Krebo’s forecast was right: the rest of their journey was smooth sailing physically and metaphorically. The border guards of Watur accepted her name and station and let them through, paying them no further mind. Krebo looked less than impressed, but managed to restrain himself from lecturing them, which Shaya greatly appreciated.

She couldn’t wait to get to the Imperial Academy and begin to really learn magic, without all of the restrictions placed on unsanctioned mages.

After two weeks of travel from Rezon, Shaya spotted Watur’s capital and main port, Olin on the horizon despite the overcast weather. It dwarfed Mangdae’s capital in every possible sense. The enormous walls and towering buildings spoke of the wealth that flowed through the city and reminded Shaya more of Arcadia than Kelahk, though the architecture still favoured Kelahk’s focus on durability given how hard hit the kingdom always was during any given Titan War. Unlike Mangdae though, farms stretched out for miles around the city, bereft of their own defenses.

I wonder how long it will take Lumir to get our Duchy that secure.

Well, hopefully I can be part of that solution once I graduate in four years!

“We’re lucky the Suudowa River runs all the way from Mangdae and into the Jade Sea,” Krebo said next to her, also eying the impressive fortifications in the distance. "We're only a day away now. There, you’ll be able to book passage across and take the next step to achieving your dreams. How does it feel?”

Terrifying.

“Amazing,” she grinned at Krebo, “Once I’m sanctioned, my progress will be unfettered!”

Chuckling, he responded, “You know, most people associate becoming sanctioned with becoming fettered, not the other way around.”

“Enh,” she shrugged, “I’m not too worried about the sanctioning ritual. I may be critical of the Arcadian Empire, but I would never dream of turning against them.”

“That’s good to hear, you sometimes make me wonder given the heresy you spew rather casually.”

“No, you were right about that,” Shaya admitted, “I’ll do my best to keep it in check, it won’t help me there.”

He nodded to her. “Not to rain on your parade further, but becoming sanctioned is just a small step. Power is not going to be given to you there, you will have to work hard. You will be under a lot of pressure from your teachers, your peers, your squad, and your military superiors. Be prepared.”

“I didn’t think it would be easy,” Shaya said, turning to her mentor, “Don’t worry Krebo, I’ll make you proud.”

“Doubtful,” he replied.

“Damn it Krebo, I thought we were having a moment!”

“Nope.” He replied with a stern expression, but Shaya could see the smile in his eyes.

+++++++++++++++++++++

The sights and sounds and smells of Olin were overwhelming.

People from around the Arcadian Empire crowded the streets, hawking their wares or arguing over larger business transactions. People in the garb of servants and messengers ran to and fro, leaving chaos in their wake. Everyone shouted to be heard despite being packed together like fish in a net, and spittle and sweat flew everywhere as people gestured frantically to be understood. Everyone was focused on their needs and desires, seeing those around them only as blurry obstacles to push past or oblivious to them entirely.

To Shaya’s rogue-honed senses, everyone here was an easy mark. The environment ideal for skilled pickpockets – but utterly lethal to any who fumbled their sleight of hand. The crowd’s density could turn into a liability if a thief was called out and plenty of guards patrolled the streets. Each guard had a truncheon at the ready, and wore gambeson in Watur’s style: a coiling gold sea serpent in a sea of green.

Dozens of unfamiliar scents of flowery perfumes and potent spices assaulted Shaya’s nose, drowning out even the sour stench of sweat, and leaving her with a devastating headache. Her head swam with the sensory overload and she possessed an almost bestial need to escape the press, which was shared with the gryphlet she cradled in her arms.

A few years away from the Imperial City had eroded her acclimation to these conditions, which she hadn’t realized until just now. Her new home was just so small and sparse compared to this duchy, and especially this city. She saw more people crammed into her immediate vicinity than she had likely seen in all of Mangdae since Lumir adopted her a few years back.

“Gods!” Shaya shouted at Krebo just to be heard, despite their armoured shoulders rubbing as they walked along the bazaar’s street, “we really are bumpkins out in Mangdae!”

“Aye,” he replied, his deep baritone cutting through the noise better than hers, “The bumpkins amongst bumpkins, given Imperial regard for the entire Kelahk kingdom. Mangdae will reach this state someday, though, your father will see to that.”

I hope you’re right. Shaya thought, taking in the sights around her. I also hope we survive the next Titan War, and don’t have to start all over yet again.

“I can’t believe we couldn’t find a healer that could mend Quill’s leg,” Shaya yelled.

“I can’t believe you decided to take them with you to the Academy. They’re going to be a nightmare on the boat, and not cheap to take care of either.”

“I can’t just leave them like this,” Shaya shot him a frown, “it’s the least I can do given their parents’ sacrifices.”

“Your call to make, of course.”

Shaya and Krebo wandered through Olin’s markets to see the sights, with Quill along for the ride in Shaya’s arms. The other members of their group sought buyers for the rest of their haul, hoping to liquidate what they could and perhaps procure other items for trade back home. Or more food, in Gaz’s case.

Despite their size and armour, Shaya and Krebo did not carve a path through the crowd as they usually might. In one of Kelahk’s largest cities, plenty of people with as much or more giant blood walked about, and nephilim from nearby parts of the empire could be seen that exuded dominance over the space around them – alongside their armed and armoured bodyguards. This meant that Shaya and Krebo had to muscle their way through the crowd like everyone else.

While Olin was far grander than any city within Mangdae, perhaps even ALL of the cities within Mangdae combined, it still paled in comparison to her memories of Arcadia. The grandeur of it still seemed...mortal. The use of magic present, but not ubiquitous.

Shaya marveled at the buildings around her. Very few were raised with the mundane touch of a mason, instead magically molded by the Stoneshapers Kelahk was infamous for. They were Amber mages like she and Krebo, but they were also Animists who insisted on connecting to spirits of the land and channeling elemental powers, which the Imperial Church deemed to be treading dangerous ground akin to worshipping the Titans.

Yet another doctrine they turned a blind eye to when it was politically expedient to do so, however.

Head clearing as they moved further from the chaos of the Bazaar, Shaya was able to appreciate the surroundings even more. Magically shaped stone had no weak points or oversights, which was possible with masonry, and she wondered just how strong Olin’s walls were. And how expensive it would be to draw some of Kelahk’s Stoneshapers to Mangdae.

Why hasn’t Lumir hired some already, given how much reconstruction our duchy is in need of?

Do they avoid us because Lumir is a devout Imperial?

Are they afraid he’d have them burned for heresy?

Perhaps an ill rumour or reputation to be dismissed... but they should know better since his last wife was Kelahkese.

They passed by a broad, squat building that was built like a fortification, but had a civilian feel about it. The magically shaped stone was reinforced with iron, but its main floor possessed clear, pointed windows behind its iron shutters and bas-reliefs of simple geometry that gave the whole building a refined look. Shaya watched groups of people entering and exiting the structure, covered in heavy, waxen leathers and protective aethercyte-powered masks similar to the one Rel wore during his experiments. While Shaya’s ears didn’t hear anything, she still picked up the occasional reverberation, as if something was displacing the air and quaking the ground with explosive force. The building’s windows shuddered with each wave she felt in her chest, but there wasn’t so much as an audible rattle from them.

That place must be very well insulated for people’s protection.

“Ah,” she said, able to speak at a normal volume again. They approached the building and it all became very clear to her when she read the sign.

‘Olin Academy for Applied Alchemy’

“Rel would love it here, I wonder if this is where he’s destined to study.”

Krebo nodded. “Most likely, he doesn’t have many options since much of the Empire frowns upon forms of thaumaturgy.”

Shaya’s nose wrinkled at that. “You mean that you southerners frown upon it. The people of Kelahk, Lythrana and Io live in lands too dangerous to pass up a tool that could keep us safe.”

Her mentor sighed, “Yes, well, let’s be frank: the north lost the last War of Succession and the reigning Archon of the Empire, may the Seven bless her eternal dominion, dictates the policy that the Empire should avoid its usage. If She desired, She could press for it to be outlawed, but has yet to do so.”

“Well, let me be frank too,” Shaya said, frowning at Krebo, then hesitating as she mulled over possible responses, “...that’s stupid. I’m at least glad our Archon chooses not to enforce this non-sense.”

“As eloquent as Cirithil Herself,” Krebo retorted, “and not something to be repeated in Arcadia, so I’m glad you’re getting this out of your system now.”

“Bah! You know what I mean.”

“I do, but don’t focus on what you can’t control, Shaya.”

“Shouldn’t I aspire to do more, though?”

“An idealist just like your mother,” Krebo smiled, “Of course, tangible goals make progress easier to maintain. But you can’t want for everything, and I haven’t sensed a clear goal from you yet.”

“My immediate goal was getting Rel and I out of the Blight,” Shaya said after a moment’s pause, shifting how she was holding the gryphlet, “but you’re right, I haven’t set a specific goal beyond gaining more power. I want independence, I want to be able to help others, but...I’ll think on it some more.”

“Good,” he patted her on the shoulder, avoiding a nip from her companion. “You have the right mindset to grow, but you still need the right motivation and the right methods.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ve hammered the methods for growth into my skull by now.”

“No,” he corrected, I’ve told you some of the methods for growth, but you haven’t adopted them all. You work hard, but you only focus on what you enjoy doing. There are some things you have to do to grow that you aren’t going to find fun, like working out and eating properly. Much like others might not enjoy studying ancient battles and magic circuits as much as you do.”

“Gods Krebo,” Shaya ducked behind Quill to fend off more information, “I think you’ve given me enough wisdom to chew through for one day, if not one week. Please, no more!”

“Have you ever known me to show mercy?” Krebo’s eyes narrowed. “Besides, I have a lot to pass on before you’re free of me in the next few hours.”

Oh no...

Seven protect my tender brain.