The town looked like a leper colony. Walking through Main St. Rhion couldn’t help staring at those that had lost hands, arms, or eyes. Thankfully many of the citizens wore half-masks that covered the lower half of their face. Rion watched curiously as a one-legged man guided a blind man into bakery. It was as the people back home had said- the cost of magic was heavy.

Despite an entire street full of warning signs, Rhion was determined to learn the art of spellcasting. He was thankful though, that there weren’t any of the wit-lost running rampant any longer. Rumors had spread as far as his home about magic gone mad. The ruling council here, in their first unanimous decision, had decided that no one could access that kind of power if the price was giving up your ability to wield it responsibly.

He fingered the application folded in his pouch as he made his way to the grand tower that dominated the city. This close to his goal, he still wondered what exactly he would sacrifice for power. Or for vengeance.