The stone walls that surrounded the city of Glaucen appeared impenetrable, but that had not stopped attempts on the city. The blocks that made up the wall were covered in the marks of assaults through the ages. Gouges that stretched for several meters, portions of rock that had been turned halfway to slag, places that were missing outright craters. Yet as a single block was at least a meter in height and twice as wide, they seemed to be superficial scarring.

The guardians of the gate were far more underwhelming in comparison. They weren’t under equipped, per se, but with a brigandine and simple swords and bucklers, one felt the city could do better. We were casually waved through the gates with little issue.

Glaucen was exactly what I would expect upon coming to this world. People in simple, but clean and crisp tunics made their way through the streets, carrying a variety of goods with them. Carts made their way over the slightly uneven cobblestones, delivering food and raw materials. A perfect reflection of the concept of a thriving medieval city.

Of course, my eyes were currently searching for something other than the backdrop of the city. While I couldn't spot any blue haramakis(it’s pretty much the same thing and belly band sounds dumb), there were quite a few people in white robe-like attire.

I tried making mental notes of as many potential supporting characters as possible. It’s a bit tough trying to absorb the entirety of a person’s character and how likely fate is to guide them in a single glance, but there was no reason not to try.

A strange scent which tingled the nose like a thousand tiny pin-pricks clouded the air. The buildings where we had travelled possessed open storefronts, revealing a multitude of glass vials, beakers and other such implements. Those who couldn’t be mistaken as anything other than alchemists watched rainbows of concoctions as they off-handedly attended to customers.

The shop we stopped in front of varied little from the norm. Like the others, the first floor was constructed of stone and mortar, with a jettied wooden second floor. However, while most of the others had counters that opened onto the street, the one we approached closed itself off from the outside. Boards were placed across the windows, but it was still in good repair.

“Would you two mind helping me move the goods inside after a few minutes? Theodore only has one apprentice, and these pots require some measure of care.” As Ruffles slowed down, Castor asked us to help move the ceramic jugs. The fact he didn’t seem to be expecting any real payment for helping us was a testament to his good character.

In fact he’d been suspiciously friendly. Well, I wouldn’t make anything of it just yet, sometimes people were just too nice.

Wait, I thought I resolved to try and be a hero? Stopping my analysis of the merchants personality, I remembered that heroes would repay kindness given to them hundredfold. A little time spent to help him out was nothing!

“That’s the least we could do to repay you. Corsair and I would be glad to help out.” Wholeheartedly volunteering us, I ignored Corsair’s glare. “So, where are we taking these things?”

“Just give me a moment to get Theodore and make sure he’s ready. I’ll be right back!”

Castor disappeared behind the well fitted door, leaving just me and my travelling ‘companion’. Apparently without another observer present, he now felt free to criticize me.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing volunteering us to help? We can only stay for a short while and there’s no need to stay in the first place. Castor has always given free rides without expecting payment.”

“What sort of attitude is that? You should remember that kindness should be returned! Castor doesn’t need to give us a ride, it’s only right to do something in return.”

“I’ve never needed to do so in the past, and it’s always been fine. What do you know about anything?” Corsair shamelessly rebuffed the concept of returning karma. It clearly wasn’t the world that disdained altruism, so it had to be something personal. “I have things to do for the village, you can stay and do as you please.”

Corsair left the cart and swiftly departed northwards through an alleyway. He certainly seemed to know his way around, which was a bit of a loss, though mostly I regretted not being able to show him the way of kindness.

Not long after Castor exited the shop, followed by an elderly man with what could only be described as a sporadic beard, and a young lad whose gaze flickered around as if constantly expecting something dangerous to appear.

“Theodore, this is Alric, a traveller who has settled down in the village between here and Medean. He’s quite intelligent, and I think the two of you will get along. Alric, this is Theodore, the head Alchemist Supplier in Glaucen. He stores and refines many ingredients that are needed, and is even sometimes contracted by the Church. There is very little he doesn’t know about this town, so feel free to ask him.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

“There’s no need to bow young man. Castor has said you pursue knowledge diligently, feel free to ask me any questions you have.” Ah, Castor must have taken my penchant for questioning about this new world during our trip to be a sign of intelligent. Well, I’m not going to say I’m not, but I do have a bit of humility. Let’s just say I’m slightly to the right of the bell curve, that’s modest enough.

“However, didn’t you say that two travellers came from Salt Village?” Salt Village, apparently some people referred to the place by the name of it’s folly. I wondered if it was just not very widespread, or if Castor just felt too polite to phrase it as such.

“Corsair has some more pressing business to take care of for the village. I decided to help while he gets started.” Who knows why, but I excused Corsair’s actions. If he really never helped out, then changing from the norm may have been too strange for him. He could be a creature of habit, and there would be no benefit to saying he just didn’t feel like helping.

Ruffles however, let out an exasperated whinny. Right, I’d forgotten about the almost sentient equine. Particularly since Castor just shook his head a little in response. Seriously, having secrets exposed by a draft animal? Someone call Rohan, they’re missing a horse-lord.

“If he had places to be, then it’s no problem. Besides, we already have an extra pair of hands this time around, so the work will go faster in any case.” The ever optimistic Castor, though his words were true. Not everyone complains when they fall short of attaining every windfall possible.

Compared to felling trees, the work was quite simple. The task really was just moving the earthen jars into the basement of the shop. Though it did take a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Since Theodore so kindly said that he would accept my questions, I asked him about the matter. It seemed that while some ingredients would be unaffected by the sun, keeping them in a controlled environment was better.

Well controlling variables is important in the subtle science and exact art of potion making.

At my casual acceptance of the idea, Theodore lit up, going on about how I was much brighter than the dunderhead he was trying to teach. From there we engaged in conversation about the various ingredients, the old man enthusiastically educating me as we moved the earthen containers to the basement. I felt a little bad for his apprentice, who apparently was a bit of a klutz. I discreetly helped him out with one or two s so he wouldn’t drop any of the jars, though I couldn’t help but feel as though this was a poor choice of profession for him.

Through guided questioning, I managed to gain enough information that I could likely be considered a dabbler. The effects and proper processing of plants and minerals was described in a much higher level of detail, but unfortunately, I did not have perfect retention of the information. Luckily, Theodore showed me several of the most basic herbs used in concocting potions. From that, I would be able to pass myself off as at least a novice herbalist.

Between the three of us, we finished in about 20 minutes. While enjoying the lecture that Theodore presented, I wanted to take a look around the rest of Glaucen. My main goal was still to find a cure for Ria, and while the old alchemist could know something, I wanted to get an overall picture first.

One must seize fortune when it is upon them, but must not be blind to the alternatives.

As such, I excused myself, saying that I needed to check on Corsair and make sure everything went smoothly for him. Theodore extended an open invitation to his shop, which I gratefully accepted, and Castor said that he would depart in the morning three days hence. I made arrangements to meet up and travel back to the village with him, along with Corsair before departing alone into the city.

When lacking reason, I see no reason not to follow my instinct. Since the place was wholly foreign, my feet walked where they wished. Ignore purpose and simply absorb the surroundings.

The crowds in the street were less dense than they initially appeared, one didn’t need to constantly sidestep to make their way through the crowd. A good deal of them seem to be carrying goods of one sort or another around, strangely enough it seems as though there are quite a few people going out for a walk and taking it easy. It seemed one of the reasons that there were always jobs of one sort or another open was that this culture valued free time. Completely the opposite of home, they seemed to make time for relaxation even if it would be in their overall best interest to continue working.

Among those apparent idlers, there were definitely a fair number of disciples of the church out and about. Shouldn’t they be praying or something? It really is hard to understand the sort of mindset of someone who is poised to gain power, but then goes on to ignore it. As Castor suggested, I keep my distance and continue weaving through the alleyways.

A hand is left to run over the buildings, feeling the materials. The wood of the buildings is old in many places, but by the frequent change in texture it is oft replaced. For wooden buildings, they are quite sturdy and well maintained; it seems costly, but probably cheaper than having the whole thing collapse every few decades. There are several prominent architectural styles, centered around geometric shapes, the most popular being repeating diamond patterns. How prosperous must Glaucen be for even these common shops and houses to follow the trends of the day? How long did this place stand for, to have gone through so many architectural phases?

But the age of the city could truly be felt through the stones that made up the city. I am a little angry at myself for letting such an emotional appeal get to me, but running my hand over those rocks made me more sure this was reality than any of my original tests. A weighty presence suffused with indomitability. While all were old, a few somehow felt doubly so. Was there a rock-like material in this world resistant to the passage of time?

While possible, I cleared my head of what my instinct told me. Whimsical, yes, but foolish? That trait was one I wished to avoid. Best to not delve too far into rampant speculation when so much other data lay at my feet.

Stopping my foolish thoughts, I let myself remember my purpose for coming to Glaucen. To help Ria. There were several starting points I could think of: potions, which since Theodore opened his doors to me looked like a promising path; magic, a skill I already had some manner of control over; lore, to try and discover what exactly was going on with her and as a last resort trying to find someone else to heal her.

The last option had to be dismissed, not as a matter of pride, but because of its impracticality. Whatever affliction Ria suffered under was uncommon, and if it could draw the ire of the church, than finding a healer was even less likely. Who would walk up to a priest and ask ‘oh could you help this girl who’s turned into a demon?’ That choice was straight out.

Lore initially seemed like a good option, but asking bards would arouse suspicion. I lacked contacts, and even if there were a library in the city, I wouldn’t be able to read. A shame, since reading up on the disease wouldn’t have left any trails.

Magic and potion making were at the top of the list. Unfortunately both of these seemed like disciplines that required time to learn. There were a few months before harvest season and the official blessing of the village came, but it might not be time enough.

Once again, I lamented the fact that this world acted just as purposelessly as the old. Coincidence was indeed mere coincidence, and Lady Luck favored none. What god of fate decided that I was not allowed to cure Ria? Is being transported to another world not enough to do anything for the village other than the most minor aid?

I knew bemoaning the situation wouldn’t get me anywhere, but I felt a little wound up inside. There is no harm in complaints, and I kept from voicing them aloud in any case. People who whine about whiners are the greatest whiners of all!

The best course of action would be to learn about alchemy and potions from Theodore, but I did not return to him right away. The success of that path was not guaranteed, and there needed to be safeties in place in case I failed. I needed to learn more about the Church.