The Hero Became a Mousegirl
Chapter 4: Gaining Entry
At the base of the hill Kaphis and I came upon a dirt path. From here we could see what was the capital city of the Berarn Empire. The walls appeared ill-kept but were still standing.
Using my holy magic I enhanced my eyesight just enough that I could make out the guards moving along the walls. Their silver and blue livery reinforcing the reality that the empire in my memories was no more.
As I gazed at the guards I couldn’t help but notice their weapons. Long metallic cylinders which ended in a wooden grip of some kind. I’d have believed them to be clubs, yet they appeared far too thin and fragile to be effective. Which meant they had to be some instrument of the arcane.
The capital was home to the greatest academy of magical education ever known in my time. So it seemed plausible that those with magical gifts had grown in number over the years. To the point that they could make up a majority of the city’s defensive force.
“The walls are still guarded, which bodes well for us,” I turned to smile at Kaphis. “Shall we get going?”
Kaphis gazed down at me silently for a moment before turning in the direction of the city. “Yes, let’s go.”
“What was that look about?”
“Hmm… I have lived centuries without you by my side Caelan. So perhaps the years have simply dulled my memory. But you seem far more expressive than I remember. You’ve smiled more since our reunion than I can ever recall seeing in our past.”
“Escaping an endless nightmare void will do that,” I chuckled. “I’m just thankful to be alive.”
“I too am thankful you survived such an ordeal.”
As we walked along the path towards the city I placed a hand over my heart. Suddenly realizing that I no longer felt the dark melancholic chains wrapping around it. It made me think back to what the figment of Eynhilda had said, that this form was exactly what I’d wished for.
“Kaphis,” I turned to my companion. “What did you think of me in the past? Who was I through your eyes?”
“A hero,” Kaphis chuckled. “The Caelan in my memories was always the first to throw himself against insurmountable odds. He never turned his back on an ally. Even saving me from destruction. I don’t believe many others would’ve risked their necks for a golem. Caelan saw me as no different than any other.”
“What about outside of battle?”
“I don’t have many thoughts of Caelan that do not include his prowess as a warrior. He kept to himself, spoke when spoken to. Why do you ask?”
“Just thinking,” I replied sucking in a breath. “I saw a figment of Eynhilda after my return. She said some things which I’m trying to process. I just can’t make sense of it.”
“Perhaps I could assist you? If you’re willing to share what she said.”
“Maybe later,” I nodded my head towards the city gates. “I’m afraid it’ll be something of a long conversation.”
Entry into the city seemed to be a fairly simple affair for most foot traffic. People would pull some kind of black cylinder from their bag, wave it towards a guard, and walk on in.
Things seemed a tiny bit more complex for those arriving with wagons. As a guard often requested some kind of ledger and did a quick visual inspection. All of which happened so quickly it seemed more formality than an actual check of what was being brought into the city.
“They’re probably going to want to talk to us,” I sighed. “I don’t have one of the cylinder things.”
“It does not appear as if children are being required to display anything,” Kaphis replied mirthfully.
“Still not a child,” I huffed. “But assuming they do mistake my age, wouldn’t they still expect to see yours?”
Kaphis hmmed thoughtfully. “Perhaps. Though if such things are a mark of citizenship, would they allow a golem to have such a thing?”
“Ah, guess I never thought about it. I didn’t really live long enough to see how you were treated after the war.”
“I was treated well, as the golem who fought alongside the hero. Many others of my kind were not however. People started seeing them more as tools than sentient beings. Believing our personalities were simply artificial mimicry of life.”
“That is frustrating to hear. Many golems were integral to our defense, you think people would’ve respected them more.”
“Humans die too quickly. Those born after the war become adults in the blink of an eye, and old alliances are forgotten.”
“Makes me wonder how long Mousekin live.”
“It should not be hard to discover the answer.”
Once we got close to the gate a middle-aged guard flagged us down. “Might I see your identification?” He asked Kaphis completely ignoring me.
“We come from a foreign land and do not have such a thing,” Kaphis replied.
“Foreigners eh? And you didn’t get battens made on your way here?”
“We did not.”
“Well, I guess I can’t fault you if the guards elsewhere failed to pay attention.” The guard sighed. “I’m Aurhert, if you’d follow me I’ll have your battens made.”
We followed Aurhert as he guided us through the gate and into a large brick building. Leading us past several of his colleagues Aurhert directed us into a room with a large room with a table at its center. In the middle of the table was a flat metal plate with a basin of liquid on one side.
“I’ll go grab an artificer, sit on the side closes to the liquid please.” Aurhert motioned to the table before leaving us alone in the room.
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I quickly claimed one of the seats at the table. While Kaphis opted to simply stand behind me. I gazed up at Kaphis for a moment before the realization hit me. The wooden chairs provided were probably not capable of holding my companion’s weight.
“Artificer is not a class I’m aware of,” I mused.
“From the context I imagine they’re some kind of craftsmen.”
“Ah,” I nodded before placing a hand on my stomach. “I hope these battens don’t take too long to produce. I’m starting to get hungry.”
Before Kaphis could respond, Aurhert returned with a purple-haired elf accompanying him. The elf bowed silently to us before taking a seat opposite us at the table. Placing a small bag of gems and a metal bar on the table in front of herself.
“Children are not required to have battens made,” The elf noted. Steadying her gaze on me. “But you are not a child are you?”
“I’m going to assume Aurhert thought I was,” I smiled. “You’re the first person not to be fooled by my short stature.”
“I’ve met your kind before. I am Syene, the artificer who will be taking care of you today. If you do not mind, we will do the golem first since I brought the materials for them. Then I will collect what I need to make a batten for you.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Wonderful,” Syene replied placing the gems and bar on the plate before her. “Now please place your hand in the liquid before you.”
Kaphis did as they were told and the gems surrounding the iron bar began to glow. I watched in amazement as the gems then slowly melted, fusing into the metal. Completing the process. Once the glow of magic faded Syene lifted the bar and held a small spherical glass ornament up to it.
“Kaphis, genderless, age 1,341, class Titan, level fourty-five. Is this correct?”
“Yes.”
“The artificer who made you must have been a true master for your body to have held up so long. Here is your batten. Aurhert will collect the fee for its creation once we’ve finished your companion’s.”
Syene quickly left the room after handing Kaphis their batten, only to return moments later with another iron bar. “Alright, same process. Hand in the liquid please.”
I reached for the basin of fluid only to find myself incapable of reaching it from a seated position. My cheeks heated as I stood on my chair leaning my entire body across the table before slipping my hand into the solution.
As soon as my batten was finished Syene inspected it with the glass ornament as she’d done Kaphis’s. “Caelan Quyn Kubarev, female, age nineteen, class spellsword, level nineteen. Is this correct?”
“Y-Yes.” I replied. Startled by Aurhert who’d suddenly moved to block the exit.
“What are you doing?” Syene asked glaring at her companion.
“All magic-users must be banded by law,” Aurhert replied. “We cannot let them leave until she’s been fitted with the band.”
“Banded?” I parroted the word, an uneasy feeling bubbling up inside me.
“All magic other than state-sponsored artifice is regulated within the Otorian Kingdom,” Syene sighed. Pinching her nose. “All spellcasters are required to wear an enchanted band which serves as a mana disruptor.”
“Mana disruptor? So you intend to cripple me? What if I need my magic to defend myself?”
“The band is inactive. A separate item carried by the guard captains is required to activate it. So as long as you obey the law the band will be nothing more than an unflattering accessory.”
Grinding my teeth I gazed from Syene to Aurhert. My resurrection had reduced my level significantly, but I was not powerless. Especially with Kaphis at my side. If we wanted to leave, they wouldn’t be able to stop us.
The problem with forcing our way out of here was I didn’t want to become a criminal. Not yet, not so soon after my return. Not when there were so many other things about myself I still needed time to work out.
“If we leave the kingdom,” I turned to gaze at Syene. “How do I get my band removed?”
“You don’t,” Syene pulled a black gemstone band from the pocket of her cloak. “The band will remain with you for life. However, only specific artificers within the Otorian Kingdom know how to craft the item required to activate these. You will not find anyone in other lands capable of using this against you.”
“You’re certain of that?”
“Absolutely certain.”
Sitting back in my chair I sighed. I knew they were just doing their jobs, but I couldn’t help but feel frustrated at Syene and Aurhert. The Berarn Empire had celebrated magic. Large amounts of gold were poured into organizations meant to teach the masses how to be better spellcasters.
Even young children were given magic lessons. In hopes that when they received their classes during puberty, most of them would skew towards something magical. How had a culture of magic-celebration devolved into one which persecuted mages?
“Which arm would you like your band on?” Syene asked making her way around the table.
“The left.”
“Alright.” Syene knelt down beside me and slipped the gemstone band over my hand. “Just relax, nothing will happen. I know that you’re a good girl Caelan, no one will ever have any reason to use this against you. You’ll probably even forget its purpose after a few years.”
“I doubt I will forget the fact that I am wearing a piece of jewelry capable of halving my combat potential anytime soon.”
“The powers of the band are only used against criminals Caelan. You will never know its effects. Now I’m going to shrink it onto your forearm. It’ll glow for a moment, that’s just the band harmonizing with the magic you can cast.”
As Syene had forewarned the band began to shrink until it clung tightly to my skin. Then it glowed a soft red color, followed by a golden glow. Though it was faint at first the golden light from the band began to grow more intense with each passing second. Until finally the band crumbled to dust.
Collecting up a bit of the dust between her finger Syene stared at me wide-eyed. “Caelan, what kind of magic do you use?”