I am woken up by rolling off the side of my bed and onto the hardwood floor. I hit the ground with a hearty thud and am left gasping for air as my lungs are evacuated at high speeds. After groaning and coughing a few times I slowly get up swearing. Normally I sleep in the middle of the bed or close to the wall so I don't fall off, but for some reason, I was on the edge. Once I am stood up my mood sours even worse. Laying on the opposite side of the bed is Mekare. This woman is dangerous.

I go to rip the covers off of her and throw her out but thankfully I noticed the neatly folded pile of maid clothes on the bedside table. I sigh and gather my things into a travel trunk, a few changes of clothes, my over nine-kilogram block of steel, various weapons and their carrying harness, and finally the book of runecrafting I took from the library. Since it's a lost art I think no one will miss it. I get fully dressed and pick up the heavy chest. I begin lugging it through the house and out of the front door. I return to my room for my fathers' spear and Mekare appears to be just now waking up, but judging by how she is acting, eyes clear and alert, her ass wasn't asleep, to begin with. She is clearly faking just now waking up.

She greets me sleepily, but I notice her eyes are now a fairly nice green color. At least she can listen. She is barely covering herself with the blankets and I glare at her as I heft the spear. I say to her,

"Get dressed. We have at least a day's journey ahead. I'd rather hurry and hit the dusty trail."

She frowns as I make sure to hold eye contact as hard as it is to do. I really don't get her angle, is she just one of those ladies? Or is there some sort of hidden agenda? Most likely I make a funny face when I get awkward so she's probably playing off of that. I leave my room and go get myself some breakfast unfortunately this world still doesn't do sausage and eggs but I make do.

After eating I find Aelia and tell her about my leaving. I can't really read her expression but it feels right to let her know. I pass by Duke Hasslerouges study on my way and overhear another conversation. It's definitely between the Duke and Mekare. It's difficult to hear because the door is closed but the gist I get is,

Mekare:

"He isn't reacting as expected. He is turning me down."

Duke Hasslerouge:

"That's strange, but he clearly isn't a normal person."

Mekare:

"Yes, how should I leverage him?"

Duke Hasslerouge:

"I wouldn't worry about it, he is loyal and trustworthy. Just don't turn him against us."

Mekare:

"Okay. I'll do that... but I'll still try to have my fun."

I hurry away before the conversation comes to an end and head out to the smithy. I say goodbye to the old smith. He wishes me luck while he works on some horseshoes. Once my rounds are of saying farewell to any of the staff I have consistent contact with I wait outside for my ride.

I sit down on my travel chest and wait, enjoying the nice day outside. Mekare appears out of nowhere and is standing next to me. She waits quietly next to me trying to not ruin my day I guess. She then speaks up out of the blue as a carriage pulls around the side of the manor,

"You're a pretty good listener... but a poor snooper. "

I laugh and reply,

"I wasn't hiding. I just heard my name and stopped."

She is quiet for a moment before she leans over to me and whispers as the carriage stops in front of us,

"I'd be careful if I were you. Listening in on conversations you shouldn't ever hear."

An electric feeling tingle goes down my spine as she finishes the statement and a burning cold comes over me. She gives me a small peck on the cheek and her lips are ice cold yet burning hot, to the point where after she moves away I reflexively grab my cheek and rub the afflicted spot. My face drops from my earlier confident smile to a grimace and I glare back at her and say lowly,

"Then don't speak secrets out loud."

This causes her to smile wickedly at me as I stand up and put my chest in the cargo bed of the carriage. I keep the spear on my person along with my graver on my belt. I climb into the carriage and open the windows preparing for the day to warm up and become unbearable. Mekare climbs in after me and sits across from me. I exhale loudly as I lean back and kick up my feet onto the seat right next to her. I lean the spear across my body and then the journey begins.

As expected the road is rough, but we are on something called the Royal Road which is the main highway of the Alrius kingdom to which all roads connect in one way or another. It's a road that runs the entire length of the country with the capitol in the dead center of it all.

Mekare stays silent for most of the trip only making comments on sights out the windows which I do converse about lightly. Mostly talking about interesting geography and cool architecture in the many towns we pass through.

The Kingdom of Alrius appears to be largely Germanic culturally, I mean names like Hasslerouge and Donnerstein are very German sounding. The architecture is specifically Bavarian across the board with tan walls with dark wood crossbracing paired with steep sloped roofs. Another thing I noticed during the trip is that the culture seems really homogenous, at least on a surface level. Every town has the same similar layout, with similar clothes, dialects, and from what I can tell customs. It's strange to me because even in modern times with a fully interconnected society, town to town can be completely different. The kingdom is to my best guess around the same size as the state of West Virginia, smallish but not tiny. Of course, the geography and shape are different meaning travel times are still bullshit in a carriage.

Aside from my ass getting sore and my back starting to hurt after a long time of sitting the trip is pleasant. Mekare stays on her side of the carriage the entire time and our conversations about landmarks are interesting. I am of course giddy because I am able to see the world outside of the Duke's estate which is quite nice for a change.

We stop to rest in an inn in some moderate-sized crossroads town. I take note of how unclean everything is, but I don't look down on the people here. The roads are unpaved and are simply made of compacted dirt and gravel so there naturally will be some mud. Transport is reliant on animal power so dung is expected and the poor individuals with the task of cleaning up the streets can only do so much. Then there is the problem of no modern sanitary infrastructure. I guess outside of Frontiersmen's society sewage and plumbing are a luxury only for the rich and elite. It's a bit of a shock but makes sense. I don't judge because it's really not the fault of the individuals living here as it is a feudal society. A controlled economy to an extent, so that means few people of the lower class are able to even attempt to try and better themselves and it's all up to the local nobles to build public works like that. Thankfully though it appears most people are healthy here so the sanitation issue hasn't reared its ugly head.

The Inn is nice and cozy and I manage to get a really good night's sleep after eating a hearty meal. I strongly prefer this inn food over the fancy stuff the staff back at the estate prepared. Sometimes all you need is a greasy slop of a meal to feel complete.

Once the night passes the journey continues to the capitol.

The capitol is a sight to behold. Especially for my non-magical ass.

Surrounding the central part of the city is a large network of sprawling streets made of what I have come to understand are standard homes and businesses. This is all surrounded by a twenty-foot high wall made of some dull gray-colored stone. The truly impressive part is the center. The whole central portion of the city is literally floating in midair. It looks like through some magical process the whole center of the city was lifted out of the ground meaning a large pit lies underneath the center.

The floating island is massive too, probably around five square miles of space all enclosed in a wall. The wall around the island is covered in some sort of white stone which I assume is either marble or limestone. I can see tall spires sticking up from behind the wall and in the center of it all on a raised hill is a massive palace. With tall decorative towers as it tries to scrape the sky. Despite how beautiful and amazing the central part of the city looks, the part that amazes me most is the flying ships.

Literal wooden sailboats dance across the sky sailing through the air as if it were water. All sizes from little one or two-man runners to large wooden barges that go to and from the flying island. There are large stone structures jutting out from the island that looks like docks and piers where the ships moor. I remain seated mouth agape at the sight. I really want to ride one of them, just to see how it works. I assume magic, but you never know.

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I look over at Mekare who stares with the same wonderment as me as we enter through the lower city's gates after the guards are happy with our paperwork.

Our carriage makes its way down a main stretch of road and we stop at a small passenger dock at the edge of the massive pit below. My belongings are removed from the carriage and placed upon a runner ship. I try to argue but they assure me that my stuff will reach my location long before I do. I make sure to keep my fathers spear but I am told to at least cover it in a cloth which I do as I create a makeshift sling to carry it over my shoulder.

Mekare and I are loaded onto a small passenger ferry with many others and we are carried up and away to the center island. I stand next to the edge of the ferry looking around me and down into the pit. The boat runs silently as an unnatural wind fills the sails. Two mages stand with their hands outstretched keeping the wind behind us as we climb higher and higher.

We eventually dock and I continue my sightseeing. I am told the actual ship to the academy isn't until later in the day. The academy is apparently on a separate floating island nearby mostly due to collateral damage caused by reckless students. I then begin making my way through the streets taking in the sights.

On the floating island, the buildings take on a different style of architecture. They are now mostly made of white stone and each takes some inspiration from the palace at the center. It's clear only wealthier people live in this area as the streets are completely clean and everyone is dressed prim and properly, even the tradesmen in their many shops. The streets are also made of cobble and there are no horse carts, everything is man-powered so it's a very clean place. I keep walking through the town when suddenly I am stopped by a loud voice shouting,

"YOU! Outcast boy! Stop there!"

I freeze in place and turn on my heel to face two royal knights. They approach me with a relaxed pace hands gently resting on their weapons. The lead one asks me,

"What are you doing here boy? Are you a slave on an errand? If so for who?"

I shake my head and answer,

"No sir. I am here on my own accord. I am simply exploring the sights around here before I ship off to the academy."

The knight ponders my answer for a moment and then asks,

"Under whos authority?"

I reply quickly,

"Duke Hasslerouge sir."

He scoffs and shakes his head for a moment before saying quietly,

"Ah shit... here we go."

He removes his hand from his sword and raises it in a placating motion. He then explains,

"Hey kid, I'm sorry about this but orders are orders. It's a shame you didn't hear of this sooner so please make this easier on both of us."

I tilt my head inquisitively and ask,

"What's the matter? Is it something I did?"

He shakes his head and explains,

"Nope... it's just that during his last visit, your Duke kinda offended the head comissioner of the city watch knights division. Well... there was an order to beat the piss out of anyone colluding with the duke from here on out. I don't wanna do this because you've been respectful, but I gotta do it."

I hear snickers come from the other two knights, it appears they don't care as much as the head one. I then ask,

"If I refuse and try to protect myself?"

He shakes his head and replies,

"Nope. Don't do it. We'll have to arrest you."

I swear and reply,

"No weapons."

The Knight nods and he detaches the sword from his belt. He drops it on the ground as do the other two. I unsling the spear and set it on the ground as well. My hands begin shaking in anticipation as the three knights approach me. My breath even begins to get a little choppy as they surround me. None of them power up so I have the advantage.

One from behind takes a swing and I duck it. I catch his wrist as it goes past my head and I pull his arm over my shoulder. My shoulder is now in his armpit effectively trapping him against me. I then say,

"Well... unfortunately there aren't enough of you to arrest me right now."

I then drop to my knees and roll tossing the knight to the ground. I lay on top of the knight pinning him as another one comes down onto me trying to punch me. I release the one I am holding down and grab the incoming arm. I cross it over his body and wrap my legs around his head. I pull down on my ankle with the crease of my knee and the knight lets out a gurgle as I begin my choke. I say,

"Tap out and sit to the side and I'll let you go."

He taps and I release him. He honorably does as told. The one under me now tries to escape by rolling to his belly but I grab his ankle and pull it up to the back of his head with my knee firmly planted in his back. He screams in pain and begins rapidly tapping the ground. I let him go and he limps away. All that is left is the lead knight who just shakes his head. Then a pair of massive arms wrap around me trapping me. The arms are unarmored but are easily bigger around than my thighs. The lead knight then says,

"Well... that's that... take him to the commissioner."

I am carried like that for a good while as I am taken to the guard headquarters. I also notice Mekare is nowhere to be found so that's cool. She left my sorry ass alone. I am carried into a lavish office and forced into a plush chair. My father's spear is roughly thrown on the ground next to me. Across from me is a very attractive older woman.

While not drop-dead gorgeous, she clearly has aged with grace. My best guess is that she is in her forties. Her gaze is hard and stern paired with piercing gray eyes. She clicks her tongue at me and asks,

"Now was that a good idea? Resisting an order from a knight like that?"

I laugh deciding right now that this bitch doesn't deserve due respect. I reply,

"Well... maybe if the order wasn't fucking retarded then I'd comply."

She scowls at me and asks,

"So... are you saying my orders are retarded? "

I nod and say,

"Absolutely, and it's not a good look for you either."

Her scowl becomes worse and I begin to rethink my idea, but I am fired up and have already dug a grave so might as well make it a paperwork nightmare for Duke Hasslerouge. She thinks about my statement for a bit before motioning for whoever is behind me to leave which they do. She stands up and walks over to me. My old man brain takes over for a moment as I appreciate her figure for a moment as she stands over me and stares down at me. I look up at her defiantly and say flatly while bracing for a punch,

"You have really nice legs."

Her face changes to a dumbfounded expression. She raises her eyebrows in an expression of,

"Did you really just fucking say that?"

I keep a blank expression while holding eye contact and she then asks,

"Were you literally sent by the duke to torture me?"

I reply,

"I can assure you, all your torture is self-inflicted."

She just keeps staring at me with the same expression and then she dejectedly says,

"You took the fun out of this... "

I laugh and reply,

"I really don't know how the Duke offended you and I really don't care. So just like kick my ass or something and let's get it over with."

This makes her frown and she shakes her head at me before walking back behind her desk and she takes up a short and sturdy-looking rod. I cuss under my breath knowing full well what is about to happen.

I leave the guard headquarters with bruises all over my body and my knuckles bright red. I have a black eye and a busted lip as well. The knights laugh at me as I leave embarrassed and slightly limping. From what I gathered my comments kept me out of jail for the day but made my beating worse. Standing right outside is Mekare who is eating some sort of meat on a stick while waiting for me. I don't even acknowledge her as she giggles at my misfortune. I just mutter insults under my breath as I walk toward the docks. I plan to just wait until my transport is here and I'll leave. I'm tired of this city already.

I adjust my father's spear over my shoulder, they didn't question the weapon so that's a perk.

I approach the dock and find a loudmouthed dock worker blocking the way for a group of people ahead of me. He shouts to the group,

"Well... I can't let you all pass without paying the entry toll."

The small crowd of similarly aged people mumble and groan and shout things like,

"Do you know who I am?"

The noise is quite annoying and I just want to get to wherever I am going and take a nap. I got my ass beat, I am not in a good mood. I force my way through the crowd which somewhat splits for me, there are complaints about me coming through but no one does anything because it really doesn't matter as the big dockworker isn't letting anyone through. I finally get to the front and find despite his large size I am still a few inches taller. I ask him sternly,

"How much is the toll."

He is surprised to see me in my battered state but hesitates before answering. He then smugly says,

"Well... if you give me a minute with your maid there its only gonna run you- ACK!"

Before he can finish I slam my forehead into his nose. I feel it break as blood comes pouring out of his nose. He shrinks down while holding his nose and I step around him to enter the dock area. I hear someone behind me go to insult the man and try to kick him while he is down. I shout back at the crowd,

"Don't touch him. He's done and down. If you weren't willing to fight him while he was standing tall don't try it while he is down you cowards."

I really don't care about honor and whatnot, but I somewhat feel for the guy. He probably just wanted some drink money and some preppy students with rich parents are good targets. Then I completely hit him out of the blue, a bit of a dick move on my part. In the end, he doesn't deserve anything else done to him, and I feel like a dick for blindsiding him like that.

The dock has a waiting area marked for academy students. I find an open bench and take a seat. I lean back and close my eyes hoping to rest myself before the trip ahead because I am one hundred percent sure there is going to be some bullshit to deal with at the academy.

I am pulled from my nap by someone tapping on my shoulder. I shake myself awake and turn around to see the dock worker I headbutted. He has dried blood around his nose and his four buddies don't look happy. I simply say,

"Go get ten more and you might walk away alive."

A bluff, of course, but sometimes that's all it takes to win before the fight begins. Sow seeds of doubt in their minds. The loudmouth raises his hands and says,

"No no. We ain't here to fight. You caught me with my guard down, I can't be going around being like that. I understand I was looking like an ass, but there really is a toll for using this dock. It's the maintenance costs for the ship ya know? I just came to let you know."

I slowly get up and stretch and say,

"Well, shit... sorry then. I thought you were just trynna screw us outta coin."

He shakes his head and looks back at his buddies who glare at him. He then continues,

"I might have been overcharging for some personal gambling money, but the fee is really only a couple of silvers. It's stupid to charge these kids but it's the truth I swear."

The others nod and I fish around in my pockets for my wallet. Then I remember in my just awoken state that I am in a fantasy world and do not have a wallet. I sigh and reply,

"Well... I wasn't told of this toll so I didn't bring any loose change. Do you have any work I can do to pay for my passage?"

The guys look at one another and all nod, the loudmouth states,

"Yeah, help me move some cargo until your ship arrives and your way and your maid's way are paid."

I nod and go do the work as directed. Overall it's nothing too bad, but the work goes by quickly with an extra set of hands. They all are pretty good guys, simple manual laborers. I don't think I heard the same joke twice while working with them. By the time the ship arrives I am tired but feel content with my hard work. I bid the boys farewell as I board the massive flying sailing ship. Once on board, I am directed to a personal cabin where Mekare and I sit in silence. It's been a way too long of a fucking day...