A Fateful Encounter

The knights and adventurers who had gone to capture the Night Hag were utterly exhausted after the attack of the beasts. Most had lost hope, and fear crept into their hearts. Only Commander Edward and the archer Sadler managed to keep order. “We must fight to the end!” Edward said, trying to inspire his men. “To die fighting for the homeland is far more honorable than living in fear!” But one young knight dropped his sword to the ground and replied in a trembling voice: “It’s unfair! I no longer want to suffer for the homeland… Death awaits us anyway. Better to die now than be humiliated later.” Hearing his words, the others nodded and muttered: “He’s right… We have no strength left, no hope left.” Seeing no fire of pride left in them, Edward sighed helplessly. He too understood there was nothing he could do alone. At last, all agreed to retreat and set out back to the palace. In front of the royal palace, the guards were astonished to see them. Usually returning with victory, this time the company came back worn out and broken in spirit. A herald entered the hall: “Your Majesty, Commander Edward and the adventurers who were sent on the mission have returned.” Seated on the golden throne, King Julius II said in a harsh voice: “Let them in!” Edward and five adventurers knelt before the throne. “Well then, did you capture him?” the king asked coldly. Edward bowed his head: “Forgive us, Your Majesty. We failed… We gave it our all. But he… he is far more clever and dangerous than we imagined,” he said. Julius’s face darkened, his anger flaring: “What?! You come before me without having caught a mere criminal? If you can do nothing, why call yourselves commanders and warriors? You have shamed us before the people!” Edward’s pride flared: “Your Majesty! We have served you faithfully for years. We have completed countless missions. Do all our efforts mean nothing? If our worth is but a coin, then why keep us at all? Kill us then!” Sadler too stood and spoke his final words: “Your Majesty, that Night Hag will not stop mocking you. One day he will laugh in the heart of your palace. My only regret is that I won’t be there to see it…” The king’s patience snapped. In a rage, he drew his sword and leapt at them. In a single moment, he cut down Edward, Sadler, and all the adventurers and knights. The scent of blood filled the hall, silence fell. The counselor, horrified and trembling, whispered: “Your Majesty, what have you done?.. They were strong warriors. The kingdom would still need them…” Julius wiped his sword and replied sternly: “We need not only strong warriors, but those who will not trample our honor, who can uphold dignity before the people. Cowards like these weaken the kingdom. If we lose honor, the people will not follow us.” He turned his piercing eyes on the counselor: “If you don’t wish to follow them to the grave, sit quietly!” The counselor bowed, trembling: “Yes, Your Majesty…” and fell silent. Julius waved his hand: “Knights! Take away these corpses!” and left the hall. In the marble hall, only the blood-soaked bodies remained. King Julius entered his private chamber after the bloody scene. He placed his sword on the table and sighed deeply. Sadler’s last words lingered in his mind: “That Night Hag will bring down your palace…” Julius rose and walked to the window. Staring into the dark sky, he whispered involuntarily: “Will it truly be so?..” At that moment came a knock on the door. “Your Majesty, a visitor seeks you,” said a servant. “Let him in,” the king answered heavily. A man entered, with white hair falling to his shoulders, brown eyes, a black cloak, and a gray suit. From his measured steps alone, one could see he was no ordinary man. The king rose: “Ah, Sherlock! It is you!” he said warmly. “Come, sit.” They settled into the heavy leather chairs. After a moment of silence, Sherlock spoke: “Forgive me for disturbing you, Your Majesty. But I have a proposal. I wish to capture the criminal the people call the Night Hag. If you allow, entrust this case to me.” Julius smiled faintly. “Sherlock… I was about to offer this to you myself. I’m glad you came of your own accord.” He lowered his voice, speaking gravely: “But this must remain secret. If the people learn of it, our honor will be stained, panic will spread. Do all the work quietly, unseen.” Sherlock stood and bowed: “As you command, Your Majesty.” He left the room. The king remained alone. Silence fell again, the flame of the lamp flickering. Julius thought for a moment and whispered to himself: “Indeed… If Sadler’s words are true, the greatest trial awaits us…” From this very moment, a new danger arose for Moris. Now the kingdom’s greatest detective — Sherlock — was set on his trail. Scene shifts to Maurice. Maurice, recalling his recent successful raids, was quietly pleased. “Well done,” he said to himself. “Time to rest. I still haven’t properly explored the cities of this land. Today I’ll go see one, enjoy it.” He left his plane outside the city and headed for the gate. The city gate was of true medieval design: tall stone towers, heavy iron doors, guards with spears standing nearby. As soon as he passed through, Moris was struck by the scene. The street was filled with merchants’ cries: “Don’t pass by, fresh red apples!” shouted one. “Fine cloth, silk from the East!” called another. Moris chuckled to himself: “This is a real medieval market… So different from what I’ve read or seen in excavations. To see it with my own eyes — that’s a whole other feeling.” But he soon felt hunger and glanced around. Before long, he noticed a large wooden sign carved with the word: “Tavern.” “Perfect,” he thought. Inside, a lively atmosphere greeted him. People at tables ate meat, drank ale, and roared with laughter. The voices and laughter of the townsfolk were filled with joy. Moris took a seat at an empty spot. Soon a fair-haired waitress approached. “Welcome, sir. What may I bring you?” “Just some grape juice and chicken will do,” Moris said politely. “Of course, please wait a moment,” she smiled and left. Moris leaned back, lost in thought: “What should I do next?.. I’ve broken the spirit of the knights and adventurers. I must plan the next step…” At that moment, he noticed a familiar figure in the darker corner of the tavern. A black cloak, gray suit, a cigarette glowing faintly… Brown eyes watching intently. It was the kingdom’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. Moris  had not noticed yet. But fate had brought two brilliant minds together in the same tavern. The frame shifts to Sherlock’s corner. Sitting in the shadows, Sherlock Holmes slowly drew on his cigarette, deep in thought. “I spoke with some of the knights who faced the so-called Night Hag. Through my magic, I glimpsed their memories. My guess that it was a monster was wrong. No, it is a man… and a very clever one. A fool could never pull off such feats. No one in this kingdom is so bold and cunning. Therefore, he must be from another land. Perhaps even a spy. But what matters now is to catch him. Later I’ll discover his purpose…” Sherlock drew again, letting the smoke rise above.

The scene shifts back to Moris. He held the grape juice that had been brought to him and thought to himself, “I don’t think acting alone like this will last long. Before long, they will start closing in on me. That’s why I need to find allies. If I don’t, one day my loneliness will be my downfall…” At that moment the waitress girl came with a smile. “Sir, your order is ready,” she said. Hot chicken and a cup of juice were placed in front of Moris. “Thank you. How much is it?” “Twenty bronze coins.” Moris handed her the money, and the girl bowed politely: “Enjoy your meal,” and walked away. Moris started eating the hot food. Having not eaten properly for a long time, it tasted especially delicious to him. But just then, Sherlock’s eyes fell on the table where Moris was sitting. “His clothes… completely different. Not typical of the people of our kingdom. The way he moves is different too. Is he a spy, or just a traveler? If he were a spy, why would he wear such eye-catching clothes? Either way, I mustn’t lose sight of him…” Sherlock stared suspiciously at Moris for a long time. But Moris still hadn’t noticed him. After a while, Sherlock stood up, walked to Moris’s table, and with a polite smile said, “To be honest, I got bored sitting alone. You’re sitting alone too. If you don’t mind, may I join you?” Moris nodded. “What’s your name?” “Moris,” he said briefly. “And I’m Sherlock, pleased to meet you,” said the detective, extending his hand. Sherlock glanced over his clothing. “By the way, your clothes are unusual. You don’t see much of that in this kingdom. You’re not from around here, are you?” Moris hesitated for a moment, then said, “No, I’m… a traveler. I travel the world. I only started recently, but it has been quite an experience so far.” Sherlock smiled, though his eyes remained sharp. “I see. But if you’re a traveler, which kingdom are you from?” Moris paused slightly. “Me?.. Yes, I am from this kingdom. My clothes are different because I bought them from a merchant,” he said. “Understood,” said Sherlock, deliberately feigning no suspicion. “Tell me, which regions have you visited? Which cities have you traveled to?” Moris grew nervous. He still didn’t know the names of towns or villages in this world. To cover himself, he took a deep breath and said, “To be honest, sir… I grew up an orphan. No one taught me to read or write. I don’t know the names of cities. I just follow the road and keep moving forward…” Sherlock stayed silent for a moment, then smiled slightly. “You’re interesting. I’ve never met anyone who traveled without knowing the names of cities. But I admire your courage. I wouldn’t do that myself. But remember,” he said, tapping his finger on the edge of the table, “this city is Grey City. A busy place with lots of people and bustling trade.” Moris flinched inwardly: “So this is the largest city in the country. And this man… why is he questioning me like this? Is he testing me on purpose?..” He stood up. “Thank you for telling me the name of the city. Now I must go, I need to find an inn,” he said. Sherlock, in a calm tone, asked, “You’re leaving already?” “Sorry, I’m in a hurry,” Moris said quickly, stepping out. Sherlock lit a cigarette and slowly watched after him. “This man is no ordinary traveler. From today, I mustn’t let him out of my sight…”

Thus he quietly followed Moris outside. As soon as Moris left the restaurant, he walked quickly away. From his stride it was clear that something was troubling him. Suddenly, glancing back, he saw Sherlock just stepping out of the door. Moris smiled inwardly: “Ah, I knew it… my suspicion was right. I could tell from our talk, his eyes were far too probing. So you’re a spy shadowing me, are you? Very well, try to catch me…” He deliberately headed toward the large crowded street. In the chaos of the market—merchants shouting, children laughing and playing, the hum of voices—Moris melted into the crowd. Sherlock followed, entering the throng. Among the dense masses he searched keenly for Moris, but could not find him anywhere. Pausing, he scanned the surroundings, then smirked to himself: “Not an ordinary man, indeed. His words were suspicious, and now he slips away so cleverly. Not everyone can cover his tracks like that. But I have memorized your face, boy. You’re the kind of fellow who could be the culprit behind the uproar in this kingdom. From now on, my eyes will be on you. You play with fire without even realizing it…” Sherlock slowly turned and walked off toward the other side of the street. At that very moment, Moris was hiding in the narrow gap of an old building. His heartbeat had slowed, but his mind was alert. From his belt he took out a small drone and released it into the air. The drone hovered over the street, sending images back to Moris. When he saw Sherlock walking away into the distance, he sighed in relief. “For now I escaped… But this man is no ordinary observer. Escaping his watch will not be easy. That means I must be even more careful…” he thought. He left the gap and walked calmly along the shaded parts of the street. As Moris was hurrying toward the city gate, he noticed a young girl sitting by a stall. Strange—at this evening hour most vendors were older folk, yet this girl was sitting alone. Moris approached: “Good evening,” he said politely. The girl smiled warmly: “Good evening, would you like to try a kebab?” she asked. Moris nodded: “Please give me one kebab.” The girl quickly handed him a freshly grilled hot kebab. Moris took a bite and was surprised: the taste reminded him of the kebabs from his former life. “Truly delicious! You are quite skilled at this,” he said. The girl blushed and shook her head: “Nothing special… just ordinary food.” Moris frowned slightly: “But isn’t it hard for a girl like you to trade alone at this hour?” he asked. The girl fell silent for a moment, then sighed: “It is hard, of course… But there is no other way. My parents are old. My two brothers were adventurers, but they died on a mission years ago. That’s why all the burden fell on me. I can’t leave my elderly parents unattended,” she said. Moris felt stirred inside. He looked at the girl for a moment, then said: “I understand… Perhaps I can make you an offer. I have a special recipe for a sweet and a drink. If I teach you, it could be both tasty and profitable.” The girl looked at him with surprise, asking cautiously: “But why teach me? What benefit will you gain from this?” Moris smiled slightly: “My benefit is not important. What matters is that it helps your family. If I can improve the life of one household—that alone is enough for me. Besides… seeing a young lady like you struggling so hard touched me.” The girl turned her face aside, laughing shyly: “Alright then, let’s agree. But what kind of sweet is it? I’m curious.” “First let’s be introduced. My name is Moris.” “And mine is Aurora.” Moris brought out two kinds of beans from his magical storage pouch. “Look, these are cocoa and coffee beans.” Aurora sniffed them curiously: “Their scent is wonderful!” “When prepared, their taste will be even more marvelous,” said Moris. “But we need a quiet place. It’s not convenient to prepare it here in the market.” Aurora thought for a moment: “Then come to my house. Don’t worry, there will be space.” Moris hesitated: “You want me to come to your house?” The girl laughed: “You’re offering to teach me something amazing. Why be shy?” Moris nodded: “Very well, as you wish.” They packed up the stall, loaded it onto a cart, and set off toward Aurora’s house. Moris and Aurora sat side by side on the cart. The horse’s hooves clattered as the night city fell behind them. Aurora smiled and asked: “Your clothes are unusual. Where did you get them?” Moris thought briefly, then answered: “I bought them from a merchant. But I’m from this city, just traveling now. I couldn’t find books in the kingdom, so I decided to learn by exploring myself.” Aurora nodded with interest: “Yes, that makes sense. What adventures have you had?” Moris smiled faintly: “I just ran into someone recently. White-haired, brown-eyed, wearing a black cloak, walked in a peculiar way. Are there many like that in this city?” Aurora suddenly exclaimed: “You don’t know?..” “Know what?” asked Moris warily. “That was the famous detective Sherlock Holmes!” said Aurora. “Did he ask you questions?” “Yes,” said Moris calmly. “Then he must be investigating some crime. I’ve never seen him myself, but I’ve heard a lot. But he isn’t a dangerous man, don’t worry. He’s devoted to his work,” Aurora said with confidence. Moris thought bitterly: The trouble is… his “work” is me. Their talk fell silent for a while. Then Moris asked: “Aurora, how old are you?” “Me? Fifteen. And you?” “I’m fifteen too,” said Moris. Aurora smiled brightly: “Oh, we’re the same age!” Moris nodded. After a moment Aurora asked again: “But where did you learn the sweet you want to teach me?” Moris paused, then answered slowly: “By chance… I was curious and tried boiling it. It turned into a sweet liquid. Nature hides many wonders, don’t you agree?” Aurora looked at him in wonder: “Yes, you’re right. But it’s strange—you’re only fifteen, yet you think like an adult. I’ve never met anyone like you before.” Moris smiled inwardly: Of course… I’m not really a child. I’m one of the scientists who won the Nobel Prize. But no need to reveal that. Then he simply shrugged: “Maybe… maybe it’s because I faced life’s trials early,” he said lightly. The cart rumbled through the twilight, carrying them toward Aurora’s home… Moris and Aurora arrived at the gate of a small but tidy house. The architecture was simple, yet the flowers in the window and the neatness showed at once that kind and gentle people lived there. “Please come in, Moris,” said Aurora happily, opening the door. Inside, the warm smell of fire greeted them. The house was clean and decorated with the simple charm of a European village home. From the kitchen came the clatter of dishes. “Mother, Father, I’m home!” Aurora called. Two elderly people, leaning on each other, came from the hallway. Their hair was streaked with white, their faces kind. Moris placed his hand on his chest in greeting: “Good evening, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Aurora said quickly: “Mother, Father, this is my guest, Moris. He came to teach me how to make sweets.” Her mother looked fondly at her daughter, then smiled: “My dear, you are always curious about something new. But you haven’t troubled our guest, have you?” Aurora blushed slightly but answered firmly: “No, Mother. He offered himself, I only accepted.” Her mother turned warmly to Moris: “Welcome, son. Please come to our table.” Moris bowed politely: “Thank you. No, it’s no trouble at all. On the contrary, I am always ready to help someone eager to learn.” Her father nodded silently, studying the guest carefully. But the warmth in his eyes revealed inner approval. At the table, Moris stayed quiet but observed everything subtly. Especially Aurora’s father’s look… he seemed like a man who could not hide his feelings: rather than warmth, his gaze carried caution. His stern face seemed to say, “I don’t trust this stranger.” The mother, however, spoke kindly: “Daughter, bring tea for our guest,” she said. But Moris shook his head: “Thank you, madam. To be honest, I am full. I am deeply grateful for your hospitality. But it is late now, and I am very tired. If you don’t mind, I would like to sleep early.” The mother smiled: “Very well, as you wish. Daughter, show our guest to his room.” Aurora stood and said to Moris: “Come, I’ll show you your room,” and led the way. The room was small and simple: a single bed, a wooden wardrobe, moonlight streaming through the window. Moris nodded with gratitude: “Thank you. I’ll rest now.” After that, everyone went to their rooms. But the night’s quiet was broken by the father’s voice. He whispered to Aurora: “Daughter… why did you bring this stranger into our house? His behavior seemed odd to me. Even if you like him, he is still a stranger. Perhaps he is a spy. And if he is a spy of the kingdom, they will accuse us of harboring him and destroy our family. Never bring strangers home again.” Aurora was a little startled, but answered bravely: “Father, I am sure. He doesn’t look like that kind of man. His words were sincere. He is only a traveler. I… I felt no danger from him.” Her father frowned, sighing heavily: “Let us hope so, daughter. But be careful. Sometimes a wolf wears sheep’s clothing.” With that, he left for his room. Her mother followed, and the house grew quiet. Aurora lay on her bed, staring at the window. “Is Father right? Did I really bring a wolf into the house? No… no, it’s not like that. With him, I felt safe. His desire to help seemed sincere too. My heart must not be mistaken… His desire to help seemed sincere too. My heart must not be mistaken… He is a good man.” As she struggled with these thoughts, moonlight spilled silver across her room. The patterns on the moon’s surface looked clear, as if hiding some secret. The morning sun peeked through the window of Moris’s room, gently waking him. He rose slowly, stretched, dressed, and stepped outside. In the yard, Aurora was already up, busy with chores. Seeing Moris, she smiled: “Good morning, sir! How did you rest?” Moris nodded: “Very well. Thank you for your hospitality.” “Then,” Aurora said, her eyes sparkling, “let’s begin learning today! I’m really curious.” Moris smiled slightly: “Of course. But first we need a few things. A large cauldron, square molds, milk, and sugar. If you prepare these, it will be enough.” “Alright!” Aurora eagerly began gathering the items. Moris drew cocoa and coffee beans from his storage magic. Lighting a fire under the cauldron, he roasted the cocoa beans first, then began to boil them. Soon a fragrance unlike anything before spread through the yard. Aurora exclaimed: “I’ve never smelled anything like this!” “This is only the beginning,” said Moris calmly, stirring with a spoon. Aurora couldn’t resist: “Here, let me try!” she said, taking the ladle. Stirring, she asked: “Do we have to wait much longer?” “No, just a little. Now we must add sugar,” said Moris. “Is sugar necessary? From the smell, it seems sweet already.” “Smell and taste are not always the same. If you don’t believe me, taste it,” said Moris with a hint of mockery. Aurora scooped some up and touched it to her lips, then immediately spat out the bitter taste: “Ugh! What is this horror?!” Moris chuckled lightly: “Well? Sweet enough?” “M-m, you were right…”

“I’ll just add all the sugar then!” said the girl with a slightly offended look. After the sugar was added, the taste of the cocoa began to change. Soon the thick mixture was poured into square molds. “And now we must be patient. It’s not ready yet,” said Moris. “While it sets, let’s try making coffee.” He ground the coffee beans and added them to boiling water. With milk and sugar mixed in, he offered the new drink. Aurora took a sip from the hot cup, her eyes shining brightly: “I’ve never tasted such a drink before! How could we have lived without knowing this?!” “How do you feel?” asked Moris. “As if my tiredness has completely gone…” she said thoughtfully. “Exactly. Because this contains a substance called ‘caffeine.’ It refreshes a person,” said Moris, with a hint of scholarly air. At that moment, the chocolate was ready too. Tasting the hardened sweet, Aurora once again could not hide her amazement: “You… you are truly a genius!” Moris gave a faint smile: “Tomorrow try selling this at the market. I’m very curious how the people will react.” Thus Moris made his very first real step on the path of enlightenment.