"That's Corvailles in the distance, isn't it?" I pointed.
The view was incredible from atop the large hill, and we could see the great ocean glimmering in the sunrise.
"Last one there's a barnrat!" Liora shouted, sprinting off into the distance.
Alwyn childishly followed, and despite my restless feet, I stayed behind with Aliza out of pity.
"So we're going to meet Alwyn's newest apprentice, aren't we? Do you know what they're like?" I asked her.
"Not at all. Alwyn didn't tell me anything about them. I don't even know if it's a young witch or wizard."
"...I hope they're a wizard."
"Why? You're sick of Liora already?"
"I don't know how to treat girls. I can't wrestle with them, I can't make fun of them, I can't do anything with them at all."
"Don't you do all of that with Liora anyway?"
"...I guess."
"I for one hope it's another girl. The more the better..." she groaned.
"Was travelling with me and Alwyn really so bad?"
"Ahem... we're almost at the gates. It looks like they already went in."
The guards stopped us at the gates, asking for identification.
"We're with the wizard you just let through," I said.
"Sorry kid, he didn't mention anything about two acquaintances."
"Don't you see my clothes? Isn't that enough proof?"
"...Your clothes don't prove anything."
"..."
"Step aside, Linnie." Aliza stepped forwards. "Sorry boys, I was looking for my sigil."
She held up an intricately made object made of valuable gold, ruby, and silver.
"Of course, we apologize for the hold up, my lady," the guard ushered us inside.
"Wooow... so you are a lady."
"Ehhh... not so much anymore. Not since then. But I still have some perks," she winked.
"Aliza! Linnie!"
Liora came running over to the two of us, a meat skewer in each hand.
"Where's Alwyn?"
"He's still grabbing food. Isn't this place incredible? This is the craziest place I've ever visited...!"
Liora wasn't lying. The city was large, the largest I'd ever seen. Water ran through the city in canals, and bricks were more common than wood.
Carts, stalls, and stands lined the streets, and hundreds of people walked past every second.
It was a little overwhelming...
"Didn't he say we were getting clothes for you?"
"I think so. I do feel kind of embarrassed wearing these..."
What's so wrong with my clothes, huh?
They were boy's sleeping garments. Really, I would be embarrassed if I were her too.
Aliza and I followed Liora to where Alwyn was eating.
"Alwyn! Can I have one?"
"Sure... Lin, why don't you call me teacher anymore? That lasted two weeks..."
"Did you like it so much? I guess I could call you teacher... but you're kind of immature to be called something so professional," I said, chewing.
"Immature? I'm youthful, that's what I am. Brat..."
The four of us explored the streets as a party. It wasn't Alwyn's or Aliza's first time visiting, but to me and Liora, everything was new.
Like we were puppies out on a walk.
"This is the place?" I asked.
It was a lot nicer than the place I'd gotten my robes. Not that I cared... I really liked my outfit.
Really though...
"Welcome to The Silver Spindle! How can I help you today?"
Alwyn grabbed a large sum of money and thrust it into the man's arms.
"The best robes for the girl. Whatever suits her best, I hope you use your expertise accordingly," he grinned.
"The girl? So a size 34, then..."
"What? No, no... the girl. Does this hag look like a 'girl' to you?"
"What the hell—?"
"Sorry sir, if I'm not mistaken, you're talking about the small slave girl? Is that right?"
Ouch... what an asshole!!
"Euugh... she's not a slave. She's my apprentice. Now shoo, am I paying you to ask questions or what?"
"I'm just afraid we won't have anything that... suits her..."
"Just take my coin!" Alwyn kicked him into the racks of clothes.
We waited there for nearly twenty minutes at least, and I took the time to admire the garments.
Alwyn, however, clearly wasn't pleased with the service. I saw that he kept glancing at Liora.
To me, she looked okay. Either she was oblivious or had already grown used to the treatment.
I'm sure it'll only get worse once she puts the robes on...
Poor in empathy, I resigned to letting her fight her own battle and continued admiring the garments.
"Here you are, this is the best I could muster," the man came back, dragging a mannequin behind him.
It was nice, similar to mine in form but with a light cream and beige color.
The yellow and blue accents did compliment her skin, the man actually put some thought into it.
Overall, the robes were much lighter in material than mine were, and fit her body quite well. I wondered how long they'd fit, though.
The boots, though... they were an insult. It was quite taboo to give high-quality shoes to someone of such status as Liora.
"Are you kidding me? Bring me the matching boots. Clearly you got that pair from the pig farmer down the street..."
"I'm afraid these are the only boots we have in stock, forgive me, sir."
"You—"
"It's fine! I don't like shoes anyway. They're too cramped... I prefer to be barefoot!"
"Liora..." Aliza started.
"Right," Alwyn scoffed. "Liora, you don't have to—Fine. Grab the clothes and we're leaving."
Liora slipped into the robes, dramatically making a show out of placing the hat on her head.
They suited her... very well.
Without warning, Alwyn kicked over a mannequin, snatching the shoes off its feet.
He gave them to Liora and told her to put them on. The clerk had nothing to say.
As we left the store, Alwyn slammed the door shut. I winced at the sound, and in an instant, every pane of glass in the entire store shattered.
"Alwyn! Why would you do that?" Aliza punched his shoulder.
"Ha! 'Why'? They made a mockery of not only Liora but me. Making my apprentice walk out barefoot? Unbelievable. I ought to erase that shop from existence."
"It's fine, really...!" Liora protested. "Let's just get food or something."
"No can do, we have to get to the duke's manor in half an hour."
"The duke's manor!?" we shouted.
"I have business with him. It'll actually take a couple days, so we'll be staying at the manor in the meantime. Pretty cool, right!?"
"...Count me out. I'm getting a room at that inn," Aliza said.
"What? Why?" I asked.
"Ehhh..." she scratched her head. "Reasons. You two have fun, you can come over if you need anything."
Aliza left for the inn, and I noticed a bounce in her step. She was excited for some alone time, I guessed.
"Pssst, Linnie!"
"What?"
"You don't think this has anything to do with the mysterious apprentice, do you?"
"How would I know? Ask Alwyn if you want."
"No! It feels weird asking."
"What? Why would it feel weird?"
"I don't know!"
"Whatever. Hey, Alwyn! Teacher!"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Does this 'business' have anything to do with the apprentice we're picking up?"
"Huh? Did I tell you about that...?"
"Aliza did."
"Well... it's a secret!"
"Great..."
Finally we reached the gates to the large estate. The guards were quick to let us past, and we were led past great gardens and into grand halls.
"Alwyn, how good it is to see you!" a salt-and-pepper man roared.
He wore expensive attire suited for a wedding. It was certain that this man was the duke!
"Duke Saivelle! It's been too long," Alwyn said.
I started to bow, but stopped myself when I saw Alwyn stick out his hand for a casual handshake.
"And these two are?"
"Ah! My two apprentices, Linnie and Liora."
Alwyn rubbed my head.
"Oho! How impressive, teaching at your age!"
"You know what they say about me, the youngest of my kind!"
"I fear you won't enjoy your youth as you should... for the next couple days, don't worry about them. They're safe here!"
"You have my thanks, Duke. You two, I'm sure one of the servants here will take you where you need to go. I need some time with the Duke alone."
Liora and I followed a servant through the endless halls adorned with velvet and gold.
Eventually, we reached two large doors.
"The Young Lady is waiting for you two just inside."
"Young lady!?"
"...Yes."
This servant is so... dry!!! It's awkward.
I pushed open the doors, Liora following close behind. On the other side was a large, beautiful room.
I couldn't pinpoint an obvious purpose... there were cushioned, expensive woolcouches and a large fireplace.
A few chairs were around the room, but only one low table was in the center of the room.
Do nobles just have rooms for relaxtion? I suppose they need something to do with all this space...
"Do you smell that?" Liora asked.
"Smell what?"
"I don't know, whatever it is smells super good!"
"Oh... the candles. They do smell good."
Has she never smelled candles before? How... depressing.
Liora leapt onto one of the woolcouches.
"Liora! Get up off there! Don't offend anyone—"
The clicking of a door in the far corner of the room caused me and Liora to freeze.
From behind walked a young girl, around our age, dressed in an elegant, over-the-top dress.
She was taller than I was, though shorter than Liora. Her copper hair was worn in two large tails, and her pink eyes glimmered.
"Who are you two...? Guards—!"
"Woah, woah! Hold on now, we're your guests! We're with the wizard, Alwyn!" I pleaded.
"...Oh. So? What're your names?"
"I'm Lin and she's Liora. It's a pleasure to meet you... my Lady."
Please don't get mad...!
I gave a bow, extending my hand like I'd heard you were supposed to do. I wasn't sure what to do with my hand exactly, but it was better safe than sorry...
The words felt unnatural coming out of my mouth.
I'd always spoken quite eloquently compared to others my age, especially rare considering my upbringing, but I'd never actually spoken with a noble before...
People often told stories of nobles getting angry on a whim and severing your head from your body.
If a noble wanted me dead, there'd be nothing I could do.
"Hm..." she briefly examined me, ignoring my hand, then turned to Liora. "Wow... you're quite pretty, aren't you?"
Is she...?
"I am? You really think so?"
"You might be the prettiest girl I've ever seen! Why are you wearing such unstylish clothes...? Not that unstylish is bad, but you need to be dressed particularly well tonight..."
"Unstylish? I just got these, though..."
"No, if you'll be accompanying me, you can't wear that. Belen! Fetch me one of my dresses!"
"But—my lady..!"
"Hm? Spit it out already?"
"Giving one of your dresses to... her... please reconsider."
"Don't make me say it twice."
"Yes, my lady. As you command."
The pathetic little butler scurried off... it was pitiful.
"And you... I don't have any clothes for boys. You'll just have to wear those robes—pretend you're my escort or something."
I thought I heard her stifle a laugh. Certainly, it would be quite funny for me to be her escort.
"Um, excuse me? What's your name again?"
Liora you idiot! Never ask a noble for their name directly, it'll bruise their ego! ...Or so I've heard.
"Oh, how rude of me! I'm The Lady Marielle De Saivelle."
"What a... long name!"
"Don't worry, you can just call me Mari!"
It seems she's taken a liking to Liora. I guess I won't have to worry about her for now...
"Lady Mari, where are we going tonight?"
"Ahem... that's Lady Marielle to you."
"Oh, I apologize!"
Awkward!!!!
"It's alright, I forgive you. You two will be accompanying me on my visit to the festival."
"Festival!?" Liora exclaimed.
"That's right! It's the greatest festival in the nation, The Feast of the First Voyage!"
"Really!? What's that?"
"You really don't know?"
Don't worry Liora, I don't either...
"I'm not really from around here."
"Tch! It's only the biggest festival of springtime. It celebrates the safe return of Corvailles' founder from his first voyage."
"And it's tonight?" I asked.
"No, it started four days ago. There's three more days left, it's a week long celebration. You haven't missed the best parts, though! Don't worry."
She seems awful excited about this festival... is it that great?
"And it'll be the three of us?"
"Well, and my guards, but ye—"
The doors slammed open.
"Marielle, I've arrived!"