[center][h2][color=orange]Cicero Bladewalker[/color]&[color=teal]Gwyneria Elfreda[/color][/h2][/center]

Cicero nodded, [color=orange]”Excellent. Follow me.”[/color] He led her through the outer sidewalk. Past folks of all kinds; poor, middle-class, and some of the more wealthy in the city. Everyone was there for a purpose. Some to gather a fortune through bets. Most would leave with empty pockets. Others for the pure spectacle of it all. Then, of course, there were the workers and contestants in the actual matches. Regardless of why they came, all had a purpose. 

After a few minutes they arrived at their destination. A quaint wagon cart with a sign that said, [i]Beorn’s Roasts[/i]. Cicero stated, [color=orange]”Here we are. It's a humble little place, but you won't find a better pork roast in the city.”[/color] He walked up to the window and ordered two medium sized roasts with fresh wine to go with it. Not too strong, but enough that they wouldn't get sick from drinking it. He paid 5 silvers for the dual meals.

Cicero waited a few minutes for their order to arrive and picked them up. He sat down at a small table behind the wagon cart. They had them set up near the shops throughout the arena. After placing their meals, stood near the seat with his back to the wall. Cicero motioned for her to have a seat and would sit down after her. Common chivalry.

Gwyn nodded and sat down.  [color=teal]”Thanks.  I’ve never been to this sort of place before.”[/color]

[color=orange]”There are many quaint places like it. You just need to know where to look.”[/color] He began to carve into his meal with the provided utensils. He ate properly, but Gwyn could tell he was holding back from completely devouring his meal. Cicero took a sip of wine and swirled it in the glass. [color=orange]”So..I've seen a man dressed in black garb. I believe he's a magic user since he disappeared after he spoke with me. Have you seen a man like him?”[/color] 

Gwyn took a sip of her wine and pondered. [color=teal]”What happened after he disappeared?  With the various ways that any wizard can disappear, the spells can be used as much of an identifier as the man’s appearance, especially when combined.  I could think of various classmates that liked the dark garb for dramatic effect.  Was there a residual entry way as he left, a sudden puff of smoke, or a simple vanishing?”[/color]  Then she took her own civilized bites from the pork roast.

Cicero listened to her and looked thoughtful as she finished. He waited a few seconds before responding, having taken another sip of wine, [color=orange]”He simply [i]disappeared.[/i] No smoke. No flashing lights. Just [i]gone[/i].”[/color] He leaned in closer and continued, almost whispering, [color=orange]”You know what’s even more strange? After he had already gone, I heard his voice laughing saying something about being ‘perfect for it.’”[/color] Cicero leaned back and glanced around to make sure no one else was listening and resumed carving his roast. Cicero continued chewing as he listened. 

[color=teal]”Hm,”[/color] she replied.  [color=teal]  “Well, there’s certainly some possible explanations.  Either he truly teleported away then talked to you via telepathy or some form of vocal projection or he never actually left you in the first place.”[/color]  Gwyn glanced around to make sure no one was watching before setting down her silverware and smiled. [color=teal]”There was an aspect of light magic discovered that showed how light rays could be shaped not only to create illusions but to outright hide a person.  For instance, now you see me.”[/color] A snap of her fingers and the invisible spell was cast, instantly hiding her form from view.  [color=teal]”Now you don’t.”[/color]  Oh if only her eyes weren’t blocked by the spell to be able to see his reaction.  [color=teal]”Intriguing right?”[/color]

When Gwyn disappeared Cicero began choking on his food in surprise, [color=orange]”[b][i]Gak! Awk![/i][/b][/color] The food was dislodged from his throat and he managed to swallow it without another incident. After clearing his throat with some wine he stated, [color=orange]”I thought you were a [i]healer[/i], not some powerful [i]mage[/i].”[/color] He looked around nervously, [color=orange]”Alright I get it. It could be an invisibility spell. If that's the case he could still be around..”[/color] Cicero did not like the thought. After Gwyn became visible again Cicero asked,[color=orange]”Is there any way to sense an invisibility spell?”[/color] He truly hoped there was. 

At the sound of his coughing, Gwyn laughed and revealed herself. [color=teal]”Did it look something like that? A beginner can easily be detected by the fuzziness of their bended light, but a true master can only be detected by scent, noise, and feel if they bump into you or vice-versa.   Of course, that’s only what I’m familiar with.  There’s more than I know about.  Something that a library or a similar respiratory of knowledge might contain.”[/color] She leaned back.  [color=teal]”Any place like that in this city?”[/color]

Cicero raised an eyebrow as Gwyn laughed. He smiled at his own expense and listened as she asked about a place of wisdom within Alvion as well as the look of the disappearance from earlier. Cicero replied, [color=orange]”It [i]did[/i] look like that. As for information centers...there are a number of them, but I'm not too familiar myself. I studied the [i]martial arts[/i] not the magical ones. Alvion [i]is[/i] known for training some powerful mages, however. I would start at the Royal Alvion Library.”[/color] Then he continued eating, having almost finished his meal. 

Gwyn nodded as she took another sip.[color=teal]”Yes, that sounds like the sort of place I was thinking of.”[/color]  She paused, considering.  He seemed a better city guide than the barkeep and definitely more knowledgeable.  She squared her shoulders. [color=teal]Perhaps, after the fights, you might take me there? I really don’t know my way around here and it might lead to answers about your mystery man.”[/color]

Cicero smirked, [color=orange]”If I survive I'd be happy to show you around.”[/color] Then he chuckled, [color=orange]”Once I get through this tourney we can search the library. Things are [i]moving[/i] in this city and I'm not exactly sure what's going on.”[/color] Then he looked her right in the eye, [color=orange]”Perhaps we have been brought together for such a time as this.”[/color] He looked down at his food and drink. Then he finished his roast and gulped the last of his wine. [color=orange]”Ahh...I am finished. If you are quite done we could get a view of the battlegrounds before my bout. The last person I asked to be my coach refused. Would you be interested for a share of the winnings? I realize you are not into the martial arts, but your observations could prove invaluable.”[/color]

Gwyn smiled as she finished her own meal.  [color=teal]”I’d be happy to help in any way I can.  Though you might want to wait and see of what quality my observations are before you offer wages.”[/color]