Rise of the Archmage Alister

Alister stayed outside beside the driver until they came upon Losca’s massive stone walls. They fell into line, waiting at the gates with the other carriages to be allowed in. Dozens of people were walking in or out of different castes, from people in fancy suits or dresses down to people in relative rags. The stone walls were at least thirty feet tall, almost certainly more, bigger than anything he thought possible. Certainly, in the past, these sort of structures would be generations in the making.

The driver noticed his slack jawed gaze and chuckled, motioning to the guards at the gate that were checking credentials, “Is this your first time ever seeing a city like this, Young Lord? The guardsmen run this city like clockwork. It’ll not be long before we’ll be let in. I do suggest you go back in before the common peoples notice us, though. It’ll make a fuss.”

He nodded, “I haven’t been in a city like this that I remember, no. I’m so intrigued… you’re right though. I don’t want to start problems unnecessarily. I’m sorry I’ve bothered you.”

“Not bothered me, Young Lord. I rather enjoyed your company out here.”

Since the carriage was stopped in line, Alister was able to hop down onto the cobbled street. The whole thing was paved this close to the city. Honestly, for the last few miles it was nicely paved. It was an impressive feat of engineering to him. He opened the grey carriage door and hefted himself inside again. Wisteria gave him a concerned look, but it seemed like no one was willing to say anything.

He never asked the driver for his name. That bothered him more than it should. Alister heaved a sigh as he put his elbow up on the carriage door and forehead against the window. “You know, glass didn’t use to be as common,” he stated, “I don’t pay enough attention nowadays to everything around me.”

Blas let go of a soft sigh, “That’s normal for a child. I don’t think most kids would be thinking about the making of the world, not unless their curiosity lands on it. Kids tend to hyperfocus. Your thoughts may be far removed from a child your age but you know it isn’t always how that works for you.”

“Yeah, I’m aware. It just angers me.”

“All you can do is work to change it. More lessons might help.”

Alister groaned, “At that rate, I’ll turn into a book, not a mage. I just want to be level ten already so I can get my damned class.”

“Alister, language. Please,” Alliana said, which garnered a slight glare from the boy.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, not meaning it even a hint, “I want my class. I’m holding Wisteria up.”

“I don’t mind, Alister!”

“I know you don’t mind, but I mind, so hush,” he said, rolling his eyes, “I need to focus more on the world around me, too. I didn’t even ask the driver for his name.”

Alliana gave him a smile, “It’s normal not to know everyone’s name. I think you’ve been fine, dear. Our town is just small.”

“It’s small, sure, but this is…,” he gestured out the window as they passed through the thick gate, stone walls tightly formed with brick after brick, iron wrought into shape, “I mean, look at that! That’s incredible!”

Blas struggled to settle on an expression, holding in his amusement, “It’s an iron gate, son…? I mean, yes it’s rather large, I suppose…”

“But it’s iron! Iron!! That much iron at once would’ve never been possible before. We had only what fell from the sky unless you used alchemy to force it into existence! And I haven’t been paying attention to it. All of it. The stones that make up the wall are tight and with this refined grout, the roads! The roads used to be dirt, maybe with some wood to give it structure if you needed it. Now, this! This road with… with gravel? So many small rocks but not quite sand. It’s brilliant. The ride is smooth!” Alister explained, becoming more animated as he went. The others couldn’t help but laugh and snicker. His cheeks reddened, “It’s just so interesting. Our town is nothing compared to this… not to mention the past…”

Blas coughed into his hand and continued to laugh, rounds of chuckling and giggles refusing to completely die down, “Well, then make a point to look around you and question more. You already have such a strong feeling about social status, but to know how to help you’d need to understand a lot about how the world works. You’d need to know at least a little about infrastructure and construction and craftsmanship.” He cleared his throat and leaned forward to look his son in the eye, placing a hand on his knee, “Please be patient with nobles as much as you’re patient with commoners. Okay? Change is hard. If it’s what you’re passionate about, then I’ll help how I can. Just know change doesn’t happen overnight. I apologize for upsetting you.”

Alister’s cheeks only reddened further, “I… I know that. It’s fine… erm… thank you, father. It is really important to me… but… I suppose I shouldn’t have shouted… I guess…”

Alliana sighed, “That’s the best I suppose I’ll get from you right now. Let’s just move past it and focus on the city. Losca has a lot to go and do. Many shops. We should be able to get you some books if you wish, though we need to try to keep our load light. This is only the first stop, and we have a lot of things yet to do. We’re heading to our local abode, but first, we’re making a quick stop at the adventuring guild.”

Wisteria perked up at the notion, and though Alister’s ears still looked red against his white hair, his interest was piqued as well, “A guild, Lady Alliana? Whysoever would we be going there? It is a gruff place, most often.”

Alliana smiled and nodded approvingly, “It is indeed. A place of violence most often, unfortunately. Alas, we need to head there to pick up one of our relatives. One of your older cousins is a well-known adventurer in the area and they had some business to conclude there. While working, for reasons I cannot fathom, they stay in the guild’s housing. It’s silly if you ask me, given the house isn’t painfully far.”

“Respectfully, Lady Alliana, I imagine they want to keep work away from their home life. If their work is so ‘dirty’ or ‘violent’ then why would they want to drudge such things into the home? It could be disrespectful to the Severin name,” Wisteria said, a polite and practiced smile working its way onto her face.

“You’re a very bright kid, you know?” she responded, “Sometimes you and Alister both surprise me with your maturity. Alister has a good reason for it, of course, but I am curious. Your mother has taught you so well. Do you know what you might want to do when you grow up?”

“Oh, I’m not sure, Duchess. I would say Alister is far brighter than I could ever be,” Wisteria deflected, “I have many interests. I would not mind learning alchemy, potioncraft, priestesshood, magework… There are too many options to know. For now I am satisfied with following and helping Alister however I can.”

Alliana squinted at her for that response but nodded. Blas cleared his throat as the carriage lurched to a halt.