He made his way towards the Sun District -- where Sydney's shop was. It was in the 'darker' part of the trade district -- which was split up into two parts. The larger part of the trade district was inside the first ring around the inner walls of the castle. There was a second and yet a third wall, but commoners were only permitted in the first ring. The whole part of the inner ring made the larger part of the trade district, and within it a number of various types of merchants, merchant guilds, restaurants, bars, and inns resided. Directly outside of the wall was the smaller part of the trade district, where the smaller and often shadier shops were. The further from the entrance of the wall, the shadier they seemed to get. Sydney's shop was on the outside of the wall, but close enough to the entrance of the main trade district that he -- mostly -- didn't fear being mugged on his way into it.
He walked down the main road. When the road was empty -- if it ever was -- the castle doors could be seen from the entrance of the city some several miles away. He had only seen the road emptied for days when the royal family paraded down the street, usually in celebration of something -- the last time had been the princess' 10th birthday. He vaguely recalled that parade, he had been 15 at the time, and it had been one of the last times his father had visited. Come to think of it, he pondered, that had been the last time his father had visited.
He slowed in step, looking up at one of the taller inn establishments built on the main road. There were many, but this had been the last one he had been drinking at when Felicia found him. He slowly reached up his hand to run his fingers through his hair, frowning slightly. He had been able to return home, as though it were nothing, in the end -- just as she had said. But when they had last met, here at this inn, she had told him to find a job and make a living for himself. It was strange how she was younger, not nearly as smart, and not someone he could begin to trust to take on strange monsters and creatures out in the forest... Yet she was making a living for herself doing just that, while he was not doing anything for himself. He took a deep breath, slowly letting it out and continued to walk down the road. Well, getting rid of the last of his copper coins would either make him get serious about it or he'd starve to death.
"Lionel!?"
Lionel slowly turned around to the sound of the voice behind him. A man he didn't know stood there, staring at him. He frowned slowly, trying to recall who this man was.
"My apologies," Lionel said hesitantly. "Are you... speaking to me?"
"I knew it was you, Lionel Caeshura!"
"Um," Lionel looked around quickly; perhaps there was another 'Lionel Caeshura' in the city? No one else was looking at them, of course. He looked back to the man once more. He was older, perhaps in his late sixties, with slicked back white hair. He was pudgy and looked as though the stress of his life was getting to him. He quickly approached Lionel, clapping him heartily on the shoulder, nearly sending the unsuspecting younger man toppling over. "U, um...!"
"I was looking for you, boy!"
"I, I... um, do we... Have we... perchance... met before? I am afraid I do not know you..."
"Well," the man laughed, clapping him on the shoulder again. "It has been a while! You were still just a lad when we met last! I'm Gray; certainly you must remember my name!"
"Gray," Lionel repeated, looking at the man intently as though he may remember his face.
"Come here, boy," Gray beckoned, walking towards the trade district. "Let's find a place we can talk."
Lionel, despite his suspicions, followed.
"Um... how is it that you know me?"
"I'm friends with your parents, boy, and your Master too," Gray explained as they walked. "I've been trying to get in contact with Mischa, so that I might ask her for your help."
"My help...?"
"Let's talk over food and drinks, boy," Gray smiled at him. "No sense talking out here where your feet will tire."
He reluctantly followed the man into a fancy looking restaurant, where the tables were covered with white, lacy table clothes and vases with seasonal flowers. Before Lionel could even claim he was not hungry, nor financially prepared for this place, he found himself seated with the man in a private booth and the man rattled off several items on the menu. Lionel felt his fingertips grow cold and sweaty with each item, as he looked at the prices on the menu. He could not afford a single item on this menu, except the water -- which was not free but cost ten copper.
He nervously looked up at the older man, keeping his hands clenched in his lap to avoid taking a drink of the water.
"You said you want my help..."
"I've need for a tutor," Gray explained, taking a drink of the water casually. Lionel felt himself freaking out inside, his parents had been acquaintances with someone who could afford to drink a glass of -- undoubtedly normal water -- that cost ten copper?! "I was told of how smart you are, and I wanted to ask Mischa if you had finished your studies... So that I might employ as a tutor for a while."
Gray was smiling as he spoke. Lionel, on the other hand, was not.
"Um... you said you are friends with my parents..."
"Yes, I'm sure Mischa taught you to be a cautious boy, she was a smart teacher after all," Gray nodded. "I was once your Father's teacher, when he was but a lad as well."
"O, oh," Lionel frowned, looking away slowly towards the glass of water on the table. He felt as though he could use a mug of ale, rather than a glass of water. He was also feeling a tinge of unjustified anger that someone taught his father when he had been young.
"He travelled with your Master around, teaching her magic for a while, and he met your Mother on their travels," Gray nodded quietly, as if the information about the man were interesting to Lionel. "He settled down with her in Lunaria after you were born, and then you moved here to Elysia to live with your Master once she passed away. We've met several times since then, but last when you were thirteen."
"I am sorry, but I do not remember you," Lionel said, smiling weakly as he quickly stood. "Well then, please excuse me... I must be going."
"Sit down, sit down!" Gray said quickly, "At least hear me out!"
Lionel sighed, slowly seating himself again.
"Please make it quick..."
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