Leonel Aelius went straight back to the Alley of the Witch Doctors in search of a magician named Nox, who he believed to have been the one responsible for the spell. Olivia followed closely behind him. He walked in a hurry, eager to discover the truth behind the curse jar. The vendors that attempted to entice him into purchasing their charms were easily brushed away.

He soon stopped in front of an orange door with a sign ‘Nox’s Shop of Curiosities’. Unlike the other witch doctors, this one had no list of services. Still, Leonel was certain that Nox also performed curses.

In front of the shop was a dark skinned lady wearing a colorful off-shoulder dress and a transparent veil over her mouth. She quietly swept the area in front of the door with a broomstick.

“We’re here to see Nox,” Leonel spoke to her.

“I’m afraid Nox is away,” she replied with an unfamiliar accent.

“We’d like to know if someone came here to order a curse lately.”

“I cannot disclose the information of our clients. I’m afraid you must leave.” She had a penetrating gaze that could reach deep into the soul.

“When will Nox be back?”

“He did not say. He sometimes disappears for days and comes back without notice. You will be lucky if you manage to catch him while he is here.” Her eyes fell on Olivia, giving out a slight expression of recognition and understanding.

“Alright. Thanks.” Leonel knew not to linger too long. Getting on the bad side of magicians often led to being cursed by them. He and Olivia walked far away from the shop to a corner with less people.

“Nox is our only lead for now. It looks like we’re going to have to find other clues,” said Leonel. He folded his arms while thinking of another plan.

Olivia remembered the girl who approached her for help. “I need to go check on someone. This girl asked me to destroy the spell affecting her brother.”

“A curse victim? I’ll go with you.”

They went looking for the girl’s sandwich stall at the marketplace. It didn’t take long to find her along with her mother and little brother manning the humble stall. The girl’s eyes lit up with hope when she saw Olivia.

“Did your brother get any better?” Olivia asked her.

She shook her head sadly. “He is still ill.”

“I destroyed all the jars I found at the totem site.”

“She nearly died for it too,” Leonel added.

“Do you know anyone who might want to curse your brother?”

“My brother is a good man. He was always kind and polite to everybody. I’ve never seen him pick fights. He never had any enemies. I don’t know who would want him ill.”

“Probably someone jealous of him. Let me have a look at him. I’ll see what I can do.” Leonel stepped forward. The girl led him to their small dwelling. Before he went inside, he turned to Olivia. “You go around and get information about that person who wanted to curse Adrian.”

“Where do I even start?” Olivia sighed.

Mezolas appeared. “The Alley of the Witch Doctors seems like the best place. The veiled lady will not disclose information, but perhaps the nearby stalls will.”

Olivia decided to go back to the Alley of the Witch Doctors. She turned around and started walking.

“Mezolas. I never thought I’d see you again in this lifetime.” A smiling man with a strange accent approached Olivia and Mezolas. He was dressed in elegant black and gold robes with a white turban. His sudden appearance startled Olivia.

“Nox. You look like you never aged at all. I see you still like to keep that same beard and hat.” Mezolas recognized his good friend.

Olivia was stunned. “Wait. You two know each other?”

“Nox is an old friend. Normally, witch doctors are our enemies, but he is our ally. It’s a long story.”

“Is this the current Lady?” Nox examined Olivia like she was a relic inside a display case. He pulled back once he was satisfied with his examination.

“Olivia is this generation’s Lady.”

Nox bowed politely. “A pleasure meeting you, Miss Olivia. You may address me as Nox. Why don’t we head over to my shop? I can serve you some tea and biscuits there. I would love to catch up with Mezolas as well. It’s been many many years since we’ve seen each other.”

Olivia agreed. She could probably get some information out of him about that curse put on Adrian.

“Wonderful. Follow me.” Nox led the way to his home in the Alley of the Witch Doctors. “I feel like you’ve grown a few extra tentacles, my friend.”

Mezolas nudged Nox. “You could have easily summoned me, you old coot.”

Nox playfully waved a finger. “Ah, but that would involve ripping a portal open. I’m no summoner. I only know how to rip gates open. Creatures from your dimension could enter the city and set it on fire! I might cause this city to fall. The ancient ones will eat me alive.”

They both laughed nonchalantly about the city’s hypothetical destruction and the gruesome thought of Nox being eaten alive. Olivia was unable to grasp their strange sense of humor.

“Come, come. We have much to discuss and plenty of tea to drink. You’re just in time. I just got my shipment of saffron tea. It took many months. They don’t even deliver to my door! These deliverymen… afraid of the alleys! I had to walk to the post office myself. Back in our days, our deliverymen were not fearful!” Nox went on complaining about the post office.