Buhelm led his guests inside and into a magical world of fabric and stitching. Bolts of cloth were stacked everywhere into great mountains of glistening fibers. Cut cloth was strewn about in piles that left little room for movement except through narrow halls that forced the trio to walk one behind the other, with Arian in the middle. Tables broke the monotony and offered up mounds of threading needles, rolls of thread, and scissors of all shapes, sizes, and worn teeth.

Arian sidestepped a dust-covered mound of cloth and wrinkled her nose. A single sneeze or careless trip would set off a dust devil of trouble.

“I see you have cleaned the place somewhat,” Yushir mused.

Arian whipped her head about and stared at him in horror. His eyes twinkled back at her.

“Yes, I can finally get to the rear where the best fabrics are,” Buhelm commented with a bob of his head. “Of course, I would not have gone to the trouble but His Majesty requested a new gown for the upcoming meeting among the land immortals and him. I believe you are the one who is managing that affair, Your Highness?”

Arian’s curiosity was piqued and she recalled Yushir’s offer to her about joining his palace.

Prince Yushir cleared his throat. “Yes, well, His Majesty has not met with them for many years and this matter with the villages is as appropriate a time as any to call them together.”

Buhelm’s expression turned grave as he knitted his eyebrows together. “Yes, terrible business, that. I hope it is cleared up soon.” He shook off his morose mood and rubbed his hands together. “Now then, Lady-” He paused and wrinkled his nose. “I do not believe I caught your name.”

“Arian,” she answered.

He bobbed his head. “A pretty name for a pretty woman. Now let me see what I can find for you, Lady Arian. You are of the bear clan, are you not?”

Arian cast a furtive look over her shoulder at Prince Yushir. “I am, sir, and you needn’t call me Lady Arian. Just Arian will be fine.”

“Nonsense!” he protested as he dove into a pile of scraps and dug through them. The discarded ones were flung behind him and over the path into the opposite pile. “A lady deserves to be treated like a lady! Ah-ha!” He shot straight up and drew out a long piece of silken fabric the color of pure snow. “Here we are! A perfect color for a perfectly beautiful woman!” Arian offered him a shaky smile as he pushed the cloth against her front. “Hold this so I can get a better look at it.” Arian obliged and Buhelm scurried back to admire his choice. He cupped his chin in one hand and bobbed his head. “Yes, yes, this will do very nicely.”

Yushir coughed into his fisted hand. “And for me, Lord Buhelm?”

Buhelm reluctantly turned his attention to the prince and looked him over with a cursory inspection. “Yes, I may be able to find something for you. Will silk work?”

Yushir smiled and bowed his head. “That will work perfectly.”

“Then I will have it wrapped up and sent to your palace,” Buhelm answered as he tossed the sash over his shoulder. He returned his attention to Arian and his bright grin returned. “What do you say to me taking your measurements now so I can get started on your dress?”

“Can you not guess her measurements with your eyes?” Yushir suggested.

Buhelm leaned to one side to look past Arian and frowned at the prince. “I might but this is guaranteed to have the correct measurements.”

“I do not mind being measured,” Arian replied as she half-turned to Yushir. “You do not have to remain for this, Your Highness. It is rather tedious.”

Yushir lifted his eyebrows and his crooked smile widened. “On the contrary. I, too, like to admire the feminine form, and what better time to do it than when you are being measured?”

Arian couldn’t have been more disappointed. There went one way of getting the prince out of earshot.

Stolen story; please report.

“Up here,” Buhelm instructed her as he pulled a stool out from a pile of material and slid it up to her. “Stand on this please.”

Arian climbed aboard the short stool and stood straight. Buhelm pulled a measuring tape out of his pocket and wiggled his fingers. His smile was less than pure as he began measuring her curves.

“You use your hands almost as much as your measuring tape, Lord Buhelm,” Yushir commented.

“All part of my technique,” Buhelm replied as he moved close to Arian’s hip to slip the tape around her waist.

Arian saw an opportunity and scooted toward the tailor. She accidentally bumped her hip into his head and Buhelm looked up at her with shining eyes. “Is something the matter, Lady Arian?”

She bit her lip and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I was wondering if I might also borrow the dunnian.”

Buhelm shot up and spun around so quickly that the back of his head nearly collided with Arian’s jaw. “The dunnian? Whatever do you want with that old thing?”

His words caught the full attention of Lord Yushir and Arian squirmed beneath the men’s gazes. Her mind whirled with reasons and excuses, all of them pretty feeble. “The, um, the stories of its fabulous ability are well known among even the land realm gods and I was just interested in seeing how it worked.”

Buhelm leaned back and wrinkled his nose. “I am not so sure about that. . .”

Arian clasped her hands together in front of herself and gave him big, bleary eyes. “Please?”

Buhelm wavered and the corners of his mouth tipped up and down. Finally, he closed his eyes and heaved a great sigh. “I am sorry, Lady Arian, but I cannot. You seem kind and trustworthy, but the cloak is too valuable to give to anyone merely because they are as beautiful as you.”

Arian felt as though her heart was being squeezed. “No way?”

“No. I am sorry.”

Arian’s world came crashing down. This was her only route for sneaking her friend out and now it was lost to her.

“I will vouch for her.”

Arian’s eyes widened and she whipped her head around to find the prince smiling up at her. “You. . .you would do that for me?”

“Why not?” he countered as he turned his attention to the dubious tailor. “I know this woman well. She is as pure as she is beautiful and I guarantee you will have your cloak returned to you.”

Buhelm rubbed his chin and eyed the pair with a sharp look. “Well, I suppose if you vouch for her, Your Highness, then I have no objection to loaning it out. Wait here while I fetch it.” He turned and disappeared into the rear of the piles.

Arian returned her attention to the prince and clapped her hands against her sides before she bowed low to him. “Thank you so much for your help. This means a great deal to me.”

He twisted his ring between two fingers and chuckled. “There is no need for that. I have nothing to lose from you borrowing the cloak and you must need it quite desperately to go alone to Lord Buhelm.”

Arian bit her lower lip and her body shook a little. “Y-yes. That is, I-” She straightened but her foot slipped on the edge of the stool. The young woman gave a stifled cry as she toppled forward.

Prince Yushir leaped forward and caught her in his arms, holding her tight against his chest. Arian lifted her eyes to him and blushed. The prince had a coy smile on his lips. “I would advise you to be more careful, Lady Arian, but I would not mind catching you again.”

Heat shot up and down Arian’s body and she hurriedly pushed off from him. She scuttled back and paid immaculate attention to brushing the creases off her dress rather than meet the bemused gaze of the prince.

“Here you are!” Buhelm spoke up as he sauntered out of the back.

A black cloak of shimmering cloth was draped over one arm. Arian turned to him as he grasped the collar and held it up for their admiration. The material glistened in the light and the room could be seen as a reflection on the surface.

Buhelm peeked around the cloth and grinned at the pair. “What do you think? A piece of fine craftsmanship, if I do say so myself. One of a kind, too, for the creature that wove this thread is long gone.”

Arian brushed her hand against the fine fabric and her eyes widened. “It is as soft as butter!”

Buhelm nodded. “And as light as air. You hardly know it is on your shoulders. Try it.”

He held out the cloak to her. Arian reluctantly took it and drew the cloth around her shoulders. She gasped when the two ends joined in front of her and everything below her neck vanished.

The cloak’s creator bobbed his head. “Wonderful, is it not? And none will be the wiser for your being in the room.” He leaned in toward her and tapped the side of his nose. “But you will be mindful not to abuse my little gift, will you?”

Arian clutched the cloak to herself and shook her head. “Of course not!”

Buhelm nodded. “Excellent! You may keep it until you come to pick up your dress. I should have it ready in a few weeks provided I can get His Majesty’s clothes done in a timely manner.”

Arian bowed her head to him. “That is quite alright, and thank you so much, Lord Buhelm. I will not forget your kindness.”

He waved off her thanks but his grin widened. “Nonsense! It is the least I can do for such a beauty, and one favored by Prince Yushir, as well! You are very lucky.”

Arian turned her head slightly and cast one eye at the prince. He winked at her which made her blush. She quickly drew off the cloak and neatly folded it against her chest. “Y-yes, Lord Buhelm. If you will excuse me, I will leave you to your work.”

“Come around any time!” he called after them as the pair meandered through the narrow hall. “The door is always open, though the hall might not be!” He let out a great guffaw at his own joke which stayed with them as they stepped out into the waving tapestry of tailor work.