“Good morning, Sir James,” greeted Oakleaf Gilderwood, as he sat at the carved wooden table used by the royal family for their morning meal. Celeste and Sir Hartmann were already eating. Both looked refreshed as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred the previous day. Gilderwood, however, did appear somewhat more haggard than usual. “Today we visit the Colleges of Wizardry, a rare treat!” and then turned to his colleagues with a knowing grin. “I wonder what they will make of our young James, eh!”
“Given the events of yesterday, I can only hope that they will appreciate his assistance in our time of need, Sir Gilderwood,” replied Gunther Hartmann, directing his gaze towards James.
“Indeed Lord Hartmann,” replied the mage, and continued, “Gloamanthal’s power has grown. That much is clear. I fear that this journey has already taken too much time, and each additional delay serves only to allow the Lord of Death to gain strength. Yet I feel I have no choice. My own colleagues may yet prove their worth in this matter.. They have been preparing artifacts of great power this past year, and we will need them, if our quest is to be successful. And yet, I wonder. Will it be enough?”
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Celeste, Oakleaf Gilderwood and James strode along the famous Linden Strasse and they began climbing the intricate stone ramp of the Willhelmsbrucke bridge. The group were accompanied by an Empire swordsman, a Sergeant Fleming, who tended the pack mule, carrying many of the precious bundles of herbs, essential oils and tinctures, which Sir Gilderwood had brought with him from his mountainside gardens. Below the bridge, flowed the mud stained width of the famous River Reik.
“Through the Empire, wealth follows the River Reik and the River Stal, Sir James. Vessels from all the known world trade with the Empire, and most are equipped to sail the Reik as far as Badendorf. Shallower draft craft are required to continue the journey to Trochenheim or Stalsburg.”
Indeed, James could see many large ships, passing up and down the river. A Drommond, with Arabic symbols emblazoned on the shields which decorated its sides, was being rowed up river, two banks of oars working in practiced unison, to provide power against the slow but steady current. A large paddle wheeled ship built of iron, black smoke spewing from its coal powered boilers, steered down river. Crew members, broadly built, but of short stature strode on the outer decks. Most impressive of all, were the three decked sailing ships at anchor some distance down river, with enormous blue and red flags, and banners fluttering in the breeze. Everywhere small craft sailed to and fro. Downstream, in the distance James could see a less imposing stone bridge, also arching high above the river. Upstream, the River Reik branched into two rivers, one flowing from the west, the other directly from the south, the River Stal.
The trio, also accompanied by Sergeant Fleming and his pack mule, reached the apex of the bridge and began to descend into the northern quadrant of Badendorf. Everyone in Badendorf seemed to recognize Oakleaf and Celeste, and adore them. Crowded roads parted to allow their passage. Many called out Celeste’s name, and added greetings or encouragement.
James and his famous companions continued north, along the Linden Strasse and approached an area of the city which featured particularly large and ornate buildings, where the road widened to form a large plaza.
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“The Konigplaza, Sir James,” commented Oakleaf Gilderwood, emerging from his self absorbed state. “Famous throughout the Empire for its market. No greater selection of precious trade items exists on this earth. However, the objective of our journey lies near, and so I am afraid that we will not be able to spare moments to peruse the stalls. Please accept my apologies for this Sir James. We are minutes away from our destination.”
The pack mule, led by the Empire sergeant, followed the trio, as they entered the Konigplaza. Once again the throngs of market goers did their best to make space for the travellers from afar. Market stalls of every description filled the plaza. About half of the merchants were human, as well as most of the prospective customers. As for the rest, they represented all of the races of the world which James had become aware of so far, as well as several others. Three foot tall Halflings sold steaming plates of food to three meter tall brutes. Wispy thin beauties dressed in leaves, flowers and leather sold exotic oils and herbs to Badendorf mothers and grandmothers. Incredible lizardmen sold exotic looking bones, shells and stones, to hooded and secretive looking citizens. Sword merchants, armor smiths, sellers of equestrian equipment, mapmakers, mushroom merchants, the variety was amazing. Everywhere, money exchanged hands.The smells, the strange languages, the noise was tremendous. James ached to stop and spend the afternoon here. He loved markets, and this was unlike any market he had seen before, or even imagined possible.
Once clear of the Konigplaza, James noticed they were approaching an enormous structure, surrounded by a rather plain looking tall wall, curved and perhaps 20 meters tall. It was a brick wall, coated with an emerald green paint or stain. The walls revealed nothing about which lay beyond them. As they approached the entrance, a large wooden door, James noticed that every brick was imprinted with a symbol of a tree leaf, probably oak, as well as a spiral shape.
Two young men in green robes stood at the entrance to the wooden door, and bowed deeply to Oakleaf Gilderwood, as he approached. Neither bore any arms or armor. James deduced that they were Wizards. Behind them stood four armed men, soldiers of a sort, or rangers, but in uniforms unlike James had seen before. No quartering pattern existed on any of these men’s uniforms, and the garments were shades of green. Rather than meaning to stand out on a battlefield these men looked ready to camouflage themselves in a forest.
“You are expected, Sir Gilderwood,” said the taller of the two robed men, as the door opened silently behind them. All four, plus the mule were easily accommodated by the large entrance way. Inside, James was shocked to find an atrium environment, of massive proportions. Exotic birds called. Incredible aromas of a forest immediately replaced the mostly objectionable smells of the city. Everywhere was bright, as if the building possessed no ceiling. And yet, James could not locate the source of illumination through the foliage. Trees grew everywhere. A few steps off of the busy streets of Badendorf and James felt as if he could be walking in a remote forest, albeit a meticulously maintained forest. The group strode on a wide trail, covered with rich green grass, cropped short. To the right of the trail, dense trees of various species, some familiar to James and some not. Also to the right, another brick wall slowly curved inwards, covered in ivy as well as some other clinging and climbing forms of vegetation. Here and there young acolytes, both male and female, tended, pruned or trimmed the plants. All wore simple green robes and all had bare feet. James’s group followed the path while Oakleaf discussed matters with the two Emerald Wizards. Celeste walked alongside James.
“This is the College of Emerald Wizardry, young James. The greatest center of Life magic lore in all the world. Sir Gilderwood is the supreme Patriarch of this order of magic, though for the most part he shuns the duties and obligations of the position. If I may be so bold to say so, I believe that he also prefers the company of the Sisters to the culture of the Emerald college. As well Sir Gilderwood is of the belief that, although stunning achievements in plant husbandry exist within the walls of the college, the potency of some of the herbs is compromised by indoor culture. As well, the slopes of Mt. Isabella produce a wider variety in growing conditions than could ever be available in the confines of Badendorf, no matter what theurgies might be involved. And there are further advantages to the site of his gardens.”
“However, despite the differences of opinion, none here doubt his knowledge and skill. He brings invaluable, rare and precious seeds, oils, and herbs from his gardens. Patriarch Gilderwood will be occupied here for several hours catching up on many issues, but by day's end we will return to the palace. You are welcome to occupy your time here as you wish, and acolytes will be ready to lend assistance if you require it. The college is filled with wonders and is much larger inside than it appears from the street.”