I do not own the Dragon Prince.
Ever since coming to Del Bar, Callum had been dreading having to take over Opeli's job of negotiating with royalty and dealing with the courtly protocol. On his way to Summerhold, he had been dreading meeting the Del Barian royalty and rehearsed numerous speeches in his head and went over every bit of etiquette and protocol he knew.
In the end, all his worrying had turned out to be pointless because Del Barian's had about as much protocol in their courts as a roadside tavern during happy hour, which was why instead of going through all the courtly protocol he had been subjected to in Evenere he was instead ushered through the city of Summerhold into the Great Keep and immediately seated at a large table as King Florian declared a week-long feast to celebrate his arrival and the beginning of spring.
The feast lasted more than seven days than was initially planned, it was now day thirteen of the dinner, and the celebrations showed no signs of slowing down or ending.
Currently, Callum found himself outdoors eating lunch on a raised platform in front of a large field outside the city of Summerhold. He was seated at a large feasting table carved from solid oak as the Del Barian royal family, his entourage, and himself feasted while watching what passed for Del Barian entertainment.
Callum was seated in a position of honor at the head of a great wooden table. To his right were Claudia, Soren, and Corvus. To Callum's left was the Delbarian Royal family, with none other then King Florian himself sitting alongside Callum. Next to the king was his wife Freya, a beautiful woman with pale skin and platinum blonde hair. He might have called her delicate except for the fact that she was taller and buffer then King Florian, who was already a giant of a man.
The table also had their children. The king and queen had been busy as they had quite a few children. Among the children, there were four boys and one girl, from oldest to youngest; the most senior was a boy by the name of Ragnar, who was around Sorens age, and his younger sister Skadi who was the same age as Claudia. then there were the triplets Thorkell, Thors, and Thorfinn. All had their parent's blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin of their parents.
The feasting table was covered with all Del Bar had to offer. There was fish of all sorts, both saltwater and freshwater, cooked in various ways from fried, steamed, and even pickled. The lion's share of the food was meat, red meat of every variety prepared in numerous ways beyond counting. There was boar, cow, and Callum even spied a large auroch being roasted in its entirety by the cook fires. The only thing the feast lacked was vegetables since it appeared the Del Bar people barely ate greens. It made Callum a bit queasy since meat was a tiny part of the Katolian diet, and with every bite of roasted meat, Callum found himself craving something healthy to counteract all the animal fat he was eating.
Despite the lackluster food choices the outdoor eating made for a beautiful scene, the sky was blue; the temperature was somewhat warm for Del Bar with most of the snow in the surrounding area melted away, revealing vibrant green grass as flowers began to rise out of the ground as the warm season began.
Callum might have found his situation peaceful if it wasn't for the fact that the entertainment taking place for the feasters was a grand melee performed in ancient Del Barian tradition. Which meant Callum had to try to drown out the sounds of men and women beating each other senseless with blunted weapons as he ate his food. He didn't much like violence, especially after his brief experience with it in Evenere, so a tourney where teams of soldiers fought each other until only one prevailed wasn't his idea of entertainment.
"What's wrong, Prince Callum?!" The booming voice of King Florian asked as he gave Callum a friendly smack on the back, which made Callum wince, the man's hands were the size of frying pans, and he seemed to have no control over his strength. "Never seen a grand melee before?"
Callum shook his head as he gazed up from his food at the large arena before them. It was a large circle surrounded by a circular wooden fence where men and women were battering each other while wearing full plate mail. "I've been to Jousting tournaments before to watch my mother joust, but I've never seen a melee. Although I saw a few duels while in Evenere." He offered as he continued watching the vicious melee.
King Florian snorted derisively. "Those Evenerian duels are just for show, a bunch of grown men and women poking at each other with toothpicks. I prefer a melee or jousting; I always attend the Grand tourney in Duren when my schedule allows." The King's attention turned back to the melee. "Although I would almost prefer jousting or Evenere dueling to this sad excuse for a melee." He gestured to the mass of people down in the dirt arena who were clobbering each other.
"Looks fine to me," Callum replied, although he had no reference for what a good melee was supposed to look like, which made him unable to judge its quality. As far as he could tell, the men and women in the arena were doing a reasonably good job of beating each other up.
The Del Barian King didn't seem to agree. "No one has even lost a finger; it's not a true melee without at least a few lost fingers and broken bones. It looks like it's up to me to lead by example as a true king should." Florian declared as he reached under the table, and much to Callums surprise, King Florian reached beneath the feasting table and pulled up a massive Warhammer that was as big as Callum was tall.
Callum could only watch as the King jumped over the feasting table and down into the arena, letting out a warcry as he joined the melee, sending men and women flying as he swung his weapon.
From his side, Claudia leaned over towards him. "I told you that this place was filled with howling barbarians." She whispered to him. "Once this feast is over, we should-" the entire feasting table-flipping over cut her off over as numerous guardsmen and spectators decided to follow their king's example and join the melee.
Callum had to resist laughing out loud as Claudia's mother stormed into the melee, followed by Soren, who seemed quite happy to abandon his post as a bodyguard to seek glory in the melee. Soon the entire royal family joined the melee with the exception of Thorfinn, who seemed content to watch.
The ruckus took enough eyes off of Callum that he allowed himself to turn to his side to address his teacher, who had been hovering alongside him this entire time. "What do you think of Del Bar so far, master?'
Aaravos shook his head as he seemed to watch the melee unfold before them. "Your sorceress friend's description of this place was fairly accurate, a bunch of shrieking barbarians. The fact that this grand melee is their idea of entertainment is the final nail in the coffin."
Callum turned his gaze upon the melee, which had only gotten more heated as numerous spectators joined in the battle. Although he wasn't as harsh in his judgments of Del Barian culture as his teacher was, he couldn't help but dislike ritualized violence. "What do elves do for entertainment?" He asked in hopes of learning more about elven society.
"Mostly boring stuff," Aaravos replied. "Elven art, entertainment, and culture are stagnant things. They peaked several millennia ago, and since then, it's been a downward spiral. The best entertainment one could find was made by your forebears."
"My forebears?"
"Humans before the division of the continent." Aaravos nodded. "In the city of Elarion, entertainment was experiencing a new golden age, mostly thanks to me. I was put in charge of a theater district of the city, and the arts flourished because of it. I was magnificent; I even stared in numerous productions where my voice enchanted thousands with every performance."
"Right…" Callum had a hard time believing his teacher could enchant anyone with his creepy voice.
"Don't believe me, eh?" Aaravos asked, flicking his silver hair back dramatically as if he had been struck by a mighty blow. "Perhaps I can remedy that with a demonstration."
"Oh no…."
"I shall grace you with a vocal performance from one of my most famous plays."
"Double, oh no.."
"This is one of the most complicated songs I ever composed, part of a larger play entitled 'The Pirates of The Coral isles.' one of my better works."
Callum had to stop this before it went any further. He looked around in hopes of a distraction, but everyone was solely focused on the melee before them. "Look, master, I believe your play was amazing. There's no need for you to-"
Then his teacher began singing, and Callum lost all hope.
I am the very model of modern Magic -General,
I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral.
I know the Kings and Queens of Xadia, and I quote the fights historical,
From the Coral isles to Lux Aurea, in order categorical;
I'm very well acquainted too with matters mathematical.
"You need to stop." Callum put forward, which made his teacher cease his singing. "I'm sure your singing was incredibly awesome a few millennia ago, but times have changed."
His teacher gave him a dismissive wave. "Oh please, you're the one without taste. I bet you a million units of human currency that when I return to this world in physical form, my singing will be met with thunderous applause."
Before Callum could reply, Thorfinn came up and took his father's seat next to Callum. "Enjoying the show?" The Del Barian Prince asked as he gestured towards the Melee, which showed no signs of slowing down. "My family is in rare form out there."
Callum nodded, not sure what else to say. "Indeed, they are quite...talented." He winced as he watched the King throw one of the combatants through a nearby wall. "Not going to join them yourself?"
"Oh please," Thorfinn muttered as he shook his head. "I'll let my older brothers and sister dive headlong into combat and take the glory. That's the benefit of being the youngest of so many siblings; I don't have anything to prove."
Callum didn't quite understand what the Del Barian Prince was saying, and it must have shown because Thorfinn continued.
"What I mean is I'm like you." The Prince explained, which only confused Callum more. "Guys like us get to reap all the benefits of royalty without any of the expectations or pressure. I'm fifth in line for the throne of Del Bar, which means I'll never have to make any major decisions, court a foreign princess, lead armies into battle, or any of that other bullcrap my older siblings have to do. I get to eat the best food, hunt with the best hounds and marry who I want when I grow up. I'm just like you, no expectations and no need to put in any effort."
Callum could kind of see his point, but the prince's life situation didn't exactly line up with his own. "Yeah...but Prince Ezran is my younger brother. I don't get the luxury of slacking off and letting him take all that responsibility."
"Why not?" Thorfinn asked, appearing genuinely perplexed. "You're not royalty; you get the title and luxury of being a prince with none of the responsibility. Your brother and his future advisors can handle the kingdom, not to mention that your step-dad isn't that old. Prince Ezran will be an adult when he claims the Katolian throne; you can just kick back and relax like me. "
Before Callum could respond, Claudia stepped forward and put herself between him and Thorfinn. "Unlike you, Prince Callum intends to aid his brother in the ruling of Katolis. No King rules alone, and Prince Callum wishes to be there to lend whatever aid he can as any true brother should."
Thorfinn let out a chuckle as he peered at Claudia, apparently sizing her up. "So what you supposed to be?" The Del Barian asked in an amused tone. "You a cheerleader for the Princes? Or are you just a little minor noble trying to rub arms with royalty, maybe get one of the princes to take you on as a mistress or-" Thorfinn leaned in and whispered something to Claudia that Callum couldn't hear. Still, he knew it must have been bad because Claudia turned on him and leveled a glare that could melt Del Barian steel.
"Neblog Si Ecnelis!" Claudia waved her hand with her incantation as the bracelet on her hand, glowed a deep purple. Thorfinn clutched his throat as if he was being choked, causing him to fall to his knees. He appeared to be trying to scream but could not as if all the air in his lungs had been removed.
"Now this is entertainment!" Aaravos proclaimed with a jovial laugh and pomp flair while gazing at Thorfinn as he was choking. "The suspense is terrible. I hope it'll last…"
Callum had seen enough; the last thing he needed was a diplomatic incident, although he was lucky that everyone was so focused on the melee that no one was noticing the altercation. "Enough of this." He got up off his chair and placed himself between Claudia and Thorfinn. "Claudia, release him!" He ordered in as stern a tone as he could conjure.
"As you wish," Claudia replied in a bored tone as she snapped her fingers and canceled her spell.
"You ruined everything my spoilsport of an apprentice!" Aaravos proclaimed in apparent disappointment. "Whose ears do I have to suck to get some entertainment around here?"
Callum ignored his teacher's usual insanity in favor of waiting to see if Thorfinn was okay. The Delbarian prince let out a gasp for air as his voice and ability to breathe returned to him. Callum's first instinct was to apologize to avoid a diplomatic incident, but the Del Barian Prince began to laugh as if the whole thing had been a joke.
"I'll admit I might've deserved that," Thorfinn stated as he regained his breath and composure as he turned to Claudia. "I like her; she's a real ice queen; there's no way she's just Katolian. A girl like that has ice water running through her veins; she's a daughter of winter."
"I'm a child of summer," Claudia replied frostily. "And I'm a lady of Katolis; I don't appreciate being insulted or having my honor questioned."
Before things could go any further, Callum decided to end it. "Prince Thorfinn, I appreciate your father's hospitality, but I believe that my friends and I will be retiring for the rest of the day." He got up to leave along with Claudia and Corvus, but Thorfinn blocked them.
"No, no, no!" Thorfinn put forward as he blocked the exit from the feasting platform. "Don't leave just yet. In fact, let me make up for lack of decorum and take you all on a tour of this fine city. There is far more to see then just the melee, this place as quite a bustling marketplace; all the traders in the land come here during the summer to sell their wares. While it can't compare to a place like Evenere, there are still things here that you can't buy anywhere else in the Pentarchy."
Callum was tempted to take the prince up on his offer; ever since coming to Del Bar, he had done little else except feast, watch grown adults beat each other up, and study magic in the room that King Florian had given him.
In the end, Claudia replied before he could.
"What kind of things can you buy in this market?"
Thorfinn smiled.
"Magical things."
Claudia walked through a large marketplace as Thorfinn led her, Callum, and Corvus to what he claimed was the 'mother of all magical stores,' a claim that she believed might be valid if the rest of the market was an indicator.
All around her, people of various ages and backgrounds walked through the market square where every manner of vendor and shopkeeper was hawking their wares. Older women were selling strange jewelry and fertility pendants, old grizzled blacksmiths selling Del barian weapons and armor, and even people selling food. Most of it sausages on sticks or other meat products.
She saw Thorfinn leading them towards a large building that was massive in size and appeared to be a longhouse connected to several barns, and as a result, it towered over all the other buildings around them.
Above the doorway to the longhouse, she saw the shop's name and couldn't help but be puzzled by its name.
Jean and Locke's Magical Curiosities.
Locke was traditionally a Katolian name while Jean sounded like a Durenese name. It made her wonder what two non-natives were doing opening up a magic shop in Del Bar.
"Come on, Claudia!" Callum called out to her, bringing her out of her musings. "Thorfinn says this is the place."
Claudia picked up her pace and walked into the shop alongside Callum and Thorfinn, with Corvus bringing up the rear. As she went through the doorway, she felt the drastic temperature change; it wasn't that the longhouse was hot or cold, but rather it was the perfect temperature. It was warm without being hot but cold without being chilly, which could mean only one thing.
The shop was being kept at perfect room temperature with magic.
Yet before she could puzzle over the magic that kept the store so comfortable, she was overwhelmed by what she was surrounded by; all around her, magical beasts and artifacts of every sort was being held in cages or display cases. There were wands from Xadia, pieces of elven artwork and artistry, and numerous magical beasts of all types in gilded cages or terrariums that simulated the creature's natural environments.
"Greetings, magical seekers." A voice called out from the back, drawing the group's attention to an older man with blond hair, blue eyes, and a wide smile. He was dressed in rich blue fabrics and appeared as if he were a nobleman. "I am Locke, owner of this lovely shop and curator of its many curiosities."
Claudia was about to say something, but Thorfinn beat her to it.
"I am Prince Thorfinn, and my companions are-"
"Prince Callum of Katolis, and Lady Claudia of Katolis." Locke finished for the Del Barian prince as he bowed before his guests. "It's hard not to know the guest of honor that our King Florian Is hosting. How can I assist you fine young nobles today? No doubt you are here to purchase a familiar? It is our shop's specialty, after all."
"Familiar?" Both Claudia and Callum found themselves asking in unison.
"But of course," Locke stated as he gestured to several caged magical creatures. "This place has many items that would interest aspiring mages, but our specialty is magical familiars. Xadia is home to many unique and intelligent magical creatures, many of whom can become useful companions to any aspiring student of the magical arts." Locke stated with dramatic flair.
Claudia took a closer look at one of the terrariums that held what appeared to be a Nightling, a creature with pure black skin, glowing yellow eyes, and was covered in black spikes, making it look like a cross between a dog and a porcupine. She had seen them before at magical reagent shops; their spikes were a valuable component to many spells. Yet when her eyes gazed at the price tag, she couldn't help but let out a gasp. "Fifty golden royals?" She asked, unable to believe the price; it was highway robbery. "You can buy one for ten golden royals at the college of enchanters!"
Locke simply rolled his eyes. "Yes, you could buy a Nightling at the College for that price, but those Nightling's are taken from their homes by vicious brutes who call themselves reagent hunters." The man reached into the enclosure, and Claudia was about to warn him about how vicious Nightlings were. Instead of attacking, the black creature allowed itself to be picked up by the man, its defensive spikes retracting harmlessly as it purred as Locke pet the beast as if it were an ordinary housecat. "All the creatures in my shop are rescued or bred to be a mage's companion. Hence the higher price tag, one of my workers rescued this little guy from a bear trap it had stumbled into along the Xadian border. These creatures are for companionship, not for casting spells."
Before she could say anything else, Callum had stepped forward and was gazing at the Nightling in Locke's arms. "Are they all this tame?' The Prince asked as he reached a hand out to the Nightling, which allowed Callum to pet it as it purred under the boy's ministrations.
"Most are tame, generally speaking," Locke said as he pulled the Nightling away and set it back into its little habitat. "However, a familiar chooses its mage just as much as a mage chooses its familiar; if a magical creature dislikes you, it would be best you not purchase them lest you risk a...bumpy relationship." He gestured grandly around his shop. "By all means, go ahead and look around, pick any that you might fancy."
Claudia split off from the group, wanting some alone time to look through this shop without any distractions or the shop's owner, making any more dramatic gestures and statements. She didn't have much interest in a familiar, she had never had much luck with pets, and the few magical creatures she had come into contact with were used for potions or spells.
She walked through the shop and found a few things of interest within her price range, a book of untranslated elven runes, a small dagger made from dragon bone, and a strange mummified hand that felt ice-cold to the touch.
Eventually, she found herself in what could only be described as a reptile nursery; it was large, humid, and smelled like rotting vegetation. There were numerous terrariums filled with all manner of snakes, lizards, salamanders, and serpents of all varieties.
One particular terrarium caught her interest; it was open-topped due to the vegetation in it being so large and rich with life. The flowers within the enclosure were far more lush and vibrant than any of the others. The lack of a roof meant only a glass wall surrounding the terrarium kept its occupant contained. The occupant itself was a serpent that immediately caught her interest; it was a long snake measuring five feet. Its scales looked like polished black obsidian, It; had a flared hood which reminded her of a Cobra or soul-fang serpent, it had glowing red markings all over its body, the tip of its tail glowed a deep red, and its eyes were red as if they had been carved from rubies.
Claudia had never seen such a snake in all her years studying under her father and couldn't help but wonder what type of creature it was. As if it sensed her gaze, it reared itself up so that it stood as high as its serpentine body allowed and stared at her, its gaze appearing curious rather then threatening.
Claudia saw a bowl of what appeared to be chicken eggs next to the enclosure; no doubt placed there as a treat for the many reptiles. She grabbed one of the eggs and was about to toss it into the enclosure, but before she could, the serpent disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
The smoke shifted as if it were alive and flew right at her; the black smoke encircled her arm and solidified, revealing the snake. The serpent grabbed the egg from her hand and ate it with one bite. Claudia might have screamed or tried to shake the creature off of her, but her curiosity was stronger then her fear, and she instead used her free hand to grab another egg and offered it to the serpent, which ate it from her hand.
"What are you?" She asked as she used her free hand to stroke the top of the snake's head, and much to her surprise, the snake, let out a hiss that sounded a lot like a cat purring.
"Most impressive." A voice called out from the back of the room.
Claudia turned to the source of the voice and found a tall man standing near her. He had a short well-trimmed dark beard, brown eyes, olive skin, and was wearing a pair of spectacles. He wasn't fat, but he was thickly built with a broad build making him look reasonably imposing.
"That Ashborn Basilisk has hated everyone who has come into this shop." The stranger stated as he walked over to Claudia. "Not even Locke and I have been able to hand feed it."
The Basilisk slithered off her arm and around her shoulders as it let out a predatory hiss towards the new arrival. She gave it another pet, which calmed it down as it allowed its coils to relax as she allowed it to rest on its new perch. "Who are you exactly?" She asked as she adjusted her passenger so that its scales weren't rubbing against her uncomfortably.
"My apologies for my rudeness." The stranger stated as he gave her a curt bow. "I am Jean, my partner Locke and I run this magical menagerie of a shop."
Claudia remembered the name of the shop, Jean and Lockes magical curiosities'; they had met Locke earlier, and now she had met Jean. "It's a pleasure." She gestured to the snake coiled around her shoulders and neck. "So what is this serpent supposed to be? I dont think I've ever heard of an Ashborn Basilisk."
"It's a rare species found deep beneath the earth, in caverns where many earth blood elves make their homes," Jean answered. "It has many unique properties; as you saw for yourself, it can turn into a cloud of ash as a way to quickly travel short distances and to avoid harm from a blow that might hurt it. It can also breathe fire, and it's capable of eating certain rocks to harden its scales. Yet its most valuable property is that on creating life from its flames."
"Life from its flames?" She looked at the snake and found that hard to believe. "How can life be born from a creature that spits fire?"
"The earth primal embodies life itself, and fire is a key element to that, much like the fires that burn beneath the earth," Jean explained. "Forest fires cause massive destruction, but the ashes left behind allow the forest to grow back at near-miraculous rates. The fire also cleans away old detritus and allows new life to bloom. That's why the Ashborn Basilisks enclosure is so vibrant compared to all the others." he gestured toward the enclosure, which was greener then the surrounding snake's pens. "It regularly burns the plants with its magic fire, and the ashes left behind are so full of fertility that new life springs forth almost instantly. It's why some Earthblood elves weave fertility charms in the shape of snakes and why they protect these snakes so fervently."
"That is one impressive serpent, no wonder I've never seen one before." Claudia pet the resting serpent's head. "I better put this guy back; no way I'll be able to afford something like this."
"There's no need to put it back, " Jean said, offering her a kind smile. "As for the price….ten golden royals, and it's yours."
"Ten royals?" Claudia couldn't believe what she was hearing. "That's dirt cheap; why would you be selling a creature like this for such a low price?"
"Fine, twelve golden royals." Jean retorted, smiling at her shock at his raising of the price. "The first lesson in haggling, young lady, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Now, pay twelve royals, or I'll raise the price again."
"Lesson learned." Claudia quickly dug out her coin purse and gave the shopkeeper the twelve royals.
"As for the reason I offered her for such a low price, that snake has hated everyone to come in here, but for some reason, she likes you; a familiar sometimes chooses its master. Also, I was sick of it hissing at me whenever I had to feed it." With the money exchange done, Jean offered her a small bag filled with chicken eggs. "She will eat just about anything, but eggs are her favorite food. These basilisks will often eat rocks and gemstones, which helps with digestion and reinforces their scales. Just be aware that you shouldn't leave overly valuable jewelry around that snake lest you end up giving it an overly expensive meal."
"Thank you." Claudia pet the snake's flared hood and smiled as it let out a happy hiss; she made a mental note to store her valuable jewelry in a strong lockbox from now on. "I never thought I would own a magical creature; I'm more used to well….using them for…" She trailed off, she had been limiting her use of dark magic lately, but she still practiced it. However, she had been exploring new avenues of research recently.
"No need to explain yourself." Jean offered kindly. "What our customers do with their familiars is your own business, but I hope that you will see the value of having a magical ally. A strong companion can be far more reliable and valuable then a single spell dark magic would produce."
As she felt the Basilisks coils tighten around her, she began to think the man might be right. There was only one thing left to do to make this familiar officially hers.
"Now, what should I name you…"
Callum gazed around the shop like a kid in a candy store; while he had little interest in a familiar, he knew that his little brother would love one. Thorfinn and Claudia had gone off on their own, leaving only Corvus, Callum, and their guide Locke as they roamed through the shop, leaving the choice of a pet for his brother to himself. He needed something cute, strong, but also safe enough for a young prince to own. He voiced this desire to Locke, who led him through the shop and the older man seemed eager to assist him.
"Safe, cute, strong, and loyal," Locke muttered as he led Callum through the shop. "All properties a young Prince would require, a familiar capable of protecting a young prince to adulthood and beyond, something powerful enough to defend against assassins but loyal and kind enough to protect a child and never betray its master…"
Callum nodded, hopeful that such a creature existed here. "Yeah, so maybe some kind of magical wolf? Or anything that could protect him without inadvertently hurting him would be great."
"A wolf is a sensible idea, considering how loyal dogs are, but sadly that's not an option." Locke shook his head. "Magical wolves make excellent companions, but they are difficult to capture and even harder to tame. Being pack animals, wolves will never leave behind the sickly or wounded, so the only way to catch them would be through poaching, something my partner and I don't do. Even the ones that are poached are generally feral."
"He's right," Aaravos muttered. "Besides, wolves of the magical variety are fickle creatures, full of pride and snobbiness. Best to not get involved with such creatures."
"Okay, so no wolves…" Callum muttered, his idea wholly defeated. He looked around and saw a group of what appeared to be magical pigs with silver fur and manes like a lion, although the manes seemed to be made out of a strange type of spiky hair like someone crossed a lion's mane with porcupine quills. "How about those?" He gestured towards the piglets in their pen. "I've been told pigs are basically like dogs in terms of intelligence."
"An inspired choice," Locke stated. "But not the type of creature for a Prince as young as Ezran to have. Quilboars are wondrous creatures; they start about a cat's size and grow to be as large as a horse. They have manes filled with razor sharp quills and flesh as strong as metal. Sadly a young Quilboar could easily hurt a child by accident; they have trouble controlling their quills until adulthood. They tend to shoot them out at anything that threatens them or even startles them."
That was a no-go for Ezran, but it sounded like something Soren might like. "I would like to take a look at one of those; my bodyguard might find such a companion useful."
"I dont like pigs." Corvus put forward. "Unless, of course, they're being barbecued and served with some hot sauce."
"My other bodyguard."
"You mean the one fighting in a melee instead of guarding you?" Corvus asked with a roll of his eyes. "I know he's your friend, but he isn't a very good sworn shield. You should cut him loose and give whatever you're paying him to me."
"For all of Soren's faults, he is a loyal soldier and a friend," Callum replied. "He is also Lord Virens son, gotta keep the court wizard happy."
"Nepotism at its finest."
"Quit your complaining, and I'll buy you your own familiar." That seemed to silence his sword shield.
Locke guided them to a small pig pen they had been gazing at where several Quilboar piglets were playing. "These are the latest litter; they were just weaned from their mother a week ago. I usually only sell to the Del Barian royal guard, but since you're a visiting Prince, I'll make an exception."
Callum looked into the makeshift pen and took a closer look at the dozen piglets with bright silver fur and large manes that appeared to be made out of metallic-looking quills running around the small indoor enclosure. He spent several minutes watching them, trying to figure out which one was best until finally, he saw a rather large piglet ram its head against one of the gates in an attempt to leave the pen. No matter how many times it failed, it just kept up the same ramming maneuver until it made one last charge that managed to crack the gate with its head resulting in the piglet knocking itself out.
"I want that one." Callum pointed towards the unconscious piglet.
"Are you sure, your Grace?" Locke wondered out loud, his voice showing his apprehension at such a choice. 'That one is a bit special; she's headstrong and stubborn enough to make me wonder if her father was an Auroch."
"She's perfect for Soren," Callum stated in his most princely voice, the type that nobility used to show that they had made up their mind.
"Very well, I'll grab her after we've found your brother and bodyguard a familiar," Locke stated as he reached into his coat and pulled out a primal stone that glowed with green energy. "Cresere, Sana." The orb glowed with green energy, and the wooden gate the piglet had destroyed shifted as the woof repaired itself, becoming as good as new.
"Is that a primal stone?" Callum asked as she gazed at the glowing green orb in the shopkeeper's hand.
"Yes, an earth primal stone. I wouldn't be able to run this shop without it; it helps keep the enclosures repaired and even lets me communicate with the magical creatures on some level. And before you ask no, it isn't for sale."
"You don't need one," Aaravos stated in a bored tone. "I have plans for you to get one of those without the need to buy one."
Callum nodded, trusting in his teacher's words. "Very well, show me your other creatures. I still need a magical creature for my bodyguard and my brother." He turned toward Corvus. "Why don't you go and find an animal that suits you? Just keep it under a hundred golden royals."
"I need to be here to protect you from-"
"-I'm perfectly fine Corvus, I think I can survive a magical pet shop." Callum put forward. "Now go buy something for yourself; I still need to find something for Ezran. That's an order."
Taking the hint, Corvus left and left Callum alone with Locke, who guided him towards what looked like a small rock garden. He watched as Locke walked to the middle of the rock garden.
"This might be more to your brother's tastes; these little guys are loyal, friendly, and are very protective of their partners." Locke gestured towards a pile of rocks on the ground in the middle of the garden.
"It's….a rock…" Callum gazed at the pile of rocks, not sure what he was supposed to see. "Is this a joke? Many years ago, back in Katolis, there was a traveling merchant who tried selling pet rocks; he managed to swindle several other children and me out of our allowances. It was all fun until my mom got a hold of him and the entire village had him tarred and feathered."
"This is no joke, and there will be no need for tar and feathering today; let me show you the true wonder that sits in front of you." Locke gestured towards the pile of rocks, the way a person might try to get the attention of a dog. "Come on, boy, no need to be shy. This young Prince wishes to meet you; I think that you will be a fine companion to his younger brother."
Callum watched as the stone shifted, along with numerous bits of sand, clay, and pebbles from the rock garden all began forming into a pile that grew bigger and began to change into a humanoid shape. After several seconds the rocks formed a three-foot-tall creature made of stones with a large stone forming its head and two black pebbles being its eyes, and numerous interconnected rocks forming five-fingered limbs and two stubby feet.
"It's a Golem," Aaravos muttered as he floated around the squat creature. "Fairly common deep underground, it's rare to find one upon the surface…"
"A Golem?" Callum asked as he looked at the little creature, he had read about mages crafting Golems using dark magic, but he never thought they were real. "I always thought golems were created by human mages using dark magic."
"Yes and no," Locke replied happily. "Human mages can create Golems using a combination of dark magic and earth magic, but those are soulless constructs that need a mage to control them actively. This little guy is a true born Golem from Xadia; they are living stones that can take any form by manipulating the earth around them. The Golem itself is merely a core of living rock that manipulates the world around it. This little guy is only shaped like a human because he emulates what's around him, in this case, us. In truth, he can take numerous forms by using the earth around us. He is still young, so he can only take on small forms, three feet tall at the most. But older Golems can create bodies for themselves that tower over men and elf alike."
"He speaks the truth." Aaravos nodded towards Locke. "Some ancient Golems can take on forms so large that they can battle Dragons. Earth Dragons often have to fight massive Golems deep underground for territory."
Callum knelt down and looked at the tiny creature before him; it was adorable, like a stone art project that came to life. "And it's safe?" He asked as he gazed at the living stone in front of him. While small and cute, it was still a powerful creature made out of stone.
"Of course," Locke replied confidently. "This little guy is a perfectly calm companion. We found him in a magical ore shipment that some prospectors stole from Xadia; no doubt he was accidentally scooped up when his small form was mistaken for magical ore. He was no larger than a pebble when he came into our care. I bet my life that he will be a perfect companion for a young prince."
"I'll accept that bet." Callum nodded at the small Golem, " I'll take him; how much for the Golem?"
"Normally, one would go for three hundred royals, but for you, one hundred and fifty." Locke held out his hand, which Callum shook. "I'll also throw in some quartz and other minerals for his food; he only eats minerals, not rocks. If he eats rocks, he gets cranky and lethargic."
"Thank you, though I am curious why you're so generous." Callum was pretty sure he wasn't being swindled; he had seen how valuable magical creatures were on this side of the border, especially something as rare as a Golem. "Doesn't seem like the best business strategy."
"It's all part of the long game; now I can claim that royalty from Katolis has purchased my wares, something that my competitors won't be able to claim," Locke stated happily. "Also, I'm not really in it for the money; this is just a fun job that my partner and I can do in our Twilight years after we retired. Caring for magical creatures and giving them partners is pretty interesting and fun. Also, all our creatures are humanely captured; they were either sick, abandoned, or rescued. That will surely send some good karma my way."
There were several things about the man's proclamations that confused Callum. "Good karma aside, how are you retired or in your twilight years? You dont have a single grey hair on your head; how old are you exactly?"
"North of thirty but south of forty," Locke replied simply. "My partner and I did some work in Duren, a few jobs that paid us enough to retire young and enjoy ourselves. But enough about me, let's focus on you!" Locke gestured around the shop at numerous other animal enclosures. "You've bought something for your bodyguard and your brother, but what creature can I offer the Prince of Katolis? I've heard that you're quite an accomplished mage with unique abilities. Surely someone like you deserves a unique familiar."
"I don't need a familiar." Callum had never had much luck with pets, mainly because when he was young, most of the animals he had owned were farm animals that were slaughtered for food; even as a Prince, there hadn't been much opportunity for animal ownership after his mother died. "Maybe I could buy something for my step-father; I would buy something for Lord Viren, but I think he would kill it for a spell…"
"Yes, yes," Locke nodded thoughtfully. "We will get your father a familiar, something worthy of a King. But for now, let's focus on you. A young mage of your skill deserves something special. If you like fire, I have rare Xadian Lava Salamanders or some Lunar foxes that can cast illusions to help their masters escape difficult situations, or perhaps a Storm eagle; I have a few hatchlings that are just right for you. Name the type of familiar you want, and I will find it for you."
Callum was about to state once more that he had no interest in a familiar, but he was stopped by his master floating in front of him. "Ask him if he had any creatures that are linked to the Star Primal," Aaravos ordered as he floated around Locke.
Callum obeyed. 'Do you have any familiars linked with the Star Primal?"
Locke's eyes widened for a moment as he took on a contemplative look. "The Star Primal source...such creatures are rare even in Xadia. They have long lifespans, but most creatures that are linked to the Stars are slow breeders. Some species only have children once a century."
"So you don't have anything?" Callum couldn't help but feel both disappointed at not seeing any magical creature linked with the Stars but also somewhat happy that he might be able to stump this over-zealous shopkeeper.
"I do have one thing…" Locke shook his head. "It's a strange creature, bought it off a traveling merchant about half a year ago. She seemed intent on getting rid of it, barely charging anything for it. It is linked with the Star Primal, but it's not the sort of creature a young man would want. Surely you would enjoy a polar bear dog, or perhaps a Catgator; I even have a few newborn fire ferrets that would be quite nice for you."
Callum shook his head. "I want to see this Star primal creature you speak of."
Locke nodded and led Callum to the back of the shop to a dark room that was filled with numerous books, magical objects, and maps that adjourned every single wall. Eventually, he was brought to a large table that had a small glass enclosure filled with vegetation.
"This is it." Locke reached into the enclosure and gently scooped up something in both his hands and held it up to Callum to accept. "Here he is, it's a fascinating creature, but for a young man such as yourself, it might seem a bit...underwhelming."
Callum held out his hand, and Locke dropped a small glowing caterpillar into his open palm. The Caterpillar looked….creepy for lack of a better word. It had numerous nubby legs and a strange head with two long glowing eyes and four horn-like protrusions from its head. Its skin was decorated with star-like symbols similar to his master's own skin. It made him wonder if all creatures linked with the Star Primal glowed like the night sky. While a fascinating creature, it was just a glowing caterpillar.
"It's magnificent." Callum looked at his teacher, who was floating nearby. The elf seemed utterly enchanted by the small bug he was holding in his hands. Callum looked down at the caterpillar and saw that it was staring right at his teacher. "Hello, little one." Aaravos reached out a finger, and the caterpillar reached out a small stubby little leg, mimicking his teacher's gesture. His teacher turned to him. "Buy it, pay whatever price he asks for, but we are not leaving this shop without this little marvel."
The tone, his teacher, spoke in brokered no argument, and Callum immediately turned to Locke. "I'll take it; how much for this little guy?"
"How much?" Locke seemed to consider the question. "Hmmm, I never thought anyone would want this thing; in fact, I'm hesitant to sell it to you. It could be dangerous."
Callum rolled his eyes as he held up the little bug. "How is this thing dangerous?"
"The Star primal is mysterious and powerful; I've known a few mages who have attempted to delve into it by using dark magic. All of them went mad, to delve into the very fabric of the cosmos...its a source of power beyond human understanding." Locke stated, his tone full of fear and worry. "Even if you promised to never use this creature for a spell, just owning it could be dangerous. I've studied it for months and barely know anything about it. It doesn't even eat! I've offered it every type of food, yet it refuses to eat, yet somehow it sustains itself."
"Buy it," Aaravos ordered in a severe tone. "This creature is harmless to you so long as I am here."
Deciding to trust his teacher Callum pleaded his case. "I'm not careless; I'm capable of owning this creature." He put forward confidently. "Just name your price."
"I dont know...it's not just about money…" Locke muttered, his tone filled with uncertainty.
"If it's not about the money, how about something other than money, something valuable that you could hold up to others, something unique." Callum put forward, catching the salesman's interest.
"Such as?"
"A painting." Callum threw all his cards on the table. "I'm a decent artist; I've painted portraits for half the nobles in Katolis and Evenere. Queen Fareeda herself had me paint her and her family's portraits. I could paint one of you and your business partner; I'm told my portraits are all the rage. You'll be able to own a portrait of yourself painted by the Prince of Katolis."
Locke smiled at that. "Indeed, a picture of Jean and I hanging in the entryway, painted by a Prince...I could lord that over everyone. We have a deal; just promise to be careful with that thing."
"I promise to be careful." Callum held up the caterpillar. "Could I have a moment alone with my new familiar? I want to get to know him; I'll find you again when I'm ready to look for a present for my father, maybe even one for my Aunt Amaya."
"Of course, always best to get acquainted with your familiar." Locke began to walk out of the room. "I'll go get a few animals ready for your inspection when you're ready."
Once the man had left the room, Callum turned to his teacher. "Would you mind telling me why I just purchased this caterpillar?" He held the insect up and peered at it, but the small creature was staring at his teacher. "Or how this thing can see you?"
"It's a creature of the Stars," Aaravos replied as he gazed at the creature in Callum's hand. "Beings connected to the Star Primal can peer into infinity, and the worlds that exist between worlds."
"Now you're being vague on purpose." He hated when his teacher spoke like this; anytime he asked about the stars, Aaravos always found a way to answer questions in the most roundabout way. "Explain yourself using small words in a way I can understand."
"The Star primal is not something that can be explained with our limited vocabulary," Aaravos replied. "It is something to be experienced, not talked about. You will understand when I teach you to tap into the energy of the stars; you will gaze into eternity, and eternity will gaze back."
"Fine." Callum let out a frustrated huff, annoyed that his teacher couldn't give him an explanation using words. "So why did I just buy this thing?" He gestured towards the caterpillar. "It doesn't look that strong, and to be honest, it's kind of giving me the creeps."
"Looks can be deceiving." Aaravos gestured towards the caterpillar. "This is one of the most adaptable creatures in all of Xadia, to think it would find its way here...I don't believe in any sort of God, but this is as close to a miracle as I can imagine. This little miracle is a step, a large step towards me returning to this world."
Callum found that hard to believe. "How is this thing going to help you return? I thought you needed a piece of your original body in order to do that?"
Aaravos nodded. "Yes, in order for a true resurrection, I would need a bone or some other piece of my original body in order to come back at full power, but there are alternative methods. This little creature, being one of them, bring out the Key and allows the caterpillar to touch it, and I will show you what I mean."
Callum reached into his cloak and pulled out the key of Aaravos, the small cube that had changed his life all those years ago back at the Banther Lodge. He held it up to the caterpillar, and it immediately bit it, causing the key to glow red. He looked at his teacher to ask the elf what was happening, but his teacher's spirit was turning to an incorporeal glowing smoke that drifted towards the caterpillar and into the tiny insect's body. The caterpillar turned to Callum, its bright eyes staring at him intently.
"Ah, that feels so good." The insect proclaimed as it stretched its many tiny legs.
"AHHHH!" Callum screamed as he dropped the insect onto the ground and backed away from it, freaked out by its new ability to speak.
"Ow!" The caterpillar grumbled as it straightened itself out on the ground. "I get a new body, and you go and drop it! You're lucky I didn't break any of my new limbs. Is this any way to treat your master?"
"Master?" Callum asked, not quite believing what he was seeing and hearing. "Did you go into the caterpillar?"
"Of course!" Aaravos proclaimed as he wiggled his little limbs. "I now have a body to call my own. This little guy was kind enough to lend it to me for the foreseeable future."
Callum had a million questions flying through his head, but one stuck out at the forefront of his mind. "Wait, I thought you couldn't possess animals for long periods; I seem to remember you trying to possess numerous animals back home in Katolis." He remembered his teacher taking control of squirrels, birds, and even a dog. The animals had managed to kick him out of their bodies reasonably quickly.
"That's true if the animal resists, but this little guy has agreed to let me have control, and in exchange, I will aid it in its evolution. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement." Aaravos said. "Now enough of this idle chatter; there is much to do. Pick me up and let me ride on your shoulder; as far as the rest of the world is concerned, I am your new familiar. Now we can talk openly, and no one will think you're crazy."
Callum couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh yeah, so instead of me talking to empty air, people will see me talking to a caterpillar."
"They'll think your eccentric, besides you are my apprentice; you need not concern yourself with the mediocre masses. You're destined for far greater things, this that common humans cannot even begin to comprehend." Aaravos lifted his two front legs up. "Now hurry up and pick me up; I can ride on your shoulder, or perhaps on your ear."
"Yeah, I'm not doing that." Callum shook his head. "I dont want those creepy little legs of yours on my body. "
"Well, we dont have any other options," Aaravos grumbled. "One step for you is a thousand steps for me. Stop being a baby and let me ride on your shoulder; it's perfectly natural for an elf trapped in the body of a worm to ride on the shoulder of a young human child."
"Is it, though?"
"Hmm, maybe not, but being normal is overrated. Now hurry up and pick me up; it has been over a thousand years since I've had a body, and there are two things I want to do more then anything else. The first thing is I want to eat something, I've been watching you stuff your face for all these years, and now I intend to sample the culinary delights of the Pentarchy."
"Okay." he reached down and picked up his teacher and placed Aaravos upon his right shoulder. "What would you like to eat?"
"Hmmm," Aaravos seemed to consider the question for several seconds before finally answering. "A long time ago, I met a young human girl; she offered me a red fruit that had tough skin but tasted delightful. I would like one of those."
"You mean an apple?" Callum asked as he thought about what the fruit his teacher was talking about was. "How is it that with all your knowledge, you dont know what an apple is?"
"Shut up and get me one of these 'apples' I haven't eaten anything in over a millennium," Aaravos grumbled. "Also, I wish to try some of your friend's pancakes; they seem magically delicious."
Callum smiled upon hearing that. "I knew you would start warming up to Claudia; Ill ask her to make some for breakfast tomorrow. Anything else you want to do now that you have a body?"
"There is one other thing but…" Aaravos shook his insectoid head. "It's impossible; I'll never get a date with a body like this."
"I could find a nice butterfly for you to date." Callum joked as he chuckled at his master's priorities.
"Very funny, now let's get down to business, " Aaravos turned his head towards one of the walls of the shop and pointed at one of the maps adorning the walls with his tiny nubby legs. "Now we can move on to the next step of your training, which lies upon that map. King Florian mentioned taking you on a hunting trip, isn't that right?"
"Yes…" Callum muttered, not happy at the idea. He didn't like hunting. It involved skills that he wasn't very good at. Horseback riding, archery, and camping were all skills he lacked. "I'm not exactly looking forward to it."
"But it provides us with an opportunity, look at that map. The mountain near the middle of Del Bar."
Callum walked over to the map and saw that in the middle of Del Bar was a group of small mountains, one of which laid right in the center of them all. "The Storm Peaks." Callum read the name out loud. "What so special about these mountains?"
"Tell King Florian you wish to hunt Iceridge Deer; they used to be native to those mountains long ago back when this land was united. It is upon the peak of that central mountain where we will continue your training." Aaravos said. "It is here where you will tap into the Sky primal and the Earth Primal."
Callum looked at those mountains and considered his master's words. "We could have just stayed in katolis if all we needed was a mountain." He could think of several mountains that would have served the same purpose. "And how am I supposed to get away from a hunting party to train on a mountain? I doubt the King will let me wander off, also. Isn't scaling a mountain dangerous?"
"Dont worry, we can sneak off from the hunting party easily enough. I'll take care of everything." Aaravos assured him. "And this mountain is special; there is a secret place upon the peak of the mountain, a place where you will find many tools for your training. Trust me, my apprentice, all will become clear once we get there."
Now Callum found himself filled with a million more questions, but he settled on the one at the forefront of his mind. "Why is this mountain so special?"
His teacher turned to him; the elf turned insects' large featureless eyes fell upon him with an intense gaze.
"It's where I trained Elarion."
Authors Note
HAPPY NEW YEAR
It's been almost a year, but here is another chapter. My excuses include Covid and life in general sucking. Glad this year is over, and hopefully, next year will be better.
I cant promise regular updates, but I will try to be a more diligent writer. I tried to release this in time for Christmas, but editing took forever.
Not much else to say; all your reviews have kept me encouraged and made me refuse to give up, so thanks for that. Be sure to let me know how you liked the chapter; it has been a while, so that I might be rusty.
Also, a friend of mine bought me Grammarly Premium for Christmas, so I used it to edit this chapter; I believe the grammar is much improved, although I did have to change my writing style, so please let me know how this chapter feels compared to my past chapters.
Anyway….thats all I have to say; hopefully, 2021 is better for us all.