Tés Aváir

Tés Aváir is a large town on the island next to Déynáir. Its name is already on an iron sign above one of the quays in the tunnel behind the Fonté Hall, long before Chris sees the town. Students take the ferry over from the quay below the castle, and the crossing is long enough for Ahra to explain the whole currency to Chris on the way.

The Streets

The houses stand close together along narrow streets. They are built of stone in deep colours like red, gold and moss green, and the plants on the balconies move as if they were listening in on the conversations below. During the day the streets are mostly full of women and children. Retia explains that the men are at work, most of them in the Council or in the town’s businesses. Arvia says, a little lower, that the War has taken a great many.

As autumn wears on, the mood changes. Patrols of Tueriers walk the streets, and some shops have boards over their windows.

The Shops

The town is home to the places every new student has to visit:

• Miss Hartia’s, where you get your white robes and uniform. The clothes are sent straight to the school.
• The Golden Book, a bookshop with a golden book for a sign. The books inside move around and whisper.
• The Smith’s Den, where students get their sword and dagger.
• Surain’s Pet Shop, where the path to your Amícûs begins.
• The Hitlaro Bank, down a side street, where a dwarf takes charge of the keys.

Retia’s family also lives in the town, in a white three-storey house with a red roof.