Hindrance and Hindsight

"I had hoped curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, would be enough. His fee is — reasonable. Research takes time. It cannot be done while plying his trade. Even if he already has the needed documents, it would take me — how long? A year? Longer? — to save enough. I could have thought of that. I should have thought of that."

The story so far:

• "Looking For Answers"
  (March 27, 2015)
  " 'Searching is best begun by your door.' Where it will end: I may not like that, but at least I will know.' "
• "Remembering"
  (March 20, 2015)
  "Usta, dead. My mother, father, kinfolk: they are gone. I will not forget. I will never forget. I must never forget."
• "Back at the Two Goblets"
  (March 13, 2015)
  "Usta was right. We learn, even from those who do not know."
• "With Humility: and Hope"
  (March 6, 2015)
  "Rest now, seen but unapproachable. Be at peace, and know that I shall never forget."
• "Departing"
  (February 27, 2015)
  "A final duty, and then: home."
• "A Pledge Fulfilled"
  (February 20, 2015)
  "I pledged that what is yours would be returned. It stands by you again."
• "Destination"
  (February 13, 2015)
  "How could it have been so long?"
• " 'Let Me See That Map!' "
  (February 6, 2015)
  " 'Don't worry,' they said. 'We're solid,' they said. 'We've done this before,' they said. 'Trust us, we're experts,' they said."