The Ruby Magician

Wyn woke up to the smell of coffee and eggs. His body was sore all over, and he instantly wished he could get more sleep. It was too early to wake up, and apparently magical healing still didn’t do much about sore muscles and joints. The lone window in Daniel's spare room had light shining bright from outside, the sun high in the sky. He suddenly regretted not closing the curtains last night.

He shot up in bed. With the sun shining bright, it wasn't as early as he thought.

He grabbed his ragged clothes and threw them on haphazardly. He ran his hands through his hair and hoped to find a wash basin and bathroom soon to be more presentable.

A stronger scent of breakfast beckoned him once he left his room. He squinted, trying to let his eyes adjust after just waking up. With his eyes closed he could smell sausage and toasted bread, making his stomach growl. Footsteps pattered all around the kitchen before settling at the small table in the corner of the room.

Daniel was running around, trying to prepare the table for Wyn and himself. He sat down at the small table with the feast in front of him, noticing Wyn there with his hands up trying to shield his eyes.

"Good morning! I hope the noise didn't wake you." Daniel clapped his hands together in obvious excitement.

Wyn shook his head. "Not at all. The sun woke me, the smell brought me in.”

Daniel laughed. “Good, good! It’s all ready, and there's plenty!”

“Did you cook all of this?”

"I'm many things, but a cook is not one of them. I had Wendy bring it up for us. That woman is something else." He stood to grab a mug for Wyn in a cabinet and placed it on the table in front of an empty chair.

Wyn sat and began to make his plate of food. He rubbed his eyes one more time to help wake up. He was much slower than Daniel, who already had a full plate, steaming mug of coffee, and was tearing apart a piece of buttered bread. Wyn took his own bite of bread before pouring himself coffee out of the steaming kettle.

“So what are you planning to do today?” Daniel asked.

Wyn smiled. Daniel was much happier today than yesterday. He remembered how jittery and drunk he was, somber and negative. He began to warm up as he showed Wyn around Alestead, though, and Wyn hoped this was Daniel's true personality. His cheerful attitude suited him much better, even if it came while Wyn was still waking up.

“John and I decided we’d walk around Alestead. He still needs to claim his rewards from the climb and we want to find some shops that could be useful for the next season. Not to mention I still haven’t had a true tour of the city.”

“That’s a good idea, especially since you were too impatient to get going yesterday. There’s an incredible amount of things to do and see here in Alestead. Just make sure you make it to the festival tonight.”

Wyn swallowed a mouthful of sausage hard and too fast, stretching his throat uncomfortably. “I nearly forgot! With everything that happened yesterday it completely left my mind!"

Daniel chuckled over his cup of coffee. "Well, that's alright. Yesterday was not an ordinary day! Going to the second floor, one of your own group betraying all of you. That's too much for someone's first trip in the tower."

Wyn took his own sip of coffee. It was hot and nutty, much more enjoyable than the quality of coffee he was used to drinking. Obviously the amenities in Alestead were held in much higher regard than the military standards and farm life.

He took in the taste and smell for a minute, reflecting on the day before. Floors one and two all in one day. It felt much longer, and he was supposed to do this day in and day out for months. He wondered how other Climbers kept their sanity.

“Well,” Daniel continued, “I'd love to hear the more detailed story of the climb. I'm sure there were some parts you decided to keep to yourself. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to hear about it. Plus, you made out like a bandit compared to the average for clearing floors one and two.”

Wyn gave Daniel credit. The man wasn't easily fooled. “I know. It’d be good for me to fill you in, and I actually had some things I wanted to get your advice on, too. But is that not a typical amount? People come here for the riches, after all.”

Daniel stopped chewing some sausage and grinned ear to ear. He was desired - wanted, even - by a new Climber for his expertise. He thought that maybe this time would be different. That Wyn would be different.

No. Daniel knew he was different, and he was excited to see this new Ruby Magician climb higher and reach new heights.

“I’ll share anything I can and find out about what I can’t. But no. A good average is about 40 gold crowns for the first floor and twice that for the second. I wonder if it was because of your hardships and small group in the second floor that influenced the increased coin. Something to look into, I suppose.”

Wyn never thought it was a possibility that there were so many factors playing into the rewards. Of course he didn’t know much about being a Climber, not yet, but if finishing floors with less people increased his payout he’d absolutely try that strategy. Whatever could get his debt paid off quickest would be worth trying.

“Thank you, Daniel. Maybe tonight after the festival we can discuss it? To prepare for the next season that starts tomorrow? I don’t plan to stay out late partying. It’s not exactly my area of interest.”

“Splendid! Mine either. Though you should also go get your key and find your room from the attendant downstairs before you head out.”

“Oh, gods, so much to do,” Wyn said. He put his fork down, finishing a bite of eggs. He took a few more gulps of coffee, the mug having cooled, and stood up. “Let me wash up first and I’ll go get it before I meet John.”

“How about you get your key and wash up in your own room? You can unpack a bit, settle in some before you set out. That way it’ll be ready when you return tonight.”

Wyn nodded in agreement. “That’s a good idea. Would you mind helping me? I know you’ve done a lot for me already, but -”

“Nonsense,” Daniel said, cutting him off. “That’s a better idea, anyway.” He put down his own coffee mug and threw on his Magician’s robe. “The Ruby Magicians are off, ready for another adventure!”

Wyn laughed, nearly spitting out his coffee. Even though he had no idea what lied ahead, he knew today would be a good day.

*****

Wyn’s room was on the second floor of the guild hall, and his legs were deeply grateful. It wasn’t a special room by any means, but his class symbol was marked on the middle of the door similar to Daniel’s, only smaller and less worn. It was a basic apartment with a kitchen, small living area, and single bed, all in one large room. It was plenty for him, and much more than his communal bunk as a soldier.

Maybe one day he’d advance to a house further out in the city, or even a guild hall if his journey led to being in a guild. But that was a thought for another day.

He and Daniel worked to unpack his bag of clothes and gear. Daniel offered to help fill his small bookshelf with some books on magic, the tower, and general information that would be useful. Wyn gave him a spare key, and Daniel gave one to Wyn for his own apartment. Wyn didn’t want to be intrusive and use it and figured Daniel would feel the same way, but the gesture was both kind and fitting.

Daniel left to enjoy the day for himself, though Wyn didn’t quite understand. He mentioned he would scour the library and historical texts for books and information Wyn could use. But how could the library be that fun? Reading was helpful, sure, but spending an entire day in there and enjoying it? There was a reason Wyn joined the military and not the academy. To each their own.

After Daniel left Wyn took a deep breath and fully took in his room. This was his. To some Climbers it would be downgrade, especially if they were royalty, but for Wyn this was special. Even though he rented the space it was an area he could call his own, not to mention the privacy he now possessed. It would be a great place for him to plan and recover to face the challenges that both Alestead and Alistair offered. Wyn initially thought the fee of 250 crowns a month was absurd, but he’d likely make that in less than a week.

First, however, he needed to regroup with his friends after the events of yesterday. Realizing it was already after lunch, he hurried out to the infirmary. He didn’t want to miss John getting out for the first time.

*****

The streets of Alestead were bustling with people, both Climbers and tourists alike. Wyn thought the city was busy yesterday but it was nothing compared to the day of the festival. All of his preconceptions about trying to separate the Climbers and visitors in the crowd was also wrong, as there was no truly accurate way to tell them apart. People varied greatly in what they wore or carried, ranging from casual clothes to elegant dresses and no equipment to carts of supplies.

The crowd was nearly suffocating, too, and he was thankful it was likely only for one more day as people would hopefully leave after the festival tonight. They would come to explore Alestead for the day or weekend and enjoy the festival activities that evening to harken a new cycle of exploration and trials. It was odd how they celebrated a new challenge that was just as defeating as rewarding.

At least he could ignore them and focus on preparing for the next month by really diving into being a Climber.

Wyn suddenly felt very lost, as he hadn’t had a true tour of the city and what buildings were present. Daniel only showed him the basics and what he needed to know before entering the tower yesterday, but people flooded the cobblestone streets from the front gates to the tower base. There wasn’t any rhyme or reason to their directions, and it was disorienting.

A pair of guild officials were standing in the middle of the streets handing out papers to anyone who wanted them. Wyn walked over to them to see what they offered, gently walking around people young and old.

He was grateful for their information, as they gave him a rough map of Alestead that highlighted the important buildings to visit as well as the various activities to be held that evening. The city held much more than he thought, and decided to explore more when the crowd wasn’t as heavy. The markets and trading districts were especially interesting, but he figured John and Tasha would be able to help guide him. He also figured there were housing sections and more desirable areas for the elite Climbers or nobility, and sure enough most of the surrounding land was for that purpose. There were enough for thousands of people to live here, not to mention the hundreds that could live in the guild apartments and even more visitors from outside the city.

This would be an interesting new adventure.

Wyn continued to traverse the growing crowds on the way to the infirmary. It took longer than expected, but he made it nonetheless. When he entered there was a woman behind the front desk but she wasn’t the same as the night before. This woman was older and frail-looking.

“Excuse me,” Wyn asked. “Do you have any update on a certain Climber? I’d like to know how he’s doing.”

“Sure thing,” she said. Her voice was rough and raspy like she’d smoked a pipe her whole life. “What’s the name and class?”

“Cedric, Lightning Wizard.” He knew it was a long shot of him being out of the intensive unit, but he still wanted to ask.

She ran her fingers down a log book. “Ahh, yes. He is still in the intensive unit. Sorry, but no more visitors allowed.”

Wyn perked up. “No more?”

“One woman is already there visiting him. Has been there since last night, actually. We only allow one visitor per patient in the intensive unit.”

Wyn smiled softly. “Thank you.”

So they did allow visitors. The woman last night didn’t mention that, but maybe she forgot? Or the woman visiting him was already there and didn’t think to mention it.

“Wyn!” A voice said. Wyn turned, and John was standing outside Wing A with a woman beside him.

Wyn grinned. “Tasha!” He went up to her to shake her hand but she threw her arms around him in a hug. He was surprised at first, but quickly and awkwardly returned the embrace.

She let go of him then punched him in the arm.

“Hey! What was that for?”

“John told me what happened. That was incredibly stupid of you to go to the next floor!”

Wyn winced. “I know, but…”

“But it was also brave of you,” she said, cutting him off. “You’re a good guy, Wyn.”

John waved his hands in the air. “What am I, chopped goblin?” He started to limp and stepped closer to Tasha before putting his arm around her. “And I’m still recovering, you know.”

“Oh, stop it,” Tasha said, playfully pushing his arm off. “I basically healed you before we even came back! The infirmary was a formality. Don’t act like you’re still hurt.”

Wyn laughed, then caught the look of the woman behind the desk. She had a look of displeasure on her face that Wyn couldn’t quite place. It was definitely not as inviting as the woman from last night.

“How about we make our way outside,” Wyn said, trying to avoid anymore negative comments.

“So, what are we doing today?” Tasha asked. She held the door open for John who gave a slight bow, then held his hands out in front of him after he went outside in an ‘after you’ gesture.

“John and I were talking last night about it,” Wyn said. “We want to go explore the shops a bit before we relax tonight. Maybe see more of the city, if possible.”

“Yea, like a good weapons and armor smith, a general goods store, maybe even a magic item shop?” John clapped his hands, giddy with excitement. “The basics, but important places. And we need to find some good ones to keep visiting for this next season!”

“Hmm,” Tasha said. She held out a hand on her chin, thinking. “Then we should also look for a tailor, an alchemist, and a spell or scroll shop. If we’re really covering our bases.”

“That’s a good idea,” Wyn said, as he stepped around a family walking by with a large bouquet of flowers. The bundle was nearly as tall as the man, oddly. “But I don’t know if we’ll have time for all of that before tonight.”

“We find the shops we might like, then ask around if they’re even worth it,” John said. “It’ll be easier than getting around this crowd, at least.”

“Are you going to buy anything with your rewards from yesterday?” Wyn asked.

John immediately stopped walking. “My rewards! I completely forgot to see what I earned after the climb!”

“Well, you were just stabbed in the back,” Tasha said. “I don’t think you had coins on your mind.”

“Tasha, I always have coins on my mind.” He looked at her with an obnoxious grin, making her giggle.

Wyn laughed, too. He was relieved that John really was okay, and with the three of them getting along so well, it felt right. He knew he had found the core of his climbing group, and only after one climb no less.

It was absolutely the worst way to start his time as a Climber, but Wyn was grateful. They didn’t judge him based on his class like Daniel said, but rather by his actions.

John and Tasha would make excellent partners, though all three of them knew they needed more members.

Or did they?

"Wyn?" Tasha asked.

Wyn was thinking about a strategy to climb the tower. Would it work with only three of them? Could they survive? It was difficult with Cedric and Marcy, and they were veterans. They struggled just on the second floor. But what if they were better prepared? Both Marcy and Cedric admitted they were in the worst possible situations, and they still handled themselves well. Plus, Wyn wasn't keen on trusting a random Climber right now, so his options seemed limited.

"Wyn!" Tasha said, stepping in front of him on the street and waving her hand in front of his face. "Helloooo?" She drew out the word in a sing-song to get his attention.

"Hmm?" Wyn shook his head, and realized Tasha and John were standing in front of him staring. Tasha had her hands on her hips, her eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.

"I swear," she said, "you just disappear sometimes. You're in your head too much.”

"I'm sorry," Wyn said. "What did you say?"

"Don't apologize," John said. "It's not a bad thing. But Tasha asked if you and her wanted to join me to the tower to get my rewards before we shop?"

"Oh. Of course," Wyn replied. "Maybe we can see about trading this dagger, too, for something useful?"

John's eyes lit up. "I'd love that! I'm so jealous you found it without me." He deflated a bit, his excitement leaving him in a rush. Instinctively his hand went to his belt, but he only grasped air. "I need a new weapon, too."

Wyn patted him on the back. "I know. We all need better gear. Let's see what we can find and we'll go from there. Maybe we can make a list?"

"A shopping list!" Tasha jumped up and down, joining in the excitement.

"And now she just made it boring," John said.

"For today," Wyn said, "I love boring."