Once the undead finished moving everything into the cart Savani had one begin driving the cart again while releasing control of the others. Savani then found an empty area and lied down rubbing his head. While he found that he could handle a small band of bandits with ease, the use of Spirit almost drained him. Each undead took one Spirit to control, added to the 3 Spirit to create enough shadow tentacles using Shadow Bind along with the Spirit it took to activate Life Drain several times the entire endeavor took the majority of his Spirit. It would have taken even more if he didn't have the chip to control each of the shadow tentacles and if Life Drain didn't depend on the targets strength.
Still Savani was happy with the outcome. He managed to get some more corpses that he could experiment with and he managed to get some useful data. It also comforted him that he now had the power to protect himself, at least against mortals. It was hard to believe that just over half a year ago he would have easily been killed by this band of thieves and now he could kill them all without needing to move. As the cart swayed Savani drifted off to sleep content in the understanding of his strength.
After another day of travel Savani was able to see fields off in the distance. Nearby was a large windmill with several houses that could just barely be seen in the horizon. Savani smiled looking at the first bit of civilization in months. All food at the tower was brought in through traders and was cooked by slaves in the kitchens. These slaves were from different races that were subjugated by different Sages, usually in wars over resources. Savani was uncomfortable at first when he found this information out but the longer he lived in this world the more he became use to such situations. In this world the strong made the rules, and it wasn't like those races didn't enslave humans for their use. It was a sad fact of this world.
As he traveled Savani saw more and more fields filled with farmers and occasionally there would be children running through the fields. Savani traveled through the farmland for a half hour until he could finally see a large stone wall with a large gate off in the distance. Various grey buildings and rooftops could be seen rising behind it. Savani noticed as he got closer to the wall the road went from a dirt road to stone. As he got closer Savani saw several carts and carriages entering the city through other roads that merged into a large main road leading to the gate. Savani also noticed several armored guards along the wall with a few checking those that were entering or leaving the gate.
Once it was Savanis turn to go through the entrance his cart was stopped by a guard. Coming over he began to talk to the cloaked undead driving. "Halt. State your purpose. If you are here to trade show your traders license." Hearing this Savani handed the undead up front his towers badge. This badge acted as a form of identification. Anyone who saw this badge would know that he belonged to the local tower. These badges were formed using a special medal and were attuned to each apprentices magical frequency making them nearly impossible to replicate.
Seeing the badge the guards face paled. Those that lived in the surrounding lands knew of the local Sage tower and how its owner was a powerful necromancer. It had even become somewhat of a folk legend that the Sage would take people who didn't give the tower respect and turn them into undead slaves. The guard quickly moved aside letting the cart enter the city, all while apologizing profusely.
Riding down the streets Savani was able to see various people entering and exiting shops or dining at various restaurants. The whole town had a vibrancy that was missing from the tower, a kind of atmosphere you could only find in places with large crowds. Savani could sense kids playing and parents chasing after mischievous children who ran in the crowds. He could sense bakers cooking in their stores and couples flirting or walking together. Judging from the amount of people he could sense in the chips scanning range Savani estimated that there should be close to 100,000 inhabitants in this city.
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As Savani traveled inward he could see that the architecture slowly changed. From rural two story stone houses there became shops that were several stories and inns that were elegantly decorated. The feeling went from that of lively commoners to that of refined nobility and decadence. Savani continued traveling until he came across a large building in the center of the city.
Before becoming an apprentice Savani had been reborn in a small noble house so he had some experience with mortal cities. The general layout had the nobles closer to the center of the city with the city hall in the very center. This made it a universal landmark for anyone going to a new city, along with allowing the seat of power to be the most defended spot. Surrounding the city hall there was also usually the various guilds and other organization headquarters, along with the jail and the area dedicated to apprentices and Sages. With all this power centered in one spot the middle of the city was the most well guarded area and often the area that would shelter others in the time of war.
Savani exited the cart and had it go off to the side so it wouldn't block the flow of traffic before walking into the city hall. Looking around he could see a large number of people in expensive looking clothes walking about. He eventually saw what looked like a reception desk that was helping various people. Walking up to the desk Savani directly said "I am looking for the governor. I am here on tower business."
Hearing he was from the tower the receptionists face paled. "I'll have someone get him right away sir apprentice!" The receptionist quickly got up and scurried into the back. Not even ten minutes later she came back followed by a large doughy looking middle aged man in an expensive suit. Reaching Savani the man began to bow and say "Greeting esteemed tower apprentice. My name is Gissel Hordif. How can I help the tower today."
Savani looked down at the bowing nobleman. "I am here on the account that the shipment of resources for the tower is due soon. Now I am sure that your noble self wouldn't do something so underhanded as to try and take that which belongs to Sage Lance, however in order to make sure others don't have such ideas I was sent to help escort them back to the tower. I am informing you that I am going to leave in the next few days so that you have time to collect everything I am to be taking."
Hearing that he was here for the resources promised to the tower, Gissel couldn't help but release a breath. He had thought that something had happened to anger the tower. Being so close Gissel feared what would happen if anyone was stupid enough to anger a mighty necromancer. Luckily it was just a routine delivery. He placed his hand on his chest and said, "Don't you worry sir apprentice. I will make sure that everything is gathered over the next few days. In the meantime I will set up a room for you in one of our most prestigious inns."
Hearing that his accommodations would be taken care of Savani nodded to the governor. While the resources were being gathered he wanted to check out the local Sage market. Savani was never able to enter back when he was just a nobleman so the experience was something he was curious about. Hopefully he could find something useful. After chatting with the governor for a few minutes Savani was led to an extravagant looking inn. After putting the wagon in the stables, Savani noticed several of the workers faces became pale when they noticed the undead wander into his assigned room. Savani ignored their discomfort. Even if the city was a safe place he thought it was better safe than sorry. It also helped scare away any potential thieves.
Savani entered his room and was surprised by the amount of luxury it contained. The bed was easily a king and the pillows seemed to be as soft as the ones on Earth. There was a lovely red rug on the ground and a pair of armchairs next to a desk. A door to a small terrace was next to a table that Savani could unpack his trunk on. There was even room under the table to store whatever chest the occupant brought his belongings in.
Savani looked around the room before having the undead move the trunk with his clothes up from the wagon to his room. Once that was situated he lied down on the bed, groaning in comfort as he sunk into the mattress. If he was going to begin to explore and do quests that had him leave the tower for long periods of time Savani vowed to find a way to make sleeping in a wagon more comfortable.
Looking up at the ceiling Savani gave himself time to rest before getting up and putting on one of his cloaks. It was time to visit the local Sage market.