Fun fact about Norvosian numbers and math - it is absolutely miserable. By my standards at least.

Why is it important? Shopping and accounting, according to Dorstark.

Their system uses a series of pips, polygons, adding, and multiplying. Basically. For all my simple questions and shortcomings, I knew I had the entire world here beat in the math category if this was their pinnacle. Suck on that, nerds!

One through ten was easy enough. The first five are a series of empty pips and the second five began filling in the pips. Twenty would be five filled in pips with a circle around it; five times two. Thirty would be five full pips and a triangle around it; five times three. On and on the multipliers went up to a decagon with ten sides.

Then it all goes awry. To represent twenty one you could use four empty pips and a square around it with a single empty pip close to its side, or you could use five full pips with a circle around it and an empty one by its side. Similarly, forty two could be either representation of twenty one with a circle around it, or you could use a square around five filled pips and two empty pips beside it.

That was all good and well until you tried writing out thirteen thousand, five hundred, and seventy nine. Once you got into three or four digit numbers, they could be expressed in as many ways as you could add or multiply those combinations and all were acceptable.

Writing out the number of coins that I had, using Norvosian numbers, ended with me writing each individual number in its ten pip orientation. That works and is an acceptable method.

Dorstark seemed fine with the whole system. In their favor, the educated members of their society would have a solid foundation in the basics of math. Without a major overhaul to the entire structure of their system however, they will be stuck without higher maths. This problem went on my mental ‘to-do’ list.

Norvosian numbers and math occupied the first few hours of my morning before I was ‘allowed’ to hit the town. He had a point that I might need to understand it if I intended to explore the market, which we were going to do.

Armed with that redundant knowledge, we left the castle grounds for the first time. Most of the time I wore comfy slippers around the castle. Wearing a pair of my old boots with my robes felt odd at first, but more comfortable than the boots they gave me. Everything fit, but the difference in quality was apparent.

It is common for nobility to wear a sword out and about, so that came with me. As did my awesome cloak. Rounding out my walkabout ensemble was the pistol and holster on my hip, opposite the sword. It was incredibly innocuous despite being my best weapon should I need it.

The chest full of coins was too heavy for me to lift by myself, not that I would have wanted to bring it all. Each coin had to weigh around fifteen grams. I brought a thousand gold split between a small pouch I placed on my belt and a much smaller chest carried by one the skane. No clue what I would spend it on, but I didn’t want to hike uphill back to the castle just for more coin on my first excursion.

Two more guards than normal accompanied Dorstark and I, making seven in the group including the skane. I shrugged and put one foot in front of the other with an immense sense of giddiness - not at all like a mysterious princess getting out of a castle after being locked away for her whole life to walk among the common folk. Nope. Nothing like it all.

Our group walked downhill along the large central avenue that snaked its way from the castle to the harbor. Sometimes I watched people going about their business from my balcony, wondering what each of them were doing. I ‘people watched’ and made up stories for them in the short times of respite between lessons.

People walked, rode horses, pulled carts along, and moved aside for the periodic nobles being carried or shuttled about. I was given the option of taking a carriage or calling for one of the other modes of ‘noble transport’. Walking was fine. I was no longer as easily winded and wanted to actually experience the town of Orya.

“We have briefly gone over the values of currency, but will you help keep me from being taken advantage of in these shops Dorstark?”

Iron bits were the lowest currency, only used by commoners. Five to a copper coin. The primary exchange rates were fifty copper to a silver, forty silver to a gold, and thirty gold to a platinum. There were also other denominations aside coins -bands, weights, various bars, and such- but they all shared the same transaction ratio.

That meant, in coin value so far, I had just over four-hundred and fifty platinum coins or more than twenty-seven million copper. I have no concept of value here, but I was rich. I felt rich anyway.

“Of course Sir Sully. It would be best for you to attempt to haggle on your own, but I will endeavor to assist you to avoid being skinned.”

“Skinned?” I thought. Oh, he means being fleeced or something similar. “Thanks.”

“Where to first?”

“How about a magic store? Know any good ones?”

“Magic store?”

“Somewhere I can purchase some spell books or extra ordinary items?”

“Why would you want additional ordinary things, specifically?”

I had to think for a moment. Ah, right… Wrong words for what I meant, “Amazing, not extra ordinary.”

“Well, there are no stores that sell books to teach magic. All of those are in the Resolute libraries or those of various noble families, including the royal library.”

That was unfortunate. “How do normal people learn magic then?” Surprisingly it was one topic we didn’t talk about much. He never answered me when asked about his own capabilities either.

“They attend one of the colleges. Some in the world have innate abilities which are like spells, but that would not help you. With minor studying in most of the prominent noble families a person may become proficient with simple magics and cantrips, but few would provide the requisite body of knowledge to truly excel in our arts.” He thought for a moment, “There are also apprenticeship opportunities under a magister or minister outside the capital.”

“None of that works for me right now.” I could not see myself enrolling in one of these organizations to learn magic.

“I could certainly attempt to instruct you on some of the basics while we are en route to Videm. If you are interested of course.”

That was something, even if it wouldn’t be opening a spellbook and just knowing how to sling magic missiles. “You are making the trip too?”

“Yes. I am sworn to Nespolan and will go where he commands me to.”

“I would be a fool to turn down the opportunity to continue learning from you Dorstark.”

“Wise observation,” the High Magister tittered.

“Amazing items?”

“I fear I still do not understand your meaning.”

“Rings with special, spell-like effects. Amulets that make a person resistant to damage or allow them to fly. Anything like that.”

“Such items do exist, though they are not exactly common. Few magisters study those aspects of the arts and fewer craftsmen ever obtain the knowledge to fashion such artifacts. I have heard that the process to create such things is laborious and sometimes quite dangerous.”

“So no shops that sell ‘spiffy’ magic gear then?”

“Not here in Orya. There are only a couple in Videm, though most such goods are beyond expensive.”

In spite of all his vast knowledge perhaps Dorstark had no idea that I was a very wealthy man now.

“Fine,” I pouted. “What will I need for our trip then?”

“What will you need, sir?”

“Is this a damned echo chamber?” I thought for a moment, wondering if I was wording things properly and doubting myself for a second. No, those words are fine. He’s just screwing with me. I think.

“Do I need to buy draft animals, a carriage, food, guards, spare parts like axles and wheels? What if we have to ford a river with a wagon?”

He shook his head as I listed each item or category, “No, you will need none of that. Everything will be provided as a guest of His Mightiness, Nespolan.”

I stifled a laugh at the honorific. That’s how I translated the word and it would never get old. “What could I buy in the market then?”

“Whatever you would like. You do not need any of those things, though you are not prohibited from purchasing whatever you wish.”

This was not at all how I planned on spending my day, or money. “Well, is there anywhere you want to go or anything you need to buy?”

“No particular destination comes to mind. Also, I cannot purchase anything for myself and have no need to besides.”

“What do you mean, you do not need to and are not able to buy stuff?”

“Those of us who are members of the Resolute forswear all personal wealth and possessions. Such things that we need, along with a few desires, are fulfilled by our benefactor or liege lord if they so choose. Basic necessities are required, but little else is guaranteed.”

I dwelt on that for a bit while walking the larger streets aimlessly. Even with guards the smaller streets and alleyways seemed like an unnecessary risk.

Education was essentially free with personal freedom being the sole cost of admission. The price for knowledge seemed rather steep here if that was the case.

“Does it bother you? Giving up your life just to learn.” As soon as I asked, I knew it was wrong of me. This was their society and culture. Who am I to judge their ways.

Long minutes passed before he responded, “No. If given the choice between the way things are or the life I could have had, I would choose the life I lead presently. I am free of worrying about having to feed, clothe, or shelter myself. Not all are as fortunate with their masters, however my blessings are many and my hardships are few.”

“My apologies for presuming otherwise High Magister.”

He shook his head, “If you do not ask that which is scratching at your thoughts, you would not gain answers, knowledge, and wisdom.”

During our studies he repeated those three facets of learning. “Answers are the heralds of knowledge, and wisdom is that same knowledge with an aged patina,” he had said multiple times.

I thought about his situation and outlook, seeing the appeal through his perspective. How many college kids, or people in general, would have taken such an opportunity if it had been offered. Resolute members were allowed to pursue their own fields of study and answered only to the crown, colleges, and whomever they individually swore to serve - in that order.

Could I live such a life? Is that how I would see my story unfold? Would I be pleased at the end of such a tale?

Do I want to have my own adventures or solely be relegated to academics with a side role?

That is the real question then, isn't it? Do I see myself as the protagonist of my own story or a supporting role of another’s?

So many questions ran through my mind. How would my life look if I travelled that path, tied to the greatness of Nespolan and the colleges?

The salt air grew stronger as we took a meandering path northward. Amidst my errant thoughts we wandered into a large open square fairly close to the edge of the town on the ocean side. Looking around I realized we had crossed back to the main thoroughfare of Orya.

In the center of the open space stood a five meter statue, which I approached out of curiosity. The sculpture gazed northward toward the ocean with a sense of longing on his weathered face. The plaque on it read, “Morskov, Conqueror of Storms and Founder of Orya.”

“Mors is the family which still leads this city, right?” We had shared a couple meals with members of their family in the castle. But, I had never been afforded the opportunity of speaking with them.

Dorstark nodded, “Correct. The Mors lineage has led the city longer than the Nes family has held a crown. Their loyalty to one another also long preceded the Nes reign.”

Its garb looked well worn and otherwise not noteworthy, except in its appearance to pointedly not be noble attire. This had been a hard working man in his day. Contrasting with the bronze of the statue, Morskov’s likeness had three items that gleamed as silver or steel. A telescope in its right hand, a navigation device of some sort in its left, and a dangerous looking sword that resembled a falchion hanging from his hip.

“What happened to Morskov after he founded this city?”

“He spent his remaining days building Orya and expanding his trading empire. Though the latter dwindled over the last few generations, the city stands ever stronger with each passing year.”

“Has Orya ever been taken?”

“Few have tried and none have come close to succeeding .”

Orya had but two entrances - one on the seaward side and the other via tunnel through the rock at its southern side. With the size of the harbor and number of ships present, a ship born invasion seemed unlikely and a southern invasion through the tunnel was likewise improbable.

“So, Orya stole him from the seas?”

Dorstark smiled fondly, “That is part of the tales the family tells actually. Morskov loved his wife, his family, and his city - but never as much as his true passion of sailing. They say he spoke each year of launching an expedition the following season only to cancel it for another year.”

“I believe I understand. If he set off on his ship he would never return, but he refused to abandon his responsibilities or his dreams.” I sighed, feeling a closeness to this long dead explorer. “Do you think he made the right choice?”

“I believe that he made the best choice he could, given the circumstances. His family, Orya, and the stories he left behind are more of a legacy than most can ever dream of.”

A bare stone building stood on the western side of the square, standing out in how precisely modest it was in design compared to the others nearby.

Inextricably, I felt drawn to investigate. “Is this another temple?” I asked, almost rhetorically, while walking toward it.

“It is.”

“Why have two here, with this one being so much smaller?”

“This is the public temple. Smaller as there are fewer figures the lowborn within Orya choose to seek patronage, favor, and blessings of.”

I walked into the temple, escort in tow. The height of the room was slightly less than that of the much larger temple. “How many idols stand within these walls?”

“Less than twenty I believe, though I must admit ignorance on the exact count.”

Walking toward the first statue I nodded with his words.“HA! Found something you don’t know,” I thought. What I said however was, “I understand.” That was it. All I would say. Hopefully it would drive him up a wall. If it did, he gave no sign.

The first statue in an alcove to the left of the entrance was carved of a porous azure stone. Standing atop coral, sea life swam about the feet and legs of this god. A harpoon resting in one hand, the other pointed across the room toward another alcove.

“Selev, god of open waters,” Dorstark informed. He followed my gaze across to the room to where he was pointing, “That is Navi, goddess of storms. Both life and destruction are often attested to her.”

Navi’s statue was surrounded by smaller female forms, some with water-like features and others with decidedly plant-like. “It is said that the two were lovers who spawned many young. One day she grew tired of Selev’s ferocity and indifference. She fled the ocean inland, rebuffing his affections. Then she found Regu, god of the wilds.” He pointed with his chin toward the statue, “They produced many children as well before she returned to the waiting arms of Selev. She remains forever torn between both worlds, never truly deciding to settle with one or the other. Their brood of nymphs grows among the forests and seas of the world.”

I looked at the statues and their decorated alcoves, marvelling at the details. Despite my time walking around the noble’s temple, I had never received instruction or was allowed to ask questions of the clergy.

“How many gods are there?”

“How many reasons are there for living? How many causes of strife? How many confounding mysteries?” Dorstark looked about the room, “Likely many times more than all of those things combined.”

“That sounds like a long winded way of saying you do not know.”

“Frankly, I doubt anyone does. The faiths are amalgamous and amorphous. Gods rise and fall in favor at the whims of the people, or the ministers.”

“You sound like you don’t believe in…”

He cut me off with a sharp stare, “A topic for another time.”

I took the rebuke in stride. He seemed willing to discuss it later at least. “What other gods are represented here then?”

He nodded at the statue closest to Navi and worked his way around the room, “Navi and Regu I spoke of. Next to him, on the opposite side of Navi, is his wife - the goddess of woodland creatures and the hunt. Gods and goddesses of the mountains, rivers, skies, sun, moon, fertility, commerce, trade, justice, shipwrights, sailors, travel, and then of course Selev.”

“The god of travel, is that Kuriy?” I asked, approaching the figure.

“Yes, it is the same that supposedly brought you here.”

Supposedly… He doesn’t believe my presence is divine intervention then. “How are they worshipped?”

“People come and pay respects. Some ask for blessings or forgiveness for some transgression.”

“Nespolan mentioned rituals. Do people leave gifts or make sacrifices to their gods?”

“He was referring to more than asking for a simple favor of the gods, he sought direct guidance and assistance. And yes, many pay tribute as well.”

I thought about it for a moment and pulled a few coins from my pouch and went to place them on the statue.

Dorstark watched me for a moment before grabbing my shoulder, “What is it you think you are doing?”

“Leaving a gift for Kuriy.”

“Gold? Without cause or reason?” He asked with a humorous scoff.

That was a great question, to be fair. I had no idea. “Back home people gave offerings in the form of currency.”

“What need would such a being have of coin? Were the clergy pilfering gifts for themselves.”

I burst out in laughter. “Probably.”

Shaking my head I returned the coins to my pouch and walked out. I would find something to leave at the god’s statue before we left, mentally adding it to my to-do list. I wasn’t sure whether or not I believed in them, but I didn’t see the harm in hedging my bets when deities were potentially real.