“There’s always a job for the wannabe adventurer in Arteria. Many people and especially outlanders always complain about the dreaded sewer mission. But that underscores just how well organized Arterian sewers are. Sure, it’s a big city. Sure, it’s a labyrinth. But we have maps, plans, and even the sewer watch. Hells, elven mages even help with sigils that help purify most of the most egregious grime. Now, when we send teams down into the sewers, it’s mostly just to root out the occasional rat infestation or to smash out a few creepy crawlies that snuck into the sewers from outside. It barely stinks in there anymore, at least if they get sent in after the elves do the cleansing. ”
- Lieutenant Ashlin Keely, Arteria City Guard, Central Precinct
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Aryana was victorious. After the duo practically blacked out upon returning to their beds, they had woken up the next day refreshed if slightly groggy. Sophie noted that Aryana had seemed to have forgotten or at least brushed away the other Frostwinder sighting and had generally just cheered up on the whole. Unfortunately for Sophie, when she finally relaxed, Aryana had managed to wrangle Sophie to go along with her to go buy some clothes.
It had been a mistake, and now Sophie didn’t just feel naked without her armour, she also felt horrifically vulnerable. Her armour and thick set royal tunic was traded for a somewhat frilly, light, sleeveless red and white blouse, and a pair of dark red tights that fit a little too snugly for her liking. Aryana on the other hand, looked much more adorable, she sported a frilly light green, red bodice, her own set of tights and some cute shoes. Sophie felt like her own outfit made her look ridiculous, exposing far too much skin. Though she had acquiesced under Aryana’s pleading, she couldn’t help but feel hopelessly out of her depth.
After that they went about their usual business, reading and relaxing until it came to bedtime once again. It had been a pleasant first day post exams even if Sophie’s anxiety about her potential scores hadn’t quite managed to be suppressed. Aryana too, had seemed to act differently in her eyes. They had shared a moment the day prior and now the redhead didn’t just seem to look to Sophie for reassurance, but she had practically attached herself to the hip.
That was yesterday. Now, they were here in front of the grand library, dressed ridiculously to go meet with elves who were just naturally elegant. Her only consolation prize came from the fact that she still had her sword with her, at least I can defend myself. Sophie yawned and stretched her arms upwards, a series of satisfying cracks around her back following soon after.
It had been overwhelming at first. If traveling as a well armed half elf openly across the city had attracted a degree to attention that she was uncomfortable with. Then her current state was almost unbearable. She had felt the countless stares, now no longer looking at her with just derision and judgment, but tinted with a hint of something more akin to curious desire. Yet, over the half hour they took trying to get to the library and waiting for the siblings, she slowly grew more accustomed to ignoring the looks, choosing instead to double check all her notes in her mind. Just in case more about the Myndiri were revealed by the elves.
“Sophie.” Aryana’s chipper voice echoed.
“Hmm?” Sophie looked over to find the redhead leaning towards her.
“You look umm… really pretty.” Aryana managed to stammer out.
Sophie was taken aback. She felt herself physically recoil a step before her mind finally comprehended the compliment. But, Aryana was on a roll, and before Sophie could respond the redhead continued.
“Umm… I mean, you always are. But today, I mean… uhhh… you… really… the outfit looks really nice on you.” Aryana’s confidence petered out.
Sophie was still caught off guard and had to let the words stew for a moment before she let out a soft chuckle. The slight noise caught the redhead’s entire focus as Aryana nervously waited for Sophie’s reply.
“Thanks.” Sophie smiled, “Though I’d never quite wear this myself. I guess you just have a good eye for this stuff. You look quite adorable yourself.”
Sophie watched Aryana’s face scrunch up into a frown, like she was offended by the simple compliment. Yet, Sophie could tell Aryana had puffed up her chest slightly, the redhead trying unsuccessfully to hide her self satisfied grin. The brief confidence however was shattered by the next voices that entered the fray.
“Ahh, the halfie and the human.” Thalnor stated from around the corner, a hint of mirthful levity in his voice.
“Indeed, friends.” Maylesa added.
Aryana had instantly shrunk back to hover behind or besides Sophie, the sight of two elves so casually interacting with them too much for the poor girl to fully handle. The siblings wore matching blue silken tunics and pants, both adorned with a variety of intricate stitchings and other oddities that indicated a level of sophistication above the common tunics of the streets.
“Hello.” Sophie greeted them with a polite bow.
“H-hello.” Aryana followed along more awkwardly.
The siblings had evidently noticed the duo’s outfit change and Sophie could see them processing the sight ever so slowly, before they bobbed their heads in sync.
“You both look wonderful today.” Maylesa noted.
Her compliment brought forth a small squeak from the redhead, which made Sophie chuckle. An act that earned her a stern glare.
“Thank you. And the two of you as well.” Sophie offered a small curtsy.
“You two seem much more relaxed compared to the last time we met.” Thalnor acknowledged.
“Mmhmm. Sophie grunted.
“Well then, my non elven friends, should we begin our journey? Oh!” Maylesa paused, “Do you both have your papers?”
The two nodded.
“Excellent. We’ll be going through the Noscali Gates, so there’ll be some hassle.”
“But, you’ll get to see the outer walls of the elven quarters and the arena before we even get to the park. Though there will be quite a bit of walking.” Thalnor chimed in.
“Yes! Quite a bit of walking. So, let’s go shall we?”
“Sure.” Sophie agreed, “Aryana?”
“Uhn.” The girl mumbled.
“Fantastic, this way then you two.” Maylesa chirped.
Even though Sophie knew she shouldn’t care, she could help but stare for a few seconds at the two elves and their oddly refined manner of walking. There was something captivating by their gait, the way they carried themselves with their heads held high. To Sophie, the elves looked almost like Eva whenever they visited Neun Carad, the elegance and graceful display of noble manners bringing back nostalgic feelings of days spent at court. With a sigh and a cheerful smile, she tugged on Aryana’s sleeve and the redhead nodded. Together they followed the elves, past the grand library and towards a second massive gatehouse that separated the city in two.
Like the outer walls, this too stood high above the plaza that it flanked. Saint Lucia Plaza, the siblings had introduced it to the duo. Named after a saint who contributed much to the development of many systems required to keep the city functional. Maylesa had also proudly stated how Saint Lucia’s ideas were brought to life by the saint’s good relations with the elves, how that had then meant a lot of her experiments were supported by powerful mages capable of both high intensity but precision spells that allowed the saint’s creations to flourish. One such innovation being a key process in supplying the city with constant water. She founded a magitech desalination plant that relied on sigils, magics, and intricate wards to help purify the saltwater from the sea. Staffed by humans and elves, it was one of the reasons the elven quarters had existed in the first place, to better facilitate relations and also to ensure the elven magisters were integrated into the city itself.
Sophie felt very much like a visitor, the elves serving as her tour guides. They explained about the many intricacies of Arteria from an elven perspective. However fascinating that was though, they had arrived at the gate. Bureaucracy cared little for fanciful tales or ancient pasts, it served only as another small organelle that ensured the city’s function and here was no different.
“Papers, please.” The bored guardsmen groaned. This time a soldier sporting a uniform of royal blue.
Unlike his red cloaked counterpart from the main gate to the city, he had simply hand waved them along after checking their papers. A poor display of professionalism that Sophie was both thankful for and horrified with. Even she had never slacked quite that much back at the estate, much less been so careless, at least not intentionally. Still, a blessing was a blessing and they swiftly passed through the Noscali gate. However, its name was as much a mystery to Sophie as it was to their elven guides. Both Maylesa and Thalnor confessed that not even the elves recalled who the gate was named for, not that it mattered anymore.
They were through, and with that Sophie found herself drawn into the sights of a new side of Arteria that had remained hidden from her during her time in the city. Gone were the cramped streets, dozens upon dozens of houses and city blocks put together, gone were the countless side roads that one could follow for hours on end. They stepped past the gate and Sophie found herself at the beginning of a humongous main road, flanked on either side by scores of houses more akin to manors than townhouses though not quite so grand. The streets were wider, more breathable and spacious, the sun casting a warm carpet over the cobbles instead of hazy glows at the end of long streets.
The long shadow that sometimes casted itself over the library was also finally revealed in full. Though when they were on the other side, Sophie could see the few floors and massive domes that peaked above the walls and into the sky. Here, the Chamber of Stalwart Justice, the center of Arterian administration loomed over the city like a gargantuan creature, bringing about a small shudder down her spine as she saw flashes of how the entity had looked over her. It positively dwarfed all the buildings around it. As she stared upwards, she wondered how anyone could ever work in such a massive building, the sheer scale of it rivaling what she could only imagine was a small mountain.
The bluish green building was as ostentatious as it was large. Marble and bricks were used in equal measure to construct the structure. Slender rounded elven towers protruded from the sides like little annexes whilst the thickset imposing central building appeared to be of more dwarven and human make. Fine stonework was also found in the myriad of little decorations carved onto the outside walls itself, each of the elements reminding Sophie of the symbols and crests that she often saw on streets delineated for nobility.
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Perhaps sensing her new found comrade’s curiosity, Maylesa pointed towards the chamber with Thalnor and gave a hearty huff to gather the duo’s attention.
“The Chamber of Stalwart Justice, a massive thing isn't it?” The elf stated matter of factly.
“Mmhmm.” Sophie agreed.
“It takes roughly fifteen minutes to just walk up and down. It would be a grim prospect if it weren't for the central elevator and some smaller ones powered by magic to take one up and down far more efficiently.” Maylesa smirked with pride.
“And for those that don’t trust magic, there are a few clockwork elevators, modelled after dwarven mining elevators and located in key junction points within the central structure itself.” Thalnor added.
The duo marvelled for a quick moment before Aryana hesitantly looked towards the two elves.
“Do… do people live there?” Her soft voice asked.
“Of course!” Thalnor answered, “Quite a few dignitaries, stewards and ambassadors have their residence within the building itself. Surely not every room can be an office space.”
“G-guess not.”
“Though some detractors do say that it means foreign elements are also easier to monitor. A rumor I will neither dispel nor confirm.” Thalnor chuckled darkly.
Sophie stared up towards the building once more, taking in its architecture before Maylesa beckoned for everyone to keep moving.
“C’mon guys, we still got a ways to go and I’d rather get you home before nightfall.” The elf grinned.
The siblings took them down the main road and Sophie spent some time just admiring the houses nearby. Their stout but often two story tall forms proved just as imposing as the city blocks from before, though they remained dwarfed by the large domed chamber. The materials here too, reflected a certain level of sophistication or, if not that, then of wealth. Painted stones, marbles, bricks, and even metals warped to act as delicate pieces of decor, all unnecessary but all to add to its appeal.
Down the road she could even see a large coliseum like structure, itself standing tall amongst the plaza that it inhabited. To its left she could spy what she likely surmised as the elven quarter, its tall naturalistic towers snaking their way above the manor houses. Some buildings were intertwined with strange looking trees that coiled around the towers like some strange arcane brace for the towers. Sophie felt her chest tighten at the sight, her eyes scanning the tops of the towers in anticipation of one of the Myndiri crystals, breathing a sigh of relief when she found none.
“Admiring the towers? They look pretty unique don’t they?” Maylesa winked conspiratorially.
“They… yeah, they do.” Sophie nodded.
“Ever been to the Adonar? Or seen the towers of Harma Eryvind?”
Sophie shook her head.
“Aww, now that’s a shame. One day.” Maylesa clicked her tongue.
Sophie flashed a friendly smile and turned to find Aryana trying futilely to not look like an excited puppy finding a whole new environment to explore. Sophie decided to give the girl some more time to explore this part of the city and turned back towards the siblings.
“So like, pardon my ignorance here. But, how does it work anyway? Why does the elven quarter need to be… you know… separated?” Sophie asked.
“Ah…” The siblings both replied, their cheery expressions darkening slightly.
“That’s…” Maylesa began.
“A complicated question.” Thalnor finished.
“What do you mean?”
“Lots of tension here still you know.” Thalnor sheepishly answered.
“Ah.” Sophie grunted. So nothing changes even here, despite how much cooperation there is.
“Mmhmm. At least we’re friends, right?” Maylesa flashed a smile at the duo.
“Yup.”
“Hatire… friends.” Aryana muttered with reverence.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Now, let’s keep moving shall we?” Maylesa suggested, a pleased look on her face.
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The southern half of Arteria was like a city split in two. The districts above the arena and elven quarters were orderly and opulent. The districts below them were a mix of all different styles and wealth. Some imitated the townhouses in the northern section, others the wealthier manors, and even more were completely unlike those before. According to the siblings however, this area was also home to the third military branch of Arteria, the Clover Legion. To the left were more of the Trinity’s troops as well, with rows upon rows of blue tinted buildings turned into barracks for the guards. Infrastructure wise, the siblings emphasized how this section of the city facilitated the lucrative oceanic trade. This was made possible by its large trade port and countless merchant or trading companies.
Large scale military structures and walls were also spotted alongside the city walls, the military shipyard and desalination plant inspiring a strangely proud expression on the sibling’s faces. Yet, what caught Sophie’s eye was not the military districts or the organic yet elegant, smooth walls of the elven quarters. It was the trees that poked up above the houses outside of the elven quarters.
As they got closer, Sophie could feel the amazement being emitted from Aryana, the wide green eyes scanning every segment of the sight in front of them. Amidst the city buildings stood a large clearing that was surrounded by a short little fence and hedges that protected a large green area dotted with trees and all manner of flowers. At the center of it was a slightly old looking statue that stood in the middle of a large fountain, maintaining its silent vigil over its little patch of curated nature.
“There it is. Hiromi park.” Maylesa smiled.
“It looks…”
“So unreal.” Aryana finished for Sophie.
Trees of all types flourished in their own little corners. There was an old oak, pines, an acacia, and more, but one particularly tall tree sported red, blue and purple leaves caught her eye. Its thick trunk stretched proudly into the air, the light of the sun making its leaves look as if they were sparkling.
“A Glamourn tree; few of these are found outside of the Adornar or other elven enclaves.” Thalnor preempted their questions, “Of course, most of our villas have a much smaller one as well. But this one is certainly one of the most majestic ones, at least in the city.”
“It’s got magic properties too.” Maylesa announced like a teacher, “It is able to draw in the natural elements of the world to generate a steady stream of mana. Light at first, but, as it grows older, the mana released gets more potent.”
“Indeed, and is said to also bring good luck and the high heaven’s favor upon those who make a wish under it. So… shall we?”
Sophie looked to Aryana and the two nodded, just eager to explore such strange scenery. Together they nodded and the siblings beckoned them forward.
They passed by a handful of other people, all looking more well dressed than the last. Aristocratic looking figures shot Sophie dirty looks. Their eyes once again led to some slight discomfort rumbling within her. Their disdain for her was made fully clear when some noblewomen cringed at her approach. As a result, Sophie started to feel horribly self conscious at their actions. A few elves were also present and, though they did give Aryana a few strange looks, most of them scanned Sophie like she was some strange animal wandering where it did not belong. No one said anything but, Sophie could feel the siblings also getting a little tense at the frosty reception.
“Sorry…” Maylesa mumbled, “Forgot you were a halfie for a bit.”
“Sis…” Thalnor tried to interject but got stopped by his sister’s shaking head.
“I… our people don’t take too kindly to half bloods.” Maylesa looked sadly at Sophie.
“Oh…” Aryana replied on the half elf’s behalf.
Sophie just pursed her lips and shrugged. It’s uncomfortable and I don’t like it. But it’s nothing too egregious, yet.
“It’s fine. Let’s just keep moving, yeah?” Sophie sighed.
“Yeah… I mean yes, yes! Let us proceed, there is a special spot we wish to show you two.” Maylesa recovered quickly enough.
They moved into the park and Sophie instantly felt the refreshing scent of nature relax her slightly. Aryana also seemed completely enraptured by the strange sight of nature within such an urban environment. The redhead’s strange movements elicited a chuckle from Thalnor.
“If you think this is interesting, then wait till you see inside the elven quarter.” Thalnor smiled widely.
“If only…” Sophie echoed.
“Hey, don’t look so glum you guys, we’re here.” Maylesa gestured.
Tucked within an alcove between some trees was a small pavilion surrounded by flower beds. Vibrant reds, greens, blues, and yellows greeted the party. Sophie found herself taken back to Eva’s greenhouse, a small sad smile snaking across her face. I wonder if she still takes care of flowers at the academy?
“Isn’t this a fantastic little space?” Maylesa declared, “And few people come here too. We have this all to ourselves.” She spread her arms wide.
Thalnor and Aryana nodded their assent, before the redhead furtively detached from Sophie and slinked her way over to examine at the flowers.
“Yeah, it really is.” Sophie finally said with a wistful sigh.
The siblings traded a proud look amongst themselves before heading over to the pavilion, leaving Sophie just staring at the structure from afar. Her mind frolicked in the estate gardens, the nostalgic scent of those flowers tingling in her nostrils. She closed her eyes and saw the white roses, Eva sitting in between the pots gently watering the plants. Aryana slunk back over with an expression of concern on her face.
“Sophie?”
“Eh?”
“You okay?”
“Mmm.”
“I’m here, you know.”
“Mmhmm.”
“To help you I mean.”
“Mmm.”
“Sophie.”
“Hmm?”
“Let’s go.” Aryana tugged at her sleeve.
Sophie smiled and sighed, letting the redhead drag her towards the pavilion. Sophie pushed the memories out of her mind and turned her attention back to the scent of vanilla in front of her, the soft excitable girl and her fiery red hair. Her eyes then traveled forward to the two inquisitive but friendly elves. She wondered just how she had lucked out in meeting some of the few elves in the city not actively hostile to her.
“Enjoying the views?” Thalnor asked.
Aryana nodded excitedly and Sophie politely dipped her head.
“We figured it’d be a nice place to show… friends.” Maylesa said somewhat hesitantly.
“Indeed, friends.” Thalnor agreed.
Aryana bobbed her head and Sophie gave a small little chuckle.
“It is! Thank you both.” Sophie affirmed.
Looking pleased as ever, the siblings sat down and gestured for the duo to join. But as they did so, Sophie noticed Maylesa’s expression had darkened once more. The elf finally let out a tired sigh, the first that Sophie had heard from her. Uh oh.
“We do have a secondary purpose for calling you two here.” Maylesa began, her tone of voice far more serious than either of the duo expected.
“Oh?”
“Well, initially it was just to show you an impeccable study location. Which I believe we accomplished with distinction.” The elf quickly clarified, “But…” Her eyes darted towards her brother.
“But we wanted to help, so we did ask a few questions and perhaps borrow a few texts.” Thalnor stated.
“Help?” Sophie asked.
“Your research.”
“My… research? Ah! Did you… did you really?” Sophie’s ears perked up.
“We did it! And we might have… a few things we could share.” Thalnor smirked.
“Well, you might know some of it depending on how much research you’ve done on your own. But yes! We did!” Maylesa exclaimed a little more excitedly.
Even Aryana took the moment to pause and smiled supportively at Sophie, the redhead’s reaction making her smile as well. I definitely feel like I’ve lucked out meeting the right people.
“So… if you don’t mind me asking…” Sophie began before she leaned in conspiratorially, “What’d you learn?”