Graves and the Grave [Anton]

[Eadfrid]

3 Fall 512 Finding a job. Since his induction into the Order of Transcendence, that had been Eadfrid's highest priority. He had made a decision to stay in Alvadas to look for a job. The city of illusions intrigued him. It was definitely a change of pace from the calm atmosphere of the farm that he'd grown up on. There, everything had been constant, unchanging, ordered. That was one of the best parts of the farm. Nothing really changed outside the Graves' daily routine. On the farm, Eadfrid felt as if he had a strong purpose in life. He wasn't getting that from here. everything felt chaotic and out of place. He hadn't been expecting the Summer in Alvadas to bring the snows of Winter forth. It wasn't right, and he hadn't been prepared for it. His first day in Alvadas almost saw him freeze. And of course, there were the prospective jobs. None of them seemed to fit Eadfrid. He wanted to do something that involved magic, and improve his skill. Maybe even learn how to produce lightning. Today was different. Most days in Alvadas brought him new sights, sounds and sensations. But this wasn't like the other sensations. Something was out of place in the city of illusions. Moreso than anything else. As if something was reaching out from beyond the mists of the city, maybe even the mists of the world. Though Eadfrid was only a novice Spiritist, he was able to sense ghosts if they were nearby. He had only encountered a ghost on one occasion. On the road from Zeltiva to Sylira. It had drifted right past him. The encounter was momentary, but he would remember the sensation forever. It was chilling, almost sickening. It had filled Eadfrid's lungs, mind, even his heart. He remembered it, because he was experiencing the exact same sensation now.