Merham City part 1

The guards at the noble gate barely glanced at their documents before waving them through. Leo's first steps into Merham hit him with a wave of scents - spices, smoke, and something sweet he couldn't place. The cobblestone streets stretched wider than any he'd seen before, lined with buildings that reached four, five stories high.

"Look at those silk banners!" Elly pointed at a merchant's stall where fabrics in deep purples and blues rippled in the breeze.

Greg and Felix's heads swivelled toward the weapons quarter, where steel glinted in the sunlight. Swords of all sizes hung from racks while armored mannequins stood guard outside shop fronts.

"We'll check those later," Elen steered them through the crowd. "First, let's see the main market square."

They emerged into an open plaza packed with hundreds of stalls. Merchants shouted prices for everything from fresh fruit to magical trinkets. A woman with bronze skin held up a cage of tiny, glowing birds. Next to her, a bearded man in robes demonstrated floating crystals that spun in mesmerizing patterns.

"Never seen half these things before," Leo murmured, watching a trader pour liquid rainbow into glass vials.

The crowd parted around their group as they walked. Elly gasped at a display of jewellery where gems seemed to shift colors in the light. Even the Shmidt brothers fell quiet, taking in the sights.

"Those are war-hounds from the Northern Plains," Elen nodded toward massive, gray-furred beasts that stood shoulder-high to a man. Their handler kept them in check with chains thick as Leo's wrist.

They passed stalls selling steaming meat pies, exotic pets in gilded cages, and books bound in materials Leo couldn't identify. The variety was overwhelming - more goods in one place than he'd seen in his entire life before.

A group of mages in blue robes walked past, silver badges glinting on their chests. Leo watched them carefully, noting how others gave them a wide berth. This was truly a different world from what he'd known before.

The aroma of roasted meats drew them down a side street where smoke curled from chimney stacks. Wooden signs creaked in the breeze, advertising various taverns and eateries.

"The Silver Stag," Leo read from an ornate sign showing a prancing deer. "Smells good."

Inside, dark wooden beams crossed the ceiling and a massive stone fireplace dominated one wall. Platters of food passed between tables as servers navigated the crowd.

"Five for dinner," Elen told the host, who led them to a corner table.

Greg's eyes locked onto a platter of ribs passing by. "That. I want that."

"Venison looks proper here," Felix leaned over to examine another table's meal. "With those roasted roots."

Elly wrinkled her nose at their choices. "I'd prefer the duck. See how crispy the skin looks?"

A server approached their table, wiping his hands on his apron. "Welcome to the Silver Stag. Our specialties today include wild boar, herb-crusted lamb, and pheasant in wine sauce."

"The ribs for me," Greg spoke first. "Extra sauce."

"Venison," Felix nodded.

"I'll have the duck," Elly smoothed her napkin across her lap.

Leo studied the plates around them. "The lamb sounds good. With extra herbs."

"Wild boar for me," Elen decided. "And bring us your house ale."

"Just water for me," Leo added quickly.

The food arrived on heavy wooden platters. Steam rose from the perfectly cooked meats, accompanied by roasted vegetables and fresh bread. Greg tore into his ribs with enthusiasm while Felix cut his venison into precise bites. Elly delicately pulled apart her duck, savouring each bite she made.

Leo's lamb fell off the bone, the herbs adding layers of flavour he'd never tasted before.

Leo wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned forward, lowering his voice. "We need to discuss our approach in Merham. Until Elly and I secure spots in an academy, we should keep a low profile."

"Agreed," Elen set down his fork. "The fewer eyes on us, the better."

"What exactly does laying low mean?" Greg's sauce-covered fingers reached for another rib.

"No fights," Leo's blue eyes fixed on the brothers. "No showing off your skills, even if someone provokes you. We're just another noble family settling in."

Felix frowned. "And if someone starts trouble?"

"Walk away," Leo's tone left no room for argument. "The academies watch everything. One incident could ruin our chances."

"But surely they'd understand if we were defending ourselves?" Elly dabbed at the corner of her mouth.

"They might. But why risk it?" Leo pushed his plate aside. "The competition for spots is fierce. They look for any excuse to thin the numbers."

"The boy's right," Elen nodded. "I've heard stories of families spending years trying to get their children accepted. One wrong move..." He drew his finger across his throat.

"So we act boring," Greg sighed. "No sparring in public?"

"Practice in private," Leo confirmed. "We'll find suitable locations away from prying eyes. For now, we're just another family exploring the city's markets and settling into our new home."

"What about social events?" Elly's green eyes sparkled with interest.

"We attend what's necessary to maintain appearances, nothing more," Leo took a sip of water. "No drawing attention, no grand gestures. Just enough to be unremarkable."

"Unremarkable nobles," Felix chuckled. "That's a new one."

"It won't be for long," Leo assured them. "Once we're in the academies, things will change. But until then, we play it safe."

Elen raised his ale. "To playing it safe, then. And to getting these two into the best academies Merham has to offer."

The family clinked their glasses together, careful to keep their voices down as other diners passed their table.

Leo traced the rim of his water glass. "We'll need lodging that won't draw attention. Something comfortable but not flashy."

"The Golden Swan's available," Greg offered. "Heard it's where most nobles stay."

"Exactly why we shouldn't." Leo shook his head. "Too many eyes, too much gossip. We need somewhere respectable but unremarkable."

Felix frowned. "You want us to stay in some common inn?"

"There's middle ground between common and noble quarters." Elly dabbed her lips with a napkin. "I passed several decent-looking places on our way here."

"The Rose and Crown looked solid," Elen added. "Clean, well-maintained, but not trying to impress anyone."

Greg's shoulders tensed. "Our family has standards-"

"Our family has sense," Leo cut in. "The exam's months away. Until then, we cultivate slowly, steadily. No flashy displays, no drawing attention."

"How long exactly?" Felix drummed his fingers on the table.

"Five in a half months till the academy entrance exams begin." Leo's blue eyes met each of theirs in turn. "That's five in a half months of quiet preparation."