Vyrantium, /Justinian, Dragon:22/2016TE

„Lynrael, you will accompany Julius as he has to fetch a copy of a book for the Master from Enchanter Justinian in the Circle. It will be a good chance for you to start familiarizing yourself with Vyrantium, for you will also have to run errants in a few months time. For that the whole next month you will accompany Julius on his errants. He will show you where you will have to go for most of your errants. After this month you will have a few days to explore the city. You will also be given 2 hours of leave in the evenings, that you can use to your leisure… if you do your assigned chores well, you will also be given a little bit of money to spend, as the master thinks, dedication should be rewarded. Go now."

"Yes." Lynrael turned around and went down the hallway to Julius Quarters. They were very similar to his own, but with a little personal touch, as Julius was already of age and got a wage, payed by the master. Now you would ask why somebody would pay his slaves. First of all, it brought forth some loyalty, as it showed you were valued, not just as a thing but also as a person. And if you were ever given errants, where you needed to buy something, you would know how much to pay, and how.

As Lynrael knocked at the door, Julius opened the door, ready to go out, and looked at him. "So you are the one I will have to show around, come with me, and don't forget to pull you chain out." The Chain was a small iron chain with a tag that had his name and the name of his master on it. It was a symbol of his enslavement and also showed who he belonged to. Normal it was worn under the clothes, but when a slave left for an errant it was supposed to be visible. Lynrael followed Julius though the halls of the estate, and out of the building though a small servant entrance, that led to a small way though the park, that surrounded the manor, and to a small iron gate, that led directly into the busy streets of Vyrantium.

Vyrantium itself was a sight to behold. It was build into the Cliffs facing the open sea. On top of one of the Cliffs was the Tower which housed the Circle of Magi, A former temple to the Old Gods. At the bottom of the Cliffs was the harbour, a series of docks, where hundreds of small ships and bigger trading ships. The whole City was created by forming the Stone with Magic and the craftsmanship of hired and enslaved dwarfs, to create buildings, workspaces and living quarters. These older parts of the city were nowadays very expensive and were the home of the rich family's. The Peverell manor was near the top of the cliff, as it was one of the oldest buildings and belonged to one of the eldest families. The Quarters for the Liberati were on the other side of the cliff. Laetans and Soporati lived in the Quarters over the Liberati. An army that attracted Vyrantium from land would have to conquer the Liberati slums, the had to move though the Quarters of the Soporati, then pass though the Circle and would then reach the Manors of the Magisters and Altus. If there was no chance of defeating the attackers, Altus and Magister had enough time to flee by ship. The older City parts were master-works of artful architecture. Facades with inlaid gemstones, Lyrium and valuable metals, decorated with paintings of feats of magic, gods, and of course dragons, illuminated by lanterns and Magic. Even as a shadow of the former glory of the Empire, Vyrantium was on par with Val Royeaux, even if a darker version of it.

The Circle itself was a giant complex of Spiraling towers. You could see it was a former temple, the statues and murals saw to that. In the Yards students trained or hung out with their respective group.

It was fascinating to see magic used like this for a former human from a magic less world, even if he could use it here himself.

Enchanter Justinian was easily found and after checking Julius "dog-tag" as Lynrael dub them, he gave him the book and they made their way back home. The whole thing was done in silence, and soon they were back home.

And so it wen for the whole next month. Julius took Lynrael with him everyday after the morning lessons in Calligraphic and they completed their errands. Julius showing Lynrael around, and after some time they even stopped for some sweets, and for the first time in 6 years Lynrael tasted the sweet taste of raw sugar again and this time with a body that never had tasted such sweetness before.

And in the evenings he walked though the city, looking around, and after some time he even went down to the Liberati slums. There were many elves and a few humans, which was not at all surprising. But one night when he was on his way back home, and he was already running late, he was forcefully pulled into an ally.

As he tried to scream, a sweaty hand covered his mouth: "No need for you to scream, little bird, daddy Nero is going to take care of you" a slurry voice said. The breath smelled like he had drunken to much cheap alcohol which was probably the case, and Lynrael felt as the drunken man pulled down his trousers. Lynrael panicked and out of instinct he conjured an icicle behind him in willed it into the mans back at the same time he covered himself in cold blue flames that hungrily jumped onto the attacker and started to burn him alive. The man cried out and lashed out with his hand, drawing blood. Lynrael wiggled himself free and turned around. On the ground a middle aged elev cowered. He felt shaky as he looked at the first man he killed… ever… but at this moment the memory of the scene he had seen in the fade came to mind, and he slowly lowered his hand on the bleeding wound of the on the ground withering and sobbing man. He closed his eyes and felt for something familiar in this foreign body, and there a small spark of magical energy was there. He grabbed it and drew it into himself, feeling how his own pool of energy filled up and there was even some left. And he literally drained this man of all his magic and with it his already fading life force. He felt thrilled as he withdrew his hand, the extra energy making him feel good, it energized him. But then he remembered, that he should already be home. He did not know how much time he spend here. He quickly turned around and ran home as fast as he could. He never noticed that he left his "dog-tag" with the man he just killed.