Seekers of the Stone Maker

The day passed by lazily for Rhokhishi. Spending time alone with Lyla and coming out for food every so often were the main goals of her day. As the afternoon moved into the evening, she sat in the main room, the gelatinous creature in front of her on the table, and fed it while asking it for various shape changes. The rest of her friends slowly left the main room, where they all sat anxiously, awaiting Alyk’s return. It was only half an hour after Leaf, the last to meet with the troupe, that Alyk materialized in the hallway and walked towards them.

“Friends! It seems that you are prepared for your journey. Is there anything else I can do before you go?”

“I think we’ve managed to take care of all our needs while here, Mr. Tennison. Our gratitude for all you’ve done for us.” Leaf said while giving a slight bow.

“So, where do you want to go?”

“I believe Berkton would be the best choice for now.”

“Wait,” Lyla jumped in. “If we have to return here, how would we do that?”

“I imagine you could travel through any of the normal means, death and tragedy,” Alyk laughed as he spoke. “But the better choice would be to just reach out to me. I’m usually busy, but I can always take a moment to pop in and out occasionally, as long as you’re patient enough to wait for me to conduct my business.”

“How would we message you?” Myla asked.

“Your friend here, while ill, does possess the ability to reach out to others across vast distances,” Alyk said as he gestured toward Ana.

“It seems that we’ll be coming back in a couple of months,” Leaf stated.

“Then, just let me know when that day is coming, and I’ll make sure to clear my schedule.”

“That is kind of you, Alyk,” Rhokhishi said sincerely.

“Not at all. I do a lot of travel already and have many things to keep my focus on, but a little fun every once in a while is needed, so I appreciate the brief lapse from work you have given me. Anyways, let’s get you to Berkton. Follow me.”

Rhokhishi stood and joined the rest of her friends in following Alyk. He walked down the hallway he materialized from and took a few turns before stopping at an ordinary door. Producing a key from his pocket, he unlocked the door and walked in.

The room was large enough to be filled with a sigil on the ground, roughly ten feet in diameter. He gestured for them to stand in the area but stayed at the door frame. He kneeled on the floor and placed his hand on a portion of the chalk outline that wasn’t finished.

“Ready?”

Rhokhishi nodded her head, seeing them all doing the same, then watched as he muttered an incantation. In only a second, Rhokhishi took a deep breath in and felt the pulling of space around her shift. As she exhaled, she could see her breath leave in a fog. The cold weather wrapped around her, and as she stepped forward, she could hear the crunching sound of the snow under her boots.

In the distance, only a half an hour walk, she could see the stone perimeter surrounding a massive city. The city stretched miles, with the northern waters on the opposite side. Small buildings were sat outside of the gates, where pathways were made for travelers. A large shadow moved over her and her friends. She glanced up to see a galleon ship soaring through the air, hundreds of feet up, passing over the multi-storied buildings and a large, iridescent dome in the center of the city.

“What is that?” She asked.

“Berkton Academy,” Leaf answered. “They created a dome in the first century. It keeps the temperature and is weather-controlled while protecting the rest of the city. If something terrible happens inside it, something arcane, it wouldn’t be able to leave the dome.”

“I can make something like that on a much smaller scale,” Ana added.

“Yeah. Because we need that right now,” Lyla snapped.

“I was just-”

“Let’s go.”

Lyla started walking forward. Rhokhishi followed, unsure of her partner’s moment of aggression. They made it through the open gates and into a comfortable city area. There were small shops, restaurants, and a tavern, just like in many other cities, but everything looked well-maintained. Snow had fallen recently, so many of the buildings and benches were covered, but as they walked through the main street, she saw young mages in black robes walking through and setting a magical fire out around them that came from torches. It melted the snow but did not harm any objects or people nearby.

Rhokhishi tried to keep track of the places she saw in case anyone wanted to go anywhere during their stay.

Beachside Books

Berkton City Guide

Beyond the Vale

Cake Break

Scorched Ale

The Breakfast Herald

They turned a corner and walked further down the street, where she saw even more shops and homes. Not able to keep track of all of them, she made a mental note of the Berkton City Guide services.

With how large this place is, they probably make a lot of money.

Leaf led them further and further into the center of the city, finally making it to the dome. Rhokhishi tried to look in but was finding it difficult to see much as the dome swirled and changed color constantly. Leaf walked forward without stopping and went through the dome. Rhokhishi followed and found herself sweating immediately. The air was much warmer. Looking up, she could see a few clouds passing through, but any snow that tried to fall melted instantly.

Berkton Academy was massive. Beautiful designs made in the maze-like hedges separated older brick and stone buildings. In the distance, she could see three multi-storied buildings, at least seven or eight floors up, where students sat outside, enjoying the weather, studying, playing games, or relaxing with their classmates. Further in, five large buildings, more extensive than temples, sat in a semicircle. Each one, about thirty feet away from the front door, had a statue of an ancient dragon, their scales emerald, crystal, sapphire, and more. The large pedestal of each statue had one word across it.

Eduzan

Kirdoth

Rahmnivar

Sothasem

Tagitar

“They’re the gem dragons that run the academy,” Leaf answered Rhokhishi’s unspoken question. “While the Deans of Berkton Academy control the school, each one answers to one of the gem dragons and is given other skills and arcane abilities only known to the dragons previously.”

“What do you have to do here to finish your training?” Myla asked him.

“I’m not really sure. Once I was taken under Orin’s tutelage, there wasn’t exactly a curriculum. We’ll have to talk to someone and find out.”

“Where did you stay when you lived here?” Ana asked.

Leaf pointed to one of the buildings as they passed.

“These buildings in the beginning are the dormitories. Ivy Grove for students of bloodline and focus, Starlight for students engaged with cosmic entities, and Dewstone for science and research. That’s where I stayed.”

“Could you take us on a tour through some of this later?” Rhokhishi asked.

“I wish I could say my time here was pleasant. There are some places I don’t want to return to, so let’s get this day done, and we’ll see about another time. Okay?”

Rhokhishi nodded, then watched Leaf’s face change from nostalgia to sadness. She knew he wasn’t fond of this place but didn’t know how bad it was for him. Thinking back to how quiet and isolated he was when they first met, she imagined it was hard for him here.

Making their way past the giant statue of Kirdoth, an orange-scaled dragon, with dying plants made as bedding in the stone. A human-like creature stood before them at the steps of the building in front of them, talking to a few students. On closer inspection, she could see the sharp features of a kalashtar, much like the twins. This kalashtar was a tall, slender man with white hair that fell past their back but was braided and kept well. They wore robes with similar coloration to the dragon in front of the building. He had a darker skin tone, darker even than the twins. As they made their way towards him, he turned and gave a look of surprise and a warm smile.

“Master Leaf! What a surprise.”

“Hello, Dean Cerrin.”

“We heard of your deeds in Aramore. Darion messaged us, and we sent many of our more advanced students, and even sent word through the VerdantKnoll Guildhouse to retain healers to help in the business you had found in the town.”

“It was a very busy week.”

“I imagine so! All the moreso that you’ve made it back here so quickly.”

“We received some help along the way.”

“Connections are good, whether through friendship or otherwise. What brings you here?”

Rhokhishi could see a different side of Leaf. He held himself high, but there were moments when she noticed that he was similar to a month or so ago when they had met. His words were shy, and he kept fidgeting with his pockets as he talked to the dean.

“I’m here to finish my studies.”

“I guessed as much, considering the loss of the Archmage. Condolences on the life of someone so well lived. I wish I could have been there, but I found myself better suited here, taking care of the students. I hope Darion has done well in your stead while you’ve traveled.”

Rhokhishi looked over to Lyla. She could feel Lyla’s mind connect with hers, and she spoke mentally.

How long do you think we’ll be here?

I’m unsure, Rho. We have two months, so we might stay until it’s time to leave.

She patiently listened to the conversation in front of her while talking to Lyla mentally. After a bit of time, Dean Cerrin took them inside. Leaf followed him into an office, and they closed the door behind them. Rhokhishi leaned against the wall and relaxed as a warm breeze came from the open front doors. She closed her eyes, thinking back on her life in Luffari, before her time at The Eternal Pillars, when she would sit against a tree and feel the breeze from the water move through the grass, the smell of daffodils and lavender heavy in the summer.

What are you thinking about?

Home.

The Campground?

No, before that. Before my training in Luffari. Things were so easy back then. I didn’t have much, but I didn’t need much.

That must have been nice.

It was…

Rhokhishi opened her eyes and looked at the group sitting on benches or standing nearby. Her friends for the past few years.

This is nice too, though. All of us together, you.

Trying to flirt while the Archmage’s life is in the hands of the Academy?

Rhokhishi looked over to Lyla and smirked.

What can I say? We fought dragons and more, and almost died multiple times. It’s changed the way I think.

I get that. I’ve been with Myla for so long. I’m not used to having others. The only other person I thought I trusted ended up being the catalyst for a lot of our adventure here.

Ramona…

It’s still a lot to think on. I’m glad you’re here.

Me too.