FVN Chapter 82: Chapter XXIII: Bards
Chapter 82: Chapter XXIII: Bards
Chapter 82: Chapter XXIII: Bards
It took me an uncomfortable amount of time to convince the supremely enthusiastic High King that no, he cannot rush off to hunt random ass reachmen right now.
After calming down and realizing just how foolish he may have looked to a new important subject he made some excuses and left with his now very smug guard, the stoic man even gave me a grateful smile before he left...
Now finished with that... enlightening meeting I left for the city to finally start exploring.
My first destination was the Bard's College, and while I don't remember a thing about it from the game I was curious about how good the musicians were in these lands. Most I've listened to were traveling bards and my own hirelings, who were pretty good in their own right, just not virtuosos.
The college was built in the same style as the rest of the noble district, which was honestly kind of disappointing but to be fair the hideout of the local artists didn't 'need' to be whacky and creative to look good.
As I entered I was surrounded from all sides by the echoes of different musicians practicing their instruments, and while some of them might have actually been good the unholy mixture that could be heard at the entrance almost made me summon Meridia's beacon so I can blow out my eardrums again.
A bearded elf came through one of the doors just in time to see me wince, I could sense his irritation at the bad timing of my arrival as he approached me.
He quickly takes on a practiced cheerful mask and greets me "Ah, Master Reyvin." He bows theatrically "An honor and a pleasure to have the new court mage visit our humble college, I am headmaster Viarmo, at your service." he forces a wince "I do hope that you don't mind the cacophony, our students are rather vigorous in their exercises at this time of day."
Well, at least the ole' rumor mill is still up and running.
I return a polite smile "The honor is mine headmaster."
He nods and signals for me to follow him into another room.
I continue while we walk "Though I am sad to inform you that I am not a master yet."
His own polite smile cracks just a tiny bit and I hear him quietly mutter to himself "Yet I still feel as if you could crush me with nary a thought..."
That seems... untrue. The mer is obviously magically adept, not nearly as myself of course but enough to not get crushed instantly. He did recognize me rather quickly meaning it is probable he wants something from me, one look with my blessing tells me I am right but not exactly what it is that he wants. Might as well play along for now.
"How very perceptive of you." I say and he suppresses a wince, yet now that I pay more attention it seems just slightly forced... as if he wanted for me to hear him.
I continue playing along "If you are able to tell that much then I take it you received some instruction in the arcane?"
His 'mood' shifts and he looks up proudly "Indeed, our college prides itself in all arts, that includes the magical ones."
"Oh?" So some kind of magical request then? "Magic in its entirety, or merely its more artistic expressions?"
"The artistic ones principally" He explains smoothly while summoning the illusion of some small 'fireworks' in his hand "We are after all creators first. Though we do learn how to defend ourselves of course. These lands are quite unforgiving as you know."
"Intriguing..." I hum "So I guess you make great use of alteration and illusion then?"
There is a glint in his eyes that wasn't there before as he answers with well-practiced 'awe' "Truly you are as brilliant as they say, yes we do mostly make use of those two schools for everything from sculpting to theatre to music."
"Right, I can see how that could help." I nod and add conspiratorially "And even if people start bothering you that something isn't hand-made you can always just say magic takes just as much skill and get more patronage that way."
He smiles wryly as we enter a hall leading into his office "I am certain I have no idea what you are talking about."
Time to end this little play of ours "Was there anything you wanted from me, headmaster? I wanted to explore a good part of the city today and we have already chatted for a while."
I notice the slightest twitch in his left eye as he says "I was indeed hoping to acquire your aid in a certain matter."
I wave for him to go on.
I decide to look at him with my blessing, only to find that yes he is really just worried about the last of his family and will do pretty much anything to ensure that the boy is happy... Gods do I love it when my cynical ass is proven wrong!
I hum, pretending to mull it over even if I already made my decision. Viarmo seems to grow
more uncomfortable by the minute and I decide to stop tormenting him "Very well, I accept." He seems relieved but I go on "I will teach him to survive and thrive out there but I will not consider coddling him, he will not enjoy it when we start traveling."
Viarmo waves me off "Oh don't worry, so long as he learns to defend himself and hopefully
some damned respect I will honor my side of the deal... could you... could you let him down now? I think he is getting a bit green and am quite certain he doesn't have any orcish ancestry so that can't be healthy."
I blink "Oh" and deactivate my telekinesis with a flick of my hand, making the brat crash onto
the ground. Viarmo claps happily "Excellent." And helps the dizzy young mer up "Now my boy, I have secured someone to teach you how to not die, be sure to listen to him or I will be cutting your
allowance."
Allowance, really?
His nephew scowls "But I don't want to!"
Viarmo scoffs "My boy, you are nineteen years old you need to stop being so childish."
He exhales "Fiiiiine."
I clap my hands "With that rather pathetic display out of the way I am going to explore the
city and am in need of a guide, you will do brat."
The brat scowls at me again "My name is Marco, not brat."
"Yes yes it is your honor to meet me I know, let us go."
His eye twitches, but he appears to be a quick learner so he keeps his mouth shut.
"It was a pleasure meeting you headmaster but we really should be going now." I say to the
older mer.
He smiles "The pleasure was all mine I assure you." then says to Marco with a wink "Good
luck my boy, and remember to have fun."
The young elf groans and follows after me dejectedly.
A chapter for thee and a stone for me.
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