I never want to move again, Era thought as he grinned his widest, ever.
He had spent almost every coin in his possession to get where he was now: soaking in a hot bath located in one of the nicest taverns in the city. The water was warm enough to steam the windows, and Era was so relaxed that he had to fight to stay awake. For the first time in over a week, he felt completely clean – even his lengthy hair, undone and floating carelessly in the tub water, was relatively grime-free.
Of course, the bath also meant that he got a good look at himself for the first time in a while, too, and it wasn’t an encouraging sight. His ribs and hips had stuck out noticeably before; now they were impossible to miss. I’ll order a big, juicy steak to put some meat back on my bones, he decided.
An hour and a half later (after the water had gotten too cool for comfort), Era sat on his feather bed, combing out his hair and tuning in to his own thoughts. “I’m here,” he said to himself, “but now I have a brand new quest. I have to find the Academy now… I don’t even get to celebrate actually arriving.”
He sighed. “One goal for another, it seems.”
Not long afterwards, he headed into the tavern lobby for that steak dinner. After having stuffed himself to bursting, he collapsed on his bed and slept away the next 15 hours.
“Are you positive he’s in Elsequaire, Gabriel?”
“Yeah. Trust me on this one, little miss,” Gabriel said, looking down from the stagecoach window at Crisilla and Jarred. “And if by some bizarre twist he isn’t there, I’m counting on you to keep an eye out for him.”
“I’ll visit your cabin every day,” Crisilla replied enthusiastically, “don’t you worry.”
“Alright.” He grinned and gave them a casual wave, jerking slightly as the coach lurched forward slowly. It set off at a steady pace down the road, the back carrying a single large trunk full of Gabriel’s belongings.
“This means that much to you, eh?” Jarred asked his betrothed.
“It does. I just hope Era’s okay and all.”
“If you’re sure,” he said with a half-smile. “I’m warning you, though, I get strong ‘eunuch’ vibes from that one.”
“Don’t be gross!” Crisilla laughed, playfully hitting his arm. “He’s not a eunuch!”
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that, love. Think about it: high-pitched voice, long girly hair, complete lack of a beard—”
“Stop, stop!!” she cried, tears welling in her eyes from her uncontrollable laughter. To make matters worse, Jarred swept her off her feet and into his arms, laughing along with her as he cradled her.
“I’m telling you, the man’s got no manhood, m’dear!”
“You are so horrible, you big handsome brute! We are talking about someone who’s gone missing, you know!”
“Good – he won’t hear us laughing at him!”
Their playful jibes continued as they made their way home; meanwhile, Gabriel’s carriage continued to make good time down the dirt road to the castle.
Era was on his own again. He’d only had enough gold for a one-night stay in the tavern, and while that stay was exceedingly refreshing, it was still only a single night. And I have no idea how long I’ll be here, he worried.
“Right: first order of business is to find the Academy,” he stated decisively, trying to instill confidence in himself. “And then I’ll figure out what to do from there.”
He wandered down the main road for a while, heading towards the castle itself. He marveled at the sheer size of the city; it was far bigger than even Sarmanna, and the enormous stature of many of the buildings within the castle town added to this feel. The brick-paved roads also captured his attention – he got momentarily lost simply because he was too busy looking at his feet when he walked.
Finally, after three-quarters of an hour of walking, he arrived at the castle gates, flanked on either side by an armed guard. Intimidated but resolute, he gathered his courage and approached one of them.
“Sir, excuse me,” he asked politely, “but I’m looking for the Mage Academy—”
“Three miles west of here, citizen,” the guard stated, “now please move along.”
Nodding quickly, he trotted off down the west lane. You know, I am quite sick of walking.
The castle was quite impressive. But to Era, the Mage Academy was breathtaking.
The academy, proudly labeled Elsequaire Academy of the Magickal Sciences on an enormous slab of carved granite, was the biggest building he had ever laid eyes on besides the castle itself (not counting Death’s lair, of course, since he had never seen it from the outside, if it had an outside). The campus was decorated with flawless statues and fountains about the widespread grounds, and the school itself was painted brilliant red with a copper roof. These gates, too, were guarded, but these guards wore elaborate robes instead of armor and brandished staves instead of swords. Era clutched his own staff with white-knuckled hands. I wonder if anyone will recognize me in here? he wondered, and the guards looked at him impassively as he approached.
“Excuse me,” Era said, addressing the left guard, “but I have a rather curious situation that I need assistance with. Might I speak to the headmaster?”
“No one speaks to the Archmage without permission,” the guard said apathetically and automatically, “and no, we will not direct you on where to go to get said permission.”
Gabriel was right, Era thought. “Then can I at least speak to someone inside? One of the teachers, maybe?”
“I would hardly consider you… fit to enter the Academy,” the guard sneered, looking over Era’s tattered hand-me-down robes. “I’m sure whatever it is can’t be important enough to interrupt the professors.”
Growing impatient, Era thought of what Gabriel would do in his situation. Why, he’d make a point, he realized. “I’m going in, whether you like it or not,” he boldly stated.
The guards immediately went on the defensive at this, energy crackling gently along their staves. “Please leave immediately, sir,” the other guard warned, “before this turns violent.”
My name is Eravisté, and I humbly ask for your assistance.
A thick, clear barrier immediately sprang up around Era, prompting the guards to launch defensive lightning spells towards him. The lightning merely crackled along the surface of the barrier, startling Era but not breaking his concentration.
“I am more than willing to be civil about this,” Era stated calmly. “I simply wish an audience with one of the higher-ups.”
The guards both shouted at him at once, their words mixed and impossible to hear above one another. The guard who had spoken to Era finally silenced the other with a glare and turned his attention fully on the ragged mage in front of him. “Very well, mad-mage, you will be granted an audience with the assistant headmaster, as the Archmage has much more important matters to attend to.” He advanced on Era, leaning in to accentuate his point. “But know that you will be escorted by some of our finest mages, and that if you try anything, you will be subdued, and we will use force.”
“That is fair.”
The guard nodded. “Now drop your barrier immediately.”
Era did so, and the guard beckoned him onwards into the school.
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