The Book of Fate and Fortune

Chapter Five: Chase

"Excuse me, good evening," Chase said as he stepped in front of an elderly lady. "I'm Chase. Do you know I might find a Healer?"

The woman gave him directions to a clinic, and Chase hurried there, chest right with anticipation and hope. 

Over the last day, his mother's condition had deteriorated. The King was frantic; Chase was desperate. In an attempt to save his mother's life, he had decided to try out the advice Draven had given him, that anklas might help.

Anklas, commonly knows as panacea, were considered to be a 'cure-all' in medicine, but they were extremely expensive and rare. Chase doubted that such a small village would have them, but he wanted every chance he could have.

They better help, Chase thought grimly, striding forward resolutely, or I'll have your head for getting my hopes up, Draven Stone. 

For the thousandth time, he found himself wondering how Draven had known the things that were supposed to be private. Did he somehow have eyes on the inside? A spy? Was a traitor leaking information?

Or, perhaps, he was really a genius, and if this all was from my observation—but two countries away!—then Chase couldn't help but be impressed. But it also made him shudder.

What else does he know?

He came back to himself as they neared the clinic, but—just his luck—the Healer wasn't there. He sent his men to ask for anklas, hoping against hope that they would find something. But they didn't. Nobody knew of anklas or where they were available. Chase felt like hurling something at someone. He went back to the azil, deciding to confront Draven.

He knocked at the door and waited. A minute passed, then a voice beside him spoke softly, "You won't find them so easily, Prince Chase."

Chase flinched, startling. He sucked in a breath and muttered, "You. Of course, it's you. And I suppose you know everything?"

Draven's expression remained inscrutable. "You'll just exhaust yourself in vain looking for anklas," he said. "You won't find them in Toqou."

"Where else, then?"

"You of all people should know that nothing comes without a price, Prince Chase. Not even knowledge."

"Name your price," Chase said readily. "A thousand Novac? More?"

"I do not require any amount of money," Draven said. "Novac are of no value to me. What I want is a meeting with the King, in complete privacy." He paused. "That is one of two options."

"My father is busy keeping vigil at my mother's bedside," Chase said rather heatedly. "He cannot leave her at this critical stage. If you want to converse with him, you'll have to do it with my mother present."

Draven inclined his head a centimetre. "The other option...you get me into the Academy of Imfundo."

Chase blinked. "What? Why?"

"I have my reasons," Draven said coldly. 

Chase stared at him, dubious. Then he said slowly, "Alright... I'll see what I can do. But it's not very likely—"

"I can c***k every question in the entrance test there is," Draven said confidently. "I know it's a school for geniuses as well as the Royal and the rich. If they want me to prove myself, I can. The head of the Academy and your father are good friends, are they not? I'm sure he could arrange something." 

"Well, yes," Chase said slowly, not bothering to ask how he knew so much, "but I don't know if my father will listen to me—"

"Then I'll talk to him." 

"But—"

Draven, creepily, knew what he was going to say. "The expenses can be covered by a scholarship."

"I'm not sure if Imfundo offers scholarships—"

"I am," Draven cut in, and his voice was cold. "I've done my homework, Prince Chase. I know how it goes. I've stated my price. What's your decision?"

Chase hesitated. "You can talk to my father about the Academy. I guess it satisfies both options if you can get him to talk to you alone." 

"Trust me," Draven said, a hint of a smirk upon his lips, "I will."

After a moment, Chase said awkwardly, "Okay. Now, will you tell me where I can get anklas?"

"Koder."

"Sorry?"

"You'll find them in Koder. But they're not in season yet—"

"Burning hells, Stone, get to the point and tell me exactly where and when I'll find them!" Chase ordered, frustration flaring.

At the interruption, Draven's face and eyes went cold. With a slightly disdainful look, he said icily, "I suggest you keep a hold on your temper, Prince Chase. If I were to grow angry, I warn you that it would not bode well for you. And keep in mind that I have no loyalty or allegiance whatsoever to you or your country; simply pulling rank and trying to order me will not help." His eyes flicked to Josh and Goerge, who were reaching for their swords. His gaze alone was enough to stop them and their hands stilled. Then his eyes locked again onto Chase's, whose anger faded into something suspiciously akin to fear. 

He swallowed as Draven continued, "If you hold true to your part of the deal, I will to mine. I intend to personally lead you to the exact place, but first, you must get me into the Academy. I believe it is in Koder and starts in nearly two weeks—anklas will be available in a month and they are in Koder as well. We get to the Academy and then get the anklas, and you may do what you wish then. Is that understood?"

Chase nodded stupidly, too befuddled to speak. He struggled for a moment before managing, "Right. Um...we'll be on our way. Boys?"

Chase turned, then glanced back one last time. Draven was studying them, and for a second, Chase caught a flash of what could only be described as loathing in his eyes, before Draven's eyes shifted back to him, blank as ever. 

Chase tore his eyes away, confused, then Draven said, "I'll be at your cottage tomorrow morning." Chase wasn't even surprised he knew they were in a cottage and he didn't doubt he knew exactly where it was, too.