They walked further through the Tobston neighborhood. The buildings and storefronts were primarily built of wood, painted in modest pastel colors with fine attention to detail on the shutters, sills, and railings.
They passed by vendors, buskers, shoppers, and the occasional armored individual. There were no imminent threats, but about one in twenty of the population of the outskirts seemed to be some sort of adventurer for hire.
“They get a lot of adventurers out here?” Andy asked.
“Yes,” said Pliny, “quite a few, in fact. Freelance adventurers more commonly hang out in the outskirts of town where they’re more likely to get jobs.”
“Really, out here?” Andy said. “Why wouldn’t the inner city have more jobs? Isn’t money more plentiful there?”
“Yes,” Pliny said, “so plentiful, in fact, that most nobles and merchants have their own guards and a small pool of contractors that they keep on retainer. It’s very difficult to break in as an adventurer in the inner city. You have to have skill, class, and a lot of luck.”
They continued a few more blocks until they came to the city walls, massive greystone structures that rose into the sky above them. Ahead, the road passed through a gate flanked on either side by guards clad in bulky blue armor, shimmering and reflecting the sunlight like polished chrome. They wore full helmets that extended forward, shaped like the muzzle of a wolf, complete with fangs protruding downward.
As they approached, one guard stepped forward, pushing his visor up to observe Andy more closely.
“Just look straight ahead,” Pliny whispered.
Andy did as he was told, keeping his eyes forward. The bulky blue chrome armor of the guards and their wolf-like helmets accomplished at least one of their intended purposes: they were intimidating as all get out. He was nervous, all of a sudden. Was he being inspected? Would they deny him entry? Would they find some reason to detain him?
His worry was ultimately misplaced. The guards allowed them to pass through without stopping.
On the other side of the gates, a new environment opened up. The rough cobblestone of the outskirts gave way to smooth pavement, and the modest wooden buildings were replaced by fine brick and stone ones.
The streets were filled with people, many of them dressed plainly, but Andy couldn’t help but notice a dramatic increase in fine silk clothing, ostentatious headpieces, and fine jewelry.
“Welcome to the inner city,” Pliny said, smiling. “Now, let’s get you to the Enchanter’s College.” He paused for a second, looking around to orient himself. “We’re coming in from the west side, so it’ll be… north. And north is… that way.”
Pliny pointed toward an alleyway between two massive stone buildings, both crafted in a gothic style. The intricate masonry and stonework gave the buildings a sense of vitality. Warm windows glowed with lamplight two, three, eight stories above.
As Andy walked through the alley, he felt he was entering a massive canyon. Even in the daytime, the sheer height of the buildings blotted out most sunlight. The alleyway was narrow, three or four shoulder lengths wide in most places, so Andy followed closely behind Pliny.
As they continued through the alleyway, Andy noticed a beggar beside a small staircase, a guard in bulky blue armor standing over him.
“I was just trying to find a place to sleep.”
“Not inside the walls,” the guard answered in a gruff voice. “You can move yourself, or I’ll have you moved…”
Andy passed the scene without looking backward. Blood rushed to his chest and face in anger, but there was nothing he could do about it. Not now, at least. He had some rudimentary fighting skills and a shortsword. That wouldn’t stand a chance against the guard’s heavy armor and steel longsword.
After they got far enough down the way, Pliny turned over his shoulder, slowing down. “That’s the Domestic Guard,” Pliny said. “Sometimes called the Blue Guard. They police the streets of the inner city, and, occasionally, the outskirts and farmlands.”
A man and a woman approached from the opposite direction, both dressed in fine silk robes. The man carried a scimitar in a bejeweled case. It looked more ceremonial than practical. The woman wore a large headdress comprised of black lace fabric, jewels, and peacock feathers. They squeezed by Pliny and Andy along the narrow alley, both locking eyes with Andy as they passed him.
Andy heard them giggle to each other, but despite his curiosity, he didn’t turn around.
Finally, they exited the alleyway, which opened up to a large square. At the center of the square stood a multi-tiered stone fountain, carved to resemble a great school of fish rising out of the water around a godlike man, visible from the waist up, holding a staff in one hand and a conch shell in another. Streams of water shot from each mouth of the thousands of fish.
Around the fountain, there were several stone tables and benches where finely dressed men and women huddled together. Andy got a glimpse of the table tops: they were covered in cards, and the players and onlookers argued animatedly. Occasionally, a cheer would break out at a table.
“Thrakka?” Andy asked.
“Yes,” Pliny said. “Very perceptive. You’re catching on quickly.”
There were several planters holding small trees with soft, flaky bark, and vines grew across decorative lattices around the square. Vendors sold hot drinks, food, parchment, books, and ink. The surrounding buildings seemed to include a few storefronts, one selling scrolls and talismans, another selling botanicals and potions, and another that seemed like a rare bookseller. Aside from the storefronts, three towering institutions rose into the sky.
“This is College Square,” Pliny said. “That is the Wizard’s College.” He pointed to the westernmost building. There were seven floors in the gothic style that seemed customary for this district, and three towers of varying height rose above the main building.
“This, here, is the Scholar’s College,” he said, pointing to the building straight ahead. It contained ten stories, and the face of the building contained massive, awe-inspiring arches. Unlike the Wizard’s College, no towers rose above its rooftops.
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“And finally, to the east there, is the Enchanter’s College.”
The Enchanter’s College was smaller in height than the other two, only five or so stories tall. As they approached it, Andy noticed that it contained far fewer windows, too.
“Do they not appreciate sunlight?” Andy asked.
“They prefer environmental control,” Pliny said. “Some advanced enchanting techniques, as well as some of the materials required for advanced enchantments, don’t deal well with sunlight. Same with the Alchemists, who share a wing of the Enchanter’s College. They need experimental control.
They arrived at the front steps, greeted by a cheerful woman in green robes. “Welcome to the Enchanter’s College,” she said with a smile. “Are you visiting?”
“My friend here has a favor to ask,” Pliny said, gesturing toward Andy.
“Oh, I… uh…” Andy felt himself getting tongue tied. He slowed down and composed his words. “I have a hot coin that I’d like help identifying and, perhaps, mounting.”
“Ah, yes, very good,” the woman said. “We can certainly help with that. Now, most professors here will assess a fee for their services, just so you know.”
“Sure,” Andy said. “What’s the amount?”
“Well, that will vary from person to person.”
Andy looked toward Pliny. With a nod, Pliny silently communicated that any fee that might be assessed for such a small favor, Andy could easily cover with his pouch of gold.
“Very good,” Andy said.
“Just enter here,” she said, gesturing toward two tall, dark wood doors, “and a page can assist you in the foyer.”
They entered the double doors, arriving in a dark, cavernous hall. At the center, there was a circular kiosk with a marble countertop illuminated with soft, warm lamps. Several individuals in light blue robes poured over tomes and papers from behind the kiosk. One looked up with a gentle smile as they approached. He was skinny, red-haired, and freckled.
“Can I help you?” he asked quietly.
Their footsteps resounded in the echoey hall.
“Yes,” Andy said, keeping his voice down to avoid feeding the echo. “I’m looking for an Enchanter to help me identify and mount a hot coin.”
“Very good,” the boy said, producing a small parchment. “We have a few professors on location today who are not teaching. They have indicated that they are open to consultations.” He handed the parchment to Andy. It had a list of several names and descriptions:
Consultations: Personnel and Availabilities for Wednesday the 23rd Day of November
Prof. Shelley Malbright – Honorable Full Professor of Martial Enchantments – nine in the morning until six or seven in the evening, pending the outcome of the experimental procedures taking place in the second-story laboratory.
Prof. Deegan Malimar – Honorable Full Professor of Divinatory Enchantments – nine in the morning until five in the afternoon.
Prof. Percival Crane – Adjunct Faculty – early until late
Andy recognized Percival’s name. He had installed the sigil of silence in Morwen’s room a few days earlier. He was explicitly sympathetic to the Order of the Behemoth, too. But why was he not given more description on the schedule? The other two professors had long titles and more precise availabilities… was Percival a second-rate Enchanter?
“Tell me about Professor Crane,” Andy said, looking at the Page.
“Ah, yes, Professor Crane is an adjunct faculty here. He… teaches a variety of introductory courses. He can surely assist you in the identification and mounting of a hot coin. But I would suggest Professor Malbright for more technical matters.”
“Professor Crane would be perfect,” Andy said.
“Right this way,” the page said, stepping out from behind the kiosk.
“I’ll wait here,” Pliny said, finding a comfortable bench seat.
Andy followed the page down a long hallway lit by dim lamps. Most doors in the hall were shut, though a few were slightly ajar. He saw glimpses of scholars hunched over their desks studying manuscripts, some tinkering with talismans under mounted magnifying lenses, and some who were bored or sleeping.
Finally, they arrived at a closed door. The page knocked on it.
“Yes?” came Percival’s familiar voice from behind the door.
“Consultation,” the page said.
“For me?”
“Yes, for you specifically.”
“Oh, heavens.”
Andy heard the shuffling of papers, the moving of a chair across the floor, and the scurrying of feet. The doorknob clicked open as Percival cracked it, peering out.
“Oh, yes, Andy,” he said, opening the door wide. “What a pleasant surprise. Do come in, please.”
The page nodded and departed promptly as Andy stepped into Percival’s office.
“I’m delighted to see you,” Percival said breathlessly. The office was small, lined with bookshelves. There was a desk covered in papers, and several chairs, also covered in papers. “Let me clear you a seat.” He lifted a stack of papers from the chair, setting them precariously in a leaning stack on his desk. “Now, what brings you in?”
Andy took a seat. “I had something I wanted an Enchanter to look at,” Andy said. “I came here and recognized your name on the consultation schedule.”
Percival nodded and grinned.
Andy reached into his pocket, producing the hot coin. He placed it on Percival’s desk. He unstrapped his shortsword, laying it on Percival’s desk as well.
“This hot coin… what can you tell me about its powers and its compatibility with this short sword?”
“Oh, a martial talisman,” Percival said, picking up the coin. He reached into his breast pocket and produced a spectacle, which he held up to his right eye as he squinted, inspecting the coin. “Yes, yes, very beautiful.” He tilted it in a few different directions, examining the front, the back, and the ridges. “This is a martial talisman of {void bolt}, which is a C-tier Warlock attack spell.”
“{Void bolt}?” Andy asked.
“Yes,” said Percival, “When a spellcaster casts {void bolt}, typically they produce a small amount of chaotic energy that they can then launch at an enemy.”
“So will the talisman give the sword the ability to throw… chaos energy?” Andy asked.
“Well…” Percival said. He lifted up the shortsword and inspected the hot coin slot under his spectacle. “Sometimes the effects are different depending on the weapon. It certainly looks like this weapon will agree with the coin… But to determine the precise effects, I think we’ll need to use an enchantment lab. There’s a vacant one right down the hall. Do you have a few minutes to spare?”
“An enchantment lab?” Andy said.
“Oh, yes,” said Percival. “I don’t want to risk an accident and burn up all of my parchment here in the office.” He smiled.
Even though Andy knew Percival was friendly, he was surprised at the lengths Percival was willing to go to investigate this martial talisman. He had expected a brief consultation, but it seemed like he was about to see an Enchanter’s entire experimental setup, laboratory and all.
But even more exciting than seeing an enchantment lab was the reason behind it. If Percival was worried about a potential explosion during testing, that meant that Andy’s little shortsword might be getting a big magical upgrade.
“Sounds good,” Andy said. “Lead the way.”
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