Brian Pratt - The unsuspecting mage

James takes his seat at the table and joins Miko in helping himself to the breakfast. He has barely taken his second bite before Miko finishes his portion and is looking longingly at him for more. “Go ahead, take as much as you want,” James tells him. “Did your parents even feed you this morning?”

“Ain’t got any,” answers Miko.

“You don’t have any family at all?” he asks.

Between mouthfuls of food, Miko explains, “Got an aunt somewhere up north, but she don’t care nothing about me.”

“That’s too bad,” James says.

“I can take care of myself,” Miko boasts. “Don’t be needing nothing from nobody,”

“After we eat, we’ll get started on those errands of mine,” he explains.

Talking through a mouthful of eggs, Miko asks, “Like what?”

“I need to buy some things, like parchment, ink and something to carry it all in so it won’t get messed up,” he explains.

“Know a place across the river on the south side. It’s over in the Temple District. Brockman’s, it sells stuff like that to the temples and scribes.” Looking at James, Miko asks, “How much you gonna pay me to show you?”

Smiling, James replies, “I’ll feed you while you’re with me and a silver a day.” Seeing the boy’s eyes open wide, he asks “If you think that will be okay?”

Nodding vigorously, Miko says “No one’s ever given me that much before. Thanks!”

“No problem, just don’t do me wrong,” he cautions the lad.

“Oh, no sir, I won’t,” Miko says earnestly. He snatches the last of the biscuits and tries to slather more jelly on it than the biscuit will hold. With jelly dripping off most of the sides he stuffs it into his mouth. Seeing that James is also finishing the last traces of eggs left on his plate, Miko wipes the excess jelly off of his face with his arm then gets to his feet and waits.

“I was wondering if there was a place that cleans clothes. Maybe even a bathhouse nearby?” asks James.

Thinking a bit, Miko says “The people here at the inn would probably get it done for you. They might even supply a bath here in your room. Some of the better inns do that.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” James exclaims. “Thanks, you’re already coming in handy.”

Miko beams at the praise.

Knock! Knock!

Miko immediately crosses to the door and opens it for James. The waiter who brought the food walks into the room. “If you are done, sir, I can take them back to the kitchen,” he says, indicating the dirty plates.

“Go ahead, I think we’re done,” James says. “Oh, and could I get some of my clothes cleaned while I am out today?”

“We can take care of that for you, sir,” agrees the man. “Just leave what you wish cleaned on the table. Then on your way out let one of us know and we will come and collect them. You should have them back by this evening.”

“Excellent, thank you,” says James. “Also, is it possible to have a bath here in the room?”

“Yes, we do have tubs that we can bring in for the guests,” explains the man. “Would you like one now, sir?”

“No, I can wait till tonight. How much notice do you need to get it ready?” he asks.

“Very little, just let us know,” replies the man. Gathering up the last of the dishes, he walks over to the door and leaves. Miko closes the door behind him.

“What do you want a bath for anyway?” asks Miko.

“Feels good, you don’t stink and you stay healthier,” replies James. “Haven’t you ever taken a bath before?”

“Naw, don’t like ‘em,” says Miko emphatically. “Fell in the river once, though.”

Miko waits patiently while James changes out of his dirty clothes and puts on a clean set he purchased back in Trendle. Once he has them on, he looks at himself in the ‘native attire’. Admiring himself, he thinks, Not bad. He folds and places his dirty clothes on the table then grabs his backpack. Indicating for Miko that it’s time to go, he follows the boy out the door and locks it with his key.

Downstairs, he informs a member of the staff about his dirty clothes and arranges for their cleaning. Turning to Miko he says, “Let’s go.” Following the boy, James heads out the door and enters a street filled with people going about their business.

Miko leads him through the throng and after a short distance, come to the bridge they crossed the day before on the way to the inn. He crosses the bridge and soon arrives at what James assumes is the temple district. Several large buildings that have the look of temples line the street on both sides. Some are made of simple stone and wood while others are quite impressive with ornamentation and delicate architecture.

Passing the temples, Miko stops in front of a modest shop with a single door and window. He opens the door and goes inside.

James can see that this must be Brockman’s, the place Miko had told him about. Many shelves line the walls and are stacked with reams of paper, quills, and ink bottles. Ten tables are spaced about the shop, several having men busily copying manuscripts. He peers over the shoulder of the nearest and can tell that this scribe has a good, artistic talent. The page is beautiful with multiple colors and flourishes highlighting the script.

“Welcome good sir to Brockman’s Manuscripts.” James turns to find a man who’s smiling at him warmly. “I am Brockman,” he says as he extends a hand in greeting. James shakes his hand and asks “You copy manuscripts here?”

“Many nobles pay for copies of important works so they may have them in their own personal library.” Motioning to the man whose handiwork James had been admiring, he says, “For instance, Lord Beleron has contracted with us for a copy of the Story of Beltine for his daughter. It’s a favorite storybook among the nobles these days.”

“That is very good work,” praises James.

“Nothing but the best from Brockman’s Manuscripts. What can I help you with today?” Standing patiently, Brockman looks at James expectantly.

“I need a kit containing paper, ink and quills that I may take on my travels,” he explains. “What would you suggest?”

“I may have what you need,” Brockman says, “follow me.” He leads James around the room to one of the shelves and pulls down a wooden box.

Brockman opens the box and James can see it’s what he wanted. It has holders for inkwells and even an enclosed compartment for quills. There is also an open area where unused sheets of paper are stored. It reminds him of a briefcase, only bulkier.

“Would this be to your liking, sir?” asks Brockman.

Taking the case, James sees that it is not as heavy as he expected. Nodding he says, “Yes. I think it will suit me just fine. I would need to purchase the ink, quills and parchment as well.”

Taking James to another table, Brockman launches into an explanation of the various items he carries. He didn’t realize there were so many different types of each to be had. He finally settles on three bottles of ink, two black and one red. A set of ten quills, half fine points and half broad points. Selecting parchment takes the longest time, for there were more choices. There was thin parchment, but it wouldn’t hold up long and very high quality parchment that would last a lifetime but at a gold a piece. He finally decides on something in between, not too thick but would last for a while.

When he finally settles on all the items he wants, Brockman tells him how much and James digs into his pouch and hands over the amount requested. Brockman takes the money and says with great enthusiasm, “Thank you sir. Would you like me to have it delivered for you?”

“Yes,” says James. “I am staying at the Flying Swan and I’m staying in room ten.”