Chapter 4
There were several minutes of silence while I attempted to catch my breath, and clear my vision. The armored man picked up the woman I had beaten to within an inch of her life, and carried her off into another room. The Bishop let me try and compose myself before saying anything, though I thought I caught the chattering of women's voices behind me, all in hushed tones.
*Resisted* (Divine Immunity)
“So, why don't we start with a few questions. Did you steal that money?” the Bishop asked me, his demeanor changing oddly. I could see a soft radiant blue aura billowing out from him, odd patterns and sigils in the aura brushing at the surface.
*Resisted* (Divine Immunity)
Spell Learned: Detect Lies (2nd Circle).
A common spell within the courts and church, it alerts the user to the 'sound of lies', causing a subtle shift in perception. This spell can tell if someone is speaking a half-truth, but cannot tell which part of a statement is truth, and which is false. Only discerns statements a person speaking 'knows' is a lie, and cannot act as a form of divination to impart knowledge unknown to the person being tested. Can only tell if the person 'thinks' they're lying. This is a mind-affecting effect.
Path of Light Learned: 10%
Spell Learned: Create Light (1st Circle)
The simplest spell on the path of light, it acts as an intuitive extension of the concept of the path of light.
Effect: It creates an orb of light, which illuminates up to fifteen feet per point of mana spent to activate it.
Spell Learned: Induce Calm (1st Circle)
Effect: Creates an Aura of calm in a radius thirty feet from the caster per twenty points of mana spent. This aura banishes fear, hatred, or terror even if it is of supernatural origin. It does not prevent violent actions deliberately done in cold blood. Can not be used to end a Berserker's Rage.
Spell Learned: Shield of Light (1st Circle)
Effect: Creates a radiant shield of light around the user, which absorbs physical and/or energy damage directed at the user. This spell bleeds a point of mana from the user for every point of damage stopped by the shield.
I stared at the Bishop for a moment before responding, “Um...No. I didn't steal it. It's all mine.” I said, as I looked over the 'spell effects' that were popping up in front of me. The Bishop looked a bit surprised, but simply nodded. “Very well, I believe you.” he said with a frown. He seemed to consider me before reaching out to brush my hair from my eyes. “Oh My...” he said, staring into my eyes intently. I suddenly felt a pinch on my head as he pulled a hair from my head. 'What the fuck?' I thought as I scratched at the spot the hair was pulled from.
“So child, that's a lot of wealth to be carrying around.” he said with a bit of an endearing smile. I was back to liking him again, but I couldn't tell you why. Sometimes you just meet people that you like, though usually they do something to ingratiate themselves to you...Well, I guessed that he had just prevented me from committing murder, so that was something. “Which brings us to the question of why, if you don't mind me being so forward.” he said twisting the piece of hair he stole from me around one finger. Ok, so that was kind of creepy...
“I was just going shopping for some clothes and equipment...I wanted to make sure I had enough.” I said weakly, not quite sure how to explain a complete lack of understanding on the value of the currency. As he looked down at me warmly, I felt like an idiot. “Ahh. Well, that's understandable then. So tell me child, are you the child of one of the nobility?” he asked, the questioning sounding a bit 'pointed'.
I considered for a few moments on how to respond, not sure what the best answer would be. I could lie to him, but he looked to have some spell going that detected lies...though it said I resisted...still, it seemed like a good cover story, and might make this whole thing go away quickly.
“Um...Yes.” I said, not wanting to divulge more. The Bishop seemed to pick up on my reticence, and let out a sigh. He held up the woven strand of my hair and began muttering something under his breath. The golden blond strand glowed brightly like a sliver of sunlight, before fading away.
Path of Blood Learned: 10%
Spell Learned: Discern Heritage (2nd circle)
Common use among the nobility, this spell is often used to identify nobility in diplomatic situations, as well as establish paternity or maternity (less often).
Effect: Requires a sample of blood, hair, flesh, or saliva. This spell identifies parentage back one generation per fifty mana spent on its activation.
Limit: 1 generation per 10% of path of blood learned.
The Bishop stared at the space the strand of hair had occupied for a moment, and the blood drained from his face. He looked down at me in absolute silence, before a smile broke out on his face. My danger sense was going off, as I realized that my mother's..Faith's mother's status was exiled noble. The spell didn't seem to provide locations, but that doesn't mean that this city wouldn't be hostile to her if they knew. I clutched at the bag of money in my hand, and was looking for directions to bolt.
“I see. Well, I won't hold you any longer...though If you would permit...” The Bishop said, waving over to his bodyguard. “You seem to be in need of assistance in your shopping, and protection...for others, if not for yourself.” he said as the dark-haired bodyguard approached.
“Yes, Bishop Amon?” the bodyguard asked looking down at me, with a sly grin on his face...it hadn't really left him since I'd thrown him across the room.
“Yes Charles, this lovely young lady is in need of assistance in her daily errands. I would hate for another incident to occur. I want you to assist her for the day, and then escort her home safely.” the Bishop said. The three girls in the back started muttering to each other in disappointment...It seems Charles here was a favorite. As I looked toward the noblewomen, I was on the receiving end of a few angry looks.
“Yes Bishop.” Charles said looking down at me, while Bishop Amon moved back toward the counter. As he did, one of the clerks, an older looking human in his sixties or seventies brought out a wrapped set of robes. They burned brightly with an inner light, swirling patterns and colors, all just below the surface of the fabric.
Greater Robes of the Hierophant
A relic of the Emurian Old Kingdom, these robes were created by the High Priest Amaun to serve as his priestly attire. These robes provide major resistance to physical and energy damage, offer a 50% mana reduction on cost to all light path and life path spells, and double their numerical effects.
“Ohh...Arthur, you did a wonderful job on the repairs.” the Bishop said happily, looking down at the older man behind the counter. “Worth every cintas.” he said as he tucked the package under his arms.
“My pleasure Bishop Amon. It was expensive to procure some of the more...esoteric materials, which is what took so long.” Arthur responded wearily, taking the gold Cintas and platinum Bak from the counter, and placing it into a lock box.
“Come now Shana, Alice, Ambrose. We don't want to be late for the show.” the Bishop said to the three girls, causing responses of “But Grandpa!” as one of them looked toward Charles and me. “Why can't she get her own bodyguard!” the girl said following her grandfather out the door. I stopped listening as they left, turning my attention to the large armored man who was towering above me, with a hand placed leisurely on his sword.
“So, what were you shopping for?” Charles asks looking down on me. I looked up into his eyes, and could swear I detected a hint of 'blood lust'. I had apparently roused some need in him to 'fight it out'. I glanced nervously around, eying one of the displays. I pointed to the leather pants and jacket combo that had brought me in to begin with.
“I wanted something like that...with pockets...a lot of pockets.” I said, causing Charles to raise an eyebrow.
“Somehow not quite what I was expecting, but alright...” Charles said waving one of the clerks over. The clerks looked our way, and seemed to whisper back and forth nervously, before Arthur, whom I guessed was the owner at this point, wandered over.
“Ahh...can I assist you?” Arthur asked Charles, glancing at me nervously.
“Yes, the young lady would like something like that.” Charles said motioning to the display I had pointed out. Arthur looked surprised, and then looked down at me. “She also said she wanted a lot of..pockets” Charles said with a grin.
“I...suppose, though that is not generally the fashion for young ladies...and pockets tend to disturb the lines of the clothing.” Arthur explained, “Did the lady have...funds?” he asked, apparently having missed out on the altercation I had with the saleswoman from before.
Charles reached out, and opened my money bag, pulling the cloth wide enough so Arthur could see the pile of gold cintas, and platinum bak inside. The tailor's mouth went wide in surprise, before he swallowed deeply. “I suppose I could include...folded space into the fabric...were you wanting enchantments?” Arthur asked.
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
“I...guess? I was kind of hoping to get some armored plates or something...like his.” I said pointing to Charles's gear. “And...I wanted an entire wardrobe, if possible.” I said somewhat hopefully that I could 'avoid' wandering around between shops all day. I really really hated shopping. I never understood people who liked it, it was boring.
“Well...you can certainly afford a wardrobe, though I'll have to send for an armorer. Did you have a preference on enchantments?” Arthur asked, whiled Charles just kept grinning. Really, the entire scene was disconcerting, but at least the level of anxiety in the room seemed to have dropped a level or two, and no one was talking about calling the police on me after...what I did to that poor woman.
“I'm not sure? I..wanted some protective equipment...I was going to join the Adventurer's Guild.” I said, trying to provide some helpful input, though when I got right down to it, I really just wanted pants, with pockets, and a jacket that might stop a knife. Charles’s eyes went wide as I mentioned 'Adventurer's Guild', and Arthur cleared his throat. “Well...I can of course provide you with something...suitable, though that hardly requires an entire wardrobe of armored gear.” Arthur said thoughtfully.
“Let me get your measurements, and I'll design something. It'll take me...um, three weeks for the adventuring 'gear' I think, though I should have a set of casual wear and formal wear ready by this evening. In the meantime, I can provide a more suitable dress. I don't have anything in pants to fit a lady's cut, but if you wanted to wait an hour or so, I can have one of the other tailors in the back make something.” Arthur said wearily, as one of the saleswomen came over and started taking my measurements. Arthur whispered something to a younger man, who quickly dashed out the front.
“Three Weeks?” I blurted out with concern, before it occurred to me that this place must be backed up. I glanced toward Charles to see if he had any response to the timeline, but he just looked amused...that was going to get annoying, I could already tell.
“Ahh, Yes. Well, the enchantments can be done in a few days, but procuring adequate materials can take a while. I have a surplus myself, but the cloth and armored pieces will require alloys be constructed from certain exotic materials, mithril, orichalcum, adamantine, Astralite or the like. For my part, I'll need to have the thread woven from the metal, using certain spells to maintain flexibility and durability, while Rawl...that's the armor I work with, will need to fold the metal. These tasks aren't amazingly time consuming, given the right equipment and expertise...but the issue is procuring the materials to begin with. It will require receiving a trade shipment, and it'll be another two weeks before one arrives from Sharn Valley or Mont Blaise.” he said, before the clerk from before returned with a burly looking man covered in soot and sweat...That was fast.
“So...if I had some...um, Orichalcum, that would speed this up?” I asked curiously, as the Burly looking man whom I assumed was 'Rawl', approached. Arthur nodded, “Depending on the quantity, yes. At the very least a suitable amount would allow that phase of processing to begin before further shipments arrived.” he said while I looked at the people gathering around me. “Um...Excuse me a second.” I said, backing away. I glanced around for a moment, before I caught sight of a small changing room. As I walked toward it, the three men eyed me curiously though they didn't follow.
Stepping into the small room, I closed the door and considered the issue at hand. I needed equipment, but I couldn't make clothing myself...I simply didn't know enough about it, which was...something I would have to rectify soon, though once I had a single set of garments I could take measurements using the fabrication system, and save them as a template for later. Then there was the issue of 'enchantments', which sounded a lot like that 'create magic items' thing. The problem being I didn't really have any spells to use, unless you counted the ones I just 'Learned', and even then I had no idea how all of that worked anyway. Then I had the issue of the armor: Did I want to wait three weeks on 'nicer' equipment, try to get something mundane, or produce some of that 'exotic' material to speed things along.
There was a 'sense of urgency' involved with my mother's identity being known. Even if I ditched Charles so he didn't find out where my mother lived, It didn't mean someone didn't have some screwy magic to find her. Most importantly, I really wanted Jasmine out of that whore house, and the idea of waiting on anything right now was pressing my buttons. So far I'd spent half my morning wandering the streets, and beating up an old lady. Best case scenario was I was going to need several hours to have something to wear, unless I wanted to go hunting for another shop...in which case I could end up with a similar experience. I still needed to find the Adventurer's Guild, though perhaps Charles could help with that.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to follow my gut instinct. Bringing up the fabrication system, I created slender plates, something of a size that could conceivably be wrapped and bound under my skirt or bodice, and used up what was left of the volume of matter I could create today. It was...larger than I had expected. It looked like the jewelry from the night before didn't count, and the money I made while significant, only took up a small portion of a cubic foot. Mostly I blame the fact that I have the body of a thirteen year old girl, and those are apparently small.
As I created the stacks of orichalcum plates, I got a similar request about the creation of magic items, but declined. I felt energy being sucked out of me as the plates formed, and I had to grab the side of the wall for support, my knees buckling. It felt worse than when I made the jewelry for my mother, even if I didn't imbue them. I thought it was strange, since I didn't really feel 'drained' when I made the extra gold and platinum. Apparently 'exotic materials' required mana?
I breathed deeply for a few seconds, before the feeling passed and within a minute I felt 'back at full'. “Are you alright in there?” Charles asked from outside.
“I'm fine...I'm coming out.” I responded with a bit of a squeak as I wrapped the plates in a strip of cloth. Stepping back out into the shop, I got strange looks from Arthur, 'Rawl', and Charles as I held up the bundle to Arthur. As the tailor unwrapped it, he frowned. Rawl let out a loud surprised whistle. “Well..that should do it” the burly man said picking up one of the plates to exam.
“Ahh, I see. Well, this should far more than suffice in quantity for the alloying...Though I might suggest not wandering around with this much Orichalcum on your person, Miss...We have banks for a reason.” Arthur said wearily. Charles just kept staring at me with that stupid grin on his face...I really wanted to punch him.
“By the heavens, this isn't alchemical formed Orichalcum! This is natural!” Rawl yelled, causing everyone in the room to stop what they were doing. I looked at Arthur and Rawl confused, while the older tailor just quietly wrapped the plates back up. “I need to sit down.” Rawl said, walking over to a bench, and sitting, staring at the plate in the sunlight streaming through the window. It seemed to glow as if on fire when the sunlight hit it, a glowing corona forming beneath the metal's surface, putting on a pretty enough display...It kind of looked like a screen saver to me, to be honest.
“Um, is something wrong?” I asked confused, causing Arthur to shake his head. “Um, no...it's just that most orichalcum is created from gold, and certain rare materials, In a prolonged alchemical process. Naturally formed Orichalcum is far more rare, and is created over eons in mana rich environments. It's far more potent than its alchemical counterpart...Are you sure?” Arthur asks, looking toward Rawl. The blacksmith nodded, holding up the small plate. “Aye, I was allowed to handle a small sliver of it when I apprenticed in Mount Blaise with the dwarves. Master Garil had saved for a century to procure it. He was going to use it to make the alloy for a great sword.” Rawl said shaking his head.
“Hold on...How much of this stuff do you use in an alloy? What're you mixing it with?” I asked confused.
“Well, with the alchemically formed Orichalcum, it's about a twenty to one ratio. The material is more or less used change the mana pattern in the material...but with Natural Orichalcum...a thousand to one. The material is too mana rich to work with normally. Large blocks are formed during processing, out of only small pieces. As to what we use, it depends. Mostly living steel...that's ash steel that's infused with 'life' energy.” Rawl explained, as he turned the plate over in his hands and nodded. “Well, I think I can make something wonderful with this.” he said happily, as he stood up and wandered toward the exit.
“Uh, Rawl! How much?” Arthur asked confused, looking at the plates in his hand. “Don't worry about it. I'll just keep the leftover.” Rawl said with a grin, slipping the small plate into his pocket.
Arthur cleared his throat, and handed me back to small stack, minus a single plate. “Well, I suggest your next stop is Blackfield's Bank...you'll want a vault.” the tailor said in a bit of a daze. I stared forward and groaned, 'Well, shit.' I thought. Charles just continued grinning, “So, Should we have breakfast here while we wait for your clothes? Or head straight to the Adventurer's Guild?” he asked.