The First War Mage: City in the Sky

Following behind the convoy by a small distance we were able to hear a handful of conversations from the elves, the rear guard seemed to mostly be the younger guards like the one that had come to take us over with the older guard.

Most of the conversations related to us revolved around Tulip, many of them poking fun between each other at the ‘beauty’ of a slave. Some seemed to for some reason think I ‘owned’ her, though most of them realized that it would be absurd.

“They’re all sick in the head…” Tulip muttered in a low tone, anger was visible on her face from the words of the guards.

When a particularly rowdy trio began laughing after a comment about Tulip’s body I shot a glare upwards at them, yet it did nothing to stop them. They just continued to laugh and make obscene gestures.

“What’re you gonna do, runt? Try and fight us for her?” One of them challenged, his hand falling to the pommel of the blade at his side. He raised up a hand, trying to challenge me, or at least that’s what I could assume from the gesture.

“Why would I-” My mouth snapped shut as I was cut off mid sentence by a much louder, and more commanding voice.

“That's enough!” A booming voice shouted out from deeper in the convoy, the stomping sound of armor could be heard as one of the figures wearing silver came into view. “Her majesty invited these two into this convoy to protect them. Treat them as her guests as they should be!”

“Yes sir!” The groups shouted in unison, the man wearing elegant silver armor then turned towards the pair of us.

Without a word he walked over, standing at around six foot, which seemed to be the average for the elves at this point. His armor was like a chiseled piece of art, intricate golden lines decorating every inch of the silver metal as if it was trying to outline the musculature underneath the armor.

“I deeply apologize about them, the kids of this generation are awful at keeping their mouths shut.” The Elven man sighed, his helmet sat underneath his arm, showing brilliant green eyes and soft golden blonde hair as he looked down at the two of us.

“It’s fine… But thank you for getting them to shut up.” I gave a thankful smile as I spoke, Tulip nodded much the same, seeming far more relieved now that they weren’t antagonizing her.

“Well, they won’t be harassing you anymore. Her Majesty wished to see the both of you in the center of the convoy with her.” The man turned, gesturing for us to follow as he did so. “Let us move so that we don’t get left behind.”

“Why does she want us in the center with her- Who even is Miss Brimrose?” I was quick to ask questions, yet before the Elven man could even answer Tulip asked even more.

“And- You said we were heading to Dust? I thought the city had been wiped off the map a few years ago after a freak storm?” Tulip asked just as quickly as I did.

“Miss Brimrose is the wife of the King of the southern stretches of Elligorse, Otherwise known as Ellidon. Because of the size of the nation two royal families are instated, to rule over the North and South. Miss Brimrose who married into the family is on her way to Dust to oversee its reconstruction.” The Elven man answered both of our questions at once, though he paused, glancing at Tulip. “I will say you are rather well informed to have heard of the incident at Dust.”

“Why is the city called Dust of all things?” I asked once we began moving towards the center of the convoy.

“Technically the city is still named Baldova, though everyone has adopted the slang term the city has earned through its turbulent history, ‘Dust’, as the story goes, all that you will ever find in Baldova is Dust, no life, no joy.” The Elven man answered with a soft sigh. “It wouldn’t be such a shame if the city wasn’t located in such a vital area.”

I took note of the information, falling silent alongside Tulip for the short walk into the center of the convoy. More soldiers wearing the pristine silver armor were walking around near the center of it, which left me to assume that they were some form of Royal Guards.

“Ah, welcome welcome!” Brimrose spoke as she saw the pair of us approaching again. “Thank you James, you may return to your post now.” She smiled softly, James, the elf that had brought us to the center of the convoy gave a court bow and moved to retake an empty position to the front of the convoy.

“Now- I’m certain you two must have questions. But don’t worry I plan on answering them, but let us start simply first- May I have your names?” Brimrose spoke fast, with a peppy, upbeat tone and an ever present smile. I was honestly left wondering how someone could be so happy in a place like this.

“I’m Tulip… Berini.” Tulip spoke in a low tone so as to not be overheard, I was left to blink a few times, and Brimrose was doing the same as Tulip stated her family name. Immediately I had to wonder what happened to trying to keep our identities at least a little secret here.

“Did I hear that right?” Brimrose spoke, sounding astonished. “Dear gods, what is Andrew up to now…” She didn’t sound like she disbelieved Tulips claim, her mumblings actually confirmed she believed it. “Right build… Red eyes… Silver hair. You really are a Berini aren’t you?”

Tulip just nodded slowly, sighing as she began to shake her head.

“And… I’m Kirin.” I debated for a moment to state my full name, but I had no idea how the Elves viewed the name of ‘Vulender’. Though with a sigh, after Tulip giving Brimrose a shock I just bit it down and decided to say it. “Kirin Vulender.”

“What?” Brimrose’s eyes went wide as I stated my name. I couldn’t help but wince as I felt like I shouldn’t have said it, but I couldn’t take it back. “Well I must have just picked up the two most interesting people in all of the desert…”

“Sorry for just dumping that on you… But any chance we have of getting contact with Berinia, is exclusively through you at this point.” Tulip spoke with an apologetic tone.

“No, no, It’s fine, honestly I was curious what would have brought two human children to escape and be so desperately heading for Berinia, but that answers it.” Brimrose answered,with her smile returning. “I suppose that means you must both be mages… Though I am curious about you,-” she continued as her eyes shifted towards me. “-it is not my place to search for answers there.”

“Why don’t you two continue to stay in the center here with me? It is a preferable alternative to being stuck following us from a hundred paces where you would be picked off.”

“That… Would be nice.” Tulip answered with a somewhat relieved sigh. “Why are you heading for Dust?- The guard said that you were overseeing the reconstruction but isn't that, a little under someone's position like yours?” Tulip asked after only a beat of silence.

“In most cases, yes… But, I grew up there. I know the struggles of the people in that city and I wish to help them. Especially after such a freak incident such as the recent mana surge that leveled the city.” Brimrose replied with a somber tone. “I know… I knew many of the people who died in it.”

“What's the point of having a city somewhere that’s sounding like it's notorious for being attacked?” I asked after a moment of silence. “Sorry if it’s rude- I just, genuinely don’t know much about the world.”

“Because Dust sits on our border with the Ogres, we Elves have been at war with the nation of Alcor in an ongoing border conflict. Dust stands as the only way for us to defend the Eastern front.” Brimrose sighed, shaking her head. “It’s an entire situation that has been going on for longer than I’ve lived. A war continued out of spite for one another alone, and not for any real reason.”

“I am just thankful that only the Ogres have declared upon us.” She continued after a moment's silence.

I wasn’t sure what to say about that information, Tulip had only told me about the nation of Alcord existing, I had no idea what the people inside of it were like.

“How long will it take us to reach Dust?” Tulip asked after the silence began to draw on.

“Another day's travel at most, you two were surprisingly far East despite trying to head south, though even the most skilled navigators struggle to find their bearing in the Desert, with or without the sun.” Brimrose’s eyes shifted away from the two of us, instead turning forwards to watch the front of the convoy.

“Don’t worry about contacting your people either. There is a Spacial Mirror in the keep inside of Dust, we will be able to send an emergency contact to Berinia. Past that, it will entirely depend on how long it takes your people to get here.” She continued once more.

With our questions satisfied both of us fell silent as we followed behind Brimrose, though I was curious what a Spacial Mirror was, I had to assume it was using some kind of magic similar to the rings Helena had given us. And from the information Brimrose had given I assumed it was some kind of spell to maybe talk to someone at longer distances.

Yet, just when the silence was beginning to drag throughout the entire convoy a horn echoed from the front of the formation alongside a shout that was rebounded by one after another to send it deeper down the line.

“Shriekers Left Flank!”