42 Cider (2/2)
”I don't know.”
”Lies!.” Natalia hissed.
”I… can't tell you.” Anita pleaded, head hanging in shame.
”Why did you agree then?”
”I received orders from the family, and before you ask I don't know who specifically sent them.” Anita froze, mouth widening in horror. ”What have you done to me? I can't stop talking!”
”Nothing harmful.” Nikolai said but felt a twinge in his stomach. ”I think.”
”Don't give me such weird looks, she'll be fine. She may die as a result of our actions, but not due to our magic or abilities.” Natalia's explanation didn't comfort the merchant, but Nikolai was relieved there would be no lasting harm. While he wanted to pull down the Demidov's influence, he had no desire to get into a large conflict with them because of one inconsequential merchant.
”Why was the guard letting you through without checking?” Natalia demanded.
”Because of my status of course.” She declared haughtily, a little fire returning to her eyes. A quick glimpse of Natalia's sour face quelled any thoughts of arrogance though. Unfortunately her response didn't make sense, her status wouldn't stop searches, just harassment. She was simply too minor a character in the scheme of things. He glanced at Natalia and she mouthed the words truth and belief. She'd explained before they'd brought Anita in, that if someone believed something to be the truth, it would not be considered a lie unless it fundamentally went against the rules of the world. When Nikolai tried to discover what the 'rules of the world' were, Natalia had shrugged, saying that was how she had been taught by the previous Truth Seer of House Suzdal. She'd whacked him before he could dig deeper into the subject and he'd trailed off, sulking while they waited.
”Why are the Demidov's involved in the drug trade?” Nikolai asked. He felt like shaking his head at this woman. She appeared to be no more than a patsy for someone more important and capable.
”Money. The demand in the Capital is skyrocketing, especially amongst the younger Nobles.” Resigned to her fate the woman spit out answers to their questions not even trying to hide the truth. Unfortunately she managed to resist telling them names. keeping her mouth shut despite Natalia's abilities. She retained too much presence of mind for Nikolai's spells to influence her, and due to her backing he couldn't make her disappear like an Enforcer.
Frustrated, they returned her to the 'cell'.
”That didn't tell us much.” Nikolai grumbled once she was gone.
”We've confirmed the Demidov's hand in the pot so we have better places to look now boy.” Natalia slapped her armrest, weariness lacing her voice. ”Take the small victories. You can't always find solutions.”
”Magic should be able to.” He whispered, glancing at the tired old woman and sighing. The strain from using her abilities was massive. She'd only opened her Eyes twice during the entire session, but the wrinkles in her face had deepened, making her seem withered. Thanking Natalia, he gave her some alcohol and a few eggs, ushering her out of the room before her grumpiness turned into a free for all with the cane. The twinkle in her eyes as he wheeled her out of the door made him feel she knew what he was doing but with a tot of nameless alcohol was willing to go along with him.
No sooner had Nikolai returned to his desk then Petrov came hobbling through the door, his face rosy and healthy.
”You're in a good mood Commander.”
Without a word Petrov pulled a small flask from his sleeve and Nikolai's eyes lit up.
”Your mother made another batch?”
”Yes Milord.” The man coughed lightly, but a grin tugged at his lips.
”What are you waiting for? Open it up.” Madame Petrov was well known for her cider. Pressed from special snow apples grown on their families orchards, it had a fruity flavour and minimal alcohol content, a drink which provided the buzz but without the bite. ”You should sneak some more away, Aunt Natalia would love it.”
A trace of fear wormed its way onto the Commander's expression. ”She terrifies me Milord.”
”She's not that bad.” Nikolai chuckled. The old woman's terror spread through each word and action, leaving even hardened men and women shaking in their boots.
”Easy for you to say Milord. Were you able to discover anything?” Petrov poured the cider into two tall glasses Nikolai stashed in one of his cupboards for this particular drink. Dug up from an ancient tomb, the glasses were inlaid with a crest of a family long lost in history. Nikolai wasn't sure why but anything poured into them seemed fresher and cleaner but he'd tested them and couldn't find a hint of magic.
”Nothing that we didn't know or suspect.” He caught Petrov sigh into his glass, almost relieved. ”You seem awfully happy for the lack of knowledge Commander.”
Startled the man looked up and smiled weakly. ”Forgive me Milord but thinking my people were unable to extract information worried me.”
”No one can be perfect Petrov, myself included. That's why we have advisors.” He took a sip of cider, sighing as the heat spread across his body. It wasn't cold today but the tension of the last few days was getting to him.
”Your wisdom is infinite Milord.” Petrov bowed at the waist, raising his mug in salutation. An absurd move, meant to tease him.
”Don't tease your Count.”
”I wouldn't dare to Milord.”
They chuckled at the exchange and sat in silence, enjoying the cider and forgetting the tasks that faced them. Sometimes it was necessary to forget a single bad move on your part could destroy thousands of lives.