The following day, I arrived at the northern gate of Carlen a few minutes before 10. A couple of my students are waiting there to see me off, however, most disassociated themselves from me when they heard the news. I only taught classes at the university, never taking on an apprentice, so I won’t have any incredibly loyal apprentices begging to join me on my banishment. Although, even a devoted apprentice would have to think twice before accompanying me on what almost surely amounts to a death sentence.

  I say a few encouraging words to my now ex-students. They express concern that I am only bringing a single suitcase. While allaying their fears with pleasant platitudes, I can’t help feeling even more excited than yesterday. I stumbled upon the great magician Elizabeth Markus’s notes about 5 years ago. Since then, I have been deciphering them and practicing in secret. Of course, that is what has led to my banishment today, but it also means I can travel lightly. I have set up two markers, one in Corlon and one in Carlen to serve as fixed points to teleport to. Additionally, in her notes, Markus spoke of intelligent life outside of the kingdom. She even left a location in the mountains. Now, 200 years later, who knows if anything is still there, but I at least have to see. After all, she might still be alive.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Leaving my students, a carriage and a team of soldier are waiting for me. They will take me north to the mountain gate beyond which I will be on my own.

  Two uneventful days later, we reach the gate. The guards look on as the large iron portcullis slowly opens. I take a deep breath and walk through. The surrounding scenery is beautiful. In the distance to my left and right, I see tall snowy mountains. The mountains are contrasted by the grassland running between them and the bright blue sky above. I follow the main path into the grassland. The immediate vicinity of the gate should be relatively safe. The dangerous monsters are further out or up in the mountains. I walk for three hours before looking back. The gate and even the wall is no longer visible. I am on my own. Time to get to work!