“Smithing spirit?” Sazel asked, looking between the demons.
“A moniker for an anonymous blacksmith that works at night and makes gifts of fos work,” Kloy clarified, “As fos works in the Civil Smithy, I cannot imagine Nevve does not know fos. I know very little of smithing, but everyone agrees fos work is very high quality – I imagine if any other smiths know much of engineering, fos does.”
“She does know fos,” Jurao replied, “But I could not speak more to fos abilities than what everyone knows.”
“Of course,” Kloy smiled, “I was merely curious.”
Eweylona chuckled, “I get the impression, Kloy, that you know the identity of this spirit.”
“Well, fos does not seem to want many people to know,” Kloy replied, “But studying such an advanced device seems like it would take a good deal of time. Time that might otherwise be spent elsewhere.”
“With pleasant company?” the former queen grinned.
“My dear, as Braelin has not told us, I wonder how you have already figured out the spirit’s identity,” Ebener snorted.
“One can learn much from a person’s aura,” Eweylona replied and seemed to consider before adding, “Such as that there may be two people very close to Jurao with the status of Beloved.”
“Two people,” Jurao asked – then flinched, “Ah.”
If Kloy did know Feyl was the smithing spirit – which he did appear to, though Jurao did not know how and did not wish to confirm the suspicion by asking – then Eweylona was suggesting she knew the same. She had said earlier she had seen Feyl’s aura, when she mentioned that it blended well with his due to their friendship.
Which meant she was suggesting Feyl was also Beloved, and Jurao could think of only one god that might grant him that favor.
“So,” Maukul cleared their throat, “Did you need to buy anything else?”
They completed their purchases at the artefact shop, and Eweylona made plans to return later to commission her arcanum for Ayelma. They went to the Bountiful Treeking for a meal, Adhi greeting them enthusiastically.
“Oh, I am so glad to hear you have all been reunited!” the lionkin man said, seating them at a rooftop table – though a different one from last Jurao ate there. Adhi went on, “Yheor told me of your separation, and oh! My gentle heart could hardly take the tale!”
“Thank you, ah, Adhi,” Ebener said, “We are also glad to be reunited.”
“I’m sure, I’m sure!” Adhi declared, “But, don’t let me hold you up! Please, enjoy your meal!”
Once they had ordered and quickly received their food, they returned to the subject of gifts.
“Well, Ebener and I only lack gifts for the older boys,” Eweylona chuckled, “Ah, men – it is so hard to think of my sons as men in such a short time. Perhaps because human aging is so fast.”
“It is hard for me to see them that way as well,” Ebener agreed, “Though they were already men before we were separated. I believe it is how most parents feel, my dear.”
Jurao hummed as he considered – he now only lacked gifts for Eweylona, Beneford, Owren, and Braelin. He had come up with an idea for his partner, one which would not be found in a store but was least certain when it came to the former queen. So he asked, “What do you enjoy as gifts, Eweylona.”
“Oh? So you found something for Ebener already?” the former queen purred, grinning. Before Jurao could reply, she added, “I am teasing, your highness. Our acquaintance has been very short, I do understand. For myself, I should like something that will likely take longer to arrive than the feast.”
“Yes,” Jurao asked.
“I have seen the statue of Wylylendra in the garden shrine,” Eweylona said, “I would be well pleased with one such statue of Eleamera for myself.”
“I can arrange that,” Jurao said, considering how he would do so.
“Have you considered something for Braelin, my lord?” Kloy asked.
“He mentioned once wishing to have a burrowing spider tree for the castle gardens,” Jurao said, “None have come near the Field Walls, but I could make a personal excursion further afield.”
“A burrowing spider tree?” Ebener asked.
Jurao explained the plant to his partner’s parents, and they finished their meal with more pleasant conversation.
After, they did more shopping – going to the Upper Lake District to find alcohol for Beneford and Owren, as Ebener and Eweylona agreed the two did greatly enjoy such as gifts. The Lake District was split between the top of the plateau the rest of Caslavven sat on, and the bottom – next to the riverbank at the bottom of the canyon. Trade from other cities – and realms – came to Caslavven that way, and shops carrying their goods were primarily in the Upper Lake District.
The finest alcohol in the Demon Realm came from four places: Gaevoyga, both for its long history of wild grain cultivated whiskey and the fermented wuna milk from the Gawuna herdsfolk; Scagesmaes for its volcanic wine; Lajaonar for its gin – as the Goddess of Medicine was also Goddess of Alcohol; and Engapoylao, for its rice wine – the retired beast hunters having plenty of time to perfect their craft. They selected one bottle of each for the pair, providing plenty of gifts between them.
Jurao was partial to brandy, of course, which had its oldest origins in Noskanar – but Noskanar brandy was so widespread and common, it lacked the distinction of other regional spirits.
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“It is a shame you have no mead,” Eweylona remarked, “That’s Owren’s favorite.”
“Mead,” Jurao asked.
“Alcohol made from fermented honey,” Ebener explained, “Very sweet, compared to others.”
Jurao hummed, considering. Then he remembered, “Ah, Lavven’s notes mentioned that as well. He was raised by a priesthood in the Human Realm and would help manage their… meadery. We have a Royal Apiary, I believe Lavven included instructions in his notes.”
“He did not start a meadery himself?” Eweylona asked.
“That is the first… Ascended Demon King, yes?” Ebener asked.
“He was, yes,” Jurao confirmed, “And the apiary was made some ten thousand years or so after his death. I do not know that his beekeeping notes were even consulted by then.”
“Most Kings do not study the past so fastidiously as his highness,” Kloy chuckled, “They are usually aware of their most recent predecessors, and little more.”
“Well, human monarchs hardly study more than the same as well,” Ebener chuckled, “Along with any particularly notable reigns.”
“I did not study every King before me,” Jurao nodded, “But I did think Lavven, as the first, was one of the most important.”
“I know little of your Kings, beyond what Meir’ril has shared so far of one that was a mage,” Ebener chuckled, “What led to Lavven’s Unification?”
“His home village was destroyed due to warring petty kings of the Fractured Realm Age,” Jurao replied, “When he was still a child. He slipped through a rift to the Human Realm – growing up in the peace of the area he found himself in, he wanted the same for the Demon Realm. As an adult, he worked toward that goal – learning to fight from mercenaries, including his queerplatonic human partner, and learning magic in the Fae Realm before returning to the Demon Realm and establishing himself, his mercenaries, and children in a town here.
“He worked to build his influence until it was enough to be invited to the Hundred Years Ball, where he Wished for the power to unite the entire realm,” Jurao continued, as they browsed the open stalls of the Upper Lake District – an older Gawuna woman was weaving wuna wool, her granddaughter explaining the process to a curious Eweylona – while attempting to sell some of their woven wares.
“That seems a bit counter to what I understand Wishes to be for,” Ebener said, watching his wife let the girl ‘win’ their haggle with a smile.
“Yes, though not exactly,” Jurao replied, “It was counter to the spirit of Wishes, but did not break the rules – which is why there were limitations. Firstly, that Lavven would have to earn the power by surviving the Thousand Caves of Torment – and that the power he gained would only remain in effect within the Demon Realm. He agreed to both of these terms, which is how he gained the Blessing of Ascension.”
“Before my lord gives you a detailed report on each engagement,” Kloy chuckled, “I shall summarize: he conquered each of the fifteen major cities that have now grown into proper city-states.”
“Yes,” Jurao agreed, having been about to do just as Kloy said. He added, “Lavven’s goal was always a realm where the common person would never have to fear losing their home and family to senseless power struggles the way he did, and where everyone could build a life in peace. I admit, when Ergirri nominated me, I did not feel I was the best person to succeed him. I did not really understand what kingship meant beyond the general idea of protecting the people in your care.”
“Is that how demons view kingship?” Eweylona asked, returning to their little group with a wuna wool vest and coat, “For Malson and Braelin – while I have been told the weather rarely gets much cooler or hotter than it is now, it is still a bit cool by human standards.”
Ebener chuckled as his wife wrapped the third item – a scarf – about his neck for him, “That is it, my dear.”
“It is the general cultural view, yes,” Kloy answered, “A king is meant to be the person able to solve problems no one else can, at the highest level. That is why they are often very physically strong, as many threats to the safety of a settlement in our realm are physical – but it is not always the case.”
“It was the idea of those… non-physical threats that concerned me,” Jurao agreed, “I struggle with court etiquette and politics; managing diplomacy seemed more complicated, and I did not know that I was up to such a task.
“But when I read Lavven’s notes, his thoughts and motivations,” Jurao went on, “I finally understood what my role as King would be in that regard. Choosing the route that would lead us closer to that ideal of peace and prosperity – a protector of future health and security, not just present. Having that goal in mind makes my choices seem… hm, no less challenging, but less obscure.”
“A wonderful ideal,” Eweylona purred, “Is that also why you wish to make peace with the Empire?”
“Yes,” Jurao nodded, “Lavven loved the Human Realm as his second home, and true peace in this realm cannot happen so long as they send Champions and wish us ill. Now that I know there has been such a misunderstanding with the Seven False Kings, the first step certainly seems to be clearing it up.”
“Seven False Kings?” Ebener asked.
“You call it the First Great Invasion,” Jurao replied.
“Ah,” Ebener replied, “Yes, that was the start of the Empire, at the very least.”
After some more light shopping, they took the carriage and returned to the castle. Jurao sent most of his purchases with a runner back to his room, but the magical engines he took directly to the Civil Smithy.
“Good afternoon, your highness,” Ferrori greeted in surprise, having the forge closest to the door, “We were just finishing up for the day.”
Nevve walked over shortly, “Don’t tell me you found a gift for me, brat.”
“Gifts?” Ivali asked, grinning from his station.
“He was out with Braelin’s parents and the Royal Physician to buy birthday gifts,” Nevve snorted, “They’re having a big party for it in two weeks.”
“To celebrate all the years they missed,” Jurao added, “But no, I did not get you a gift – I was asked to bring you this.”
“What is it?” Nevve asked, accepting both engines and the accompanying schematics.
“A fae enchanter named Sazel said you studied smithing from her father,” Jurao replied, “She and her sibling, Yuovehn – the smith and engineer that made Malson and Beneford’s prosthetics – created an engine that uses a magic core based on ideas you once related to him.”
“Right, Mehvehn’s kids,” Nevve nodded, studying the schematics as she set the engines aside, “And yeah, this matches some ideas I had when I was studying in the Arcane Triad.”
“A magic core engine?” Ferrori asked, looking over her shoulder, “Can that even work?”
“It can when you use fae metal on the inside and siren on the outside casement,” Nevve snorted, turning one of the engines over in two hands.
“The engines are both the same, so you can dissemble one,” Jurao added, “And the Nouklesse family has volunteered to supply research funds if you believe there is a viable use for it.”
“Oh, if it works, I can think of plenty of uses,” Nevve saidd, then snorted again and put the engines away at her station, “But disassembly can wait until tomorrow – where can I find Sazel?”
“She has an artefact shop in the Inspired Quarter of the market,” Jurao replied.
“Tomorrow,” Quinesti scoffed, “Not tonight?”
“You worry about your dinner with Jurao’s secretary, eh?” Ivali said, patting the younger man on the back heavily.
“Are you seeing Alae tonight,” Jurao asked, “He’s seemed very pleased when speaking of your courtship.”
Quinesti’s face darkened in a blush, and he kicked the ground before saying, “Well, yeah, it’s… been fun so far…”
“Fun,” Ivali grinned at Ferrori, “Fun, he says. Like he hasn’t worn an apron for the first time in years to keep his clothes from getting singed.”
Ferrori chuckled, “You have been wiping soot off your hands and face more often, lad.”
Quinesti’s face went darker, but he crossed his arms and looked away. He seemed like he would say no more but sighed and added, “He’s not interested in anything romantic yet but said it could happen, so…”
“So you’re making a good impression!” Ivali laughed heartily, patting him on the back, “Good on you!”
“I hope it turns out well for you both,” Jurao said, though his mind turned to whether or not he should tell Feyl that Kloy might know he was the smithing spirit…