Magic Apprentice

Purchase in tow, a newly-appreciative Kite strolled merrily behind Jerry and Elric down the rest of the commercial district. They were reaching the end of this particular area and were about to walk into the square that connected it to another street.

The commercial district as a whole had all sorts of wares, and the streets were often what divided the shops and the products they sold. Some streets didn’t always follow a theme, but normally in those cases the products they sold weren’t meant for the general populace to purchase.

It also just so happened that Kite and Jerry loved those types of shops the most.

After window shopping for what seemed like an eternity, Elric grew tired of it and proposed that they part ways. Kite and Jerry were free to go together, but Elric wanted to go elsewhere. With a goodbye and a loan of twenty gold pieces from Jerry, Elric was free.

Elric walked like a man on a mission through the streets. The wonderful stores he visited with Jerry and Kite had been spectacular, but it wasn’t what he wanted. Elric preferred the small markets located at the more remote alleys and such. The small bamboo or wooden curiosities that’d sell for a copper or two…that was what he liked to see.

It reminded him of home, these alleyways, though Savana wasn’t nearly as prosperous as even the poorest residential district here in Waldsk. The complexes were still far more impressive-looking than the ones in most cities. Here, all the residential buildings were multistoried tenements with only a few rare one-storied buildings. 

Fortunately the small plaza connecting three of these tenements was more in line with what Elric was used to. It was just like the small square back home…The amount of people gathered here, the teahouses and their customers, the small street performances, the artisans and peddlers selling their trade, even the vendors and their dressed up stalls. 

Life was festive right now due to the upcoming holy day. Only two simplistic statues were built here, but the people that lived here dressed up the statues beautifully with flower crowns, paint, and even clothing. The addition of these items gave life to the statue. It gave them a feeling of warmth and expression than the more masterfully sculpted statues.

Elric liked this place. The people here surely reminded Elric of his own villagers, people of a simple way of life. People who valued and enjoyed life for what it is. A festive life in such a place, Elric figured, was far better than a dull one in a richly and splendid neighborhood. 

Weaving through a quiet alleyway, Elric soon found himself at a nice tavern called the ‘Forest Nymph’. 

The signboard and name of this tavern attracted Elric to this place, for it was the same exact name of a tavern back home in Savana. The owner of that place, a kind middle-aged man named Todd, was actually a good friend of Victor, and the only person to not care about what Victor owed him. The Forest Nymph was actually the haunt Victor frequented most to spend the day drunk there. Elric remembered the days he’d have to drag his teacher out at dusk, but not before being treated by Todd first. Sometimes it was fried sausages, sometimes it was two buttered hash browns. He even got a birthday cake on his twentieth birthday, the first he ever got to experience such high-end food and forever a welcome memory he’d think back to fondly. 

Who knew a small district all the way here in another nation would have a Forest Nymph as well?

He pressed his hand against the gridded door. Pushing it open, Elric slowly walked inside.

It was exactly like the Forest Nymph. They had it split into two distinctive areas. The back of the bar being a long wooden table for regulars who loved their alcohol, talking to the owner, or just didn’t prefer to talk at all. Then there was also the general area with multiple tables for people to gather, drink, and be merry with everyone else. People were even playing cards while a crowd watched. They were definitely gambling.

All eyes were on Elric when he entered the room. The patrons of this tavern seemed interested in the new person.

It was uncomfortable, to say the very least. Hurriedly finding himself a spot in the corner of the tavern, Elric sat down on the stool and hoped the flower pots would obscur him from sight.

Now that he was seated and not at the center-of-attention, Elric took a good look around a place. Sure enough, it was a nostalgic environment. The glimmering bronze lanterns nailed against the rafters and walls, the bright yet dim atmosphere, the varnished decorations all over the place, the identical tables, counters, and stools, even the way the ale barrels were stacked up on top of each other was identical. 

Ale was actually the only drink Elric enjoyed. It was bitter in taste, but drinking it wasn’t too inebriating, so it was the only drink his father allowed. His father wasn’t normally a drinker, but ale was his go to choice for when the situation called for it. Another memory Elric remembered were of the holy days. On those days, his father would take him to Todd’s bar and the two would enjoy a mug or two of ale. 

It all seemed so familiar to him, but one thing in particular was starkly different. This tavern had servers going about from table to table. Back in Savana, Todd had to do all of the work himself from tavernkeeping, cleaning, waiting orders, collecting coins, everything. But here it seemed, the people doing most of the busy work were beautiful young women. Truly, this tavern deserved to be called the Forest Nymph.

One of these waitresses came by his table during his moment of realization.

“What can I getcha, sir?” 

That was when Elric remembered he had no idea why he was even here. He thought about having her bring him a mug of ale, but then again, why would he order a meal not even worth a single copper?

He blinked several times, stammering as he tried to think of an answer: “I—no—I don’t…”

“Hey miss, don’t worry your pretty little head about that highborn, he shant drink even a mug of mead!” A burly man jeered when Elric didn’t answer right away.

Then Elric realized he was still in the richly robes used to meet the emperor. This was most definitely not the right attire for this tavern.

Looking to the waitress, Elric took notice of the suspicious expression on her face.

“I—no, I’ve never had mead before.” Elric hurried to respond.

“Hah! A wet-behind-the-ears highborn!” People all over the tavern barked with laughter.

“Oy, go back to mommy and suckle her teats, ye highborns ought not drink mead.”

“I heard highborns oft have two or three mamas, go find whichever it is that sired you, this jaunt is for us men.” Laughed another.

Elric was beginning to think he might as well just stand up and leave this place.

But the waitress smiled, “No need to worry, we have other drinks if mead isn’t to your taste. I recommend a bottle of cider. It's fruity and not very inebriating.”

She gave him a brief smile before glaring at the other patrons, “All are welcome to this establishment. The door is there for anyone that wishes harm onto any of our patrons.”