Typically, one would consider it abnormal for a simple mage to seek private audience with a ruler; at least that is the common sense that those of our world generally hold. More often than not, we view mages and wizards as scholars of magic and mystical arts but such logic does not hold in Wesamont. No, mages are revered by the masses and noblemen treat them with deference. Certainly, it is not difficult to understand why. An archmage, a mage of a certain power focused on battle and practical arts less so than study, may bring ruin to entire millitary forces if they do not hold an archmage of equal power. Even then, the opposing forces may suffer casualities just from the crossfire.
It is also not uncommon for defeated cities to be razed to the ground by storms of wind and fire or crushed by tornadoes and floods, all summoned by mages. Hence, he who holds the support of the most mages is he who holds the power of a nation. In Wesamont, that man is the current king, Lorenz II, who at this moment in time is sitting in his study on the upper levels of the palace.
Outside the study, an elderly man dressed in a heavy, black, fur coat with white fur rims is standing infront of the rooms delicately decorated wooden door thats embellished with a lion-like creature shaped bronze knocker. The man grasped the knocker, and swung it downwards 3 times, producing a crisp metal bang. The man stepped away from the door and gently adjusted his black brimmed hat. After a brief period of silence, a sharp voice from beyond the door called out "Enter!".
"Your highness, the archmage Walter has arrived at the palace gates, he is here for the arranged audience". The elder opened the door and respectfully addressed the elegantly dressed man sitting behind a decorated redish-brown desk. Glowing bright red lines flashed around the desks carvings as its occupant sat with both arms laying ontop of it, motionless. Another brief period of silence ensued, before a feint sigh left the fellows lips followed by an almost reluctant "Well then, send him in".
15 minutes prior, Walter had reached the major market square and was in the process of convincing an "enthusiatic" woman that he did not, in fact, require any jewlery no matter which turesmith had produced them. Though of course, possessing the jewlery itself was not an issue.
Due to the nature of magic and the base construction of the world, many times ores will simply start "growing" given the right conditions. There are even some select ways to regrow depleted or emptying mines. As such, for a metal to be rare is a rarity on its own. Tureitite is one of the few such rare prescious metals, and owning fine jewlery of such a metal would indeed by a massive symbol of wealth and status. If not for his sagely attire, the woman would not dare approach somebody who seemed to have shallow pockets.
Anyway, right now the issue was not with the jewlery itself. No, it was due to an issue which in fact had connections to the lack of rare materials - money. In a world that has not yet developed credit, how can trade be conducted if gold is as common as iron and rare materials are too precious to trade for bread? Clearly, as a market exists, a solution has been found. Indeed, different cultures and kingdoms have developed a multitude of methods to circumvent this, but no matter the methods they were of no use to Walter right now. His problem was much too deep.
He had no money. Or, should I say, in his rush he had not thought to bring any with him.
On any other day, such a triffle thing as possessing no money could simply be dealt with by, well, returning to the manor and aquiring some of the vast wealth Walter has accumulated from his days as a court mage. In fact, if he truly needed to purchase anything, why not just buy it another day? However, at this moment neither was an option.
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Today, Walter had a personally requested audience with the king. Arriving at the palace without a suitable gift is poor ettiquette; no matter how little notice Walter took of societal customs he could not request to recieve without first giving. He had not prepared a gift as the Kings market lies right outside the palace boundaries, he simply believed he could aquire something on the day. The possibility of Walters plans leading to naught but failure because he forgot his purse is not something Walter accounted for. Truly, fate was not on his side. As Walter resigned himself to gaining nothing but a loss of face and the kings favour, a soft womanly voice spoke out behind him.
"Ah what a magnificent brooch. Is this the work of an ferdwan turesmith?" Walter quickly swiveled around to see a young looking woman holding a deep purple brooch with a single large encrusted sapphire.
"Madame, what fantastic eyes you have! This is a warstone-design brooch straight from the ferdwan capital". The owner of the market stall certainly had eyes for money, as the moment she spotted the potential customer she instantly disregarded Walter.
The arriving woman's figure was incredibly striking. No more than 25 years of age, judging from her youthful appearance, the redheaded woman was not wearing a headdress to cover her neck length hair as is expected of a noblewoman, yet her tight green silk dress that complemented her hour glass figure and blue eyes was obviously not something a woman of poor wealth could afford.
The gold floral pattern covering the dress was a work no normal seamstress could achieve; if not the work of a master then at the very least it would have consumed a great period of time to achieve such a design. Unfortuantly, it was a design Walter was very familiar with.
"Lady deRose, what a pleasure it is to see you. What is a woman of such exotic tastes such as yourself doing outside of the magitorium on such a wonderful day as this? I don't believe it is for jewlery - I wouldn't expect you too be interested in such an object as the brooch in your hand". Walter sarcastically bowed towards the woman he refered to as deRose, with an uncharactistically large smile.
"Charming as ever, I see. No, in fact I came here today as I heard a certain somebody had a request for the king they wished to make in private, and I was absolutely sure he wouldn't prepare any gift in advance". The womans soft voice was not pleasing to Walter. To be so easily predicted by this woman, he could not help but frown.
Lady deRose simply chuckled "Oh, don't be so glum. You aren't THAT predictable - I never expected you would even forget to bring any money to buy a gift! No no no, that is even beyond my abilities"
"If you are here to jest, don't bother. My day is already off to an attrocious start, I do not need you and your petty squabbling today! I've already apologised, do you really see the need to taunt me so?" Walter's attempts to hold back his displeasure collapsed the moment deRose laughed at his troubles, and it was all the more visible on his face. "Unless you are here for a rare act of charity, i'll be on my way"
"Charity? My dear, dear Walter, you still don't understand women do you. Charity is not my intention, but repaying a favour is a different song". As she spoke, a flat metalic platform carrying dozens of books floated towards Lady deRose from the distance. Underneath the platform, a turquoise crystal was emitting a clear aura in all directions.
"This is your design, is it not? You cannot even begin to image the results i've achieved from researching this little marvel, not to mention the time and money i've saved on sending apprentices to carry equipment".
In response to Walters confused look, she turned to the seller of the brooch and handed over 10 large black coins which the woman happily excepted. Then, she turned to Walter and handed him the brooch.
"Im sure the king will love such a masterpiece, but unfortuantly I am too busy to pay my regards to him today. Here, why don't you gift it to him in my stead, as you are heading to see his highness anyway"
Without even giving Walter time to consider thanking her, Lady deRose vanished from sight. "What a coy woman". Walter kept his words to himself; he knew deRose was still around, and she had surprisingly good hearing. After securely placing the brooch within his belts leather pouch, he continued onwards towards the palace.