I am about to step foot in a school for the first time in my life. More accurately: Hecate academy, the biggest magical learning institution in the kingdom. And I was walking in through the back, underground. Emris glanced over his shoulder, face lit up by his cigar.
"Stay close. Don't want to be lost down here."
My heart pounds and I quicken my step.
"Why are we taking this way then?"
All I can see is Emris tall silhouette in the dark tunnel. The silence stretches out and all that I can hear are our echoing footsteps.
"The woman we are about to meet, she does not want to be associated with the likes of me, this is one condition to have this meeting."
His tone is dry, with a hint of bitterness.
"Eh, one condition?"
He chuckles.
"One of many."
The tunnel ends with a ladder running up something that looks like a well, Emris takes the lead and I follow. When he adruptly stops I bump into his dirty shoes and scramble back, almost losing grip.
"What are you doing?" Emris sounds amused.
"Give a warning before you stop will you?" My face is burning in embarrassment, bless the deities that it is dark. A crack appears before me and the tunnel is filled by the warm light of a lantern. We climb out into a study, walls lined with books and dark wooden panelling. Before us is an imposing woman leaning on a desk.