In the middle of assisting a new client, Laz spotted a single yellow leaf at the top of a young scorch maple tree, and he was elated. The start of autumn had finally shown itself. Soon, the summer’s heat would give way to cool breezes and a warm, leafy backdrop.
Maybe we’ll get a proposal or two in the town. A few weddings would help immensely. I could afford a new focus by next week.
Tradition in Evermine – and perhaps in other parts of Kradall too, but Laz had never cared for the customs of other towns – was to have a wizard present at the ceremony. According to his mentor, it started as a precaution to avoid any unlucky mishaps. Soothing any wild animals that came down from the mountain, chasing away rain clouds, casting a long-lost good fortune spell on the happy couple; anything that could be done to keep the day running smoothly. However, as time went on, the ability to predict weather improved, beasts became sparse, and many spells were never passed down. In Laz’s experience, all he ever had to do was have Rapid Refresh on standby and keep the temperature comfortable.
Whatever the case, they paid him for his time and he liked having a reason to wear some of his more luxurious outfits. The leaves changing colors meant tokens were going to become readily available in a few more weeks.
Autumn’s token – the item one uses to propose marriage – was a large, scarlet maple leaf. Whichever variety of maple the suitor preferred, so long as it was a striking color and had no tears.
Supposedly the town once used gems straight from their local mines as their tokens, but when the earthspring dried up, so did that tradition. Now each season had its own token, some rarer than others.
A turned leaf was the easiest token to get throughout the year, hence the season saw the majority of the town’s proposals and weddings soon thereafter. There were other quirks of the tradition Laz had learned, such as how men would propose in the spring and summer, while women would only ever propose in the colder half of the year.
It all seemed complicated and messy to Laz. He was glad that he didn’t fret over finding romance and instead devoted his life to the study of magic. It meant he didn’t have to deal with any of the troubles he saw couples constantly facing. One of the same troubles he was currently attending to.
“And you can keep the heat concentrated on that side of the room?” Umbra asked. She was a young woman, around the same age as Laz, who had just married the year before.
The two of them stood in her bedroom, where an open shutter allowed Laz to see the young scorch maple, with its prophetic yellow leaf, outside against the setting sun.
“I promise, it won’t spread anywhere else. You can feel it for yourself!” Laz stuck his hand into the pocket of heat he had created on Umbra’s side of the room. It was impossible to see any difference but he could feel the difference. “Should last a week until it needs to be re-cast.”
Umbra mimicked Laz’s hand movement, smiling when she presumably felt the new heated air over her side of the bed. “Oh this is brilliant, Laz. My husband hates how stuffy the room gets with the window closed at night, but I can’t stand the chill.”
That chill is what I live for, Laz thought to himself. He did find it amusing that her husband, Ruc – a handsome man who also happened to be Laz’s first kiss, though he hoped Umbra wasn’t aware of that – had the same complaints with heat that Laz did.
“I’m glad you’re satisfied!” Laz walked toward the door, hoping he could leave before Ruc arrived home. The two never properly addressed what happened between them in their teens and Laz hoped they never would. “Let me know if it ends earlier than expected, or if it’s too hot or anything.”
“Wait,” Umbra said. She ran to her bedside table and pulled out a coin purse. “I still need to pay you!” She pulled silver coins out of the purse, piling them onto the bed one at a time while she mumbled to herself.
“Ah, that you do.” Laz shuffled back into the bedroom, unsure of what to say. The new services he offered had been selling well all week, yet he hated the feeling that he was taking from townsfolk that already struggled so much to get by.
It’s necessary to feed the dragon. And if they couldn’t afford it, then they wouldn’t buy it! Right, nobody will starve because of me, surely.
One final clink of a coin landing in the pile rang through the room. “There, that should cover the heat and the skin spell. I can’t believe how clear my face is thanks to you!” Umbra scooped the coins up in her hand.
“It’s hardly any effort on my end, trust me.” Laz blushed and reluctantly accepted the coins, sliding them into his satchel. He wanted to leave but remembered Calder’s tip. “And be sure to tell the other ladies at the apothecary, please. Skin enhancement, only five coins.”
“Of course I will! Though I hope you’ll forgive me if I wait a few days and let them go a little mad over what my secret might be.” Umbra laughed, her small nose scrunching up as she did.
I really don’t care, as long as I can keep finding work. Laz bid her farewell and headed outside, eager to get home before the dragon got hungry enough to eat the nails in his house.
The beast was ravenous, unable to go more than a few hours before needing to eat more precious metals. Laz’s new services of home heating and cooling, alongside utilizing Rapid Refresh as a beauty treatment, were his best chance at affording enough scrap at the market to keep her sated. In the week since discovering her, Laz had talked to more townsfolk than he had in the previous six months.
It’s like I’ve become a salesman, spending all my time peddling services and luxuries instead of studying. What would Master say if he came back and saw me disgracing magic this way? He told me to look after the town and now I’m bleeding them dry…
He followed the dirt path away from the several houses that occupied the edge of the forest. It was the only way to make it through the new swamp forming where they were originally built without getting covered in mud. A frog croaked in the distance, telling him it was time to get home before it was too dark.
Laz opened the top of his satchel which hung by his side as he walked. The earnings of the day would be enough to feed himself and the dragon for a while longer, though it didn’t leave much leftover to buy a new focus.
I need to get a replacement for the one Master left me before my bracelet shatters. He hesitated to look closely at the sapphire on his arm, out of fear it would be in a worse condition than he remembered. It had always been his backup focus, used when he had no other option. Now, after a week of regular use – even more than regular, with all the extra services he had been offering – he had noticed the first sign of its decay. A small, hairline crack ran along the side where it was embedded in the bracelet. Each spell he cast had made it spread, and he was starting to worry it would reach the end of its life in less than a month at the current rate.
The bracelet wasn’t just the last way he had to cast spells. When he was found as an infant, the bracelet was the only thing he had. It connected him to whatever his past was, and while he had long since abandoned his desire to find his birth parents, he wasn’t fond of losing such a sentimental item.
At least that meathead is chipping in. Maybe keeping him around was worth it after all.
***
A choir of crickets and frogs warbled in the nearby marsh. The sun had sunk below the horizon half an hour ago and Calder was beginning his third night shift. In order to earn some more money, he had asked Faramond to be assigned to any extra work that came up.
He was nervous to ask his captain, the man he had admired and modeled his own career as a knight after, but knew that he and Laz would need all the extra income they could manage. The dragon ate almost as much as he did, despite her small size.
Hopefully dragons grow slowly, Calder thought as he watched the flames of his torch dance. We can barely afford her meals as it is, I can’t imagine feeding anything larger.
Next to him, Notch sighed. The two were on duty together, stationed at the entrance gate to Evermine. Their job was to stay alert to any potential smugglers, as well as checking in with any wagons that wanted to enter or leave the city. In the three nights since Calder had started, nobody had attempted to do either.
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“I don’t see the point in having two guards out here,” Notch said with the same disdain he had on previous shifts. “It was easy enough to handle on my own, I didn’t need you here.”
Calder stayed vigilant, keeping an eye out for movement in the distance as he replied. “Faramond clearly disagrees. I asked for extra work and this is what he saw best fit, so save your complaints for him.”
Notch huffed and sat down on a stump by his side of the gate. “What, is your pretty new boyfriend more expensive than you can afford? With a guy like that, you may as well have just gotten a girlfriend. Probably costs the same but with less embarrassment.”
He’s trying to piss me off so I stop taking the night shift. He’s trying to get under my skin, I can ignore it. Calder disregarded his co-worker’s taunts and yawned, hoping his feigned indifference would discourage any further remarks. Why does he like this shift so much anyway? And why does he want me gone? It’s not as if our pay is split.
“I mean you two are a couple, right?” Notch rose off the stump swaggered over to Calder, his torch lax by his side. He was shorter and leaner than Calder but was known to be quick with a dagger and had his own type of intimidation. “That’s what Mohs and Strawb were talking about. They said they’ve seen you visiting the wizard’s house after dinner.”
Calder remained silent, still keeping watch over the road.
“Or maybe you’re getting some special spells cast on you. I’ve heard he’s offering some new perks to those willing to pay, and I never did think you were one to go for men.”
“No, I’m definitely attracted to him,” Calder said. He partially wanted to finally have that aspect of himself be out there, but he also just wanted to see Notch caught off guard.
“Oh. Well then it’s true, and you two really are a thing.” The knight lifted his torch up and did a quick look around. “It’s a little surprising how much I’m hearing about this wizard lately. I’ve been here a few years and talked to him maybe four times. But I guess he got tired of waiting for his mentor to return and realized how much he can squeeze outta these people.”
“Excuse me?” Calder struggled to keep his voice calm.
Notch’s eyes lit up, as if he had finally found the weak point he was so desperately searching for. “Yeah, charging to keep a room warm or clean up someone’s face. He’s become little more than an overpriced good luck charm! He’s running all over town doing who-knows-what for a couple of coins. I don’t blame him, I mean I’d do the same thing but–”
Calder dropped his torch and, before the unsuspecting knight could flinch, he grabbed Notch’s undershirt and pulled it up, lifting the man off the ground.
“Hey, hey!” Notch screamed, while his own torch fell to the ground and became smothered in mud. The only light left was from the sconces attached to the gate. “I’m sorry, I swear! Put me down!”
“Laz does more for this town in one day than you’ve ever done in your time here.” Calder spoke through clenched teeth, his voice even lower than normal. “I don’t care if you wanna call me names, or poke fun at us being a couple, which we aren’t for the record, but don’t insult his honor.”
All Calder could see was Notch’s big ears burning red as he whimpered. Dammit, I let him get to me. He’s got a real talent, I’ll give him that.
“Alright, I promise!” Notch’s voice had raised an octave as he begged and kicked his feet in the air. “Please, Calder, I was just giving you shit! I didn’t mean anything serious by it! He’s a good wizard, just put me down!”
Calder relented, lowering Notch back down to his feet. The rat-like man scrambled to grab his sopping torch and returned to his side of the gate.
“Sorry about that,” Calder said while they attempted to relight their torches in the sconces. “Hope I didn’t hurt ya, pal.” In truth, he wouldn’t have minded leaving him with a bruise or two, but knew a serious injury would get him in trouble with the captain.
Notch flashed a sheepish smile before turning away. “It didn’t hurt, don’t worry.”
Yeah, sure it didn’t. You were just whimpering for fun.
“I’ll tell ya,” Notch continued. “The capital could stand to help out with all the flooding around here. Though this place doesn’t generate enough money for them to care.”
“It’s not like there’s much they can do,” Calder said. He felt an urge to defend the capital he had spent his childhood training in. “Laz says it’s because this thing called the earthspring dried up and the ground itself is withering away. Nobody knows how to amend something like that, even the capital.”
“Well, still, some food would be nice. I’m sick of rice, I want some bread.”
“Trade has been difficult for everyone. Other kingdom’s aren’t doing nearly as well. Sil-Chir is being overrun by plague and Pamantia is at war. We should be grateful our people are healthy and at peace.”
Notch opened his mouth, likely to complain some more, before hesitating. “Perhaps you’re right. They could at least ease up on the taxes, though. Two raises in the past two years is unheard of.”
As defensive as Calder felt, he was impressed at how fast Notch had changed the subject and brushed off their scuffle. Still, he wasn’t a fan of where the new conversation was headed either. Ah, I’ll let him tire himself out. At least then he won’t be talking about me.
“It’s like all the royals care about is hoarding their gold these days. What happened to all their monster-slaying glory, and all that dragon shit we had to learn about?”
Hearing the word “dragon” made Calder flinch, though there was no indication in his voice that he knew about their traitorous secret.
“Evermine is basically just a dump where they send all the reject knights.” Notch kicked a pebble that was near his stump and they both watched as it slowly sank into the thick mud ahead of them. “The ones who technically pass their exams but don't meet their expectations. I can’t believe you actually asked to be stationed here. With your record you could have at least been in a real city, if not a royal guard.”
“I think that’s a little harsh,” Calder said. “Faramond was stationed here, wasn’t he? And he was the best trainee the capital’s seen in decades! He practically invented a whole new form of swordsmanship that better protects the wielder during a brawl, and a way to subdue an attacker without injuring them. And the sparring records he set, I mean watching him fight is incredible.” As he spoke, his voice got more excited and a smile had found its way on his face.
“I suppose.” Notch began to meander away from the gate and out of Evermine. He spoke with a lowered voice. “But I’ve heard a thing or two about him. I’m not so sure his captain position here was a reward.”
Again, Calder found himself upset at what he was hearing. “Are you insane? He’s the youngest captain in the whole kingdom! How is that not an accomplishment? Would you really trust some baseless rumor over what you can see for yourself?”
“Maybe you’re right. He leads us well and–” Notch froze and held his hand to his large ears. “Do you hear that?” A smile grew on his face, then panic. He hurried back to his position next to the gate.
“What? What is it? Should we be worried?” Calder rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Notch shook his head. “Just follow my lead, and don’t tell anyone what’s about to happen, alright? I’ll give you half if it goes well.”
“Half of what?” Calder asked, though Notch shushed him.
A few seconds later, a dim light appeared in the distance, followed by the sound of hooves and spinning wheels. Calder held his breath as a wagon rolled over the hill. It was plain, one made for travel rather than the movement of goods. Two horses in plain black caparisons pulled it along with a masked coachman. The mud looked to be causing the animals trouble, though they managed to trudge through and eventually reach the gate.
As it did, the wagon rolled to a stop. From inside the carriage, Calder heard murmurings. He looked over to Notch who didn’t appear half as shocked as Calder felt. Oh, he’s suddenly brave now after I scared him earlier?
The wooden door of the carriage popped open, revealing an odd looking man dressed like a steward. His face was young – save for his wrinkled, sunken eyes – and his hairline had receded almost entirely. He looked down at the mud, as if he was considering exiting, then gestured for Calder to step forward.
Notch, who had run around to Calder’s side, spoke up. “Sorry about this, our captain decided we needed two guards on duty this week. There was a burglary last week and all that.”
The steward turned around, and Calder caught a glimpse of the other man in the carriage. He appeared to be a few years older than Calder, perhaps in his early thirties. He had styled blonde hair that swooped in front of his face, a style that was usually for younger men, and wore a purple cloak on his shoulders.
Calder recognized the royal family’s crest sewn into his cloak. What’s a guy like this doing here? And so late at night?
“Sire, there appear to be two guards this time,” the steward said with a slimy drawl.
The royal tilted his head back and groaned. “Oh whatever, pay them both then.” He opened a small chest to his side and tossed a coin pouch out of the door.
Notch lunged forward and grabbed it. “Thank you, sire! I promise, he won’t say a word to anyone.”
Calder was baffled, so much so that he didn’t notice the coin purse being dangled in his face by the steward until Notch cleared his throat.
“Here you are.” The servant rolled his eyes. “Please take it so we can be on our way. Urgent matters are at hand.”
“Did we really have to come back to this filthy place,” the nobleman said. “I already thought the first trip was pointless.”
The steward, still holding the coins in front of him, peered over his shoulder. “Worry not, sire, this will be the last time until-” He looked back at Calder. “For a while.” He grabbed Calder’s hand and plopped the coin purse in his palm before closing the door to the carriage.
“Thank you again, you’re free to enter Evermine!” Notch sounded cheerful as he counted his new coins.
With a crack of a whip, the wagon entered the city and disappeared around a bend. Calder was left dumbfounded, standing frozen in place with no clue as to what just occurred.
Notch crept up to him. “You won’t tell anyone, right? Like, not even the captain?”
“I…” Calder stared at the money in his hands. This would help a lot with feeding the dragon. And if a royal asked me to do it, that technically follows the chain of command. He’s higher up than Faramond.
“I guess I won’t.”
Notch sighed in relief. “Good. And since it sounds like this is their last time stopping by, you don’t have to worry about me for your future night shifts! We all win.”
What if Faramond finds out about this? Would he accept money like this? It’s a bribe! But it’s from someone I’m supposed to follow anyway…
Calder frowned, unsure for the third time in the past few weeks what he should do.