The Once and Future Nerd.

Book 1, Princes of Yorden.

Chapter 1, The Prince of Yorton.

From their position atop the hill, the party could see the shimmering tower stretching up to the sky and the city of Armstrong Guard spread out around it.

Let me guess.

We need people designed that tower.

It's called Cockenshireville Townenburg or something, right?

You're mixing old English place names with Germanic place names.

It's probably either Cockingshire or Cochingberg.

That is the College of Armstrongard.

And yes, my people did build it as a show of good faith to All Mem yet.

How'd they get it so shiny?

I got a few guesses.

It was made from the tusks of great beasts that once roamed the northern deserts.

Elephants?

There's elephants here?

There were, before the tower.

Brennan noticed Jen's face drop in disappointment.

We've heard there might still be some on the other side of the mountains. Don't sweat it, babe. When we get back home, I'll wind you another stuffed elephant at the fair.

My family owns a few stuffed elephants. Not helping, we need.

They entered the city shortly after dawn and headed straight for its market district.

Even this early, it was already bustling with merchants and buyers of all backgrounds and walks of life.

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