I am woken up by the soft daylight breaking tot the windows in the small inn's room I'm currently staying in.
As I rub my eyes I take a look around me to adjust to the morning light that is slightly irritating my eyes.
I quickly acclimatise to the brightness of the light as I walk to the sink to get some water. As always I'm intrigued by the way the water comes flowing from the faucet. My curiosity has been peaked by many similar things like this ever since I was born. The sink works based on a water gem. The gems are naturally formed in places with high amounts of mahra.
The gems are simply a manifestation of solid mahra. Back in the old days, they were called Mahra stones, but since they've become common due to various inventions to make them artificially they are now called gems.
The gems are a source of power, an arcanist then places a 'simple' inscription on them to give them a specific use; like drawing water from air, or to generate light. Our house always has a steady supply of gems delivered by a merchant who is a long time friend of father, so I had asked him about how they make the product.
"Obviously" it would be expensive to have an Arcane Master inscribe each and every one of the gems. So the arcane master simply made a set low-level talismans. Even someone with the lowest levels of mahra could still activate them as it was made with the intention the be very easy. Since they would make life much easier on people, the king bought the rights to the product and has been selling them for a low price to the factories. The talismans are simple to create and have about ten uses before they disintegrate.
My mind had once more appreciated the ingenuity of the product as I sipped water from my glass, washed my face and hands as I prepared to get dressed to get breakfast. As I was getting ready I heard a familiar knock on the door.
As the son of a baron, I would naturally not travel by myself. I was accompanied by a steward, 12 guards and a coachman. Usually, I would also have 2 handmaidens travelling with me. However, as I grew up I did not appreciate their help too much; it was somewhat embarrassing to be washed and dressed by two ladies. My father kept telling me that it was their job, but I never got used to it. So in the end, I refused their services and since they've been serving my mother.
The familiar knock was from Steward Regus. Our house managed quite some lands, so our administration was run by three stewards, Regus was the kindest among them and he was responsible for managing the personnel. As I would be settling in at the Arcane Academy Regus would handle all trivial matters for me. Arranging furniture, setting up my administration, hiring personnel etcetera. Regus would also handle the contacts that had to be made for attending social events and he likes. My father had never mingled much with politics, but the face of a noble was very important.
Regus and I got along just fine, he was steady and capable steward and he had immediately accepted his position as my personal stewards without hesitation. Even though he'd be away from the main family, and I wasn't first in line to inherit the barony he had no problems in following me. On the road, I had asked him why he would accept so easily.
Regus had simply explained to me, that there were many ifs and maybe's but he felt that I would be doing great things in the capital. His guts told him that he should follow me. He even said he believed that I would be accepted in the Arcane studies. He also told me even though he had been serving my father for 15 years, he had never been promoted or had been given additional responsibilities. Though he loves his job and felt he was rewarded plenty, the challenge of something new had him excited.
"Good morning young master, did you have a satisfying sleep?" Regus said as he came through the door after having heard Warren's acknowledging "enter".
"Good morning Regus, sleep was decent. What is the planning for the day?" Even though I knew we would be travelling by coach the entire day, I responded with an automatic question. It was simply routine to go through the planning each morning with Regus.
"If the young Master is ready, breakfast will be served in 10 minutes. We will then proceed to travel towards the capital. I have made arrangements last night to join a merchants caravan. As we are closing in on the capital it would be a great opportunity to learn more, young Master. The merchant's name is Hugo Twiggs. He mainly deals in salt, spices and valuables. He also told me there are two other nobles joining the travel towards the capital." Regus then stopped in order to have me acknowledge that I've heard him and then proceded with more information.
"Both nobles are going to attend the Royal Academy, and they are very familiar with each other. The taller one is Reis Kindler, he is a son of Baron Kindler. The shorter, blond one is Yuriy Voronin, son of Count Voronin. His elder brother Anthony is actually a 4th circle Archmage and one of the genius alumni of the Academy. Because of his brother's exemplary results, the younger Yuriy has also been invited to the Royal Academy." Regus said matter of factly. Another great quality of Regus is that he always gathers information about everything that is even remotely important. Therefore I'm not that impressed with his report. I know he probably mingles with the Count's staff in order to get the information.
Along the road, Regus had been constantly updating me with facts and knowledge about the surrounding or people that he came across during his various activities. Because of this particular skill father had also told me to heed his words when he would recommend things. Apparently, Regus has a good perspective on important matters so father holds a decent amount of faith in Regus.
After quickly confirming the route and some other minor details I went downstairs to get my breakfast that by then had already been prepared. Between our conversation, Regus had already signed one of the guards to deliver the message to the inn's kitchen.
After a simple, but well-prepared breakfast I headed out to the carriage that had already been waiting in front of the inn to head to the west gate, where we would meet up with the rest of the caravan. Regus was handling matters smoothly as expected and without a hitch, we met up with the merchant's convoy. As I was the young Master of a baron's house I was quickly greeted by a rather pompous figure wearing rather expensive clothing. Hugo Twiggs was a merchant that knew how to enjoy life, so I thought as I put up my best fake smile and responded to his greetings.
"Ah, Young Lord Easton, it's a pleasure to welcome you to my caravan - I assume you are travelling to the capital to join the Royal Academy?" Twiggs' face smiled ear to ear, trying to come across amiable to me. As I saw his smile I could softly hear ms Hoffs voice ring through my mind, telling me to be a proud and dignified noble. However, she had also more than once told me all merchants were snakes; say one thing, probe for another - profit was their only motivation.
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"Ah, Mister Twiggs I assume? I must thank you for your kindness in allowing us to join your caravan whilst travelling towards the capital. Having company makes the lonely road much more amiable, wouldn't you say?" I said as I gracefully exited the carriage to extend my thanks to Mr Twiggs. I couldn't be bothered much with his overly amiable way of talking however, even father told me: having ties is important, even an annoying person can be an important pion.
"Ah yes, well said young Lord. I am grateful for your kind words. Traveling with kindred spirits makes the journey much more pleasant. I've travelled far and wide in order to find products for my trade, but the capital is truly something different, have you ever been their young Lord?" Twiggs asked whilst sizing me up as if I was a piece of meat.
Perhaps some wouldn't have noticed but the quick look he threw made it absolutely clear he was assessing me as a customer. Perhaps judging whether or not he could make a profit off of me...The mention of his travels and products might have made someone else interested but my only interest was getting to the capital at this point.
Merchants were just these kinds of creatures. They would even sell cow dung if a profit could be made. Even though the casual glance didn't have any disapproving in it, I could feel he was somewhat disappointed somehow.
"No, I haven't Mr Twiggs. I have been residing in our manor since birth, not going out much other than to inspect our own lands. Therefore I'm very interested in what you could tell me about the capital?" I asked as I knew gathering information was a very important thing to me. I might come across as a bit of a country bumpkin now, but I would rather be a country bumpkin now then when I enter the capital. It would also give Mr Twiggs something to talk to me about; this way even though I ignored his products he would still feel appreciated. Slapping someones face should not be done to easily. Giving face was simply part of being a noble. You could act superior at any time, but you should still appreciate people when they can do something for you.
"Ah, well, you will surely come to love the capital. Though the outstretched lands of farms and hills are beautiful to behold in their own right, the capital is too a very special sight. All streets are paved, there are more people than you can possibly imagine an architecture is simply magnificent. Even the wall surrounding the capital is simply of a different category than any other city wall - it stretches almost up to the sky.
Most districts are flourishing but you should still beware of the back alleys in the northeastern part of the capital, various underground forces are running around there, even thou the garrison is trying its best to stop the criminal activities they are somewhat stretched thin in such a big city. There are many many pretty sights, most can be found near the city centre. Most nobles are housed in the western part of the city, hence its also called the wealthy district. The Academy is located just outside the capital. As it's located on a great hill, local's also call it the Hill Academy or simply Hill." Mr Twiggs kept rattling on about various famous locations, famous sights in a manner to show that he was very well known with the area.
As my mind started to daze of from the conversation I decided to put a halt to the rattling.
"Ah yes Mr Twiggs, the capital sure sounds like it's an amazing place, your introduction was very lifelike and has made me very excited to go touring through the city when I have some time on hand. Since you are well known with the city, could you tell me if I can get a map of the city somewhere to help me navigate perhaps?" I said calmly, taking control of the conversation in an instant. Even though I somewhat interrupted Mr Twiggs he shows no sign of being annoyed.
"Ah of course Young Lord, I beg your pardon for rattling on like this, it's a habit of mine. Maps of the general layout of the city, with markings of various important buildings, are being sold through the Royal Office. They hold an office in various location; their map is definitely of high quality. However, the general store also sells maps for the many visitors. If you wish you can also buy one of my copies of the maps." Twiggs offered, knowing he might have overstepped his boundary with a Baron's son.
"That would be most appreciated Mr Twiggs, my steward Regan will handle these matters with you. If you feel I might have need of some other products, do inform him. If you can offer those products he will surely come to an agreement with you over such matters." I pointed to Regan, who nodded with a knowing smile. Even though I was sorry to dump this waterfall of words onto Regan, having him deal with it was definitely for the best.
Before Regan went with Twiggs to discuss business, Twiggs pointed towards 2 luxury coaches surrounded by intimidating guards.
"Those are our other esteemed guests; young Lord Voronin, whose father is a Count and young Lord Kindler who hails from a barony."Twiggs added their respective titles, knowing that this information was crucial for my interaction with the two other nobles. Even though Regan had already told me about this, I still appreciated the gesture and smiled politely whilst turning and gently making my way over to the two young lords who by now have also noticed my appearance.
As my family was lower ranked than the Count it was only appropriate if I went over to introduce myself. Ever since we had arrived our guards had been in their best formation, trying not to lose face for their young master. My captain of the guard, Evan noticed my goal and immediately joined a step behind me. Now that Regan had gone off for business purposes it was his job to be my direct assistant as well as my bodyguard.
Image was very important to nobles, so he wouldn't want to make his young master lose face even though it was evident that the counts guards were better trained. So he straightened his posture, even more, put up his most intimidating gaze and put even more energy in his strides. The differences between his usual laid-back manner were so big that I chuckled a bit after looking over my shoulder. However, father had assured me that Evan was most certainly not a miser. And now I could also feel why, as he had grown slightly more serious an intimidating aura started to spread from him. Definitely not a simple person... Even the guards of the Count had felt the changes and had were standing on attention.
The count noticed the difference too as I saw him peek over my shoulder with a slightly shocked gaze. However, this moment of shock was overcome as quickly as a blink. Truly worthy of a count's house. His face was relaxed as he looked at me amiably, a small smile plastered on his face. For me, however, I knew there were thousands of thoughts running through his mind. This was the stage where we would determine whether we would have a friendly relationship.. a competitive relationship... no relationship or an adverse relationship.
As nobles, we would represent our house, so these meetings were always filled with plays on words. Trying to gauge each other's objectives and goals. If they were in line a relationship could be formed. Since the three of us obviously came for a spot at the royal academy a slight tension was rising as well, even before we had spoken. It would be greatly beneficial if I could maintain a positive relationship with them before entering the academy. The academy was of some sort also a social gathering of the elite of the next generation. Therefore having the right connections would make life a lot easier. However, as house Easton hardly interacted with other nobles, I would have to start from scratch.