Chapter 85

The trip to Ur took over two weeks, even with Wil riding the Clockwork Owl, and Astrid on Marali. Lund was massive, and their destination was a city on the borderlands.

To reach Ur, they had to cross most of continent, and even flying for full days, only stopping at inns in the evenings, they took nearly 16 days to reach their destination.

Night was only a few days away when Wil caught sight of Ur. The western borders of Lund were marked by a ranged of mountains, with several active volcanoes making up part of the range. Ur was situated in a pass through the mountains, a narrow chokepoint, separating the civilization of Lund from the untamed wilderness beyond the borderlands.

Named the ‘Wilds’, the stretch of land outside of Lund’s borders was feral and dangerous, filled with beats, monsters, and untapped riches. When asked why they hadn’t expanded further into the Wilds, Astrid had explained that the mana there was ‘different’, making it hard for humans to survive for long periods of time.

The mana of the Wilds also affected the wildlife, they were larger, stronger, and incredibly territorial. The plants grew faster there, and resources and materials that were rare in Lund could be more readily found in the Wilds than anywhere else on the continent.

Because of the danger of the Wilds, the city of Ur was a fortress, with tall, black, basalt walls ringing it. Wedged between two mountains, the towers of the city reached so far into the sky that they matched the height of the peaks beside them. Paved roads stretched to the city gates, and Wil could see a steady flow of caravans and travelers passing through the busy entrance.

To Wil, Ur seemed a strange contrast of military fortress and busy trade hub. Well defended, while filled with shops and large warehouses full of goods. He could see guards lining the walls, and towers with lookouts spaced evenly between, while thousands of merchant caravans traveled freely into the city.

“What are they trading?” Wil asked Astrid, as the owl settled on a flat piece of ground outside the city. According to Astrid, flying within the city was forbidden, whether on a beast, item, or spell.

Hopping down from the Owl’s broad back, it flashed with green light, before shrinking and settling on Wil’s shoulder. The ambient mana in Lund was so strong that Wil barely felt the drain from the Owl when in flight. He only needed to feed it mana once a day for it to operate.

“There are gemstones and ores in the mountains, although the Dwarves have a monopoly on some of the better mines. They give fair prices when they’re willing to trade in the city. Most of what the caravans are carrying comes from beyond the walls.” Astrid explained, gracefully dismounting the white swan, and giving her a found pat on the head.

“The borderlands are perfect for hunting and rare resources. Father says the mana there is turbulent and fierce, and that it affects the flora and fauna. They make ideal materials for Alchemists and Artificers.”

“Does your mother go to the Wilds on quests? I would assume the Guild is quite active, with all the demand to enter there for materials.” Wil stepped forward, waiting for Astrid to lead the way into the city. In the distance, he spotted a line of people waiting to enter, watched over by guards, dressed in heavy armor and blue tabards, with a symbol of a lion on their chest.

“She did, before retiring. That’s how she met my father. My grandfather was city lord, and my father was out training in the Wilds. My mother was part of a group of adventurers, and she saved him from a Hag. He told me that he had to propose three times before she accepted.” Astrid said, smiling her words. Her silver hair glittered brightly in the blue sunlight, and she looked equal parts nervous and eager to be home.

Wil remembered his own encounter with a Hag, back in Aachen, and a shiver ran through him at the memory.

“Your parents must be high ranked, with your mother’s adventuring and your father ruling a city on the edge of the wilds.” Wil reasoned, the pair walking towards the nearby gates. They drew attention from everyone around them. Wil’s high rank, combined with Astrid’s beauty and the unique white swan following them were eye catching.

Even the distant guards focused on them, Wil could sense an approaching high ranked mana signature, someone who was easily the equal of his Rank 10 mana. A supervisor or senior official, obviously, their approach from the air must have been noticed well in advance.

“My Father is Rank 13, but my mother is stronger. She was Rank 15 when she retired, and artificers don’t really need to adventure to keep up with their training. She’s the reason I was even able to pass the Guild’s test. Everything I have used to belong to her. Even Marali was my mother’s companion.” Astrid explained, giving her winged friend a bright smile, but Wil could tell she was worried about the upcoming meeting.

“Don’t worry, Astrid. I’m sure they’ll be proud that you passed the exams. They’ll probably be so happy to see you again, your mother won’t even mention your larceny. I still can’t believe I traveled with a hardened criminal for so long, trusting her to not rob me blind!” Wil joked, trying to keep her spirits up. Astrid blushed red at the teasing, giving him a mock glare, before laughing along.

“I didn’t steal anything! I just borrowed a few things. Borrowed! And I’m returning them, aren’t I?” Astrid reasoned, just as they joined the queue for the gates. Standing next to a cart full of crates and a couple of low ranked adventurers, they waited their turn.

When they reached the front of the gates, the guards, wary of Wil’s rank, were defensive, until they saw the gold ‘AG’ pinned on their collars. With a polite nod, they allowed the pair inside.

“I thought someone would have recognized you by now.” Wil said, walking pass the guard and onto the crowded, paved streets of Ur. The buildings were made of sturdy stone, and shops and inns lined the streets, with residential buildings located off the main thoroughfare.

Compared to the Foreigner’s port, the quality of goods on display were significantly higher quality. Ur catered to merchants and adventurer’s entering the wild borderlands beyond the mountain pass.

The people shopping here were wealthy enough to afford the best. After all, you couldn’t spend money if you were dead, the wilds beyond the walls were dangerous. But with risk, came reward. Merchants were also buying the raw materials that came into the city at high cost.

“I…didn’t go out much.” Astrid muttered. Wil was getting the impression that she had led a very sheltered life, making her flight to join the Guild make sense. He knew she was inexperienced, but it seemed that joining the Guild was first time she had ever left home!

“Don’t sweat it. I hadn’t left the academy long before I was thrown into the fire. You did fine.” Wil praised her, while keeping an eye on the steady flow of traffic around him. The massive buildings around him, some reaching as high as ten stories, were leaving him disoriented.

“Thanks Wil, but I know I have a lot to learn. No one here should recognize me, unless they’re from the Lord’s Palace…oh no.” Astrid said, her voice dropping off at the end of her sentence.

Ahead of them were a trio of people, blocking their path. Flanked by two guards, both Rank 4, was a member of the palace guard. Unlike the others, he was wearing a full set of plate mail armor, the steel glowing with mana from the enchantments placed on it. Wearing a long sword on his hip, the man’s visor was up, showing a scarred face and serious countenance.

It was his mana that Wil sensed approaching. A rank 10, the same as his, Wil knew that their arrival hadn’t gone unnoticed, his high rank, combined with Marali’s unique appearance, had obviously alerted the palace that their wayward daughter had returned.

“My lady, we are here to escort you to your father.” The guard said, giving a slight bow, before turning to Wil.

“You may leave, we will see her safely home.” He said, dismissing Wil with a wave of his hand.

“No!” Astrid exclaimed in concern, before catching herself and fixing her face back into an indifferent expression.

“Wil shall accompany me. You may lead, Captain.” Astrid ordered, and Wil was slightly impressed by her acting. Her worries and nervousness had been hidden well, although she still fidgeted slightly as they stood waiting.

The Guard Captain gave them a long look, raking his eyes over Wil, assessing him for threats. His gaze rested on the long, white sword on his hip, the bag of holding slung over his shoulder, and the Clockwork Owl, its head tilted as its large eyes lazily blinked at him, before giving a grudging nod. With a gesture, he ordered the guards flanking him to clear the way.

Letting out a long breath, Astrid gave Wil a small smile, before walking after the guards.