Aldric returned to Selene's establishment at midnight the following night. She was waiting for him in the parlor, dressed in dark, practical clothing that was a stark contrast to the silk robe she'd worn the previous evening. She looked like a different person—harder, more dangerous.
"Ready?" she asked. "Ready," Aldric confirmed.
They left through a back door and made their way through the dark streets of the capital. Selene moved with confidence, taking routes through alleys and side streets that Aldric would never have found on his own. They were heading into the Warrens, he realized, into the heart of the city's criminal underworld.
After twenty minutes of walking, they arrived at a nondescript building that looked like it might have once been a warehouse. Selene knocked on the door in a specific pattern—three quick raps, a pause, two more raps. The door opened, and a large man with a scarred face looked them over before stepping aside to let them in.
Inside, the building was dimly lit by oil lamps. A handful of men lounged around, all of them armed. They watched Aldric with cold, assessing eyes. He kept his expression neutral, refusing to show fear.
Selene led him to a back room, where a man sat behind a desk, reviewing a ledger. He looked up as they entered, and Aldric felt the weight of his gaze.
Marcus Blackwood was in his forties, with graying hair and a face that might have been handsome once but was now marked by a thin scar that ran from his temple to his jaw. He wore expensive clothes, but they were understated—a man who had wealth but didn't need to flaunt it. His eyes were dark and intelligent, and they missed nothing.
"Selene," he said, his voice smooth and cultured. "Always a pleasure. And this must be the young man you mentioned."
"Aldric Thorne," Selene said. "Third son of House Thorne. He's looking to purchase a Luminous Crystal."
Marcus leaned back in his chair, studying Aldric. "Is that so? And what makes you think I deal in such things?"
"Because Selene vouched for you," Aldric said. "And because I've heard your name mentioned in connection with the black market crystal trade. I'm not here to waste your time or mine. I need a crystal, and I'm willing to pay for it."
Marcus smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Direct. I appreciate that. Most people who come to me spend half an hour dancing around the subject, too afraid to say what they really want. But you..." He gestured to a chair. "Sit. Let's talk."
Aldric sat, acutely aware of the armed men just outside the door. If this went wrong, he wouldn't leave this building alive.
"First question," Marcus said. "Why do you want to become a mage? And don't give me some noble bullshit about serving the Empire or seeking knowledge. I want the truth."
Aldric met his gaze. "I want power. I'm a third son with no inheritance, no prospects, and no future. Magic is the only way I can change that. I want to be someone who matters, someone who can't be dismissed or ignored. That's the truth."
Marcus nodded slowly. "Good. Honesty is rare in this business. Second question: do you understand the risks? Black market crystals are unstable. The refinement process is imperfect, and the crystals often contain impurities. If you're lucky, you'll just get sick. If you're unlucky, you'll go mad or die or become one of the Discordant. Are you willing to accept those risks?"
"Yes," Aldric said without hesitation.
"Third question: how do you plan to pay? A Luminous Crystal, even a low-quality one, costs at least thirty gold pieces. Do you have that kind of money?"
Aldric felt his stomach sink. Thirty gold pieces. He had forty-seven, but if he spent thirty on a crystal, he'd have barely enough left to survive for a few weeks. And that was assuming the crystal didn't kill him.
"I have the money," he said. "But I'd prefer to negotiate. Is there any way to reduce the cost?"
Marcus laughed. "Everyone wants a discount. The answer is no—unless you have something else to offer. Information, services, favors. I'm always interested in expanding my network. If you can provide value beyond gold, we can discuss alternative payment arrangements."
Aldric thought quickly. What did he have that Marcus would want? He was educated, intelligent, capable of moving in higher social circles. And he had access to information, thanks to his connections with Selene and his observations at Lady Marguerite's gathering.
"I can provide information," Aldric said. "I have contacts among the minor nobility, and I'm good at gathering intelligence. I can tell you about political movements, scandals, opportunities. Things that might be useful to someone in your position."
Marcus considered this. "Interesting. But information is only valuable if it's timely and accurate. How do I know you're not just making things up to get a discount?"
"Test me," Aldric said. "Ask me something specific, something you can verify. If I'm lying, you'll know. If I'm telling the truth, you'll see that I'm worth investing in."
Marcus smiled, and this time it seemed genuine. "I like you, Aldric Thorne. You've got nerve. All right, here's my test. There's a shipment of Sunstone coming into the capital next week. It's being transported by the Consortium, heavily guarded. I want to know the exact route, the number of guards, and the timing. If you can get me that information, I'll sell you a crystal for twenty gold pieces instead of thirty. Deal?"
Aldric's mind raced. Getting that kind of information would be difficult and dangerous. The Consortium guarded its shipments closely, and anyone caught spying on them would be executed. But if he succeeded, he'd save ten gold pieces and prove his value to Marcus.
"Deal," he said.
Marcus extended his hand, and Aldric shook it. The man's grip was firm, his skin rough with calluses.
"You have three days," Marcus said. "Come back with the information, and we'll complete the transaction. Fail, and don't bother coming back. I don't work with people who can't deliver."
"I'll deliver," Aldric said.
Marcus nodded. "We'll see. Selene, show him out."
Selene led Aldric back through the building and out into the night. Once they were a safe distance away, she turned to him.
"You just made a very dangerous promise," she said. "Getting information about a Consortium shipment is nearly impossible. If you're caught, they'll kill you. Are you sure you can do this?"
"I don't have a choice," Aldric said. "If I want a crystal, I need to prove myself to Marcus. And I will."
Selene studied him for a moment, then nodded. "All right. I'll help you. I have some contacts who might know about the shipment. But you'll owe me for this, Aldric. Another favor, to be called in later."
"I understand," Aldric said. "Thank you."
They parted ways, and Aldric walked back to the Copper Bell Inn alone. His mind was already working through the problem, considering angles and possibilities. He had three days to gather information that could get him killed. Three days to prove that he was capable of playing in the big leagues.
Three days to take another step toward power.
He lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts racing. The path he'd chosen was dangerous, perhaps even suicidal. But it was the only path available to him. He couldn't afford the Consortium Academy. He couldn't rely on family connections or inherited wealth. All he had was his intelligence, his determination, and his willingness to do whatever it took.
And that, he told himself, would have to be enough.
The game was escalating, the stakes rising with every move. But Aldric had always been good at games.
He would win this one, or die trying.