The Magician of Miracles

Mithal didn't show any reaction. His face stayed blank no sadness, no joy, not even surprise. It was hard to believe what I'd just told him. That spirit never looked like a man who owned any money, but in the end I know this fortune isn't really his. This money is mine. Am I annoyed by that? Honestly, yes. But the real answer is far more complicated than I can even explain, so I'd rather just fulfill the spirit's wish quickly.

I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out three silver coins and a large handful of bronze ones, leaving only a few behind in my pocket. I laid them on the wooden table in front of him. Then I pushed back my chair, ready to leave.

Mithal stared at the money on the table for a moment. Then suddenly he started crying like a small child. I was about to walk away what's this stranger to me, anyway? but I stopped. I couldn't move while watching him cry like that. I felt like my Authority deepened; suddenly I could see his emotions a mix of deep grief, a trace of happiness, and an ocean of shame and regret. These feelings didn't appear as words but as colors shimmering around him. Happiness was faint, shame was overwhelming. I didn't understand why.

Now I can see people's feelings? No… I don't want this.

My fingers tightened on the sword's hilt. I turned to leave, but Mithal grabbed my coat sleeve.

"Did he leave any message?"

I turned to him. In the circle of spirits floating around me, Martin's spirit had shifted from red to blue. Raghu drifted closer and whispered what the spirit wanted me to say.

I looked straight into Mithal's tear red eyes and said quietly.

"He says he's deeply sorry he can't come back… and he's asking you to take care of your mother."

Mithal's lips trembled. I turned toward the door to leave, but his voice stopped me.

"They're planning to rob you."

I turned back.

"Who?"

He wiped his tears with his hand.

"The man who brought you here… he asked me to distract you and take your sword."

I raised my hand lazily.

"Don't worry."

With a quick movement I drew my sword, left a deep cut across his hand, and slid it back into the scabbard before walking straight out of the house.

Outside, the men who had greeted me when I first entered the district were waiting, spread out across the street. In the middle stood the man who'd brought me here, eyes fixed on me with anticipation. I wasn't in the mood for more nonsense or games. I pulled my sword free and swung it in front of them.

"You're with that bastard who tried to steal my sword, aren't you?"

The moment they saw the blade they all stepped back, then bolted like frightened cats. I kept walking until I reached a deserted side street. I stopped under a wooden post holding a lantern that cast a weak glow over the street. This time, instead of Raghu's spirit appearing, Martin's spirit showed itself before me, deep blue like the ocean.

The spirit smiled and said:

"Thank you."

I waved a tired hand.

"No need to thank me. We made a deal."

He shook his head.

"No, not for that. Thank you for protecting my little brother."

I let out a short, sarcastic laugh.

"Protecting him? You've got it wrong. I only did that to punish him for trying to rob me."

This time Martin's spirit smiled a real smile. It was the first time I'd seen a spirit smile with such honesty. I looked up at the moon with him, and then he said:

"Anyway, thank you for everything."

"You're thanking the man who killed you? How strange. But there's something I've been wondering… why didn't you go see your brother yourself before the events that got you killed?"

"I was supposed to be in the middle district by now, but I was betrayed by a man I considered my closest friend. I ended up back in the lower district… I couldn't face my family after that. I looked for work that would bring money and ended up with the Claw, until my life ended."

"And why didn't you go visit your family? What about your mother? Don't you want me to give her a last message?"

He spoke with a tired voice heavy with sadness. "She's gone."

"Then why did you ask me to tell him to take care of her?"

"I thought she was still alive."

"How do you know she's dead?"

"Mithal would never try to steal from anyone while she was alive. The fact he tried to work with those thugs means she's gone."

We both stared at the moon in silence until I finally said:

"Looks like you've gotten good at talking instead of begging for release every moment, haven't you?"

His spirit had been one of the most annoying I'd ever seen the type that never stopped pleading for release.

But his answer surprised me. "I never asked you for release. I was trying to talk to you."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. At first I tried to hurt you and couldn't. When I realized I couldn't, I tried to talk."

I straightened up without taking my eyes off the moon.

"And now? What will you do?"

For the first time his form became clearer, more human. Thick brown hair, a broad tired face. But his body began to fade. Before disappearing completely he gave a faint smile and said, "Find rest at last."

I watched him drift into the sky before the moon, fading until he vanished completely from my sight. I stayed standing. When I turned to the side I saw Raghu standing there, staring at the moon without speaking. Neither of us said a word. We just kept looking at the moon for a while.

In the end I decided to make my way back to the inn, but the problem was I didn't know the way. Normally my memory for paths is flawless. I guess this is the price of the wish I used to find Mithal. Still, honestly, it's a small price compared to what I got.

"Sometimes I really like the Authority of Miracles."

I kept walking while Raghu floated beside me without saying a word.