LITMIR.BIZ

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each of the four elements: a single orange-red flame for fire, a small whirlwind for air, a blue wave for water, and a rock for earth.

      The Wielder’s Shield.

      “This is one of the college’s coaches,” explained Danai when she caught her roommate’s curious expression. “The official recommendation is to book one at least three weeks in advance if you wish to be dropped off in town. However, I always find one available at a moment’s notice, especially if you don’t mind sharing a ride with other students.”

      “Does everyone use the coaches?” asked Britea.

      Danai scoffed. “Nah. A lot of the nobles would rather die than use them. It’s for us folk who don’t have the same resources. Some call it the Pauper’s Coach, but I don’t care. Their opinions don’t matter to me.” She turned and greeted the man high above them. “Good morning, Trevor.”

      A short, stout man alighted from the driver’s seat. “Top of the morning to you as well, Mistress Riverun. Looks like it’s just you two for Port Trident.”

      Danai gave him a surprised look. “No one else is joining us?”

      “Not today. And you must be Novice D’Tranell? I haven’t had the pleasure yet.”

      Britea finally remembered her manners and said, “Good morning to you too. This is my first time going into town.”

      “Welcome to Syla College,” said the portly man with a smile. “Stick close to Mistress Riverun. She won’t steer you wrong.”

      “Thanks for your overly kind words, Trevor,” said Danai, embarrassed.

      “Ah, you know them to be true. Now, let’s be going. Daylight is wasting!”

       #

      Once they were underway, Britea found she had questions. “How often do you go into town?”

      “Every two months. My parents were adamant I keep to that schedule. At first, I thought they were just being silly.” Her expression darkened but she continued. “Then I realized how important these regular visits are.”

      “Oh,” was all Britea said. She suspected the first few months had been tremendously hard for Danai. She tried to find something else to talk about. “What about Navos, Lexia, and Shran? When do they visit town?”

      “They have their own schedules. Besides, sometimes Lexia and Navos want to get away from the college on their own. Shran or I wouldn’t be welcome on their special outings,” Danai said with a wink.

      Britea blinked. “Wait, Lexia and Navos are…” her voice trailed off.

      Danai smiled at her expression. “Yes, they’re dating. She may seem exasperated with him sometimes because he’s in defense class, but may the Lords of Light and Shadow help anyone who gets between them.”

      To be honest, she had thought it was a bit odd the towering Navos paid so much attention to the petite Lexia. Now Britea realized there had been times when the two wielders had sat close together, exchanging fond glances, even when Lexia was scolding the gentle giant.

      “So, what do you want to do in town today, apart from delivering your letters and shopping?” asked Danai.

      “I don’t know really. I didn’t plan on doing much. I guess we could look around, if you don’t mind,” said Britea. She touched the small purse in her right pocket. It contained her allowance for the week. Apparently, the royal court gave the poorer students a weekly allowance.

      Danai observed her movements. “Word of advice. In the market place, make sure your hands are in both pockets, so the pickpockets won’t know which one to target. Plus, it’ll discourage them from stealing in the first place.”

      Britea frowned. “What if I want to look at something by holding it in my hand?”

      “First, try to limit touching anyone’s wares, especially if you don’t intend to buy it. The merchants of Carlellis aren’t friendly. Second, if you really need to examine something closely, lean against the stall with the pocket containing your purse, and make sure no one is crowding either side of you. If there’s a crowd around a stall, avoid it at all costs. Whatever they’re selling will certainly be there tomorrow, or you might find something even better elsewhere.”

      “Thanks, Danai,” said Britea in a subdued voice. “This place is so different from Weldaros.”

      “Don’t be so glum, dear sister,” Danai gave her an encouraging smile. “I felt the same way when I first arrived. You’ll learn fast. You’ll see.”

       #

      The noise at Carlellis Market seemed even louder than the first time Britea had gone through it when she’d disembarked in Raven’s Fall. The coach slowed to a crawl as it joined a queue of similar vehicles trying to reach the center of town. This gave her time to properly observe the market.

      It was large, overcrowded, and noisy, and it smelled terrible. Small stalls covered with straw-brown canopies dotted the edges of the charcoal-grey brick road; merchants hawked their wares with loud voices and frantic gestures. Some even brought samples of their goods right up to the coach windows, and though Britea politely declined, the hawkers still shoved their products in her face. Danai had to speak harshly to the more insistent ones many times until they backed off, shooting dark looks at the senior wielder.

      The shops, however, were more impressive. For one, they were clearly bigger than the stalls. They were also located further from the main road, and they had a pedestrian walkway in front. Though all the shops had dark-blue canopies, some shops had just one floor while others had two or three floors. They had been built side by side with barely any space between them. Many shops even shared a wall. Britea frowned. That could be a security risk if someone tried to break into a shop from another one.

      Her attention was soon caught by lone stoic figures in dark-red uniforms standing resolutely in front of many of the shops. Britea peered closely at them. They were diligently watching anyone who approached the shops. “Those people in dark-red uniforms, who are they?”

      “The Crimson Merchant Guard. The Merchant Guild pays for them. The more guards you see, the richer the owner of the shop. However, the astronomical cost of those guards is always transferred to the customer.” Britea took note of her roommate’s cynical tone and was about to say something, but then she noticed something else as the coach pushed ever deeper into the market.

      “These shops…they’re different from the ones at the entrance.”

      “In what way?” asked Danai with a knowing smile.

      “They keep getting bigger for starters,” said Britea, pausing when they reached the largest shop yet with three guards at the entrance.

      “The bigger and more expensive shops are at the center of the market while the cheaper ones are at the outskirts,” explained Danai. Britea nodded as she stored that small bit of information away for later. The wielder coach soon came to a stop beside other packed vehicles. As Britea alighted from the coach, she felt a sudden sense of being watched. She glanced around only to see several people walking across the square, going about their business. No one looked in her direction. She shook her head. She was probably just being self-conscious.

      “Here we are, ladies,” said Trevor. “I’ll be heading back to the college in exactly four hours. Please don’t be late.”

      Danai smiled at him. “Thanks, Trevor. We’ll be there.” She set a timer on a chronometer and tucked it into her pocket before turning to her roommate.

      “Let’s go exploring!”

      “Oh, yes!” replied an excited Britea.

       #

      At first, Britea was content to listen to Danai as she named the different parts of the large market. Grocer’s Lane

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