Wizards of the fourth Tier

"I heard there would be a contest of magical skill coming to this area soon, I know I'm not exceptional and I probably won't win but it never hurts to try with these things" He replies smiling as he puts his hand out.

"You're being modest, that was a fourth tier spell, not exactly  common magic" Valstad said shaking the hand

"And? There are a lot of fourth tier wizards out there with far greater skill and discipline than myself " He replies as he firmly shakes the hand.

"Yeah, but 99 percent of them are around 40, or me" Valstad ad said matter of factly

"You make a good point, but it's that very age that makes me humble, not only do they have the intellect and skill, they have experience , a valuable trait in our dangerous often ridiculous trade wouldn't you say?"He replies as he stares over his defeated opponents "I should probably get to town and inform the constables of their actions, lest they find some way to free themselves and go on to terrorize others"

"You should, i'm working on expanding my mind for tier 5."  Valstad said , and added "Well I ought to be on my way"

"It would seem so " He states a he coughs lightly "Damn lightning bolts sure leave a mark am I right?" He says as he looks down to the burnt gash on the side of his torso.

"Yeah  They're pretty fun though" One of his favorite  spells was a hail of  homing lightning spears

"Perhaps I haven't really delved to far into storm spells, to fast for my liking , to unpredictable,I prefer hydromancy" He replies nodding "So , speaking of the contest is there any chance I could see you there?"

"I have more important things to do then compete in tournaments, like i'm from Eros" They young, and evidently Arrogant wizard said "I'm clearing out this area's goblin tribes for some villages."

"Hmmn I see" The man's smile sours a bit but doesn't entirely vanish "Well I suppose I should leave you be" He states cheer evident in his voice as he begins to march off towards the village.

Valstad nods with a neutral, and aloof expression. He noticed the souring smile, and was a bit annoyed by it, was he supposed to feel guilty that he was helping  the frontier civilians instead of playing their silly pissing contest game.

Ephraim isn't sure how to feel about that guy,he seems nice enough if a little arrogant . That's fine, he doesn't think he has the right to judge other people ,maybe Val has the right idea. With a small passing wave he continues down his path towards the office of the town sheriff.

The nearest town is about a mile away, it's a poor farming village  with ood stone, and even straw houses, little distinguishes one from the others, it's afar cry from the crystal city they grew up in, so named for its great wizard towers topped with crystals of power

Ephraem takes a pause as he reaches the town center, examining his surroundings in hopes of finding his destination,the office of the sheriff .

there's obviously no clear sheriff's office, or a jail, only a gallows

Ephraem huffs a little, the gallows mean that there is someone keeping the law here unless the village is under mob rule. So there must be a place for the lawmen to stay right? With an air of vigilance he makes his way through the small town looking for any place where they could be.

"There is a gaunt man outside of one of the houses chopping wood on a stump

Ephraim jogs over to the man with a polite smile on his face "Ummn sir not to bother you but would you happen to know the location of any lawmen around here?" He asks

"Don't have one" The man said with a ... very remote accent. "We got the mayor, and the militia."

"Oh I see , thank you sir I won't take up anymore of your time" And with that he's off, perhaps he can inform this militia of his troubles with those bandits up in the hills.

"Wadya need i'm militia myself?" he said grabbing his nearby wizard staff in case there is trouble

"Oh, good to hear, there was this group of brigands in the hills to the south " He states pointing towards the highlands tin that direction "They accosted me , shot down my carriage as it moved, I managed to outsmart them and transformed their clothing into lead , but I don't know how long it'll take them to get away"

"i'll round up the boys, and we'll get em to the gallows" The man assured the wizard

Ephraem nods "Alrighty then if you must" He's never been a big supporter of the death penalty , but he understands why it exists and he won't protest it's use in situations like this.