Isolated in the Cantermere Mountains, Sages’ Keep is home to a brotherhood of truth seekers that document the history of the world of Relmgard. As a young boy, Roland was adopted and raised by the masters of the keep and fortunate to be put on the path to becoming a scribe. As an apprentice, he performed his scholarly training and duties during the day. At night, when he was done with his chores, Roland found escape in books. None were more captivating than those detailing the recent history of Relmgard, when a group of warriors banded together to defeat the Archfiend Zothis. Tales of these champions — known as the Chosen — stirred Roland’s imagination and desire for adventure. However, the world is now at peace and monsters no longer roam freely. In Roland’s mind, he had accepted that the Heroic Age was drawing to a close and that his existence would be one of a simple scribe, not even a footnote in history.

But, even in its twilight, the Heroic Age still holds many mysteries …

“Read that last sentence back to me, Rol,” said Keeling.

“Yes, master: ‘But, even in its twilight, the Heroic Age still holds many mysteries …’,” repeated Roland.

“Perfect. Some of my finest work,” Keeling paused then continued. “What did you think about my argument that the force of a tidal wave would be insufficient to knock down Telos’ reinforced stone walls? Irrefutable, no?”

“Sorry Master, the analysis was too complicated for me.”

“Then perhaps I should review the tensile strength of limestone with you once again?”

Roland didn’t respond. After several months of working closely with Keeling and becoming accustomed to his dry sense of humour, he knew that this wasn’t a serious question.

Keeling continued, “I’ll assign you some further readings later. For now, bring these pages to Master Wiburg.“

“Right away, Master,” said Roland as he carefully placed the pages into his satchel.

***

The majority of Sages’ Keep was filled with bookshelves and little forethought was given to their placement. To an outsider, this created an environment that would seem confusing and claustrophobic but also very repetitive. Having spent so many years in the keep, Roland rarely thought of its design and idiosyncrasies, only what the books were that occupied its shelves. The true grandeur of the keep lay in this unmatched collection. Something only the finest scholar would appreciate. At least that’s what Roland told himself on the rare occasions that he did ponder his dull surroundings.

As he moved through the stacks towards Wiburg’s study area, he took his usual detour to the statue of Hesteria, the Celestial of Knowledge. The statue towered over the foyer of the keep. He looked up at her marble form and thought to himself:

Hesteria, Celestial of Knowledge, may your milk provide nourishment throughout my life and give clarity to my thoughts.

After completing this ‘prayer,’ he stared at the chest of the well-endowed statue for a few more seconds before returning to the stacks.

***

Roland found Wiburg working in his usual space, a table in one of the few open areas in the keep.

“Ah Roland,” Wiburg said as he looked up from his work. “Have you completed your transcription of Master Keeling’s history of the city of Telos?”

“Yes master, here it is,” said Roland as he took the pages out of his satchel and handed them over.

“Hopefully this will be another valuable addition to our encyclopedia on the major cities of Relmgard during the Heroic Age.”

After several minutes of reading Wiburg scoffed: “Ugh, another treatise on the ‘truth’ behind the destruction of the city of Telos. Never let it be said that the pursuit of knowledge makes you wise. Master Keeling is an intelligent man but he goes out of his way to ignore the obvious.

“Do you know that when he first arrived here he claimed to have definitive proof that Relmgard was a hollow sphere? Imagine that — believing that our world could be spherical in shape!

“Anyways, this will require major revisions but those will have to wait until tomorrow.”

With that, Wiburg waved Roland away.

***

His duties now complete for the day, Roland grabbed a book from the stacks to read later tonight and headed to his room to get ready for dinner. When he opened the door to his room he was shocked to see someone standing next to his desk.

Before he could say anything the figure spoke, “Oh sorry, I’m new here. I must have walked into the wrong room.”

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“You’re new?” asked Roland. “No one told me about a new apprentice. When did you —”

“See you around the keep.” The figure cut him off mid-sentence. “I’ve got to go — late for orientation.”

The figure then quickly moved passed Roland and disappeared. Roland immediately knew something was amiss. Not only is there no ‘orientation’ at the keep but the voice he just heard was distinctly feminine. As he stood there thinking about what had just happened, he noticed a silver key on his desk. He slipped it into his pocket and headed off to immediately find Master Wiburg to tell him about this intruder.

Roland didn’t have to travel far before coming across Master Wiburg and Master Ethan. In fact, it looked like they were trying to find him.

“Master Wiburg!” shouted a flustered Roland.

“Roland, good,” said Wiburg. “I was just coming to see you. I have received some very troubling news.”

“Master Wiburg, just now I saw a stranger —”

“Roland, let me finish. There has been a fairly shocking accusation levelled against you. Until this matter is resolved, we cannot let you roam freely throughout the keep. Master Ethan will take you to the guest quarters. You will be confined there until our investigation concludes.”

“Accusation? Investigation? What’s going on.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding. But first Master Ethan needs to search your person.”

As Roland only had two pockets on his robe, this didn’t take long. Ethan immediately found the silver key that Roland had just picked up.

“Just like the letter said, he has the key on him,” said Ethan.

“That’s not mine! I just picked it up moments ago!”

“Quiet Roland,” said Wiburg. “Master Ethan, take Roland to the guest quarters.”

***

Roland spent the night laying on an unfamiliar bed trying to determine what had just happened. What could he possibly be accused of? Who was that person in his room? Just as he was about to finally fall asleep there was a knock on the door. It was Master Ethan and Master Reeves. The sun was now rising and Roland realized that he must have stayed awake all night. The two masters escorted him to the keep’s lecture hall. As he entered, Roland looked around. It seemed like all of the masters were present. Master Wiburg sat at a table in the front. After Roland was seated in a chair in the centre of the room, Wiburg began to speak.

“Roland: After receiving an anonymous letter yesterday, we searched your room and discovered a stack of illicit books.”

“Illicit books?” asked a confused Roland.

“Yes — Pornography. Erotica. Smut. Books that contain pictures of fornication and many other deviant acts.”

“What?”

Roland still wasn’t processing what was going on.

“SEX BOOKS!” shouted Wiburg.

Roland finally came out of his daze. “That’s impossible!”

“Really?” said Wiburg. “None of these titles sound familiar to you?

Help! My Sister is a Succubus!

I Can only Cast Spells when I’m Filled with Your Seed

Lewd Lessons of the Loli Princess.”

Wiburg paused and took a deep breath.

“Boner Quest.”

“We had trouble examining that last one because the pages were stuck together,” Ethan added. “It took Master Reeves all night to peel them apart without damaging the book.”

“This is ridiculous! Those books aren’t mine!” said Roland.

Wiburg shook his head. “Please Roland, no more deceptions. They were hidden under your bed in a locked box. The key that we found on you yesterday opened that box. We don’t know how you amassed this collection of pornography, but it is in clear violation of the Sages’ Keep’s code of ethics.”

“Hold on Master Wiburg, some of these works may have artistic merit,” said Keeling. “It can certainly be argued that Boner Quest is an astute satire of the Heroic Age.”

“Keeling! Enough!” shouted Wiburg as he slammed his fists on the table. This caused a book entitled The Cuckolded Dragon to fall on the floor and lie open on a page depicting a rather unusual sexual act.

“One has to applaud the author for his execution of such an absurd premise,” mumbled Keeling as Reeves rushed over to pick up the book.

“Late last night, we convened this tribunal in order to determine your punishment,” said Wiburg. “I’m sorry to say, Roland, that our final decision was to expel you. You must leave Sages’ Keep immediately.”

For a long moment everyone looked at each other in silence. No one seemed to know what to do next. As it began to dawn on Roland what was happening he realized that no one had mentioned the intruder. “But wait that new girl was in my room yesterday! She must have hidden those books there! That key belonged to her!”

“New girl? What in the Celestial Kingdom are you talking about?” said Wiburg. “The newest member of Sages’ Keep joined years ago and is certainly no girl. Clearly your lust for underage princesses has warped your mind. Enough.”

Ethan and Reeves then escorted Roland out of Sages’ Keep and dropped a bag containing his meagre belongings at his feet. Without saying a single word they returned inside.

***

Roland stood in shock trying to process what had just happened. Sages’ Keep was the only home that he had ever known. How can it be taken away from him in a matter of minutes? Surely this is some sort of cruel joke?

As he turned to look back at the entrance, the door opened and Keeling came out.

“I’m sorry Rol,” began Keeling. “I spent hours last night arguing with the tribunal on your behalf. I told them that men of your age often have urges that can lead to irrational behaviour and that we should give you a second chance. But some people just don’t have an open mind when it comes to incest porn.”

Roland pleaded, “Master Keeling, you believe me, right? That those weren’t my books?”

“Of course — I’ve seen the way you stare at the statue of Hesteria that towers over the foyer of the keep. Her ample bosom often attracts your gaze. I must admit, those marble globes have also caused me many restless nights. In fact, during my private prayers I will often call to her as ‘Chesteria.’ ”

Roland looked confused.

“My point is: You’re a breast man, through and through. Yet the images in all of those books we found have one thing in common: flat-chested girls. They simply couldn’t have been yours. But the tribunal would not listen to such logic. So there was nothing I could do."

Both Roland and Keeling sighed, albeit for different reasons.

“Since this is the last time I may see you, listen to me: As you know, far east of here is the city of Bright Port. What is never spoken about in the keep is that several former Seekers who renounced the brotherhood have gone on to find great wealth and comfort in that city. By applying the skills and knowledge you’ve gained here, I know that someone with a mind as sharp as yours can also succeed there. It’s a long journey, but not that treacherous this time of year.

“Good luck and may the Celestials watch over you — especially the Celestial of Knowledge.” Keeling winked at Roland, “Towards fate do we travel.”

As Keeling returned inside, Roland stared off into the distance, unable to fully grasp how different his life would now be.