Seeing Manifee City again took Wil’s breath away. A big port town on the west coast of Calipan, it was the largest city for five hundred miles in any direction. It had started as a settlement to claim the westernmost borders of the continent, and then as a naval base in their hundred year war with IIianto. The port and a fleet of ships, military and civilian, stretched out on the horizon.

Despite its start as a military headquarters, the city didn’t look like it was built for war. Tall apartment buildings lined the beaches, where everyone shared in year round beautiful weather and a mild climate. Little markets formed between patches of housing and public parks. The building were newer than in Harper Valley, and made to be enchanted.

The Academy of Saint Balthazar was just barely visible as they closed in, the highest tower poking up over the nearest buildings. While connected to the city, it was miles away, set at the foot of the mountains. Wil’s heart ached at seeing the academy for real, and not a twisted copy in a mad mage’s mind.

“He was a good meal,” said Isom, literally reading his master’s thoughts. Wil hadn’t realized he’d been broadcasting them so loudly.

“I’m glad you think so,” said Wil, eyes locked on the growing city. “That meal of yours might cost me my career or life, depending on how things go.”

“It could even endanger the peace between our nations,” Syl added helpfully. “Rendering everything we’ve done as useless. That’s a lot of impact for one dead mage.”

Wil didn’t think he could get any more tense, but Syl was good at that. “Either way, stay out of my head, Isom. Remember what I said, best behavior. There’s a lot of wizards here, and you can’t eat any of them.”

Isom grumbled, but otherwise didn’t protest.

As the Flying Calamity met the edge of the city, other ships drifted by, off in the distance. People as small as ants looked up at them, some waving. Wil was tempted to send out a harmless illusion to say hello, but the skies above the city were off limits and the authorities didn’t play games.

“This place looks like fun,” said Syl, leaning over the railing far enough that Wil dreaded him taking a tumble. “Any places you want to show me while we’re here?”

“No time.” Wil finally looked away. “We’re to meet with our security escort and then they’ll take us through town, through the military base, and then on to Cloverton. I doubt we’ll be spending much time here. Otherwise, I’d love to share my old haunts. Baxleby’s Bookstore is damned near the size of Harper Valley’s city hall, and the Slutty Siren was one of my favorite places to do homework. No, it’s not that kind of place,” he added, seeing Syl light up.

Memory after memory came flooding back. A full quarter of Wil’s life had taken place at the Academy or wandering the city with the few close friends he’d made. Almost two thousand nights spent studying and playing and honing his craft. It was the first place Wil had ever truly felt like himself, at home with his gift.

“The best part about Manifee City is that it’s basically the magical capital of Calipan. It’s the only school of its level, and even privately taught wizards come here to learn and get licensed. There are hundreds of wizards who live here, and travel for work whenever they get a good contract.”

Captain Nesbitt walked up to them, looking as severe as ever. “We’ll be landing and disembarking within the half hour. Our instructions are to handle your possessions with care, and they’ll be waiting for you in Cloverton on the morrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Wil grimaced. “And what about tonight?”

“I was not told,” said Nesbitt with an apologetic dip of his head. “You will be met with an escort, who will take over your protection and guide you to your hearing. I can’t say I am happy about our time together, Master McKenzie, but I am glad to have met you.”

Wil bowed his head respectfully. “The same goes for you, Captain. I’m sorry circumstances brought us here, but I’m glad to know there are honorable men leading our military. If you find yourself in Harper Valley again, call on me anytime.” He reached down and scratched Isom’s head.

Captain Nesbit gave a brief salute, and returned to the helm, shouting orders at a sailor slacking off nearby. They watched him go, then Syl turned to him.

“How much do you think we’re going to need an escort?” he asked. “Do they know I’m royalty and should be treated like an esteemed guest?”

Wil shook his head. “They know, but I wouldn’t expect too terribly much at first. You’re not exactly the kind of diplomat who carries himself with pomp and gravity. I can hardly take you seriously, and that’s after seeing you in action. The copy of the peace treaty and the logs of our meetings should help, but you’re probably going to be stuck in Cloverton longer than I am.”

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Even with the reassurances that his possessions would be handled, Wil went to his quarters and packed a change of clothes, some money, and a battered old novel. Then it was time to hurry up and wait, with each passing minute dragging on longer than the one before.

When the ship lurched to a shuddering halt, Wil all but ran to the deck, where he had to wait another few minutes for the ship to be secured and the gangway lowered. Although there were many ships in the air, only two others were docked in the marina. Wil waved once more to Captain Nesbitt and walked on down to the busy port.

The only path led through hundreds of people loading and unloading cargo and repairing their ships. It wasn’t hard to get through, with Syl and Isom at his side. Everyone stared at the fae, and most kept their distance. It wouldn’t be a problem until they got into the city proper, but Wil kept an eye out and put on a friendly smile.

At the customs house, their escort met them. He was a short, dark skinned, black haired man with thick spectacles, and heavy lidded eyes that looked like he was nodding off at any given moment. He wore a suit of actual armor covered in runes, And had a curved sword at his side.

“Chinis!” Wil cried.

The mage gave him The Nod, face cracking into a crooked smile. “McKenzie. I know you must’ve missed us, but you didn’t have to cause an international incident as an excuse to visit.” He spoke in a lazy, lingering drawl.

“Maybe, but it was more fun this way,” said Wil, slapping his hand against his friend’s. “Actually, that’s a lie. It was incredibly stressful and some days I still have trouble believing it all happened.”

Chinis looked over Wil’s shoulder, up to Syl. “Hey. You look like a goat. I like your eyes.”

Syl bowed theatrically. “Prince Sylano of the Woodlands Association, at your service.”

“Oh man, royalty.” Chinis bowed right back, sweeping his arm out. “Pleasure, your majesty. And who’s the cat?”

Isom stood at Wil’s side, sniffing the mage. “I am wizardbane, hungry and terrible.”

“This is Isom,” said Wil. “He’s my pet wampus cat. Despite how he sounds, he won’t hurt anyone. I gotta ask, do you know how mad they are?”

Chinis shrugged. “They don’t tell me a damned thing, man. All I know is I am supposed to get you and take you to a safehouse. Oh, and guard you, I guess. Not like anyone’s going to pick a fight with a knight. Or big, ugly-ass cats. C’mon, we got a stop to make first.”

He turned and left. Wil motioned for Syl to follow and set off after him, Isom padding behind. Rather than take the main exit out, Chinis led them through a side passage back outside behind a fence. He led them to a parking lot, where a line of cars waited. His was a deep blue, and had seating for four.

“What’s this thing?” Syl asked, cocking his head to the side.

Wil couldn’t blame him. As far as he knew, only the major cities had widespread access to cars, and even then it was usually only the rich or powerful. As a mid level mage, Chinis more or less counted as both.

“This is my car,” said Chinis with an amused smile. “It takes us places.”

“Where’s the horse?” Syl looked around.

“Sorry man, I guess I just put the cart before the horse and never looked back. Get in.”

Wil took the front passenger seat, while the fae climbed in the back. Syl had to sit with his head at a weird angle to prevent his horns brushing against the leathery roof. The car seat was soft, velvety, and a radical red Wil loved. Chinis got in and put his hands on the steering wheel.

Sigils on the wheel and the front lit up as the mage powered it with his own magic. Objects like this were the simplest form of enchantments, dormant spells that came to life when given power. For someone like Chinis or Wil, it was just a slight drain to activate and maintain them, nothing they would miss.

The car rolled forward, magic turning the wheels as one and picking up speed. Two guards at the gate opened it up for them as they approached. Chinis took them out onto the road where a few other cars rolled by, joining the horse pulled carts and carriages still prevalent.

Manifee City was an explosion of colors and simple magic, used everywhere. Across the side of one building, illusions flickered in and out, advertising new boats or beauty creams. Right before they passed it, the image changed to a picture of Saint Balthazar’s from in front, along with a message underneath that read, ‘Think you have what it takes? Get tested for magical ability now!’

Street stalls sold little toys that moved on their own, orbs that heated or chilled the air around it, and even potions. Life there seemed twenty to thirty years ahead of Harper Valley, and it made Wil excited to bring a taste of this to home. Modern conveniences, without being choked by factories and machinery.

“So where’s that stop going to be?” Wil asked after a few minutes of quiet driving. He’d been surprised that Syl wasn’t talking a mile a minute, but the faun’s face was plastered to the window, watching this new world go by.

“Someplace you’re gonna be real happy to see. You all hungry?”

“Always,” purred Isom.

“I could eat,” said Syl, still looking out the window.

“Wait,” said Wil, “does that mean what I think it means?”

Sure enough, they turned a corner onto a well loved street. The sign could be read, even a quarter mile away. Big, bold letters proclaimed the establishment to be The Magical Madhouse. Carefully burned into the wood was the image of a bearded, cloaked wizard casting a spell. The spell itself cycled through fire, wind, water, and lightning, changing about once every thirty seconds.

Chinis turned a crooked grin his way. “It sure does. Hope you’re ready to put on a show, McKenzie. You didn’t think I’d drag your ass to Cloverton without giving you one good last meal did you?”