Syndo Malakar himself.” Anya winced and drew a hand across her forehead. I looked between them both.

  “That sounds like someone to avoid?” I asked carefully. Valka barked a laugh.

  “That’s putting it lightly. He’s a high up in the Sect of Imbolc and is known as one of the biggest zealots in Bludgard. He’s responsible for more rogue Awakened being rounded up and placed into Penal Units than any other Acolyte.”

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  “I’m guessing that’s bad?”

  “Has no one mentioned to you how fortunate you are that the Graf purchased you from that Merchant? Well, had he or nobody else had need of you there is a chance you would have ended up in what is called a Penal Unit.” Anya said.

  “Bad?” Valka said. “They are a death sentence. Most likely you would even now be marching east to be thrown at the Orcs with minimal training or experience.” I leaned back in my chair.

  “That seems a terrible waste of resources. Why treat them that way?” I asked.

  “Acolytes of the Eye, especially the Sect of Imbolc, believe that the Age of Heroes ended for a reason. Their reasoning is that Awakened became too powerful for their own good. They believe a group of powerful heroes successfully breached the Heavens and then somehow managed to kill all the old Gods!” Anya said. She continued after sipping some of her coffee. I had noticed she preferred hers without the milk, but added a small amount of Limoncello instead. I would have to try that later.

  “It’s a lot of codswallop,” Valka grumbled. “The Gods left this world to who knows where and the Temple of the Eye was established.”

  “The Level Block was a spell of their Sects devising. It was put into practice 180 years ago and while it was argued against at first, one could make the argument it has done a lot to stop Awakened from attempting to dominate the unClassed or preventing an uncontrollable Corruption as we just discussed. In some parts of the Withered Lands rogue Awakened have created a whole new power structure setting themselves up as Warlords and Bandit Kings. Clearing them out of their holdouts is dangerous and difficult.”

  “The Level Block also keeps the Nobility from conscripting too many powerful Awakened into their private retinues,” Valka added. “The Temple has never liked the Nobility building their own, private armies.”

  The four sat in silence for a bit, then I turned to Igvild, a question suddenly forming in my mind.

  “It’s possible to avoid these Acolytes, yes? How did you keep from being forced into one of these Penal Units, Igvild?” The dwarf shrugged.

  “I stay out of their way. Not being a Human helps. They seem to mostly focus on your kind, but Elves and Beastkin aren’t exempt. My people have always dealt with Awakened in their own way.” Igvild said no more about it and focused instead upon drinking as much of his vodka as he could. Even Valka was beginning to marvel at how much the dwarf could put away of the potent drink.

  “So, is Syndo Malakar trying to convince the Burgomeister not to allow the Graf’s army to Winter here? Can he do that?” I shifted in my seat, suddenly not feeling quite as safe in Bruhle as I had before. I wondered if it would make sense to ask the others to return to Bleakthorn Holler and run the dungeon until the Graf arrived. I had no desire to deal with this zealot Acolyte and his Level Block spell!

  “He would love it if he could, but it’s gold, not religion that the Burgomeister moves for and thanks to our dungeon run I was able to promise him a lot of it. Certainly more than Malakar brought with him for his bribe. No, the problem is that after tomorrow night the Eye of Imbolc opens and that usually means their Acolytes feel they have a mandate to cause as many headaches as possible for as many people as possible. Awakened more than anyone else.” Valka looked at me with a frown. “Chances are, he knows about you or will soon. They have a wide net of informants and they pay well.”

  “You serve the Graf von Kohlblud, Davros. He cannot take you, but the Level Block…” Anya sighed.

  “Would have to find ye first,” Igvild mumbled under his breath and I smiled. I had no doubt that Igvild knew how to keep those like Syndo Malakar off our backs.

  We spent a few more minutes discussing plans for the next day. Valka and Anya both agreed that tackling a different dungeon, one which was located half a day’s trek from Bruhle, was the best use of our time. Valka wanted more coin and I needed to gain more levels. I didn’t disagree as I was eager to challenge myself once more. Our schedule settled, we decided to retire early. I was already exhausted after my ordeal with Booshka Krait and sleep beckoned.

  As I lay in my bed, finally alone with my own thoughts, I marveled at how much my understanding of things was catching up with my experiences. I understood now that my time in the Orphanage was a result of my family being murdered by a Wrath Mage. Why? It was because my Father had been someone important. He had used powerful magic to protect me and had worn bright armor and carried an enchanted sword. There had been the strange symbol I had seen as we had fled our mansion. Two dragons, one red and one black, circling one another. I would try to learn more about that symbol as soon as I was able. Then, there was Madame Fevre. I sighed and closed my eyes.

  She never cared about me or any of the children. It was very hard to reconcile that, even if I had always known in my heart the truth of it. Why had I been forced to grow up in such a place? She had sold me off as soon as she recognized my value as an Awakened. Why had I ever believed she had treated me the way she had for my own good? Understanding the truth was hard, but accepting it was almost too much to bear.

  I felt tears spill down my face, but they never reached my pillow. They evaporated into the air before they ever came close. What was I crying for? My lost past? My dismal childhood? My Mana Core slowly calmed, my Flames a simmering haze enveloping it. My emotions were tied to my Flames, I realized. Since forcing my flames into that strange void and freeing myself from the Curse, I felt more in sync with both my feelings and my mana. Despite the terrible voice that had threatened me in that void dream, I didn’t feel a lick of fear.

  I clenched a fist and my Core pulsed in response. I grinned.

  “You want me to let you out, don’t you?” I whispered. “Don’t worry. I have a good feeling about tomorrow. It’s going to get hot inside that dungeon!”