The past week had stretched on, slow and steady. Arthur and Rowan had traveled together, each step taking them closer to their destination. They'd crossed miles of both forest and roads, pausing only when necessary. Every now and then, they'd stop at a village for supplies, a hot meal, or simply to rest. For the most part, the road was quiet. They'd exchanged a few words here and there, enough to get to know each other, but there were no deep conversations. It was mostly practical things, the weather, the food, and the distance ahead.
Arthur wasn't much for small talk, but Rowan seemed content to break the silence with questions about the road, about life in general. He wanted to know how things worked, how Arthur had learned about magic, and how he spent his years as a mercenary. It was easy to answer, easy to fall into the rhythm of it all. Arthur wasn't sure if Rowan was just trying to make the trip less boring or if he genuinely wanted to know more. Either way, it kept the days from feeling too long.
For Arthur, the quiet stretches were comforting. There was no pressure, no expectations. Just the road, the weather, and the endless march forward. But as they neared the end of the week, something shifted. The air started to feel lighter, and fresher. The ever-present ash that had hung above them for as long as they could remember thinned out. When the first glimpse of Luminara appeared on the horizon, it felt surreal.
Luminara. The place where everything was supposed to change.
The city's towering walls rose ahead, far taller than anything Arthur had ever seen before. The closer they got, the clearer it became that this city was unlike any other. Arthur had heard about the city of mages, the only place in Ashlynd with a sky not clouded by ash. But hearing about it and seeing it were two very different things. The walls surrounding it were massive, almost imposing, but what caught his attention most was the sky. After weeks of traveling under a ceiling of grey, the blue above them almost felt like a lie. The city wasn't just built against the world, it was built apart from it.
Rowan, too, was struck by the sight. He paused for a moment, his eyes wide. "Is this it? It's so blue!" he asked, awe coloring his voice.
Arthur nodded, still taking it all in. "Yeah. I heard it's the mages who keep the sky clear here."
Rowan didn't say anything right away, but Arthur could feel the sense of wonder rolling off him, he wasn't any better. For people like them, interested in magic, in the mysteries of the world, this was the stuff of dreams.
They passed through the gates without much trouble. The guards stationed there barely glanced at them as they entered, but Arthur still felt the weight of their gaze. The city was alive in a way neither of them had ever seen, never had they seen so many people in one place.
The busy streets of Luminara were unlike anything Arthur had ever seen before. He had grown up in a small village and spent time in places where life was slower, quieter, and more predictable. But here, the air seemed to buzz with energy. The streets were packed with people from all walks of life, and each one seemed to have a purpose. Horse-drawn carts rattled by, filled with goods of all kinds, fabrics in every color, baskets of fruit, and boxes of spices that filled the air with a fragrant, almost overwhelming scent. Mingling with the chatter and laughter of people haggling with vendors or greeting familiar faces.
Rowan seemed just as overwhelmed, his eyes flicking from one thing to the next. "I've never seen a place this alive," he muttered.
Arthur nodded in agreement, his hand tightening around the strap of his pack as they navigated through the crowd. "Neither have I," he replied. "It's like every street's a new world."
As they made their way down the bustling street, Arthur couldn't help but notice the sheer size of the buildings around them. The city was huge, everything was built on a scale he hadn't expected. Tall, stone buildings with intricate designs lined the streets, towering above them. The buildings weren't just functional; they were pieces of art. The city had a distinct, almost regal feel to it, and the wealth of its residents was evident in the finely carved stonework and polished wood that adorned every corner.
The sound of horses' hooves against cobblestone streets, the chatter of merchants and travelers, the distant hum of a crowd... it all blended together into something far grander than Arthur had ever imagined. It was almost overwhelming.
After asking around, they learned that they still had half a month before enrollment at Ithica Academy. They had plenty of time before they could begin their training and no reason to rush through the city.
So, they found an inn, a modest place called The Silver Chalice, where they could rest for the time being. The building was nestled in a quieter corner of the city, a little away from the chaos of the main streets but still close enough to be convenient. It wasn't the grandest place in the city, but it had a cozy charm to it. Inside, the warmth of the hearth greeted them, along with the smell of freshly baked bread and roasted meat. The innkeeper was a cheerful woman who offered them a room at a reasonable price, and before long, they were settling into the small, simple space.
"We've got a good while before we start school," Rowan said as he flopped onto one of the beds, stretching out. "We should take some time to explore. I'm dying to see what this place has to offer."
Arthur agreed, though he couldn't deny the part of him that wanted to take a moment to breathe. The past week had been nonstop travel, and the city's pace was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. Still, he couldn't shake the curiosity that was pulling at him. "Sounds good," he said. "I also want to see what this place has to offer."
They agreed to split up for the day. Rowan wanted to visit the markets and see if there was anything interesting to buy. Arthur, meanwhile, was curious about the weaponry the city had to offer, thinking about what he could improve or add to his collection. He knew that the quality of craftsmanship here would be unlike anything he had seen before, and he hoped to find something that could serve him well when his training began.
They parted ways at the foot of the stairs, both eager to experience the city in their own ways.
As Arthur stepped back into the street, the sheer scope of the city hit him again. He stood for a moment at the entrance of the inn, watching the people going about their business. Luminara was different from any city he'd been to before, there was an energy in the air that almost felt like it could be touched. It was both exhilarating and intimidating. The sheer size of the place was enough to make him feel small, but there was also something exciting about it.
A part of him wanted to dive into the crowds, to explore every alley and corner, to see every building and street, but another part of him felt the weight of being here. He had trained and fought to get to this point, he had come so far, but now, standing at the edge of this unfamiliar city, it felt like the real journey was just beginning.
He shook the thought away and adjusted the weapons at his side, heading toward the markets. He would need to stay focused, even as the city pulled at him in every direction. There was a lot to learn here, and even more to discover.
The market district sprawled before him, a chaotic sprawl of stalls and storefronts teeming with life. The din of merchants shouting their wares blended with the chatter of the crowd and the clatter of cart wheels on cobblestone. Arthur's nose caught the tang of iron and the earthy scent of leather mingling with the sweetness of roasted nuts and fresh bread. It was almost too much, but he pushed through, drawn by the potential hidden amidst the noise.
One stall stood out, not for its decoration but for the unmistakable rhythm of a hammer on an anvil. Arthur's eyes locked onto the blacksmith at work, the bright glow of the forge casting flickering shadows across his soot-streaked face. He wasn't drawn to the weapons on display, though they were impressive, but to the forging process itself, the way the smith shaped the glowing steel with precise, practiced strikes.
He lingered, arms crossed, watching as the man dipped the blade into the quenching trough. Steam hissed as the blade cooled, and Arthur couldn't help but mutter, "Good form."
The blacksmith glanced up, noticing him for the first time. "You've got an eye for the craft," he said, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "You a smith yourself?"
"Yes,"
The smith grinned, setting the cooled blade aside. His gaze drifted to the weapons strapped to Arthur's sides, particularly the sword hilt partially visible over his shoulder. "Those yours?"
Arthur nodded.
The smith gestured toward the sword. "Mind if I take a look?"
Arthur hesitated for a moment before unstrapping the blade and handing it over. The blacksmith turned it over in his hands, examining the edge, the hilt, and finally, the faint runes etched into the blade. His eyebrows rose slightly.
"Now this is something," he murmured, running his thumb along the engraving. "Not just a sharp blade, this one's got magic in it."
Arthur nodded again, keeping his expression neutral.
The smith handed the sword back with a low whistle. "Not something you see every day. Most of the runed weapons around here are commissioned by the nobles or the mages themselves. Don't see them out on the street." He paused, studying Arthur more closely. "You a mage?"
"Not exactly," Arthur replied, carefully vague.
"Still," the smith said, leaning back against the forge, "whoever did this knows their stuff. Adding runes like that's no small feat."
Arthur glanced at the blacksmith's wares, noting the fine craftsmanship but the distinct lack of anything magical. An idea began to form in his mind. If runed weapons were rare, especially in the hands of common craftsmen, there could be an opportunity here.
"Do people ever ask you for runed weapons?" he asked, keeping his tone casual.
The smith shook his head. "Plenty ask, but unless you're working with a mage, it's not happening. And mages, well... they're not exactly eager to share their knowledge." He gave Arthur a knowing look. "That's why I said, seeing something like that out here, it's unusual."
Arthur nodded, filing the information away. If runed weapons were in demand but rare to come by, perhaps he could sell his skills to make some extra coin. The thought was tempting, though he knew he would have to tread carefully. The knowledge of runes, like all magic, wasn't just rare, it was guarded, and attracting too much attention could be dangerous.
"Well," the smith said, picking up another piece of steel to work on, "if you're ever in the market for raw materials, come see me. Won't find better quality in Luminara."
"Appreciate it," Arthur replied, adjusting the strap on his shoulder.
He left the forge, his mind already working through the possibilities. If he could carve a few basic runes, nothing too elaborate, it could help fund his stay here and his preparations for the academy. He'd need to be discreet, of course, but the potential rewards were too good to ignore.
As he moved deeper into the market, his eyes scanned the stalls with a sharper focus. The bustling crowd faded into the background as he began assessing the goods on display with a specific purpose. He would need supplies, quality materials for etching, and perhaps a few tools to make the process easier.
The smell of spiced meats and sweet pastries briefly distracted him, and he caught sight of a vendor selling skewers of roasted meat. His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't eaten since morning. He bought one and ate as he walked, the savory flavor grounding him as the day's possibilities began to take shape.
Arthur passed a leatherworker's stall next, his eyes lingering on a selection of pouches and belts. He purchased a sturdy pouch, fastening it to his belt. It would do nicely for holding etching tools or small vials.
The sun dipped lower in the sky as he continued exploring, and the market began to shift. The crowd thinned slightly, and the frantic energy of the day gave way to a more relaxed pace. Lanterns were being lit, casting a warm glow over the stalls.
Arthur decided it was time to head back to the inn. The idea of runework still circled in his mind, and he wanted to discuss it with Rowan. His companion might have insights, or at least a second opinion, that could help refine the plan.
When Arthur stepped into the common room of the Silver Chalice, he spotted Rowan at a table near the hearth. The hunter was leaning back in his chair, a mug in hand and a relaxed expression on his face.
"Find anything interesting?" Rowan asked as Arthur approached.
Arthur dropped into the chair across from him, setting his leather pouch on the table. "Yeah. You?"
Rowan nodded with a small grin. "Plenty to see. This city's something else."
Arthur chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "It really is."