At least the wait didnt' turn out to be too long, and Edwin was able to entertain himself like he usually did- Prototyping and Sappers Apparatus both made for amazing fidgets, to say nothing of his ability for nigh-literal self-reflection.
An avior joined him after about ten minutes, armored in significantly more than the chain shirt and helt of the normal city guards, and an Identify confird his higher status.
Junior Provincial Defense Overseer
Edwin was out of practice examining avior expressions- not that he was ever that good, all told- but he still got the sense that the lieutenant wasnt in the best mood, Youre the one? he asked.
Edwin Maxlin, he confird with a nod, Thats .
Good. Now, do you want to explain that, he pointed at the license, to and why it gets you out of normal questioning?
Edwin shrugged, Ive been officially advised by T-Enforcer Lisana of Rhothos and Emperor Xares that I not divulge parts of my past and history.
Nothing can ever be simple with adventurers, can it? he accused.
I an, I think my companions had a pretty simple entry, Edwin countered, but saw his reply didnt land well as the piercing eyes of the black-feathered hawk bore straight into his skull.
Perhaps. But they arent here right now.
Now, Ally or not, it is my duty to ensure the safety of my city. Thus, you are to answer my questions honestly and fully. Or youre back out on the road, understand?
I guess? Can I answer that sothing is an Imperial secret?
I will check with every single thing you claim that for, and know that if that is a lie, you will find your life becoming very unpleasant very quickly.
Now, first. Current Registrar?
What are you bringing into the city? the Overseer finally asked. The interrogation, if it could even be called that, wasnt too bad, but it did take a little while and Edwin was glad that it seed to be coming to a close.
Personal alchemy supplies, he readily answered, Most of it self-created, so of it I got in Panastalis.
And the many, many weapons we found lying on the inside?
Wait, what? Edwin was confused, why were
Oh, that little he trailed off, unsure of the right word to express his frustration. He got his emotions under control quickly enough and breathed out, Those would be my traveling partner, Lefi Forolovas. I believe hes just inside the gates if you need to speak with him. I actually forgot those were in there.
What man needs more than one halberd?
Edwin could only shrug, Youll have to ask him.
Very well. He set his tablet down on a nearby shelf, Twenty-four.
Edwin flinched a bit at the price, but still fished out the required coins from his pouch, dropping them in the aviors waiting hand.
Your friends weapons will be kept in the Weapons Check, reclaim them when you depart. Ill be keeping an eye on you, Adventurer. Now begone. Blow away, I have other things I was attending to before this.
It had been so ti since Edwin had been in a real city- Panastalis didnt count- and the last ti he had been, Skillful Assessnt wasnt nearly as powerful as it currently was nor was he as adept at utilizing it.
Now that he had it on at basically all tis, a thousand almost-invisible Skill uses now caught his attention. A young boy was using Identify on pretty much everyone he could see as he walked hand in hand with his mother, a sky-blue gno tiredly talked to a rchant as he wrote sothing in midair, and a farr was using Packing to heft a massive, spatially expanded barrel over his shoulder.
Avior swooped from the sky and landed gracefully next to an uncovered stall, buying sothing, then took off once more. A pair of humans navigated around the stream of people while carrying a stone cube that was a bit over four ters a side. A seemingly empty stretch of road that was lit up with Skills lifted up montarily to let out a halfling and an avior locked in intense discussion.
Are all cities this rife with Skill usage all the ti and Ive just been blind before now, or is Sheraith special in that regard? he asked Lefi.
The man chuckled, You look like Yathal, head darting every which way. Sheraith is perhaps more open with Skill usage than other places, but not by that much.
Did he really have to make the comparison to Yathal? Well, he did like that he knew better now, but it still made him feel sowhat self-conscious. The boy was looking at a bunch of fall-thed decorations covering every surface, head darting every which way, and Edwin tried to keep his gawking impulses in check.
As they continued their journey further and further into the city, Edwin started noticing a few buildings made predominantly of stone blocks. The architecture quality seed to improve proportionally, and it was obvious that they were heading to the nicer part of the city.
How do you know where were going, exactly? Edwin couldnt help but ask. It was weird just blindly following Lefi, And are you sure this is the right way? This all just seems so nice, for an adventurer.
I know everything! And worry not, this is indeed the right way we must venture. We are nearly there, you see. Just around the corner. Furthermore, there are many adventurers who have fabulous wealth to call upon!
Okay Edwin mundanely replied, Its just that theres a lot of people looking at us funny.
Worry not of their opinions, they are rely envious of our freedom!
He didnt really have a good coback to that so he fell silent. After a quick check on Bill- fine as always- his attention drifted to their surroundings once again. The architecture in this nicer section of the city was really, really impressive.
While they were all slightly different, of course, it was pretty clear that the architectural styles in favor included very, very few straight lines. Dos and arches were abundant, rounded walls more the rule than the exception. Very few of the buildings were grand and towering, though, instead leaning more towards short and wide- though short still ant three stories in so cases. It was more about the proportions than the actual size, accompanied with a distinct lack of towers and spires he might have normally associated with fantasy mansions.
Then there was the flatly magical features, sprinkled around from place to place- an intricate stone archway held up by posts no thicker than a pencil, floating steps leading to an entrance on the second story of a building, stone shimring with almost holographic blues and golds.
Among it all, though, there was a single building which broke the architectural standards to a flatly insane degree, and as they drew closer, it seed more and more likely that it was their destination. The base looked like a natural jut of rock, sticking at least twenty feet out of the ground, but one that had been carved out into an almost mansion-like appearance, painted in all manner of colors but predominantly blue. Around the rock was a small grassy lawn and accompanying gardens, flourishing with life.
The most impressive feature by far, though, had to be the massive stone tower the rock smoothly transitioned into, rising at least a hundred feet into the air. Or make that two hundred. Three hundred? Even as they got closer and closer to the base, the top continued to be out of range from Nuracy and Identify alike.
Is is that a wizards tower?
Sothing like it, Lefi agreed, apparently distracted by the sight.
And thats where were going?
Indeed!
Why are we going to a wizard tower?
Where else would we go?
Are you saying thats where Rilla is?
Rillah, yes.
How?
Co along, Edwin! Further into adventure!
Are you sure were allowed? Those guys dont look very happy with us, he noted, indicating a pair of City Guards- well, one was a Senior City Guard, but close enough.
It shall be perfectly fine, I assure you!
I dont oh, never mind.
You there! the Senior confronted Lefi. Why was it always Lefi that they thought was the leader? Edwin looked older than him and was the one driving the carriage anyway. Was it the hair? It was probably the hair, wasnt it? Or maybe the Class? What are you doing?
Well, my friend! I am attempting to enter the current ho of my friend! Now, would you happen to know the thod by which we might obtain entrance?
I would, yeah.
Marvelous! Might you enlighten us to that thod?
You know what? he leaned forward, I dont think so. Your lot doesnt get in.
I assure you, I am perfectly respectable.
Yeah, well we dont want you lot in here, howd you even get in?
My presence was requested by Adventurer Rillah.
Ha! Now theres a joke. Let tell you what, you scram right now and we wont haul you in for attempting to disturb the peace. You got it? the mans voice rose and carried a hint of a mock with it.
Lefi took in a breath, but before he could say anything, a halfling woman- an Honored Senior Mundanity Assistant- was at the gate, What is the disturbance? she demanded of the guard, The lady wishes to not be disturbed.
Ah! Much obliged, my fair lady.
These ruffians are attempting to force their way into the Spires property, honored lady, the sa guard spoke up, Were just going to remove them before they bother-
Too late for that, and dont cut off your betters, she snapped, leaving the guard spluttering, You, Adventurer. What are you doing here?
I was sent for by Lady Rillah, you see! Lefis fingers pulled out a small green stone from one of his pouches, and after a quick Identify on the halflings part, she nodded.
Very well. Co in, let close the gate.
Much obliged, my fair lady.
Your cart and horse can go in the stables around back. Co on, co on!
That galvanized them into action, and Edwin quickly prompted Tug to enter the opened, very fancy gates.
If you do get in with the daywasr, lem know what its like, eh? the non-Senior guard spoke up for the first ti as they departed, and his partner gave out a rough laugh.
Lefi did not take the statent well, and in the blink of an eye he had drawn his sword and held the guard at swordpoint.
Oh, so you do want to- the Senior was cut off by the halflings cough.
Knock it off! Get in here, Adventurer. And you, shoo! Go bother soone else. The woman scolded, and shut down the quarrel entirely.
Youll pay for that, adventurer. The guard promised, but Lefi didnt seem concerned.
What was that? Edwin quietly asked as they were led into the estates grounds.
Well, they insulted-
No, not that- though I do want an explanation at so point about that- but the little stone you showed her, he nodded in the direction of the halfling.
Lefi held out the plaque in presentation before withdrawing it, Ah, apologies. I forgot you do not possess Common Knowledge. If Identified, it identifies my person as one who is allowed entry to see Adventurer Rillah.
When did you get that? Edwin asked. He hadnt seen any ssages arriving for Lefi that might have carried the object with them.
Oh, so ti ago. We have known one another for many years, but this I received alongside my ssage as to her whereabouts.
That didnt answer all of his questions, but Edwin found himself busy with stowing Bill away in the small stables they had on the property. Caring for a horse was a very different experience, but Lefi had helped him learn a lot more about it. That conversation also revealed that Bill probably had Skills to make him easier to care for as well. Pristine Coat, Eating, and Pri Health were all Skills which the Empires Trainers knew how to unlock for horses and all were standard fare.
Bill would have other Skills, of course. Trainer-type classes didnt have the sa sort of bond that ca with the Companion skill, and that ant they couldnt control the Skills of their animals to the sa degree of precision. Thus, like most animals, the pony had a moderately-sized grouping of Skills at a decently high level, but no evolutions.
In any case, he was glad it didnt take too long and he didnt have to leave Lefi and Yathal standing around waiting for him.
The notes of a flute floated towards them, lodic and beautiful. It tickled Edwins mory in so regard, though he couldnt rember why exactly. He nodded to Lefi as he rejoined his companions, speaking about sothing with the woman.
So, he asked as they entered the towers base, Onwards and upwards I suppose?
Upwards?
Thats bound to be a lot of stairs ahead of us if were going to the top.
Ha! Lefi clapped Edwins back, sending him staggering as the Assistant opened the door for them, the faint musical notes spilling out as she did so, Indeed! Onwards and upwards, my friend! Onwards and upwards!
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