Chapter 72

Norri shook her head as Jay put his gloves back on, hiding the marks Gaia had placed on his hands once again.

“I don't know the proper manners for when you meet a prophet!” Norri complained, her mind racing.

Jay shrugged, “Same manners as if you were meeting anyone else. I'm still Jay. No special behavior is needed or called for on your part. Just act the same way you did before we told you everything.”

“Wait – so you're saying we're going to run the Dungeon of Rebirth? Us?” she said as she looked from face to face, the trainees all smiling. “We're just trainees!”

M'redith smiled at her, “For now. We're growing and learning fast and we have no intention of going until we have everything we need and feel ready.”

Norri remembered that part, “Right. We need to find three items. Or three types of items, no idea how many of each we need – did I get that right?”

Aiden nodded, “You summed it up pretty succinctly actually.”

Norri thought about everything they had told her before perking up again, “So you really all think that we could live forever?”

Jay shook his head, “I'm not sure about forever but at least for a very long time. I'm certain that we can complete that dungeon once we collect the items. Plus, we have a Traveler in our group.” Jay said as he pointed to himself with both of his thumbs. “Still, it isn't as if this is a sure thing. We could still be wrong but at this point I don't really see how.”

Aiden watched Norri who seemed more curious than scared about the idea of running the Dungeon of Rebirth. She asked questions about the items they needed to collect, how they had gotten their information, and what the plan was for Glimmerhide Group.

“We're planning on collecting the items while we run dungeons to learn how to work together. We'll use the funds we get from the dungeons to get our team better prepared equipment wise. Once we feel ready we'll run the Dungeon of Rebirth. Not a moment before then.” M'redith answered seriously.

The carriage came to a halt and a few moments later the driver had opened the doors for them and they climbed out one by one. Jay didn't know how long they would be so he paid the driver and let him go on his way.

The rest of the group faced the building they had been dropped off in front of. It was a humble residence with a big placard with the number 113 carved in to the wood and painted in yellow. There were numerous windows but the shades were all drawn closed.

Jay walked up to the front door and knocked politely. Moments later it was opened by a tall thin woman with a striking face. She had long blond hair and green eyes. She was dressed in dark pants and a shimmery green blouse with an apron worn over both.

“Yes?” she said perfunctorily.

Jay said “I was told to ask for Hal?”

She nodded, “What's your name?”

“Jay.” he replied simply.

“I'm Hal, short for Haley but you all should stick with Hal.” she said with a half smile. “Come inside.”

The group filed inside and found themselves in a large open space with a counter up front and various tables with cuts of leather draped over them strewn about the room. Hal looked at Jay and held out a hand.

Jay pursed his lips before he realized what she wanted. “Oh!” he said sheepishly as he took out and handed her the card Walter had given him.

She examined the card and held it so the gem shined in the light before she seemed satisfied and put it in a pocket. “This way.” she said.

She led them in to a room that held a table and chairs and little else. “Have a seat and wait here,” she said as she walked out of the room.

The group all sat down. The chairs were well padded and had padded armrests as well. M'redith looked over at Jay and held his hand under the table while they waited.

Hal returned with a stack of books. She handed them around the table, one for each of the trainees.

She sat down at the table with them and leaned back. “So I'm Hal. You're Glimmerhide Group. I've been paid to set you up but I'm thinking an explanation might be in order considering you're all still trainees?”

Jay nodded, he was always interested in explanations on Eden.

“Do any of you know what I do?” Hal asked.

Aiden remembered the leather from the other room. “Leatherworker?” he guessed.

Hal chuckled, “Sure, at the very most basic level I'm a leatherworker. It has been a long time since anyone called me that. Sure, I work with leather, but I mostly work with people, helping them learn quickly how to wear that armor.”

Norri perked up, “You're going to teach us how to wear armor?” she asked.

“Nope. You're going to teach yourselves. That's my specialty.” Hal replied. “There are a few ways to learn how to wear and fight in leather armor. You can learn over time just by wearing it and having someone explain how to adjust it properly until you gain the leather armor use skill. Another way is to gain a Class Ability that grants you the ability to move in armor unhindered. Yet a third way is to gain the Leather Armor use skill directly – from a magical source.”

Aiden made an ooo sound.

“There it is. Somebody gets it.” Hal said with a grin.

Aiden turned his book about in his hands but was careful not to open it. “Are these what I think they are?” he said suddenly looking as if it were too expensive an item for him to be handling.

Hal nodded with a grin. “Skillbooks. Those books once read will instantly bestow upon you the skill leather armor use. Yes they are extremely valuable. Yes this has already been paid for.”

Jay's eyes were wide. “Wait. So we just read these books and we instantly can wear and fight in leather armor?”

Hal nodded, “As well as know how to put it on, take it off, make minor repairs, along with basic maintenance. It's magic.”

Jay looked at the rest of his group and then back at Hal. “I was under the impression my gift was just for me. I'm thrilled everyone gets one, I'm just surprised.”

Hal laughed, “Your benefactor wanted to be sure you understood his position and felt it was important that you be impressed. And these aren't your gifts. These are so you can use your gifts. More on that in a moment.”

She pointed to the books, “I'm going to get up shortly and I'll ask you to open your books and begin reading. Don't worry, even though the book looks thick the actual reading part goes by very quickly. Again, magic!” she said with a grin.

Hal adjusted her apron as it had become crooked from her sitting down. “Take your time when reading and don't try and rush. If you start getting a headache just slow down – this isn't a race. Once you finish the book I highly recommend sitting quietly with your eyes closed for a few minutes as your brain integrates your new knowledge.”

She stood up and nodded at the group, “Go ahead and open your books and begin reading. I'll be in and out to check on you and make sure everyone is alright. I can't stress enough that you should never use a skillbook without someone keeping an eye on you. Just in case.”

Jay opened his book and began to read. Immediately he knew something was different. His eyes felt as if they were physically drawn to the words as he read. The words were unrecognizable and made up of an alphabet he had never seen before. Still, even his conscious mind could occasionally tease out meaning from behind the foreign looking script.

The reading began to trigger a physical reaction and Jay felt as if his body was hot. He felt a strange sensation, a mix of tingling and throbbing, settle over his mind as he continued to read. He could not have stopped if he tried. His eyes were locked on to the words and he could not force his muscles to do anything but move on to the next word. And then the next.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The feeling of being locked in to reading caused him to panic for a moment and he paused, coming to a dead stop. He could pause apparently but not move his gaze away. Once his nerves had settled down he continued the strange reading. His head became stuffy and felt thick the way it felt when his sinuses swelled badly from allergies.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned the skill: Leather Armor Use

Jay felt as if hours had passed when he finally shut the book. He looked up, thrilled that he was once again in control of his body. He realized he was sweating profusely as was the rest of his group. Jay turned on his Tropical Island Aura when M'redith finished her book and allowed the aura to clean and dry them both off. Once Aiden finished his skillbook M'redith leaned away so Jay could cover him with his aura.

Norri took a bit longer and Jay was just starting to get nervous when she finished and looked up. “Whooo! I don't want to do that again any time soon.” She looked at the other three sitting around the table who looked clean and dry. “Why am I the only one covered in sweat?” she asked in confusion.

“Oh, that's me. I can fix that for you.” Jay got up and walked over to stand next to her. “You may feel a slight tingle.”

Norri made an EEEP sound as he turned the aura on. Thirty seconds later she looked relieved to have it off but even happier at what it had done. Her hair especially looked clean and bouncy.

“Does it do this to your hair every time? This would take me hours to do on my own!” she said as she marveled at her clean, dry, and bouncy hair. “I don't remember it doing that last time you used your aura on me.”

Jay nodded and grinned. “Every time. You must have been distracted.”

“Huh.” Norri remarked.

Hal walked in at that moment and looked at each of them with her eyes squinted, “Usually people finish those skillbooks covered in sweat. Did you all read your books?” she asked in confusion.

“Oh we were absolutely covered in sweat. Jay has an ability that fixes that though.” M'redith said with a happy smile.

Jay nodded and Hal grinned, “That is a handy ability to have. I bet you're a popular guy.”

Aiden laughed, “Oh Goddess is he popular.”

“Jay why don't you come with me first. The rest of you can wait here. Give your minds a chance to rest after what you just put it through.” Hal said reasonably as Jay got up and followed her back in to the main room.

She had him strip to his underwear and then step up on to a platform where she measured him with a blank length of tape. Although there were no markings on the tape Jay assumed there was some magic at work that retained his measurements somehow.

Hal motioned for Jay to get dressed and then went out through a separate doorway. She returned with a set of leather armor and laid it on an empty table. She spread the pieces out and went to work on them one at a time. She appeared to possess some kind of Class Ability focused on leatherworking because Jay could make out the leather changing as she worked it with her hands. Some sections became longer while other sections shrank.

She worked the leather like a potter would work clay, the leather becoming far more malleable than it had any business being. Jay watched in confusion as she repeatedly applied the tape to the leather to check a measurement before once again working at the leather with her bare hands.

The armor itself was a dark brown and was not visibly fancy. There were no embellishments or decorative elements. The armor was stark and had the appearance of use. The material looked well worn and the color was somewhat subdued from normal wear and tear.

Jay had seen quite a few sets of armor at that point in his life on Eden and he had come to a number of conclusions when it came to armor.

First of all, if it looked new then watch out. There was nothing more dangerous than a person in a brand new suit of armor. It usually meant that they weren't yet used to wearing the armor – or even worse, that they never wore the armor in actual combat. Often people wearing expensive new looking armor were persons with more money than sense. People wearing new looking armor were to be handled with care.

Secondly, people wearing dirty and poorly maintained armor were also to be handled carefully. Armor kept a person alive. A person who didn't take care of their armor was a dangerous person to have in a group.

Thirdly, if a person had both money and sense they did not buy sparkling looking armor. Their armor instead always appeared as if it had been used but well maintained. It looked well cared for instead of new and pristine – unused. Making armor that looked as if it had already been worn and cared for was far more expensive than just making it look shiny and new. It took skill and practice for a craftsman to be able to create such armor correctly – a skill not possessed by many.

It was the third type of armor that Jay was watching Hal create. Not a show piece but instead a set made for combat the armor looked well worn but in excellent condition. The leather itself was new, the armor had never been worn by another before. It had been given the appearance of wear.

Jay had difficulty measuring how long Hal spent working the leather due to his head still feeling fuzzy from using the skillbook. Hal finally turned her head to Jay and motioned towards the armor.

“Go ahead and try it on. Before you ask no I won't help you, you should know as much as I do about basic leather armor after using that book. Just think hard on it and it will come to you. It might take a second or two at first so don't get frustrated.” Hal said with a grin.

Jay walked over to the table and studied the pieces of leather before his mind began to fill in the names of the various pieces. As he focused on the ties and fasteners he gradually began to understand how it all fit together.

Slowly Jay began to put the armor on. First went a cloth top and bottom so the leather wouldn't sit against his skin. He put the armor on piece by piece after that and finally finished with the last tie. Turning he looked at Hal who nodded appreciatively. “Looks good. Do some jumping jacks, tell me how it feels. Does it pinch at all?”

Jay did a few jumping jacks but the armor fit perfectly. “It feels like I'm almost not even wearing it.”

Hal grinned, “Good! It's nice and thick and should give you some decent protection. It isn't plate armor or magic armor but it fits you perfectly which is as good as it gets for right now.”

Jay smiled happily, “This is great! I always thought moving around in armor would feel more clunky.”

Hal motioned towards the room with the rest of the group in it. “Only because you used a skillbook. Trust me, the way you feel right now could take a lifetime of work without the use of a skillbook.”

Jay looked at the armor and instinctively understood how to adjust it if it were to pinch or rub him the wrong way. “Skillbooks are amazing! I need to get more of these!”

Hal laughed mirthlessly, “Right! I think you might be underestimating how expensive they are while also overestimating your available funds.”

Jay chuckled, “Wow, that much huh? Ok, point made.”

“One last touch.” Hal said as she affixed a small patch to the armor's collar. The patch was only an inch across and displayed the head of a Glimmerhide monster, the eyes sewn using metallic thread so that they shone. It was the only decorative touch on the entire armor.

She walked Jay over to a mirror and let him examine himself.

Jay whistled appreciatively. “Looks great Hal and I love the patch, really nice touch.”

Hal smiled, glad that he had liked that additional detail. She motioned back towards the meeting room and Jay walked back to see his friends.

“Next!” he said as he held his arms out so everyone could see his new armor.

The group of friends all spoke at once before Jay calmed them down. “This appears to be my gift. A set of armor for each of us. Even a caster can wear leather right Aiden?”

Aiden nodded. Mages could wear leather they just usually didn't. A person needed to learn how to wear leather and Mages didn't tend to have a lot of spare time for that. Many combat mages received Class Abilities that protected them even better than a suit of armor would.

Neither Aiden nor Norri had one of those abilities however and a suit of leather armor would be a huge improvement over the basic robes they had been wearing.

M'redith went next and everyone sat quietly as she received her armor. It seemed the group needed more time to adjust to having used a skillbook. M'redith eventually returned wearing a suit of leather armor much like Jays. Hers however appeared much tougher, heavier. Jay could tell just by looking at it that it was made for a tank, someone who got attacked a lot. Her suit also had a Glimmerhide patch on the collar.

Aiden and Norri all took their turns before they gathered back in the meeting room all wearing suits of leather armor with Glimmerhide patches on the collars. Aiden and Norri were able to easily wear their robes over their armor. Jay was able to fit his shirt, vest, and belt over his armor providing him with many many pockets to store things in.

M'redith put her clothes in to her bag and just slung it over a shoulder. She intended to just wear her armor as is.

Although some of them had some basic armor back at the Guild it was nothing compared to what Hal had just given them.

“I don't know how to thank you for this, these are amazing.” Jay said appreciatively.

Hal shrugged, “No need. It was paid for already. The suits are nice but again, these are for starting out in. You'll eventually want to upgrade to a set of magic armor. For now this should do wonderfully however.”

M'redith smiled happily and shook Hal's hand. “The armor is lovely and much better than what I've been using. Hope to see you again.”

Hal nodded politely and shut the door behind them as they left the building.

“I feel a little better about tomorrow now.” Norri remarked.

“How so?” M'redith asked as she held Jay's hand.

Aiden flagged down a passing cart as Norri spoke. “I was nervous about going in to a dungeon without armor. Didn't anyone else find that dangerous?”

Jay laughed, “Good point. At least now we'll all be armored come tomorrow's dungeon run!”

They all piled in to the cart that Aiden had flagged down and waited a moment before the vehicle lurched once and began to roll its way to the Guild.