With the sun rising, Norbert made his way back to the inn. Obsius returned from her flight during the night, getting annoyed when she found Norbert still sitting there and unable to return to the inn when it was still dark outside. Sitting on Norbert's other shoulder, he felt the bird rumbling away as it went fast asleep.
Seeing nobody else, the bird was still on his shoulder as he entered the inn. Stoking the fire, Norbert sat on one of the chairs, positioning it to face it, looking through his backpack, and pulling out the bestiary. Smiling at it, seeing the pages be slightly worn after his travels. Opening it up and flicking through the pages, Norbert saw some water damage. Not surprised in the least with all the water he went through.
Though the damage was there, it was light, not stopping him from reading the pages. Obsius shaking awake, fluttered over to the chandelier, sitting in her place as she rustled her feathers before falling asleep again.
The flames, now bouncing around again after being stoked blazing again. Leaning back in the chair and feeling the heat flick at his feet, he remembered the lava rivers he had seen. He was wondering what would happen to them in the future. He was shrugging his shoulders that it would be someone else's problem.
As time ticked on, he saw others climbing the stairs, sitting around the bar and tables. Someone is joining him next to the fire, also bringing their seat. Norbert nodded, seeing it was Mathews and wondering what the man wanted with him, as he always had a reason for talking. And it never was just for a friendly chat together.
Sitting there patiently, Norbert heard more and more people come down the stairs. Not turning from the fire but counting that should have been everyone by now. "Any plans for today?" Norbert asked Mathaos. The lack of chatter made him even more suspicious as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"Nothing much, just going to see the sites again. Maybe get into a bit of mischief and mayhem." Mathaos said, leaning towards Norbert, "But only a little bit" he winked and sat straight in his chair again.
Norbert just nodded. "Well, have fun with that. I'm just going to do some clothes shopping and some repairs. Oh yeah, and get a mask as well. Just wondering do you know where I could get one?" Norbert asked, smiling and eyes shining at the prospect of replacing his mask that he had before. Weird not to have it in arms reach when needed.
"Sounds like you've got it all planned out. And sadly no clue where you would get something like the mask you wore. Not really my style. But ask around. Somebody here should have some idea." Mathews said.
As he turned around, commenting to Norbert, "Looks like everyone to ask is here already. Hey, does anyone know where to get a mask for Norbert? He wants to go full assassin again!" Mathaos shouted to the group.
All eyes turned towards the two of them in the once quiet inn, feeling embarrassed about being called out so quickly. Slinking into his chair, he waited for the murmurings to start.
And start they did, as he peeled his ears trying to listen, surprised at what he heard. All are talking about places to go; even Dobert, smiling at Norbert, was adding to the conversation correctly. As one, they all pointed to Nancy, who just stood there, arms on her hips puffing out.
"One mask to order, coming right up." She said while walking towards him. Stopping next to the chair, she leaned forward. "But it's going to cost you."
Norbert was suspicious about the request, feeling like it was a trap but wanting to bite anyway. "So, what will it cost me?" he asked.
Grabbing his arm and pulling him up, she was already running out the door as she shouted, waking up Obsius, "Well, food, of course. And maybe some other little things." She replied. The door swung open with a bang, and everyone just stared at the two of them leave. Obsius just sat back down, chirping away at them.
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***
Sitting down, Norbert was more tired than he ever thought he could be. After the clothes shopping, more garments were picked out and added to the pile. No longer were they just green and brown shirts and pants with some boots made of leather. He was carrying around an entire wardrobe on his back.
Short sleeves, long jackets, blazers, hats, everything. More and more things just flew in his direction. Most of it was rejected, but some stuck with him to the next store. The only good thing about it was the cost. Norbert saw the prices, and instead of being silvers, it was coppers each time.
After the third store, Norbert confronted Nancy, but only a smile as she twirled away, pointing at the next place on the street and insisting they go there instead. Sighing and giving in, Norbert entered, and the cycle repeated itself.
By now, he had completely lost track of the amount of stores he had seen. Hearing the words come from Nancy's mouth, "Oh, that one would be splendid."
Norbert, just nodding along, trudged inside, surprised at how much he was carrying to be still able to navigate the streets and the inside of the shops. The bell once more dinged as he stepped inside, not even looking when he entered. But the moment he did, feeling that something was different.
The scratching of metal on metal was the first thing that made him aware of the change. The second was the floor. Instead of the wooden or smooth flat stone floors like in the other shops, this one looked like concrete, seeing some of the rocks jutting out of it, allowing him to gain traction on the floor.
As he looked up, the store was dimly lit, except in the back with a blazing fire. Hunched over was a man banging away at something in the furnace. Taking a piece of metal out, Norbert saw how it glowed red hot before moving to the anvil and banging at it.
Bringing his eyes closer, drawn to the source of the sound, creating the scratching he heard when he entered. She was there, hunched over a table, a device in hand, as she worked on a metal item. A magnifying glass was held on a stand as the woman stared down at what she was doing.
Stepping closer, the rest of the shop stood with pieces of metal weapons and armour. Some are positioned to stand there, others ready to strike a foe down. All gleaming and light coming off it from the runes being created.
Now at the front, Norbert saw that the etching was a pattern, seeing the magic circles and extra pieces added to it. Nancy is standing there waiting patiently. As the woman continued to work, her hair kept back with a yellow towel, thick gloves and a leather apron on her, protecting herself from the heat; she carefully placed it down on the metal sheet on the dark wooden table.
"So, what can I do for you, Nancy." The woman asked.
Norbert was taken aback that this stranger knew Nancy from someplace and the gruffness as well. "Come on, Aunty, why so mean to your niece? And it's not for me but for him." She finished turning to the side and extending her arm, waving Norbert forward.
Stepping forward, feeling out of place with all the clothes he carried in this place asked. "I was wondering if you could make a mask for me?" Norbert asked.
The woman opened a drawer and took out a notebook, pencil and a tape measure. "So, what kind of mask do you want?" She asked Norbert.
Gulping as he placed his thoughts, "One of those masks you can get from the stalls in the markets. But stronger and tougher. By a lot. I had a black one with red under the eyes, and along the jaw but in my last scuffle, it was smashed to pieces." Norbert said.
Nodding that it was all, Nancy cleared her throat as she looked at him, tapping her chest. Norbert wondered what she was on about and remembered the critical important detail. "Oh, and if it can not limit my vision and modulate my voice." Norbert finished.
Nancy coughed again and pointed at her chest, the woman now looking up, wondering what her niece was up to. Nodding along now, remembering, "Oh, and if it could have a battery so it can be recharged and stored, its charge be a must-have."
"All that's going to cost a pretty coin." The engraver said.
Norbert just nodded along. "To be expected of fine work." He replied.
"A gold coin, then, for a mask you asked for." She said.
Norbert looked at Nancy, who nodded in response to it. "A gold coin it is." He said, reaching around in his purse. Feeling light, Norbert remembered he didn't have the gold anymore, having given it away and never had it returned when it was changed over.
"Ummm, can I get it to you later today?" Norbert asked.
"Since you're with my Niece, then sure. I'll get it started when I can. And how long will you be staying here?" She asked.
"For at least five more days," Nancy responded. The woman just nodded, beckoning Norbert forward to take his measurements.
Face measured as she started drawing out designs for the lights, Norbert indicating where he wanted it to go.
"And that's that done. Guess I will see you later today than Norbert." She responded.
Norbert just nodded as he followed behind Nancy, leaving the shop. Once outside, Norbert realised how bright it was, squinting and waiting for his eyes to adjust.
Nancy walked down the road and asked him, "So, how will you get a gold coin to pay for it?"
Norbert whistled as he followed Nancy towards the inn. "The same way I do every other time," Norbert replied.