Book 1, Verse 15

“Give me a moment to explain myself.” I said as I walked into Niels’ Meals.

The elf immediately frowned upon seeing that I had entered into his place of work again.

“I told you not to come here until–”

“Until I had a god that could help you out of here, yes?”

Niels nodded.

A pair of dwarves in the back of the building clamored loudly, and Niels quickly went to serve them their drinks before he stepped out from behind the counter and walked over to me, his expression grim.

I couldn’t help glancing at his bandaged left hand. The bandages looked very used already, like it was time to change them out for a new set.

“What? Has your god suddenly told you that I’m the chosen one of legend?” Niels asked sarcastically.

“No; but he has given me the gift of intelligence.” I said quickly. “And I think it’s clear that you should come with me and Vivian to the capital of Mandl.”

Niels scoffed.

“Oh? It’s clear to you that I should come along?” He rolled his eyes.

“It is; if you were to come with us, you would have the opportunity to speak with powerful wizards and wise sages directly. You wouldn’t have to wait for them to step into your tavern; you’d have the chance to impress them directly with your knowledge and magical ability.”

Everything I was saying was true; really, I was surprised that Niels hadn’t already acted on this knowledge. Considering I was new to this world and even I could come up with this rather simple plan of action made me curious as to why Niels hadn’t done something similar.

Niels frowned.

“What, do you think I’m a fool? That I haven’t considered that myself?” Niels said calmly. “You priests are all the same; thinking that you’re divinely blessed with wisdom that no one else will understand.” He glared at me. “If you’re going to say something, say it quickly before I decide to report you to the town guard.”

I stiffened at the mention of the guard. I didn’t know much about medieval history, but I do vaguely remember my history teacher telling me that punishment for minor crimes might still be time in the stocks; and judging by what Vivian told me about the Church Pact and the country’s general disposition towards all things related to the church, merely being sent to the stocks would probably be a lucky sentence.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t give up on my conversation with Niels; in a strange new world like this, I needed as many allies as possible, and Niels was probably one of the most valuable allies I could acquire.

I breathed deeply and forced myself to calm down.

“Fine; Niels, since you know that meeting these wizards is your best chance to become one yourself, why have you not gone and done so before now?”

Niels shifted uncomfortably as he stood and looked down at me.

“You don’t understand all the responsibilities I have. If I left my tavern behind and made the journey to Kuzges, and then failed to become a wizard, I would have nothing left.” Niels said practically as he shook his head. “It’s not worth the risk.”

An idea came to me.

“Niels, do you know about precious gems?” I asked quickly.

“...Why are you asking me?” He turned to me, keeping his hands closed; though I suspected that his left hand was closed out of a desire to keep the wounds from stretching much.

“Imagine that a man is walking through a field, and while he walks, he finds a huge, beautiful, and valuable gemstone hidden in the field.” I spoke calmly.

Niels sighed.

“What is the point of this story?” He asked, impatient.

“Let me get to that; as I was saying, this man finds a huge and valuable gemstone in a field, and he understands that it’s more valuable than anything that he currently possesses. So in order to get that gemstone, he sells everything he owns and buys that field to get that gemstone.”

“How does that help me?” Niels pressured.

“Don’t you see? Is everything you currently possess worth more than your ‘precious gemstone?’” I asked sincerely.

Niels looked around at his tavern and sighed.

“But what if I end up with nothing?”

I bit my lip.

His fear was a bit contagious.

After all, what if I went to Kuzges and wasn’t able to get home from there? I’d probably lose Vivian’s trust and be in a worse position, seeing as I would be a priest in the capital of the country.

Maybe my best option was to stay here in Clearwood and eke out a reasonable existence here.

It made a lot of sense. After all, what were the chances that I’d get to go back home with magic anyway? Probably very low.

Niels tilted his head at me.

“Do you see the problem now?” He said quietly. “I can’t just leave; the risks outweigh the rewards.” He slowly turned around and started going back behind the counter of the bar.

The problem was as obvious as a mountain in the middle of a desert.

With my other options quickly dwindling, I shut my eyes and quickly prayed for a solution.

When I opened them, I suddenly possessed an entirely new idea.

“Hope.” I said quietly.

Niels stopped walking away, then leaned on the counter with his elbow as he looked at me, confused.

The pair of dwarves in the back of the tavern were now listening in on our conversation intently, but neither of us cared enough to tell them not to.

“Niels, you have let go of hope.” I said, trying to sound like a priest. “You have also let go of faith.”

Niels looked bewildered by what I was saying.

“Hope in what? Faith in what?” He replied after hesitating.

“Hope that things will work out well for those who love God, and you’ve lost faith in his promises.”

Niels looked away as I stared at him.

“Why should I have faith in your god? He already let me down before; who can say that he won’t do it again?”

I agreed with him.

There were lots of times when John would say this to me; particularly when I was having a bad day. His arguments had never convinced me, but maybe they would work on Niels.

I decided to try it.

“In the holy writ, it is stated explicitly that God always keeps his promises, and that, though one man may intend for something to be evil, God can use it for good.” I spoke more solemnly now. “It is clear to me that you were unjustly prevented from becoming a wizard. That may have been intended for evil or selfish gains, but think of what you have done where you are, and what good has come from it.” I stepped forward and placed my hand on Niels’ shoulder.

He didn’t turn away.

“Niels, you must have faith in God’s promises.”

Niels looked down at me, and when I saw the expression on his face, I was shocked.

His eyes were full of conviction.