Aether Beasts

The city of Evenord came into sight only a few hours after leaving the mountain valley we had been in. The terrain had flattened out somewhat, though it was still rocky and without grass or trees. There were odd green plants which Zirani said were cactuses and the dry bushes which looked dead. The sun shone high above and the temperature was far hotter than I had ever experienced even hotter than it had been on the last floor of the aether tower, then again that floor had cold sand. This place was less of a desert and more of a rocky wasteland, at least that's what it seemed like until we got to one of the roads to the city, and slowly began to come across people.

Almost everyone was an arcanist, and most caravan and merchants we came across had guards, not that they bothered us. Zirani had placed simple masking arrays on all of us, even though I didn't really need one. My bloodline seemed to be masking my second core just fine, though I guess it would be good to mask my storage core as it would undoubtedly draw attention. She had actually taught us the simple array and promised to teach us how to mask ourselves without the need of an array, though after the great scar and if we were all still together. I didn't ask what she meant but was worried about it.

The first thing I noticed about the city was the fact it had no walls or visible defense. It wasnt like there were any beasts around as far as I could tell, but it looked rather odd, especially since Evenord was the largest border city. It was where the expedition arrived every time and was also where most of the trade on the border was done. Then merchants would travel to the other cities and deeper into the plains to sell their goods. It was here that the explosives that had helped in the war against the twin horn had been bought

"First thing we need to do is find out if the expedition has arrived," Zirani said. "If it has then we need to get an idea of who arrived with it. Sandra, keep yourself covered, and Misty, keep the beast locked up. The arcanists of my lands are not the arcanists you're used to. They are far more skilled."

"What if they're not here yet?" Sandra asked as she pulled up the hood of her cloak. The girls had changed from their loose clothes back into their combat robes along with hooded cloaks. I had done the same, minus the cloak. Unlike Sandra or Misty, I didn't really have any visible features to hide that would get me recognized.

"Can we take the weights off now?" Misty asked.

Zirani thought about it then nodded. "Now is fine, there doesn't seem to be anybody nearby."

We stopped for a few minutes and when we began walking once more, it was with lighter steps and a more relaxed posture. I felt far more relaxed and energetic with the weights and limiters off. My outer and inner body felt at peace after the long months of none stop stress put upon them, not that I would have changed any of it. The weights and limiters had benefited me greatly, and I imagined this wouldn't be the last I saw of them.

As we drew closer to the city, I noticed that most of the buildings seemed to be made out of sandstone similar to the lower city of Bullrock, though these were more intricate, and the tallest was several floors high. People of all types walked about from armor-clad arcanists riding upon beasts like something out of a book to groups of robed arcanists, most likely from a local sect. There was also normal folk, though one thing was clear. Everybody was an arcanist. The only people I noticed without cores were children, and even then only the youngest ones. I saw kids of nine and ten with their first cores, which would have been a shock to me if Zirani hadn't already told me what to expect here. The resources the expeditions brought benefited these places greatly and the arcanists of the border were the strongest in the plains, of that there was no doubt.

We passed from the outer edges of the city into what I could only describe as the largest market district I had ever seen. Stalls, stores, and people with blankets of products on the ground were everywhere. We stuck close together, and our power allowed us more space than most, but unlike Bullrock, no one was shocked by us.

I noticed Misty's eyes light up as we made out way through the crowd. "You think we can take a loot?"

"Later," Zirani replied mentally. "First let's find a place to stay and ask around."

Misty nodded, though she gazed longingly at each stall and product we passed. I didn't blame her since there was plenty that caught my eyes. Essence cores, elixirs, meats, vegetables, armor, weapons, and everything else you could possibly want. I even saw one stall selling small tracking beasts that looked like a cross between a lizard and a dog. Next to it seemed to be some sort of auction for larger riding beasts that looked similar to the ones we rode back when we had traveled to the tower, except these looked more ferocious and like hostile beasts turned tame rather than already tame and placed beasts. It was the look in their eyes, along with their sharp claws and teeth that gave it away. These were predators and carnivores.

"Don't even think about it," Sandra said. "We are not buying one of those."

"I never said we were." I raised my hands. "Just browsing. Besides, I don't think I could take care of one, not to mention I don't actually need one. It's only a two-core beast. I think it would have trouble keeping up with us."

"You are correct about that," Zirani said.

It took over an hour to get out of the market which spoke to its size and the overall size of the city. It was huge, and it took asking a few people to find a high-end inn to say the night at. We had plenty of wealth that wouldn't do us much good in Zirani's land, so there was no point in not spending it.

"This is it," I said as we came to a stop in front of a large three-story building with a sign proclaiming it as the Roaring Dune Inn. "Well, let's go."

I pushed open the door and held it open for the others as it made a ringing sound. Instead of opening into a taproom, we were greeted with the sigh of a lobby and a small man sat behind a desk. I guess I should have expected no less from a higher-end establishment. It was nicely decorated and there was the distinct scent of some sort of perfume, which was mostly from an enchanted item. It was very different from the mix of smells that we had experienced in the market and the noise. It was quiet in the lobby with only the sound of shuffling paper as the man at the desk straightened as he spotted us.

"How may I help?" The small man stood and bowed.

"The best room you have," I said. "A suite preferably."

"Ah, well your in luck." He smiled then sat back down and leafed through some papers before looming back at me. "The top floor suite is available. For a deal, you can book the suite for a week, and gain access to as much food and beverages as you like."

"How much?" Misty asked as she stepped up beside me.

The man listed of the price and even as Misty winced, I handed over the crystals which earned me a very please grin from the man. "You won't be disappointed. This will be the perfect place to stay in while you wait for the expedition to arrive. That is why you're here, correct?'

I glanced over at the others then nodded. "It is, so they aren't here yet?"

"No," he answered. "But they will arrive in the next few days. I actually heard it'll be the largest seen in a very long time."

"And why is that?" I asked.

He shrugged apologetically. "I've no idea, I just heard it from one of the other patrons. Now if you would kindly follow me."

"Are you sure it's worth it?' Misty asked.

"Of course," I replied. "It's not like our crystals will be of much worth beyond the great scar, and even with the suite, we still have more than plenty left."

We were led through a side door, down a long hallway, and then up two sets of stairs. We came to a set of double doors which our guide opened using a metallic card which he pressed into a black patch where a doorknob would be on a normal door.

"This is your keycard." He handed it over to me. "We have spares, but do try and take care of it. Would you like me to take you on a tour of the suite?"

I shook my head as the girls entered the suite. "No, thank you."

"Very well." He bowed low. "Then thank you for choosing the Roaring Dune, I hope you enjoy your stay."