HELPFUL FOLKS TO MAKE ONE CRY

Tye led them into an open field. Here, wagons filled with bales of hay, boxes of vegetables, and chests of various materials waited for inspection. Scribes would then escort the owners to the respective designation for delivery.

"Wait here while I find out the situation. My letter should have already arrived before us."

Tye said as he secured the horse to a wagon. His destination lay in a stone building on the opposite end of the field. Chu and the others gathered between the carriage and the cage wagon. Tye had just stepped out when someone called him out by name.

"Well, well, if it isn't Apprentice Tye. Last I heard, your master sent you out to some godforsaken village. A pity, I didn't expect you to return so soon."

A group of young men in blue robes approached them from among the wagons and waiting tradesmen. They parted to allow a young man with an unblemished face and neatly tied blond hair, to step forth. The dashing, scarlet-robed young man elicited gasps from the surrounding merchants.

The tradesmen who delivered goods on a regular basis inhaled sharply. Normally, Scribes conducted the everyday duties of the Tower, interacting with outsiders. They frequented the Outer Circle, dressed in faded yellow robes.

Blue-robed apprentices held the management positions. The older apprentices coveted these lofty positions, especially the ones which lorded over the commoners. The younger apprentices focused on classes held within the assigned towers.

The valiant, young man wore a scarlet robe with silver trimmings. Only mages wore scarlet, and they rarely appeared in the Outer Circle, much less mingled among commoners. In a flash, word spread of the rare sighting causing a crowd to gather.

"Ah, what a young mage. He must be a genius among genius. I have never seen such a young mage before."

"If Senior Mage is willing, I supply lots of herbs and ingredients to the Tower. Maybe Senior would like to visit my wagon and browse?"

Buttering up an apprentice provided substantial benefits in Limerock. Making friends with a mage, however, unleashed endless possibilities. Tye, however, paused for a moment, as a frown flashed over his face.

"Senior Hud, congratulations on becoming a Mage. I'm afraid that I cannot remain to converse longer since I have to report to the procurement office."

"Ah, such is the work of an apprentice. I have long instilled my wise words on you, but you have yet to grasp them fully. For years I have preached that true mages are borne on the battlefield, using their superior power to protect the common man."

Mage Hud shook his head in grief before continuing. Tye took this brief moment to pass a message to a nearby scribe. Hud paced in the open, with his hands clasped behind his back.

"An apprentice who pours over books, day and night can never be considered a true mage. I have sweated blood while standing with my comrades in the north, raining down destruction on the tyrannical, demon beasts of legends."

The spectators nodded, while a few cheered on listening to the bravery of the mage. Mage Hud held his head up high as he flourished his sleeves. As he glanced at Tye from the corner of his eye, he noticed the wagon piled up with what could only be described as junk.

"My young Apprentice Tye, what did you bring to the Tower? This wagon is loaded with items fit for a blacksmith, rather than the Tower. What is that, is that used armor? Hahaha, it seems like life in the desolates has rattled your brain."

The surrounding apprentices laughed, prompting jeers from loose lips in the spectating crowd.

"Senior Mage speaks the truth, those are second-hand armor, not fit for the use of a mage or his guards."

"Look at those weapons, they seem to have gone through war."

"Like the esteemed Senior Mage said. Countless days of burying into a book can break a mind, causing one to turn mad."

As Mage Hud scanned the wagon, his eyes happened to fall on Tye's companions.

"Ah, it's so sad when an apprentice loses his sanity. Tye, this mage will find a place for your companions while you seek help. Apprentices, lead these misguided ones to my courtyard."

Hud commanded, as his eyes darted between the young girls and glimpsed the electrifying face of Amanda within the carriage. Tye stepped forward to halt the apprentices approaching the carriage.

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As someone who lived in the Inner Circle, Tye recognized none of these apprentices. Hud he knew, as both of them, had entered the Academy together. Hud demonstrated above-average skills in channeling magic.

When Tye, however, was selected for the Inner Circle on account of his skills with Talismans, Hud festered a grudge. Wearing the scarlet robes boosted his ego, and allowed him to vent years of unjust treatment.

Tye was just about to brandish his token to help his claim when a part of the chattering crowd stirred.

Two muscular guards in leather armor parted the crowd, as a scribe walked out. The chatter halted immediately, as the surrounding scribes and apprentices clasped their hands and bowed. Even mage Hud who enjoyed the reverence of the crowd, clasped his hands in fear while bending his spine with a whip-like speed.

One murmur, created gasps, as the spectators followed suit with eyes filled with fear and veneration. Some even dropped and kowtowed on the field. The wizened old man behind the scribe wore a white robe, embroidered with golden threads.

"A Council Mage. I have traded for over thirty years with the Tower and have never set my eyes on an esteemed Senior."

Unlike the others, Tye breathed a sigh of relief. He walked towards the old man who leaned on his staff while huffing. With a clasp of his hands and a quick bow, Tye spoke with a puzzled face.

"Senior Mage Tarot, why have you hastened to come? I sent the scribe to find the Elder who managed the procurement office."

"You brat. Do you think the council would greet you with an Elder, knowing who is accompanying you? Have those few months outside of the Inner Tower rattled your brain?"

The white-haired mage huffed while knocking Tye on the head with his wooden staff. He scanned the children with a pair of sharp eyes, before raising his hands to beckon them over.

"Come, come, we can use the Archmage's courtyard. Hurry and bring the wagons."

The crowd gazed in shock as the old man personally led the group towards the entrance for the courtyard reserved for high standing officials. Some remained rooted to the ground on having caught a glimpse of a fabled Council Mage. Halfway through the fields, the old man paused and then turned around.

"Every Mage, Apprentice, and Scribe who stood silent during the show should find themselves at the punishment hall within the next hour. Failure to report, means you are no longer a part of the Tower."

Since his arrival until now, the old man never once cast his eyes on Mage Hud and any of the others. The subtle meaning, along with this blatant threat which even had the proud mage scrambling and sprinting across the field with his companions stumbling behind, confirmed the difference in power.

As a businessman, Chu would not hesitate to make use of this wonderful opportunity.

"Beg your pardon, Senior Mage. This little one who carries the title of Heaven's gifted would like to make an announcement."

Chu clasped his hands and cast a humble face before the old man. Seeing the pause, and then the brimming excitement in those eyes which thirsted for knowledge, Chu asked for a little time while climbing unto a wagon, to address the silenced crowd.

"My dear friends, I know that some of you might have found yourself carried away by the earlier speech. I recognize your faces and assure you that my family and I, am not vindictive individuals who harbor grudges.

Rest assured, we will never seek retaliation for those who laughed at us, yes, even that old fat merchant who is trying to slink away behind the wagon of hay."

Chu pointed out a man, freezing the movements of the crowd. Nobody was stupid enough to move and gain the attention of tradesmen and scribes alike. The teen continued from atop the wagon.

"Coincidentally, apprentice Tye has rid the western road to Karst, by defeating the bandits who roam unhindered. In the spirit of victory, he is willing to sell these spoils of war. Those who auction and pay top coin will undoubtedly be remembered, and past grievances forgotten."

Chu jumped off the wagon to follow the old man.

"Ming, it's your time to shine."

Lucy unhitched her horse from the wagon and followed the rest as they winded along towards a heavily guarded iron gate. Ming grabbed the scruff of Tye's robe, as he stood beside the stationary transport.

"Don't be shy my friends, from what you witnessed, befriending this little adventurer carries tons of benefits. Come, my chubby friend, don't act shy, I will ensure you will never have problems selling to the Tower again."

The teen rubbed his callused hands while generating a warm, beaming smile.

***

Mage Tarot led them past the creaking iron gates, into a well maintained cobbled courtyard. Carved stone pots contained flowering plants, which released a mild scent within the tranquil square.

The old man waved them over from the wagons and gestured for them to sit at the large stone table. Only when the scribes who laid a few platters of fruits and cups of tea departed, did the old man speak.

"Please help yourself. This old one apologizes for the lack of welcome, but past experiences in dealing with Heaven Gifted showed that they preferred peace rather than fanfare. We did not want to place you on the spot."

The Council Mage said while focusing his sharp eyes on Chu. Mage Disparte briefly described the inventor during his stay, and the boy had also introduced himself earlier.

The white-robed elder sighed inwardly on surveying the boy sipping tea at the table. This boy turned a disadvantage into a money-making event.

Mage Tarot spent most of his years honing his magic and dabbling in research, but he recognized a money-grubber when he saw one. No matter the angle, this brat currently swiveling his head did not have the airs of an inventor.

"The Council will meet in a couple of days since we have members undergoing closed-door meditation or completing some research. We have prepared a villa on the outskirts of the city, in the tranquil countryside. Please rest and enjoy the hospitality till then."

"No problem Senior. This little one will leave when his wagon is sold."