Chapter 51 - Sheercliff City

It was six days later when the white rock of Sheercliff finally came into view, almost three weeks since they’d left Blesbury. A splendid white cliff—the city’s namesake—rose from the ground and formed a plateau that towered over the city. Surrounded by nothing but flat farmland, there was no missing it, even from a distance. The rockface was a perfect white and shone with the sun’s reflection like a giant gem. Buildings on white stone glimmered at the top where only the nobility could afford, peering down upon the Lower City at its base.

The Lower City itself was segmented, with the core of the city behind towering walls that were built right up into the cliff, while the buildings beyond were packed so tightly Hump felt a chill just thinking about it.

“What is that?” Celaine asked, narrowing her eyes.

“The Shrine of Osidium, God of Earth,” Bud said. “Legend has it that he tore up the land himself, dividing the city in two, granting those he deemed worthy a place at its peak.”

“You’ve been here before?” Celaine asked.

“I visited with my mother a few years ago for Count Daston’s wedding,” Bud said. “I enjoyed it, though I admit, there was a pompous air to the Upper City.”

“Considering they think that Osidium himself rose them to their status, I’m not surprised,” Hump said. “Though it does sound like a tale the rich on the peak made up. I can’t actually imagine any god going to so much effort just so that a few nobles could have a nice view.”

Bud shrugged. “Probably.”

“What is that?” Celaine asked, narrowing her eyes.

Hump raised an eyebrow. “Not going to call me out for blaspheming this time?”

Bud snorted. “For once, I agree with you. I was here a few years ago. Few places have such separation between those with wealth and those without. It’s like two different cities.”

“Interesting,” Celaine said. “And the little carts?”

Bud and Hump both squinted to try and see what she was talking about. He made out tiny black dots in a small area of the rockface, moving up the wall.

“The carriages on the wall?” Bud asked.

Celaine nodded.

“That’s how they get between the two cities,” Bud said. “There are stairs, but it’s half an hour to the top.”

“How on earth can you even see those?” Hump said. He could just about make out Osdium’s shrine, though it looked more like a giant balcony overlooking the city to Hump. Carved into the rock above it was Osdium’s giant head.

The transition from fields to buildings was sudden, and as they grew deeper into the city suburbs, the crowds grew too. Merchants lined either side of the road, selling wares and food that filled the air with the smell of smoke and spice. Women moved amongst the crowd, carrying trays of trinkets and hollering about their wares. Dozens of little shops and stalls were built amongst the houses along the route, and soon the small buildings gave way to taller shops and inns, casting a shadow over the street.

They passed a large stable and two inns, and then they were amongst small houses. As they walked, Hump was reminded of his years on the Elenvine streets. Sheercliff was tiny compared to the capital, but cramped, dark alleyways were the same anywhere. He knew of the cruelty that took place within.

Their horses carved a line through the crowds toward the walls, where they dismounted and joined a large line of people waiting to enter the city. Dozens of guards manned the gates, inspecting goods and people, but the line moved quickly. When it was their turn, they each held out their adventurers’ medallion. The guards touched each one to make sure they were bonded then nodded.

“What’s your business here?” the guard asked.

“We’re adventurers,” Bud said. “We’re here to purchase equipment and inquire about available quests.”

He nodded. “Do you know where you’re headed?”

“The guildhall is near the carriage house, if I remember correctly,” Bud said.

“That’s right, sir.”

“Then we’ll manage,” Bud said. “Thank you.”

It was less crowded through the gates, with the guards only allowing access to merchants and those that could pay their way through.

“You sound so respectable when you speak in your noble voice,” Hump said to Bud, grinning.

“I am noble,” Bud retorted.

“Extremely so,” Celaine said. “Very posh. I was very impressed. We’ll have to leave the talking to you from now on.”

“Are you suggesting I’m a poor talker?” Hump asked.

“No,” Celaine said. “I’d never suggest something so silly. You never stop talking. You’re an extreme talker if anything.”

Hump grinned. “Sounds like you’re calling me talented.”

Through the walls, the roads widened enough so that wagons had plenty of room to move in both directions. The buildings were tall and made of fine white stone and dark wood. The shops had large glass windows and richly painted wooden signs over their doors.

“It’s easy to forget how busy cities are,” Hump said. People were shouting, bartering, arguing—something was happening everywhere he looked.

“And the smell,” Celaine said, scrunching her nose. “I don’t know how you people live in a place like this.”

Bud led the way through the city. It was an easy route to follow. Broadstreet ran almost directly through the city toward the cliff. Hump found it slightly discomforting beneath the giant staring head of Osidium.

“Anyone else feel like the head is watching you?” Hump asked.

“Nope,” Celaine said.

“Me neither,” Bud said.

Hump frowned. “I could swear its eyes are following me.”

“Probably an illusion,” Bud said. “Like those paintings that seem to be looking at you no matter where you are standing in the room.”

“Just probably?” Hump asked with a chuckle. “The alternative is that giant head is actually staring at me. Now that really would be creepy.”

“You never know,” Bud said, smiling. “Perhaps Osidium thought you were interesting.”

“Yes,” Hump said, doing his most serious wizard nod. “And perhaps pigs will soar through the sky overhead to deliver bacon unto us.”

“Bacon?” Celaine asked.

“What? I’m hungry.”

Bud manoeuvred Asoltef’s reigns so that he could look at them more easily. They were leading the horses on foot now. “If you’re both alright with it, I suggest we find an inn and stable the horses, have lunch, and then split up for a while. I have some things I’d like to take care of.”

“What do you have in mind?” Hump asked.

“It’s been a while since I’ve visited the Temple of Kelisia,” Bud said. “I assumed you wouldn’t want to come.”

“Well assumed,” Hump said, nodding.

“I’d also like to pay Count Daston a visit. She really was a close friend of my mother’s, so I feel obliged. I’d also like to send a letter back to my father.”

“Why a letter?” Celaine asked. “If you wanted to speak to him, wouldn’t a scrying mirror be simpler? I’m sure a count would have one you could use.”

Bud smiled. “Letters are slow, and difficult to argue with. Hopefully we’ll be settled in Fishers Lake long before he receives it.”

“Any idea what you’ll say?” Hump asked. “I’m sure he’s been searching for you. Gods, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has informants here on the lookout for you.”

Bud shrugged. “He might, but I’m not sure his influence stretches far enough for him to do anything with that information very quickly. And I’ll tell him the truth. I want to adventure and help people, and that’s what I’ll do.”

“What about your fiancée?” Celaine asked.

“That was never my choice,” Bud said defensively. “It’s his mess to resolve.”

“You should try and be diplomatic,” Celaine said. “Tell him you need some time to mourn or something before you commit to something as serious as marriage. Maybe you can buy yourself a little slack.”

Bud snorted. “You don’t know my father.”

“Maybe not,” Celaine said. “But I do know what it’s like dealing with overbearing figureheads. Being confrontational will only make things more difficult for yourself.”

“True enough.” Bud nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

“Great,” Hump said. “I suppose in the meantime, Celaine and I can pop over to wherever it is they sell magical goods. This is the perfect chance for me to purchase the ingredients I need for wizardfire, and Celaine can get her dagger identified. Then we’ll meet you at the Adventurers’ Guild for drinks and food in the evening? I’d like to see if they have a record of Wizard Vivienne in Fishers Lake.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Bud said.

Hump glanced at Celaine and she nodded. “I would like to have a look around the city,” she said.

“It’s a date,” Hump said, then caught himself. “Well, not a date, you know. It’s an event. A thing we’ll do because we need stuff.” He stopped rambling when he saw Celaine’s sly smile and let out a sigh. “Is it a date?”

Celaine’s face lit up with a smug smile. “No.”

Bud laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Nice try!”

Hump slouched, sinking into his shoulders, and ducking behind Prancer’s back. He felt his face getting hot. Glancing at Celaine, he couldn’t be certain, but he thought her cheeks might be a little red too.

They chose the Carriageway Inn for their stay. While it was more expensive than the accommodations Hump would usually stay at, they would only be there for a night or two before moving on. And as soon as the food was served, he was pleased he’d splurged. The city was a major trading hub, and it showed. The meats were exotically spiced, and after so many days on the road, Hump enjoyed every bit of it. Fishers Lake was another three days from Sheercliff and Hump held little hope that the small town would offer anything comparable in quality, so he ate all he could while it was there.

They didn’t waste much time after that. Bud departed first, paying for a spot in one of the carriages heading to the Upper City. On the surface, it was little more than a metal box with two chains running through a mechanism at its back, but Hump could sense the essence at work within.

“Do you know how they work?” Celaine asked.

“Not a clue,” Hump said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if nobody out of Sheercliff does. That type of information is expensive.”

The carriageway area was busy, with most of the guildhalls centred in that area. It was the one place with easy access for those in both parts of the city, making it key real estate for merchants. As they wandered through the streets, Celaine seemed distracted by everything, particularly the various food and fruits not common to these lands. The crowds were thick, and even at a glance Hump spotted a handful of Chosen wearing the colours and sigils of their gods.

The crowd grew suddenly excited, and Hump whirled as he felt essence behind him. A pillar of green light pierced the sky from the Upper City, radiating invigorating power—Emirai. Somebody was receiving a blessing. Around them on the streets, the people bowed at the waist, holding the pose until the pillar of light vanished.

“Does that happen often?” Celaine asked.

“In a city this size,” Hump said. “A couple of times a week, I imagine.”

It wasn’t far to the merchant’s district. With so many guildhalls in the area, and a demand for adventuring equipment, there was an abundance of specialist shops.

“Don’t you need to go in there?” Celaine asked, nodding toward the right.

The Alchemist Association was a grand building of the same white stone of the cliff. “No, places like that always overcharge. They have a perspective that only their members know proper alchemy, and any other potion making is inferior. And they charge a hefty price for those services.” He paused as a small herbalist down one of the side streets caught his eye, its door sign in the shape of a leaf and glowing with the luminescent green of essence infused paint. “Now that’s the type of place I’m looking for.”

“You go on,” Celaine said. “I’m going to get my dagger identified and meet up with you around here later.”

“You sure?” Hump asked.

Celaine smiled. “Anything to save me waiting around while you look at herbs.”

Hump grinned. “Sure. I might be in the enchantery over there too.”

Celaine arched an eyebrow. “You want to buy an artefact?”

“Just keeping my eyes open,” Hump said. “You never know what you might find in places like this, and something to help me control my power would be very useful.”

Inside, Hump was searching through the shelves of dried herbs and jars when a young man approached him.

“Can I help you, sir?” He was a tall, lanky fellow with pale skin and dark bags under his eyes. He couldn’t be more than a year or two older than Hump. He wore an apron that was stained with wine-reds and greens.

“Yes actually,” Hump said. “I see you’ve got dried fellgreen husk, but I was hoping you might have some of the fresh stuff. This won’t have the potency I need.”

“No fresh I’m afraid,” he said, “but we do have some preserved in essence water. It’s not as potent, but it’s also half the price and does the job most of the time.”

Hump nodded. “That will do perfectly.”

Behind him, the door opened and two men that looked to be in their early twenties sauntered in. “Pete!” the first shouted, a sharp faced man with brown hair. “Get over here.” From his silver robes and the blue flame sigil on his chest, Hump took him for a Chosen of Kelisia. He sported a wand on his hip, the more popular choice of weapon amongst noble Sorcerers that didn’t want to carry around a staff all day. They lacked space for a large focus and complex runes, but money was enough to bridge much of that gap.

His friend laughed at his side, and Hump frowned. Another Chosen of Kelisia, but this one had a duelling sword that reminded Hump of Kassius’ weapon. From the look on the young herbalist’s face, he wasn’t happy to see either of them.

“Would you mind giving me a few minutes?” Pete said to them, flustered. “I’ll help this customer and see him out, then I can give you my full attention.”

“Now, Pete,” the sorcerer said. “We don’t have all day.” He looked at Hump, staring as far down his long nose as he could. “You understand, don’t you friend?”

Hump hesitated, earning a glare from the man.

“I see no sigils on you,” the man continued. “Who is your god?”

“I have none,” Hump said. “I’m a wizard.”

That earnt a chuckle from them both. “A wizard. My, you certainly have some fine customers, Pete. Now help us out will you, we’re in a hurry. There’s a party tonight and I’ll die before I attend without anything to make it interesting.”

Pete gave Hump an apologetic look and Hump made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t worry about it. I need some other items anyway, I’ll browse.”

He found three more key ingredients as he waited, when he heard a commotion coming from the front.

“This isn’t good enough, Pete! You promised us twice this.”

“I’m sorry,” Pete said, panicked. “My master returned early, and this isn’t the type of stuff I can just buy. They restrict the sales—”

The man slammed his hand on the table. “Which is why we came to you.” He raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is no good. No good at all.”

A door slammed shut in the back of the shop and Pete’s eyes went wide.

“We had a deal, Pete,” the Chosen said, seizing the opportunity. “What do you think your master would say if he found out what you were doing?”

“You can’t!” Pete said. “That would get you in trouble too.”

The man snorted. “A slap on the wrist. Hardly even that.”

Pete stared down at his feet.

The man sighed and shook his head, looking at Pete as if he were about to do him a favour. “There’s still time. We’ll come back in a couple of hours.” The man leant forward and growled, “Make sure you have what we want.”

“It’s not possible,” Pete stammered. “There’s nothing I can do.”

The sorcerer chuckled. “Two things will happen here. Either you get us what we want, or we tell your master what you’ve been up to while he’s been away.”

“Please, Mister Randall,” Pete said quietly. “Give me a few more days.”

“Come on, man,” his friend said. “This is enough. Let’s go. It’s not worth it.”

“Shut it, Russlin,” the sorcerer said.

Hump walked up to the counter and faced them. “Is there a problem?”

“Yes there’s a bloody problem,” the sorcerer said. “Now shove off.”

Hump glanced at a handful of pale orange vials on the counter and raised an eyebrow. He didn’t need a label to guess at what was inside; there was only one thing they’d want for a party. “Limerick cocktail,” Hump said. “That’s what you’re after? You know it’s illegal without a license.”

“What of it?” the sorcerer said this time. He stepped forward, standing over Hump, his coat falling open to show off his wand.

Hump stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I might have a solution for you.” He stepped back into the aisle and selected two jars, the key being kinnley sap. After a moment of thought, he took up a third item and placed all three on the counter. “Here. This is a mild hallucinogen; they use it to help with the pain for surgeries,” he said, pointing at the sap. “Mix it with the cocktail and you have yourself one terrible tasting but potent brew. Then mix that with these.” He pointed at the two other items. “It will be sweet as sugar”

The sorcerer frowned at them. “Is this true?” he asked Pete.

Pete frowned then nodded. “It is.”

“Very well.” The sorcerer sighed. “He placed nine silvers on the counter and pocketed the items.”

“It’s a little more than that…” Pete said.

The sorcerer glared at him. “Be grateful for what you get, Pete.”

As they left the shop, Pete turned to Hump and frowned. “That was ursa root.”

Hump grinned. “It was.”

“That induces paranoia.”

Hump’s grin widened. “It does. With any luck, they’ll have a bad trip and won’t come back.”

Pete sighed, face falling into his hands. “I’m an idiot. If they tell my master... gods, he’s going to fire me.”

“Probably a good idea to hide any evidence you can before they have the chance,” Hump said. “You never know, your master might let it slide. ‘Easier to beat the habits out of you than someone new,’” Hump said, impersonating his own master. “Am I right?”

“We’re alchemists,” Pete said. “We prefer painful concoctions to beatings.”

Hump winced. “Well, it’s your call. At least you have a bit of time.” He placed his old gold coin on the counter. “Before that though, how about that fellgreen husk.”