The Niwach were big, on average they were about 3 metres tall. They looked like giant humans except their skin varied into different shades of red or blue and they had between one and three horns growing out of their heads. If they had cloven hooves and tails they would look like demons from Christian folklore. The closest myth Tuck could associate them with would be Oni from Japanese Yokai and Buddist folklore.
“Greetings Human, or are you some form of fairy since you are small and floating about?” The Guardsman called up to them. Tuck laughed.
“Greetings to you Guardsman, I am Bagman Altair Bashtuck. We came through the Bellphon forest seeking civilization. What city is this that we have found?”
“Well met Bagman Altair, this dying city is named Gorram. I am Halkar, a captain of Knolls Legion, we are the contracted security of this city. If you wish to come in you need to get to the back of the line and wait your turn to be processed.” Tuck looked at the crowd of people, as the line snaked back and forth in the field. They were inside the wall but outside of the Magical Barrier. The line was moving at a glacial pace and night would soon fall. Despite having a much greater grasp on his abilities Tuck was still not a fan of being exposed to the open skies at night. He floated down to the guard and dispelled his cloud.
“Is there a way I can… expedite my place in line?” Tuck asked while slipping Halkar 2 iron bars. Halkar tucked the 2 bars away before answering.
“Nope, our commander made all of us sware a magical oath not to break or bend the rules for people outside the Legion.” Halkar smiled broadly. Tuck had a confused look on his face.
“If you can’t help me, give me back my iron or I’ll report you for taking bribes.” he demanded.
“Ha, go ahead. I can take all the bribes people offer, as long as I don’t break the rules for them afterwards. Thank you for your donation but unless you have some clout with one of the bigshot groups you need to get to the back of the line.”
Adaline’s grip on Tuck’s arm tightened. She looked back and forth between him and the Guard with a worried expression, she didn’t know what they were saying but the two were getting heated. Tuck looked back at her and noticed her fear.
“What’s the matter?” he asked her. She blew out a breath of frustration before answering.
“Humans and Niwachs have been enemies for generations, here you are quarrelling with one like you are old friends, how do you even know their language?” she asked exasperated. Tuck kept his poker face in place, he hadn’t realised he had switched languages but now he thought about it he could do it at will.
‘I really wonder how many languages they squeezed into my noggin.’ he thought.
“Look around Adaline, there are a bunch of other species here, a few humans too. This city is more diverse than The Warren but no less peaceful.” Tuck said aloud.
“That being said, the Guard, Halkar is an asshole.” Tuck said to her, Halkar looked smug in reply, he clearly understood their language just fine.
Tuck remembered that Director Opcide said she didn’t know the true breadth of the Merchant Association so Tuck took a chance and took out his membership plaque. Halkar took the plaque and passed it to another guard who scanned it and nodded. Halkar returned Tuck’s plaque and spoke to another guard within the barrier who controlled the entrance.
“It’s real, let them in.” Halkar called out. A second gap was opened in the barrier for Tuck and Adaline. “That’s the VIP entrance Halkar said, the Merchant Association is the green building down this street. You may also want to get your lady a translation set.” Halkar indicated the earrings and choker combination he and the other guards were wearing. “They are expensive but very useful for travellers.” Tuck nodded his thanks, he decided to consider his 2 iron the cost of information.
The two of them entered the city of Gorram. Gorram was packed. There were stalls and makeshift shelters in the streets. With the exception of a few areas kept clear by armed guards Gorram was overcrowded. It was clear the Magical Barrier could only contain so many people but no one wanted to sleep outside and depend solely on the walls for protection. As they pushed their way into the crowd Adaline shared what was on her mind.
“Okay Altair, do you realise that if we were using conventional methods the journey that we made would take about 3 years to get from the Warren to Gorram?” Adaline asked.
“I guess that's about right. Airships may have made that in a bit better time.” Tuck confirmed.
“On top of that, this city is run by Niwach! The wars between our people were intense in the South. Entire Sects from both sides were wiped out in battle over decades. And yet, in this Niwach city the Merchant association is still powerful enough to hold Influence. I have to admit, the reach of the Merchant Association is impressive. My Sect can’t pull this off.”
Adaline admitted.
“The Merchant Association’s only creed is greed. Politics and race are a non-factor, only profit is important.” Tuck informed her. He had done a lot of research about the Association both before and after joining them, members who were swayed by political leanings were quietly removed from positions of power. It was one of the reasons Tuck decided to join.
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“What did you and the guard say?” Adaline asked. “You two were getting a little aggressive.” she pointed out. Tuck told her what was said and his attempt at a bribe and she found it hilarious that he had fleeced himself. He also told her about the translation set, she definitely wanted one but was a bit concerned.
"Won't an enchanted choker interfere with the magic of my necklace?" Adaline asked.
"Hmm, it should be ok, the necklace technically is on the collar not the neck." Tuck assuaged her worry. They were finally coming to their destination, the Merchant Association building was ringed with Niwath guards, this was one of the buildings kept clear by force. Tuck once again had to use his plaque for them to gain access.
Getting out of the crowded streets was a relief. A servant came to escort them to the boss. Along the walk Tuck’s scans came across a few enchantments he didn’t have, so he stopped and admired the wares while copying the runes. He was able to add an enchantment that made an item return to a specific place as well as create a complete version of the original Barrier-Pillar enchantment.
They were shown to a comfortable room and treated like VIPs until the branch manager came. He was a blue, one horned Niwach who wore an orange toga and a plethora of accessories. A circlet, earrings, a choker, a necklace, a bangle on each wrist and a ring on each finger. When Tuck checked his sandaled feet he saw toe rings and anklets as well. Every accessory was enchanted.
“Friend Bashtuck it is rare to get an Enchanter this far out from the comforts of the established cities. Of course that probably has something to do with you being a Bagman as well. My name is Kenon, in my youth I too was a Bagman.” Tuck rose and greeted Kenon.
“Greetings, Kenon people usually call me Tuck. I’ve come researching the Calamity that befell Gorram.” After the greetings Kenon joined them for refreshments.
“Well you came at the right time,”Kenon said. ”In a few more years not even this outpost will remain.” He gestured around him.
“You mean because the Makeshift Barrier Pillars are failing?” Tuck said to Kenon, causing the Niwach surprise .
“You can see that? You must be very skilled. A country built open like this is a rarity, Magical Beasts make the high walls indefensible; it is only the Magical Barrier-Pillars that are keeping most of the monsters at bay. but we all know that on Shaards that calamity can strike anywhere.” Kenon sighed, there was a time he hoped he could turn this declining city around and climb higher in the Association. “Still our Merchant Association will profit. We are studying these shattered remains of their Barrier Pillars hoping to uncover the enchantments at the centre of their construction. There is a market for these but I fear it will be decades before we figure it out.” Kenon lamented.
“Maybe not, I know how to create these Barrier-Pillars already.” Tuck informed the manager. “If you provide the materials I will build you some, for a price." Tuck told Kenon.
Kenon’s eyes lit up, this was truly an opportunity for him to take the city back, the Merchant Association would love to have another city of their own.
In places like The Warren since the Clans established the city they obviously owned most of it. Out here, with enough Barrier-Pillars, the Merchant Association could do the same. The idea of infinite revenue from minimum infrastructure was attractive.
“Good brother, name your price.” Kenon called out.
“If you will get me the material for me to make 9 Barriers of my own I’ll enchant 45 for you. How is that for a trade?”
“That trade sounds great but what I want to buy is your Enchanter’s Manual on behalf of the Merchant Association proper.” Kenon pointed out, as the one to broker this deal he could ask to be put in charge of the entire city. Tuck also realised this was a rare opportunity if he used it to get something mundane like money it would be a waste. He had no qualms about the other Association enchanters knowing the barriers, he doubted any could match his speed so business would still come back to him so he decided this was a great opportunity to expand his repertoire.
“I don’t want to sell it but I am willing to exchange the Enchanter’s Manual for Barrier-Pillars with the Enchanter's Manual for Transit-Gates. If I become one of the Enchanters that could build those I am sure I will be even more valued than I am now. And of course I also want to know about the Calamity that befell Gorram." Tuck told Kenon who in turn weighed his options.
"I can tell you about the calamity now but that Transit-Gate Manual is a highly prized item, but I have no doubt that the Barrier-Pillar Manual will be its equal in value. I'll need to contact Central, only they can approve this and only they will have a copy." Kenon replied.
"In that case Kenon, let me prove my Manual’s worth as well as show off my skill so you will fight for me harder. You were once a Bagman, do you have any uncut marble, gold and Energy crystals?" Tuck asked, Kenon concentrated for a moment before taking off one of his rings and giving it to Tuck.
It was a Spatial-ring containing 10 uncut columns of marble, gold to inlay the inscriptions and energy crystals to power it all. Tuck took a moment to study the ring’s enchantment, a high capacity Carry-All bag like the one Miriam and Adaline had contained about a 3 metre square space, about the size of a garden shed but this Spatial-Ring contained a space about 914 metres, that was bigger than a warehouse. Tuck had been stumped at how to pull this off but now he could see the enchantment took advantage of the ring shape to circle back on itself and increase capacity and stability. Overjoyed, Tuck added the Spatial-Ring enchantment to his knowledge base before he moved 3 of the columns to his Reservoir to effortlessly shape and enchant them into Barrier-Pillars. He placed them back into the Spatial-Ring and returned it to Kenon who looked sceptical at first but soon looked amazed after inspecting the contents of the ring.
"This is… not only can you make them, you can do it so quickly?" Kenon jumped to go make the request to the Association but Tuck stopped him.
"Friend Kenon, there is no need to run off. Sit, tell me about the calamity, you can haggle with Central later while I sleep." Rather than sitting down Kenon made a gesture and a Tome appeared in his hand.
"Here, this is Branch Manager Birkhalt's record of that time. You can read his first hand account for details but the abridged story is that a Firecrow descended from the sun, it wanted to make a nest in the volcano."