Mythshaper

The City of Klearon was the heart of the district of Dimir, even though it was situated at the intersection of four other districts. The city was not founded simply because five separate districts met at their borders—history suggested the opposite.

The city was formed first, on account of a stabilised Waygate—which could transport people thousands of miles in mere minutes—then the district came to be. Thanks to the Waygate, Klearon served as the central city for the entire western outskirts of the empire. Of course, nothing suggested Klearon to be a backwater city, even though it was founded a mere hundred and fifty years ago. This late foundation favoured Klearon, allowing it to benefit from the latest innovations and mechanisms to erect a city of magnificence.

As I walked between my parents on the fine cobblestone path, I rarely saw any hardwood houses like ours. On both sides of us, tall establishments of stone and concrete stood, clustered together, squeezing for every inch of space. Business and trade thrived in the city, unlike in Karmel Valley, where the main occupation was farming and rearing animals.

I counted thirteen inns and taverns on the way, each larger than the two we had in Karmel combined. We came to a halt before one called The Lonely Wanderer. Inside, a dozen or more people lazed and ate—excluding the attendants—already telling me the inn was, in fact, not for lonely wanderers.

“Ash!”

A voice caught my mother’s attention before mine, and I spotted my aunt at one of the empty tables in the lounge, a book in hand.

“You didn’t tell me Aunt would be here?” I grumbled, though delighted at the surprise. Mum smiled as I ran to the table.

I was big enough now that my aunt would have trouble swooping me up in her arms, though I was sure she would manage fine with her magical power. She settled for embracing me gently, stroking my hair.

“Is Rose with you?” I asked, my eyes wandering in search of my other aunt.

“Unfortunately,” Aunt Emi said, “she doesn’t have much leeway now that she’s entered the Oracle Academy. She has to study for two whole seasons before she can get a break.”

For some reason, my expression dropped a little. It wasn’t that I missed that goblin, but she was the only one who showed me magic and what was possible with it. I loved Aunt Emi, but she merely smiled when I asked her to demonstrate. The last time she visited, she demonstrated a telekinesis spell and a little fireworks.