Out on the street were food stalls and others selling all types of goods to the many people passing by. Ceras noticed that several of the bottom floors of the houses were also shops or restaurants with people laughing and shouting as they enjoyed themselves. Different scores of music could be heard clashing on the street, as the restaurants seemed to compete by having their musicians enticing the customers into their premises with the loudest music they could produce.
Ceras saw many men and woman standing on the street watching the passersby with interest and wondered what they were up to. He did not have to wonder for long, as a woman dressed in a brown dress greeted the three young men with a smile and a nod as she pointed to a restaurant.
“If you want good food at a reasonable price, you’ll find no place better than this restaurant.”
“It’s still early in the night to settle down and eat,” said Rinaldo with a smile as they carried on walking.
“Well, remember me when you want to eat and I can give you a special discount!”
The trio walked further into the twisting maze of streets, having to politely pass many more people on the street trying to lure them into all different types of establishment. Not all of the offers the men received were for a meal, and some of the invitations made the yokel that Ceras considered himself to be blush with embarrassment. Even the adventurous Rinaldo moved on quickly from that type of offer as he couldn’t help but blush either.
Eventually they made their way through the winding and twisting mess of alleyways to a large plaza with a fountain in the middle. Many of the restaurants had chairs and tables out in the plaza with people already eating this early in the evening. By the fountain was a large band of musicians playing for all the square to hear, and Ceras could see a troupe of actors preparing to put on a play to be performed on a stage behind them.
“Well, this seems promising,” said Qyndad. “Let's find a table so we can watch the play for a while and see if it is any good.”
Making their way through the crowds of tables in the square, they found somewhere that would give them a good view of the entertainment that was hopefully going to start soon.
After a few minutes of sitting at the table a waitress came over to the young men with a polite smile. “What can I get you gents?” she asked in a pleasant manner, as if she was not in a rush despite how busy the night was already.
“We’ll all have some beer, please,” said Rinaldo with a grin, “and do you know what the play is going to be?”
“It’s a comic opera. You can give me some money for the night and I can just take the cost out of what you consume, and give you the change when you leave,” said the woman helpfully.
“That sounds good to me,” said Ceras as he fished a gold coin out of his money purse. “I’ll pay for tonight.”
The waitress looked shocked to see the gold and placed it quickly in her own purse. With a frown she whispered, “Young sirs, you might want to be careful with flashing gold around this level. You don’t see much of it here and it will get you into trouble, if you know what I mean.”
With that, she quickly walked to get the beers for the group and handed the gold coin to a large, well-built barman.
“What kind of trouble does she mean?” Qyndad asked curiously.
“The kind of trouble where people try and rob us, I guess,” said Rinaldo with a shrug of his shoulders.
“That could be entertaining,” said the dragon with a grin, as if he was looking forward to it. “You might want to throw some more gold around, Ceras.”
The three laughed at the half-joke and then settled down when three foaming tankards of beer hit the table with a loud thud.
“Enjoy, gents, and if you want any more just call me over. Remember we also do food!”
When Ceras took a swig from the foaming beer, he coughed and spat some out.
“Sorry, it tastes stronger than I normally have my beer. At home it’s only strong enough to make the water drinkable,” said Ceras apologetically. “I wonder why they make it so strong here.”
“Mostly for people to get drunk on,” said Rinaldo with a grin as he pointed out some of the more exuberant characters in the plaza, “but you don’t have to worry about getting drunk as the higher level you are, the more alcohol it takes. At my level I can’t get even tipsy, even if I just drink spirits all night, so for you it will be impossible. Some people don’t level up because of this effect. I think the goddess designed the system this way, as a legendary-level drunk could be as bad a natural disaster.”
“Well, if it's not going to affect me I’d prefer something that I enjoy, so let's do a taste test for all the drinks they have and see if there are any that taste better.”
The smiling waitress was summoned and they explained what they wanted. After giving her a large tip, she was happy to start bringing out samples of all the beverages they had. Small glasses of wine and spirits were placed on the table and constantly being renewed throughout the night as the three tried all the samples - none of which Ceras liked at all.
An actor in a costume in bright colors that billowed out around his legs got onto the stage to introduce the play. Ceras was sipping on some wine, unable to keep the look of disgust from his face. This was certainly a taste that he didn't want to get used to. Placing the small sample down, he focused on the actor as his voice was magically projected to the square. The actor started by reading a poem as the music played, and then announced the play title was Much to Do About Nothing.
The band started to play stirring music as more actors came on stage and started the play. For the next couple of hours, the three young men watched with rapt attention as the story unfolded with music and laughter. In Ceras’ mind, the general plot was about a prince returning from war and visiting a noble, where love, betrayal and misunderstanding all took place. At the end of the play was a marriage between the two main characters. The acting was the best he had seen, with magical effects produced by an illusion wizard helping the play to seem real.
At the end of the play the whole square stood up, giving rapturous applause as the actors took bow after bow. Then all of the actors came down into the square with ceramic bowls to collect payment for the play, which seemed to be the customary way of paying. As the costumed, smiling actors made their way around the square, Ceras noticed that most people gave a handful of copper, though every now and then there was a silver coin placed in one of the bowls. When the main female lead came over to Ceras’ group, she saw all the drinks on the table and winked at the three boys with a friendly smile. Ceras had enjoyed the play so much and was feeling in such a good mood from having achieved what he’d set out to do, that he forgot his inner scrooge and placed a gold coin in the bowl with a clang that managed to light up the woman's eyes.
“Thank you, my lord,” said the woman with an even brighter smile. “It’s almost unknown to see such generosity. If you would not mind, sir, could some of the company join you for a drink after we’ve finished the collection?”
“That would be very pleasant, as I’m interested in learning about the origins of the play,” said Ceras, returning the smile.
A half hour later, the large group of actors had gathered chairs to sit with the boys, all with drinks in their hands that Ceras had bought out of the gold he had given to the waitress earlier in the evening. They were all chatting animatedly about their roles in the play and how they viewed the aesthetics of their characters.
Ceras thought that they all sounded as if they had a high opinion of the art, and must be at the top of their profession to be in such a major performance. He did notice that some of the female actors seem to be sitting too close to him and the other boys for comfort, and every now and then placed a hand on an arm as if they were the best of friends. They also kept referring to the boys as “m’lord” even though they had told them that they were not nobles.
“So, how did you get so rich?” the lead actress asked as she looked at the well-made clothes that Ceras was n
ow so used to wearing. “Or do you just throw your money away on well-deserving thespians?”
“It's kind of a long story,” said Ceras, not want to tell the story of his life even to a beautiful stranger.
“Are you all noble-born or have you made your money adventuring?” pressed the lady.
Rinaldo snorted and joined in the conversation. “There’s nothing noble about him, I can assure you of that.”
“Well, you must be high-level - at least the standard level, or maybe even the top of the standard level,” said the woman as she sipped some of the wine that Ceras had bought bottles of for the acting troupe.
With a quick movement and a cheeky smile, she grabbed his hand and turned it over to look at the symbol on his palm.
“I’ve never seen a guild symbol like that before,” said the woman curiously. “What does it mean?” Before Ceras could say anything, she added, “Don’t worry, I’ll get Canoz to tell me since you don’t want to talk about yourself.” Lifting Ceras’ hand up, she shouted, “Canoz, you know a lot of history - what does this guild symbol mean?”
Canoz had been the person who had introduced the play to the audience, and played the character of one of the fools in the comedy. He was drinking a measure of spirits and was talking enthusiastically to one of the other actors about some aspect of the play, his arms waving around as he spoke.
“What?” Canoz shouted back.
“Have a look at this guild symbol and tell me what it is!”
The man focused on Ceras’ palm for a second and then did a double-take. He went white with fear and stood up, dropping his glass which smashed on the floor. The entire troupe of actors stopped talking and looked at the man with surprise. Somebody started to make a snide comment about drinking too much, but on seeing Canoz’ fearful face, stopped in mid-sentence.
“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty. We didn't know,” stuttered the man as he bowed deeply. “We would not have imposed if we knew.”
“What kind of joke are you playing, Canoz?” asked the leading lady next to Ceras. “That fear looks very real.”
Canoz did not address the woman's question but kept looking at Ceras pleadingly. “Please forgive her, as like most people, she is ignorant of the nature of the symbol that indicates you’re a legendary wizard.”
The last part of his comment created a wave of shocked silence in the restaurant, as people nearby were evidently listening to their conversation. The troupe of actors’ reactions were unified, and they all stood up and bowed to the three boys with expressions of anticipation on their faces, as if they had wandered into a den of high-level monsters and were just waiting for the killing to begin. After bowing, they started to move away as if the area had suddenly become too dangerous.
The boys were left with glasses and empty chairs all around them while the rest of the patrons of the busy restaurant looked intently into their drinks, trying not to be noticed by the young men who apparently seemed to have grown horns.
“Well, that was a bit unexpected,” muttered Rinaldo to Ceras with a grin. “It seems that we can’t take you anywhere without a major scene.”
“What was the last time?” Ceras demanded.
“Well, the first ball at the palace is a good example,” said Rinaldo.
“That wasn't my fault,” Ceras protested.
“I think it was,” said Qyndad.
The conversation was disturbed by the waitress coming up to them with a forced smile. “Let me clear all this mess away, Your Majesty.”
“Why do people keep calling me that?” asked Ceras with a confused look at the waitress.
“It’s your title, Your Majesty, as all legendary-level people are royalty. I’m just trying to show the proper respect. Meaning no offence, Your Majesty,” said the woman, now trembling with nerves.
Ceras fished out a few gold coins from his purse and said, “Sorry to have upset you. Will this cover all the drinks?”
“You still haven’t used up all of the gold from the previous coin, Your Majesty,” said the woman.
“Oh, well keep this for yourself,” said Ceras as he passed over the coins, and said to the boys, ”Let’s head off, as I think we’re finished here.”
The young men could hear the noises of chatter start up again as they started to walk across the square in the direction they thought the platform elevator was in.
“Maybe you should hide the mark if it's going to have that effect,” said Rinaldo with an annoyed look. “That was getting to be fun.”
“I think I will.”
Ceras cast a spell of disguise on his hand and his old guild mark reappeared at a much lower level.
Exiting the plaza, the trio found themselves back in the maze of narrow alleyways, with shops and eateries all still trying to entice people in. As it was now later in the evening the whole area was full of people, making it hard to move past all the diners in the tightly-packed alleyway. This time, as there were so many people, the young men managed to slip through without being accosted by people trying to sell to them or persuade them to eat at their restaurants.
“Do you know where you’re heading?” Qyndad asked Rinaldo, who seemed to be leading the way.
“Not really, but I’m sure that the level platform is in this direction.”
When the men had been walking in the street maze for about a half hour, they found themselves in a narrow street where no people were walking around. A while ago they had exited the market area of this level and now seemed to be amongst workshops that were closed up for the night. In the distance they could see the large platform building that they were trying to reach.
Suddenly from around a corner, seven men appeared with weapons drawn and determined looks on their faces. Ceras glanced backward and saw ten more approaching from the rear with the same look of resolve.
“You boys have been flashing around a lot of gold for people so young,” said a large man in front with a smile on his face. “I’ll be wanting all of it.”
Rinaldo whispered to Qyndad, “Is this the entertainment you were looking for?”
“It has promise,” he hissed back.
“Didn't the rumor say that we were too high-level to bother with?” Ceras asked in a relaxed manner, as if he was chatting about the weather.
“Yeah, there was something about that, but a man's got to take some chances if he wants some gold.”
“OK, well I guess that was enough of a warning.”
Ceras cast fireballs out of his palm that hit each of the men in front and behind, entering their bodies with sizzling flames before exploding, causing their bodies to rupture and spray blood everywhere.
“That was quick,” said Qyndad with a frown, looking at the bodies with large burning holes as they lay on the ground.
“Well, I did warn them!” said Ceras defensively.
Chapter 5 Thieving Scoundrels
Ceras’ face was again in his pillow as he slept soundly in his bed, until he heard the loud sound of knocking on the front door of his house. As he tried to ignore it for a few seconds, the sound just grew louder and more insistent with heavier pounding. It was still dark when he got out of bed, and he cast a magical light to hover above his head so he could see in the dark. Making his way through the house, still feeling dozy, Ceras stubbed his toe on a chair that seemed to leap out at him. Casting a quick heal to ease the pain, he limped onward toward the pounding sound at the door. When he reached it, he opened a small flap in the door at face-level to see who was so rudely interrupting his much-needed sleep.
Is that a ghost?
Through the hole in the door he saw Phoxas, the old master of Majesty’s college, standing there with his fist raised as if he was about to start banging on the door again. He was dressed in a white sheet that people were resurrected in and he looked panicked - his face was as white as the sheet itself.
“They took the staff and killed me,” said the older man, in a voice filled with anger.
Ceras unbolted the doors. “Co
me in and we can talk about it.”
“But they took your legendary staff! This is a disaster - you’ll have to tell the king.”
Ceras led the master to one of the sitting rooms where a small gremlin appeared out of a hatch, yawning.
“Will you get the master some soothing tea, please?” Ceras asked the gremlin, who just nodded its head and disappeared back into the hatch.
Turning back to the master, who was still clearly upset at what had happened, Ceras said, “I can always make another staff for you, so you don’t need to worry.”
The man looked even more horrified than before. “For goodness’ sake, no! I shouldn't have taken the first one as I’m not strong enough to hold onto it, but I so wanted to study it.”
“So, what's the problem?”
“Have you no idea of what a legendary weapon would do to the balance of power in the kingdom? To my knowledge there are no legendary weapons in the kingdom and I just lost the first one. This could be a disaster, as whoever has it could overthrow the king or any of the other nobles! We must tell the king immediately.”
The master stood up and started to walk toward the door as quickly as his old frame could carry him, with Ceras following.
As they were rushing to the elevator platform, Ceras asked, “Surely it can’t be so bad?”
From out in front as he was leading the way, the master said, “If you don’t believe me, just watch to see how the king reacts to the news.”
After a few minutes of rushed walking they arrived at the platform building, where few people were waiting to ascend or descend. By the time it was Ceras’ and the master’s turn to use the ascending platform, Phoxas was still frantic with worry. Leaving the platform at the palace level, they were met by a captain of the guard who recognized Ceras from helping the king in the battle against the goblins.
“How can I help you, sir, Master Phoxas?” asked the captain politely as he stood in front of the large wooden gate to the palace’s access tunnel.
“We need to see the king on an urgent matter,” blurted out the anxious master.
Legendary Weapons Page 5