Merham City part 3

The next morning, Leo and his family ventured into Merham's winding streets. Market stalls lined the cobblestone paths, their colourful awnings fluttering in the spring breeze. Merchants called out prices for fresh produce, still damp with morning dew.

"These oranges came up from the southern provinces yesterday." A weathered fruit seller held out samples. "Sweet as honey."

Elly bit into a slice, juice running down her chin. "We'll take a dozen."

They wandered through the craft district, where artisans worked in open-fronted shops. The ring of hammers on metal mixed with the whir of potter's wheels and the scratch of woodworking tools.

"Look at this metalwork." Greg pressed his nose against a jeweler's window, admiring delicate silver chains and gem-studded rings.

In the afternoon, they climbed the steps to the grand temple plaza. White marble columns soared skyward, gleaming in the sun. Petitioners gathered around the temple entrances while priests in flowing robes moved between them.

"The architecture's different here than back home." Felix traced the intricate carvings decorating a column base.

They spent the next day exploring the riverside docks. Fishing boats bobbed alongside merchant vessels from distant ports. Dock workers hauled crates and barrels while seabirds wheeled overhead, diving for scraps.

"Fresh fish!" A vendor waved from his stall. "Caught this morning!"

Elen purchased several plump silver fish for dinner. The smell of grilled seafood drifted from nearby cookshops, making their mouths water.

The third day found them in the garden district. Trees lined the streets, their new spring leaves casting dappled shade. Behind iron gates, elaborate private gardens bloomed with early flowers.

"Even the walls are covered in vines." Elly touched the green tendrils climbing a stone facade.

They paused to rest on a bench in a public square. A fountain splashed at the center while children chased each other across the grass. The afternoon sun warmed the flagstones beneath their feet.

"The city feels alive." Leo watched people hurry past - merchants and craftsmen, nobles in fine clothes, priests in their robes. "Like it's waking up after winter."

As they walked through Merham's training grounds, the difference in power levels became stark. Young apprentice knights sparred in the practice rings, their life energy crackling with an intensity rarely seen in Rufus.

"Their basic forms are sharper." Elen's eyes narrowed as he watched two teenagers clash wooden swords. "Even the beginners here move like mid-level apprentices back home."

A group of mages practiced near the eastern wall. Spheres of fire and water danced between their fingers. The raw magical energy made the air shimmer.

Elly leaned against a fence post, watching a water mage create intricate ice sculptures with casual flicks of her wrist. "We barely see elemental magic users at home. Here they're everywhere."

"The capital attracts talent." Elen crossed his arms. "But it's more than that. Their training methods must be different. More refined."

The next morning, they made their way to Merham's adventurer guild. Unlike Rufus's modest wooden building, the capital's guild hall dominated the street. Polished granite blocks rose three stories high, crowned with carved battlements. Bronze doors twice Elen's height gleamed in the morning sun.

"This makes our guild look like a shack." Elly's neck craned back to take in the full scope.

Inside, the entrance hall stretched wider than most houses. Marble columns supported a vaulted ceiling painted with scenes of legendary adventures. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting rainbow patterns across the floor.

"Welcome to the Merham Adventurer's Guild." A clerk looked up from his desk, one of dozens lining the walls. "How may we assist you today?"

Adventurers filled the space - grizzled veterans comparing notes over coffee, fresh-faced recruits studying job postings, merchants haggling over quest rewards. The click of boots on marble echoed off the walls.

Leo's attention fixed on the quest board. It covered an entire wall, stretching from floor to ceiling. Hundreds of parchments hung in neat rows, organized by difficulty and reward. A handful of clerks on rolling ladders maintained the endless display.

"Their lowest paying quest offers a lot more than our quest of the same level." Elen muttered, scanning the rewards.

A pair of high knights strode past, their life energy rippling the air. Behind them walked a water mage, frost crystallizing with each step. Power radiated from them in waves that made Leo's skin prickle. (High knight is the next stage after a knight).

"Different league entirely." Elly whispered, watching them disappear down a side corridor.

They wandered deeper into the building. Training rooms lined the basement level, equipped with practice dummies and sparring circles. Upper floors held meeting halls, strategy rooms, and what looked like classrooms.

"This isn't just a guild hall." Leo ran his hand along a richly panelled wall. "It looks more of an academy than an adventurer's guild."

In a quiet corner of the guild hall, the family gathered around a polished wooden table. Maps and pamphlets spread across its surface.

"Three main academies in Merham." Leo traced his finger across a city map. "Each with different requirements and focus."

"The Military Academy is the most straightforward." Elen tapped a fortress-like building marked on the northern edge. "They train knights and mages for the empire's forces. Direct path to officer positions."

Elly picked up an ornate brochure edged in gold leaf. "Royal Academy's all about connections. Most students come from noble families. Their combat training's solid, but they spend as much time on etiquette and politics."

"And the Power and Magic Academy?" Leo shifted through the papers.

"Most accessible of the three." Elen pulled out a thick handbook. "They'll take anyone with talent, regardless of background. Focus purely on developing abilities - no military service required, no noble politics to navigate."

"All three teach both paths though." Elly sorted the papers into neat piles. "Knights and mages train side by side. Different emphasis, same core skills."

"Military Academy wants five-year commitments after graduation." Leo frowned at the fine print. "Royal Academy requires noble sponsorship or direct bloodline most of the time. Power and Magic just need you to pass their entrance exam."

"Three different paths to the same destination." Elly leaned back in her chair. "Just depends what strings come attached."