“I have my own private tutor,” Tenser said as they
left the compound and entered the semi-crowded street
outside it. Street vendors tried to sell
wizard-themed merchandise, like ceramic mugs glazed
with “magical” glitterdust. Most of the other people
idle in the street were mercenaries employed by the
guild who chased off vendors that drew too large a
crowd and blocked traffic to the guild entrance.
Tenser set off in the direction of the Roc and
Oliphant tavern, leaving the still-curious Ehlissa to
simply follow.
“Was that man’s name really Gleep?” she asked.
“Gleed, actually, but everyone calls him Gleep because
it annoys him,” Tenser went on. “I’m surprised you
don’t have him in any cl*****, as he’s taking quite a
few. You’re not taking combat casting this semester?”
“Um…no,” Ehlissa answered, wondering how much that
would have set her parents back.
“I took that last year. I’m actually in my last
semester now, but I feel like I already know
everything they can teach me that I’ll need. I’m just
hanging on until graduation for the guild discount on
spell components.”
“Oh,” was the last comment Ehlissa made until they
reached the tavern. This Tenser was either very full
of himself or trying awfully hard to impress her.
Either way, she had never met anyone quite like him
before.
The Roc and the Oliphant had a good-sized midday
crowd, mostly older patrons playing or watching games
of draughts and nine man morris. Tenser found a small
table, straddled the bench, and produced a leather
flask to slap on the table until he received service.
Ehlissa entered more cautiously, having never been to
a tavern unescorted and this Tenser was not doing a
traditional job of escorting her. Eventually, she sat
down on a bench across from him.
“I thought I’d lost you there,” Tenser said with a
nice smile. “Good to see you joined me. I was just
wondering what cl***** you might be taking. I’m
guessing you’re studying to be an abjurer.”
“Not exactly,” Ehlissa said, looking down at the
tabletop.
“But I’m close, aren’t I?” Tenser asked as a serving
lad filled his flask with ale. After a sip, he mused
out loud, “Hmm…I would guess conjuration, but you
would have to be a freshman to not have a class with
Vantolainen…”
“I still don’t understand why you miss cl*****,”
Ehlissa said, changing the subject. “I mean, after
spending so much money to attend these cl***** in the
first place, and to not feel obligated to attend them
you must attach little value to money.”
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