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Leo
Leo focused inward on his mana as he and Elaria walked in silence to the market. He started playing with it, getting a feel for how to control it by pushing it around his body. As he moved it around it felt like it was becoming less stiff and bulky, more fluid and malleable. While it was a little unsettling to think that this thing cemented itself inside him, because it was definitely not there back on earth, the idea that he would soon be using it to fling fireballs and conjuring ice doused any apprehension.
Still, it was best to air on the side of caution, so even though it started to feel more like an extension of himself, he decided to not try anything else since he was playing with something that was considerably more dangerous than fire. So he waited to try anything new until he had a crack at that booklet on magic.
When they arrived at the market district he saw more or less what he expected to see, a massive area that was clear of buildings and packed with dozens of stalls that were manned by traders with different goods. What was strange was that the market seemed to be divided by a six foot solid wood fence patrolled by guards.
He winced at the out of place structure bisecting the market as they headed toward one side. “What's with the fence?”
Elaria sighed. “That's to prevent any altercations between the elven and dwarven traders.” She informed him and went on to explain the serious racial hostility between the two that only started last year, as well as the likelihood of war as a result.
The newly received information made him scrunch his brow in suspicion. “Only last year? Is it really bad enough that you have to segregate them?” His voice was filled with doubt.
“Yeah, to be honest the sudden change caught everyone off guard. Stories of two lifelong friends going at each other's throats overnight. Luckily, any incidents that do occur, don't result in any sort of casualties.” She answered before they stopped at a stall that traded in equipment.
“Were there no major incidents that could have caused this?” The inquisitive man inquired further, not satisfied with the seemingly random aggression she described, but his inquiry was met with a simple nope.
He resigned to his thoughts as she talked with the stalls owner. ‘Well now I'm more than half convinced there's some conspiracy bullshit going on. Gonna shelve that thought for now though, I don't want to draw attention by getting involved if there is one. The prospect of being caught by the dragons is still an…issue.’ His thoughts ended when he got a better look at the man that Elaria was bargaining with.
The tradesman was a male dwarf, and looked pretty much how Leo expected. Short, check. Robust upper body for his size, check. Long beard, check. Bit of a Scottish accent, check. He didn't seem to have hair on his arms though, as they looked completely smooth.
The trader occasionally gave him a funny look, but only addressed Elaria. ‘Dwarves and elves but no humans?’ Something about that felt off, given the fantasy esthetic of this world.
She spoke up after the trade, and the two of them started their way toward the bookshop. “All right, got five silver and thirty copper from that. Way more than the three silver I expected to try and barter for.” She said, sounding a little deflated.
His face twisted into confusion at her dissatisfaction with getting more than she expected. “Isn't that good?” He asked, feeling like he was obviously missing something.
“Normally, but I started really high at six. For him to agree so quickly means that the prep for the war is in full swing.” She answered with a distant look to her large expressive eyes that glossed in the sunlight.
A grimace graced his own features, not liking the fact that he was going to have a front row seat to a medieval fantasy world war. “How long do you think until war breaks out? I mean Selaria seems like it's neutral, right? Do you think the queen will take sides?”
“No, Selaria is probably the only kingdom to maintain a neutral position, and we'll want to keep it that way for as long as possible. As for when the war will start...” She shrugged. “Could be in a few months, could be tomorrow. It depends on whoever feels strong enough to make the first strike.” She finished a little coldly.
There was a moment of unusually intense silence before she spoke up again, a frown appearing on her face as she did. “Leo, even though I know that you have no idea about anything on this world, I would like to not talk about anything related to the upcoming war. So can we drop that subject.”
He was about to ask why, when his brain caught the word before it could make things awkward. He realized that talking about the war means talking about all the death, hate, and politics that follow it. Earth's own history and a life of relative safety may have numbed him to the reality of the subject, but this was just as real too, even if the actual reality of it hasn't really sunk in for him yet.
‘Not a very happy subject to discuss then…’ He apologized to her for continuing down that particular road.
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Elaria
Elaria once again found herself missing the patrol along the river, it took her mind off the upcoming war. Luckily Leo seemed to get that it was an uncomfortable subject, once she asked him to drop it. She also didn't want to think about what would happen to a few of her family members, only a few. Most of them didn't accept that she chose to join the military, muchless the guard, believing that if she couldn't handle their work, then she shouldn't even bother enlisting.
Then there was why she chose to join-
‘No Elaria, focus on the positive. You are having an outing with a handsome man. A kind man who carried you back to town when you were injured, and risked himself to be potentially tortured by dragons to do it. A man who you shared a close intimate night with, with the foreseeable future promising more. A man who you are helping to become a mage…’ Her thoughts halted.
A skilled mage's income could range from silver coins, up to a whole gold coin a week. An income that could match or even rival any high noble or aristocrat, especially if they did become an arch-mage. Her eyes went wide at the realization. She originally planned to just spend her time off helping, teaching, and screwing her new companion, and then just part ways to join back up with the guard.
‘Kind, handsome, and a wealthy looking future, why the hell shouldn't I bond myself with him?’ She now seemed entranced by the idea.
“Elaria… Hello? Elaria? Elaria!”
She let out a squeak as she was shaken out of her imagination, one that was of a future that she never realized she so badly wanted. “Um, yes what is it?”
“I was asking if this was the shop, since we're just loitering out front.” He asked with a worried expression, concern evident within his dark brown eyes.
“Oh, yes it is. Sorry I was lost in thought, let's head in.” She responded as she tried to collect herself.
He placed a hand on her shoulder before she could enter the shop. “Elaria, if there's anything on your mind that's troubling you, I'm happy to just listen if you want to get it off your chest.” He told her with a warm and comforting smile.
Elaria cocked her head for a moment, then smiled back. “Uh… Thank you.” She said, while becoming a bit flushed for some reason.
‘Sorry Sel. I'll repay you for the armor when I get the chance, but I might have to disobey that last order.’
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Leo
Leo hoped that his words would soften Elaria's barriers a bit, because he was really starting to feel for the woman.
‘There seems to be a hell of a lot on her mind, hopefully she'll start opening up soon. Damn, I really don't want to ever see her cry like that again, especially if there's something that's preventing me from helping her. I may not be able to hold back as much if another incident like this morning happens again.’ He thought with a bit of worry as they approached the shop keep, because he was a little scared about what would happen now that he had access to magic.
The shop owner was a selarin that resembled a gecko. She was small, maybe three feet. He would have considered her a child based on height, but she had a few wrinkles and spoke with an elderly voice.
“Welcome young ones, how may I help you.” The diminutive woman greeted with a warm smile.
“Greetings, we would like the pamphlet and booklet on magic.” Elaria told the shop keep.
The old woman's face turned sour with a hint of remorse, before speaking. “I'm afraid that'll be twenty copper for the pamphlet and forty for the booklet.” She remarked bitterly.
“What?! Why?!” Elaria demanded of the elderly woman, who gave her an apologetic look.
The woman sighed. “The academy halted their production, and by law they can change the price for any establishment that is selling it. People in power want to filter more into the academy, and any that don't meet the requirements will usually apply at the nearest military recruitment center. So it's all to boost preparations for the war.” She remarked with a mournful tone, her large eyes glazing over at the prospect.
Leo furrowed his brow as he tried to mentally weigh the actual cost of the magical guides. ‘Damn. If the prices at the inn are anything to go by, then that adds up to over a month at a cheap bed and breakfast.’
“Fine, one of each.” She relented, tossing a silver coin on the counter.
The Elderly selarin took the coin and went to the back room to get the items and some change, while the financially bankrupt man stared at Elaria in surprise. “It's fine. I may be pissed about the price, but I got way more than I expected from selling my armor.” She reassured him while leaning onto her crutch with a sigh.
The part of him that wanted to protest against the expenditure on his behalf was large, but unfortunately the part that wanted to learn magic was immense.
So he shifted a little uncomfortably as he resigned to her decision. “As long as you're sure.” He remarked with a reserved tone.
She smiled and gestured for him to come closer, and when he was close enough, she pulled him into a passionate kiss.
Breaking away she simply said. “Oh, I'm sure.”
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