Chapter 4.
Obran and Erkin walked along the crowded cobblestone streets to the university, which was located near the heart of the city. Roma was packed full of tenements, buildings, shops, inns and taverns and Obran saw new construction everywhere. It didn't look like the city that he'd seen under siege just a year earlier. Obran now felt some regret that he hadn't visited more often; he didn't have to live in the capital but maybe there were some things worth exploring, some things worth learning.
"You can take a tour later," Erkin said, "I don't want to be late, c'mon."
They reached the western end of Roma next to the city park and the Capitoline Temple dedicated to Jupiter; nearby Obran saw the new forum was being built, a sprawling area which would replace the old castle and inner city as the new center of Roma. Muscular dwarves carried large slabs of marbles, while stone-cutters chipped away at pillars and facades.
The university campus had its own gate. Inside was a large square with nearly a dozen buildings, each with its own banners and colors representing its department. There was also a large atrium park in the center of the complex where many students sat, reading or chatting. Erkin studied in the engineering department but he had told Obran there were several other departments including: astronomy, mathematics, rhetoric, art, and biological sciences.
"I still have a few minutes before class," Erkin said. "Come in and look around the workshop a bit."
The workshop was a large space in the engineering building where Erkin had a small draftsmans desk and chest. His brother was a full time student but since he was not rich or a patrician nobleman he was expected to clean the workshop and prepare materials for upperclassmen and professors. Nevertheless, he said several professors had noticed his abilities and given him his own workspace. A few feet away a human sat alone at his own desk, writing and scribbling, appearing as if he were detached from the world. He was a skinny kid, with fussy, unkempt, brownish-reddish hair. Obran felt a bit out of place now; Everyone here is educated. Erkin had taught him to read but he never bothered reading the texts Erkin brought home. He preferred myths, stories, and history books.
"Morning, Tomas. Sorry I'm late. Thanks for cleaning up the place," Erkin said. "Did the headmistress come yet?"
So this is Tomas, Obran thought. Erkin had mentioned that Tomas was his only friend at the university, that he was also a first year student and a war orphan from the north—Etruria—who had been partnered with Erkin due to their poor backgrounds and because neither was a native Roman.
"Oh, hi Erkin. Don't worry she hasn't been here yet. I'm glad you are here though. There's something I wanted to show you," Tomas said.
He shuffled through some papers. On them Obran saw designs for things such as lenses, screws, springs, wheels, and for other things he didn't begin to understand.
"Oh, hello," Tomas said when he finally noticed Obran.
"Tomas, this is my brother, Obran," Erkin said.
Tomas stood up and gave Obran the formal Roman salute; it wasn't a gremlin habit but Obran knew it from the army and obliged Tomas since he seemed so excited to meet him.
"Nice to meet you, sir Obran. Your brother has told me a lot about you. He talks about you all the time."
"Nice to meet you too," Obran said. "And I hope Erkin has only said good things."
"Always, always, he's always talking about your cooking and your deeds in the war and how many medals and laurels you won...and...".
"Tomas, don't let his head get any bigger," Erkin interrupted.
"Oh...but anyway. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir," Tomas said.
"Thanks, but just call me Obran. I'm not in the army anymore, and my brother has said many nice things about you as well," Obran said.
It was true. Erkin had often talked about Tomas. How they went to the circus to see the races, and to taverns to drink and gamble, and mostly about how smart he was, being a wiz with numbers. But all Obran saw was a tall, lanky kid who didn't look older than sixteen.
"I've told Tomas we'd love to have him over to our home sometime," Erkin said.
"I wouldn't want to impose," Tomas said.
Erkin had mentioned it but Obran had been resistant to the idea of having a human over; he'd even made the entrance small enough so only a gremlin could enter—insurance in case of an attack or robbery. But now, seeing Tomas, such a young kid, who was so respectful and treated his brother so well it seemed only honorable to invite him over. Besides, he thought about Victoria again. What if she came to the forest again? I'll have to open up the burrow hole so she can fit too.
"Tomas, maybe this Sunday you can come visit. It is about time we had more people over," Obran said.
Erkin's ears drooped again; he looked perplexed as if he wasn't sure to be excited or worried about Obran's behavior.
"Are you sure?," Tomas said.
"It would be my pleasure," Obran said.
"Our pleasure," Erkin added.
"Thanks, to both of you. It would be nice to get out of the city," Tomas said. "Oh Erkin, I wanted you to look at some ideas before class."
He showed Erkin some designs.
"I think this will make the new mini-clock work better; it won't lose as much time now."
"Yeah, I had some thoughts on that too," Erkin said. "Obran, come look at this before we go to class."
Erkin opened his chest and took out a small metallic object. It was the size of an apple, full of gears and springs and looked rather intricate.
"Be careful. It's kind of delicate," Erkin said.
Obran's gremlin curiosity took hold again; he wanted to know what it did and even take it apart, just to try to put it back together.
"What is it?" Obran said.
"It's a miniature clock," Erkin said. "It tells time, just like the clock tower in the forum. They make these in the east but never this small."
"It is really small," Obran said. "Can it really tell time?"
He saw levers that looked like sundials and stared at them waiting for them to move.
"You want it? You could use it to time out your recipes but you have to wind it in the morning and at night," Erkin said.
"I don't know; it looks expensive and I don't even need an hourglass to cook anymore," Obran said.
"It wasn't expensive. We get to use the scrap metal from all the weapons they are making here. That's why we've been focusing on miniatures," Erkin said.
"You two made this together?" Obran said.
"Yeah, in our spare time," Erkin said.
"It's still losing some time each day but the department head wants to take one to the palace," Tomas said. "I've been stalling him. He was here earlier, Erkin. Checking up on us I think, but I didn't let him see anything important. But I still want you to keep it at your home, along with some more designs."
"Wait, why don't you both go to the palace? You're the ones who made it." Obran said, still staring at his new clock.
"It's not that simple," Erkin said.
"Hmm...sounds simple to me. You two do all the work and someone else gets the credit."
"There's a hierarchy here. You were in the army, you should understand," Erkin said.
"You're right...I guess I understand," Obran said, remembering how strict Roman order and hierarchy could be.
"I'd be nervous to go to the castle," Tomas said. "I don't think I could ever talk to a senator or a royal."
"C'mon Tomas, most of the students here are sons of patricians and senators. Have they impressed you?" Erkin said.
"Well...not really," Tomas said.
"You're just scared a pretty noble girl might talk to you," Erkin said.
"Hey, don't bring that up..." Tomas said, looking embarrassed.
But Erkin's joke reminded Obran how starstruck he'd been by the princess that morning.
"Tomas, did you know my brother met the princess from Carthagio today," Erkin said as if he'd read his mind. How does he do it?
"Really?" Tomas said. "In the university? I heard she wanted to study here."
"No, not here," Erkin said. "You know they wouldn't let a girl study here. Obran met her in our forest."
"Wow...so what was she like? I hear she's really pretty," Tomas said.
"Yeah, tell us all about it," Erkin said.
"Hey look. This clock says it's time for your classes and I think I'll take my tour now," Obran said.
Erkin's ears drooped and Tomas just looked confused. But Obran wasn't ready to talk about Victoria yet, not with Erkin, let alone with a new friend. Besides, Obran wasn't even sure what he felt, just that he could not take his mind off Victoria. He needed to think. Maybe a walk would help.
"Take the clock but don't forget to wind it," Erkin said.
"I'll leave it here and pick it up later," Obran said and handed it back to Erkin.
"Okay, but be at the campus gate at noon so we can all get lunch," Erkin said.
"Yeah, I'll hear the clock at the square and see the sun too," Obran said.
"See ya both later."
Obran dashed out before they could even say farewell.
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