Sharp

I really enjoyed the trip to Vitesse. There were times when we were frantically busy, mostly in the morning and evenings or if there was a breakdown, but there were also hours just watching the scenery go past. We would travel from village to village.

I got to know the caravan guard, and they would let me spar with them. They were mostly mid-bronze, so I was always outclassed, but I learned a lot. The guard captain and her lieutenant were both silver rankers. I got to watch the guard in action several times as we came across monsters, and they showed they were competent and coordinated.

I could live the life of a caravan guard quite happily.

The magic increased as we neared Vitesse. Vitesse is firmly in a silver-level zone. Nobody goes out adventuring without at least one silver ranker with them.

I thought Stillwater was large, but Vitesse is several times larger. It is a beautiful city but very expensive. When I found out the prices at the Inns, I decided that living on the street was better. However, I figured that was going to be frowned upon by the plentiful guards. I was a week early for admission to the Remore Academy, so I signed up with them, and I was told to return for an interview in three days.

Instead of putting the city guards to the test, I figured I would test this guest token thing and asked for directions to the Temple of Death. When I got there, I stopped and stood in awe. Death’s temple was on the edge of a massive square ringed with temples to all the gods, and it was busy!

Healer’s Temple had a steady stream of people going in and out. I thought Dominion’s Temple was a bit gaudy. Hero’s Temple was lined with statues of past heroes. The Temple of Fertility was right next to the Temple of Lust, and that had me blushing, but people treated that as normal. Merchant’s Temple resembled a giant marketplace, and I will go and browse the wares later. Probably much later when I have some coin. Or a lot later, with a lot of coins, looking at the quality of dress of the people coming and going.

Wow.

Even Death’s temple was much larger than Stillwater. It was elegant and relatively quiet compared to the other temples, but it looked very daunting.

I did have some coin with me so I could survive, but I was expecting a lot of expenses soon, and I didn’t know what this scholarship would cover or even if I would get it.

Vitesse is big. It is … I am feeling very small and insignificant. I purchased some food from a street vendor and found a relatively quiet corner. Kai came out, and I shared my food, and we watched the city for a while.

I am going to need to retreat to my garden soon, but I need somewhere safe to raise the arch.

I am small. I am a peasant from an insignificant village that no longer exists. I straightened up because those were facts, and I was OK with that.

I walked toward Death’s Temple, and Kai 3 stayed on my shoulder as I petted Kai 1. I entered the massive gates to the temple and approached the front office. I was wearing my favourite shirt, the dark green one with the dark red flowers Nai bought me. I was also wearing the good trousers from that shopping trip. Those were also my best clothes. On the caravan trip, I had lived in shorts and belts.

“May I help you?” the man at the desk was not wearing the robes of a priest, so I assumed he was a paid worker. His tone was polite. I caught the slightly disapproving look as his eyes noted Kai and my bare feet. I should have dug out the shoes Nai got me as well. They were in my Hunters Pack, but it is a little cluttered in there. It is easy to throw things in for later, and later never seems to arrive.

“I hope so,” I said. “I am actually looking for a place to stay.” I was messing with him a bit. I could have shown him the token, but the disapproving look just irked me a bit.

“I think you have the wrong temple, young sir. The Wayfarer God and the Goddess of the Lost and Outcast both provide cheap or free accommodation for those in need. Their Temples are near the outer edge of the city. I can provide some directions if you wish.”

“I didn’t know that. I might actually go and visit the Goddess of the Lost and Outcast. I think we have a lot in common. I am lost and have been cast out of my home. I will grab those directions later, but I am pretty sure I have permission to stay here.” I passed the token over the desk.

“Young sir,” his voice was as cold as a frozen lake, “If this token has been stolen, you will be in a lot of trouble.”

“I am aware of that,” I said, “but please don’t get in trouble yourself by not checking properly.”

“Denice, please stay with this young Leonid while I check this token.”

A middle-aged woman came to the counter, and the man went off out the back.

“Hello, I am Denice. Are you visiting the city?” She was a very pleasant and friendly lady.

“Hi, Theo’s the name. I just arrived today. I am hoping to get into the fancy academy here.”

She chuckled, “You must be referring to the Remore Academy. Many come to the city for that. Not many are successful. There are several alternate academies which you might consider as well. Vitesse is known for training adventurers, so they are all good.”

“Thanks, I didn’t know that either. Is there a list somewhere?”

“If you are going to the Remore Academy, they provide a list of alternatives for the unsuccessful.”

“Great. I will make sure I grab it from them. Have you been working here long, Denice?”

“Almost eight years now.”

“Are you training for the priesthood?”

“Oh no, this is just a job, but it is a job I enjoy. I like helping people in their time of need.”

“You should probably think about training or whatever is required. I think you would make a good priestess.”

She smiled, “Thank you for saying. Is the young rodent a bond or a summons?”

“This is Kai. He is a summoned familiar.”

“He must be a great comfort to you.”

“He is, actually.”

The first man was returning, followed by a young man in acolyte robes. He bowed to me and handed me back my token, saying, “The Temple is open to you, honoured Guest. Acolyte Mark can show you to your accommodations.”

“Actually, can Denice here do it? We can continue our conversation.”

“Of course. Room 15 is being prepared, Denice.”

“Oh, you get one of the fancy rooms,” Denice said. “Come on through, Theo. Is that the only summons you have?”

Denice showed me around, as the layout was different, and there were multiple chapels. The room was nice, and Denice left to let me settle in.

I raised the arch and went into my Tranquil Garden. There were more berries ready to pick. I think the bushes were on the cusp of becoming Iron-rank. This must be a function of this space. There were herbs and vegetables ready to harvest. There is almost always something ready to harvest. The grapes were not ready yet. I grabbed what was ready and stored it in my Hunters Pack. From a month's travel, there was a lot of food there, even when I shared it with the cooks on the road. We ate the vegetables and fruit, but the herbs were really piling up. I need to find an alchemist or herbalist to sell them to. I will probably need the coin. It is going to take some getting used to living here.

I sat and meditated. I had seen Rufus meditate using some sort of sword dance, and it would be good to learn something like that. One of the academies must be able to teach me one to fit my style.

This Tranquil Garden was amazing. It was just what I needed, but I guess the goddess knew that. I didn’t visit so often on the trip here as there was plenty of beautiful wilderness to see, but living in the city is going to be very different.

I am looking forward to levelling my skills and moving forward.

The next day, I headed out to sell some herbs and explore the city a bit. The man who greeted me yesterday was in the front office, so I went up and said, “Good morning. I am sorry, but I didn’t get your name yesterday. I am Theo.”

“Good morning, Sir. I am Peter Trenchard. How can I help you?”

“I am just heading out to the city, and you could give me some directions, if possible.”

“Certainly, Sir. Where would you like to go?”

“I need to sell some herbs. Some are quite rare.”

“I am sure many alchemists would be interested, but for a fair price, I would suggest going through the Alchemy Association. You will find them near the Magic Society Building in the central district.”

“Great, I’ll find that easy enough. You said you knew the address of the temple of the Goddess of the Lost and Outcast. Do they abbreviate that to GLO?”

He looked a bit surprised. “Some people do, in fact, do that, Sir, but I am not sure the Goddess approves. You will find it near the western edge of the city. Just ask at the guardhouse by the western gate, and they will direct you. If I might make a suggestion, sir, it is a long way from the central city to the western gate. Can I arrange transport for you?”

“No, that is fine. It is a nice day. I want to see the city, and I have movement skills that need to be levelled.”

“Very good, sir. Just be aware that you can not use a flight skill in the city without a licence, and if your skill causes an accident, you will find yourself liable for reparations.”

“Ok, thanks, that is good to know. Not sure when I will be back.”

“Very good, sir.”

I can see it will take quite a bit to break him out of being so formal.

It was a nice day. The central district was right next to the temple district, so it didn’t take me long to find the Alchemy Association. I wore my good outfit as I was hoping to at least not make a bad impression when selling. I didn’t manage to find my shoes, though.

I approached the counter, “I have some herbs to sell?”

“Excellent,” said the elf behind the counter, “we always need more. Let's have a look at them.”

I looked at the counter, “We will need more space.”

His face lit up, “Fantastic! Follow me!”

It was a while, and I didn’t think I got a fair price. How can herbs be worth so much? I had more coins in my pocket than I ever had. I could get an awakening stone with this!

I popped in next door to the Magic Society to check on what they had and how much they cost. They had everything, and I mean that literally. They had multiple epic and legendary stones, and the prices were cheap! I had just sold some herbs, and I could buy an uncommon stone. How can that be?

I didn’t buy any. I figured that if I got into the academy, they could give me advice. Rufus used to be there, and he had good advice, so he probably learned it from the academy.