Enzo awoke to the worst headache of his life. Everything was sore, but his head pounded like the spirit of an ancient smith had chosen his skull to shape for the day. He groggily stood up and glanced around. The fog in his mind was difficult to wade through.

Did I pass out at Tobias’s house last night?

Slowly, the events of the previous day began to play through his mind. The hours in the forge, working the dragonstone. The fire whiskey that hadn’t seemed to be affecting him until he stopped working. He heard the sounds of someone washing dishes nearby and slowly shuffled in that direction.

Tobias stood in the kitchen, cleaning up the rest of his breakfast. The morning sun shone through the window, and Enzo shielded his eyes from the light. Tobias offered him a steaming mug.

“Drink up, son,” the old smith said, before turning back to the cupboard. “It’s not as strong as the stuff Olena makes, but it’ll help clear out the fogginess. I’ll find you something light to eat, that whiskey took its toll on you.”

Enzo accepted the mug and sipped on the tea. The mint flavor intertwined with the warmth of the mug settled his stomach some and he slid into a chair at the table with a small smile on his face.

“How did it turn out?” Enzo managed to ask as Tobias prepared a plate of fruit. The old man set the food in front of Enzo and took a seat across from him.

“Exceptionally well,” Tobias replied, a note of pride in his voice. “Couldn’t have done it without you, we gained at least three or four hours of time to shape the dragonstone thanks to your work with the heat. As a result, you have an elegant, deadly weapon.”

Enzo beamed between bites of fruit. Even the excessive fatigue couldn’t diminish his excitement.

“So, what’s next then? Another marathon carving session?” the young man asked.

“For you, nothing,” Tobias stated. “I’ll put together the finishing touches and carve the handle. While I prepare the wood, the head will sit in the heart of the furnace and begin its initial charge.” As Enzo finished eating the fruit, Tobias took the plate from him and quickly wiped it clean.

“You’ll be able to speed things along by adding your own mana in a few days, but it’s best to let the dragonstone absorb the natural mana first,” he continued. “Something about the process of the first charge just works better when it is done slowly.”

Enzo nodded. Not like I’m in any kind of shape to keep working. The food and tea had helped settle his stomach and clear his head but the soreness remained and the headache still throbbed.

“It’s not just a hangover you feel today,” Tobias said as he watched his protege. “You burned through more mana than your body ever has before. You’d be in serious pain without the whiskey amplifying your control.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Enzo slumped in the chair. “Recovery day then? I don’t feel like I can do much more than sleep and eat right now.”

“Indeed. I’ll speak with Gunnar and let him know the situation,” Tobias replied. “You’ve earned a day off and I’m sure he’ll agree. Go see Cornelia, she might be able to assist you in improving your abilities with your Affinity.”

“You didn’t seem to think she’d be interested in teaching me last night,” Enzo responded.

Tobias shrugged. “Doesn’t hurt to ask, and what else are you going to do today?”

“Sleep?” Enzo probed hopefully.

The old smith just chuckled. “You’ve already slept a good bit later than normal, can’t let you get lazy after one good day of work.”

Enzo groaned and stood from the table, but the earlier smile returned to his face. He looked up and met Tobias’s eyes. “I really can’t wait to try out the hammer. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

Tobias returned his grin. “Absolutely, my boy. Can’t have you wandering through the world without a means to protect yourself.”

Enzo turned and slowly left the warmth of the kitchen, stepping out into the cool air of the late morning. The village moved slower at this time of year. People still chopped wood and collected herbs from the surrounding forest, but the majority of the work was wrapping up for the year.

The guards waved to him as he walked down the main road to Cornelia’s house, and he waved back warmly. The sense of being a part of the community was nice, and he was glad to have found a home here.

Enzo rounded the tall wall of bushes as usual, and found the normal separation in the branches that he used to enter Cornelia’s domain. As always, the warm air and total seclusion of the garden left him feeling like he was in a different world.

This time, the garden had a more ominous feel to it. Bushes and vines grew all through the area, devouring the neatly planted rows of fruits and vegetables that had dominated the last time he’d visited. Brambles snared his shirt as Enzo attempted to push through the dense garden. Dark tree limbs appeared overhead and blocked out the sun. Each step plunged him further into the darkness of a deep, ancient forest. The oak that served as Cornelia’s home was nowhere in sight.

“Cornelia?” Enzo called out, suddenly extremely aware that he was already lost within the garden. “Cornelia? It’s me, Enzo. Where are you?”

The wind rushed through the leaves of the trees overhead. Enzo felt a crushing presence, overwhelming him with despair. He desperately looked around for any sign of a pathway out of the garden, but he was entirely trapped.

“You dare enter my garden, uninvited?” whispered Cornelia’s harsh voice on the wind. “After all I’ve done for you…”

“I’m sorry! I don't know what I’ve done wrong, but I promise I’ll make it right!” Enzo cried into the abyss.

“I bothered to grow your request… I told you when to return…” she continued eerily.

My request? What is she talking about…

“The zucchini you fool! You ask a favor and then forget about it, only to show up to ask another! Begone!”

A thick vine wrapped around Enzo’s torso. He fought against the plant, but his struggles were in vain. The more he moved, the tighter the vine gripped, adding layer upon layer of thick vegetation. Just as he thought it couldn’t get much worse, the vine lifted him into the air and tossed him from the garden. He landed heavily on the street outside Cornelia’s house and watched as the trees writhed above the row of hedges.

The zucchini… damn it, I’m an idiot. I’ll have to find some way to make up with her…