A few hours later, Lee sat inside Captain Karlyle’s temporary home. Apparently, the captain was the man in charge of running the logistical operations here in Selldun. He was usually the highest ranking officer, but with Fatalina being around because of Lee, she took that position. Still, that didn’t magically make his duties disappear, and Lee felt like he was a little-bit of a bother at the moment.

As Captain Karlyle had been stationed here permanently, he had a home to call his own. It was on the smaller side, but it was definitely well lived in. All around the living room, in which Lee sat, he could spot numerous bits and bobs bought solely for the man's personal enjoyment. There was a small wooden bookshelf next to the small sofa he currently sat on, and after skimming the spines, Lee noticed that none of them were for what the captain would call work. Magical literature, biographies, and many different scientific studies lined the shelves.

Lee stopped his inspection as the good captain strolled into the living room with a small tray filled with ceramic teacups and an ornate teapot. “Please, please, make yourself comfortable. We have a lot to discuss.” He said with a smile and hint of anticipation as he placed the fine tea set down on the small coffee table in front of the sofa before sitting down next to Lee and filling the teacups with a steady, trained hand.

There weren’t many things Lee disliked in life. Normally, he was content with anything or everything that was offered to him—Tea was not one of those things. He felt the need to gag upon smelling the noxious liquid, but forced it down and plastered a polite smile on his face, as he didn’t want to offend his newest friend.

And his newest friend did like his tea.

“...is a blend from Farlin. It costs quite a hefty sum, but I could think of no greater guest to share it with. Please, enjoy.” The captain finished as he daintily held a teacup out toward Lee, who raised a shaky hand to grasp the poison.

“From Farlin? I’m not familiar,” Lee said as he placed the teacup onto his lap.

The captain blinked in a moment of confusion, before recognition dawned on his face. “Oh, that’s right. You’re not from around here. It’s the dwarven city situated underground and beneath the Starkost mountains, just north of here. It’s situated right between Thexis and Bardum.”

“Dwarves? What are they like?”

The captain took a very loud sip, which caused Lee to flinch on his behalf, then spoke at length with a lecturing tone. “Dwarves are a smaller race—stout, bearded, and bulky. Masters of the arts, and reclusive to most. I could name on one hand the dwarves currently living here in Thexis, and they’re all craftsmen of great renown. I believe Fatalina’s Krises were made by one of them. They live in a grand kingdom built within and under the mountainside, ruled by Dargin the Third, their current king. They live for hundreds of years, all spent honing their specific craft, and seek to make the best of the best, even from poor quality materials. If you ever run across one in your lengthy travels, pay them respect, as they’re most likely a master of their craft.”

Lee nodded along, intrigued by the knowledge. They sounded like the dwarves he’d heard about on Earth. Stout, bulky, beards, and ale—masters of the forge and living within mountains. Maybe the stories on Earth came from here? Was that his uncle’s doing? “All of the arts? Not just, say, metalwork?”

The captain waved frantically, practically begging Lee to perish the thought. “Of course not. While some do hone their metalworking, they choose at a young age at which craft they want to live by. It can range from tea, painting, jewelry, blacksmithing… all the way to esoteric things like scrimshaws.” He gave Lee an appreciative look. “They have great enchanters as well. You said you had interest in such work?”

Lee gingerly placed his teacup on the coffee table in front of him, trying to act casual. He knew his Stealth skill didn’t work this way, but he was friends with the gods. Maybe they could let it slide just this once. “That’s correct. I’ve made some enchanted items…” Lee searched through his Hidden Cache, withdrawing a thin knife he’d put sharpness on back in Lopus—the one meant for Belgrate. He placed the knife onto the small table.

Sharp Belt-Knife - (Uncommon): A simple belt-knife enchanted with Sharpness by the Genesis of Healing/Miracle Worker.

Captain Karlyle carefully placed the teacup to the side and reached out for the knife, pausing for a moment to look at Lee for permission. Lee nodded his okay, and the captain picked up the knife and ran his finger over the sharpened edge. “Sharpness?” He asked, earning another nod. “Basic, but great for a beginner. Enchanters are fairly rare, given the need to have a magical aptitude. Their numbers are dwindling thanks to the draft. I fear that if this war continues any longer, then the next generation may be left lacking.”

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When he finished his inspection of the knife, he placed it back onto the table. “It’s a good craft to learn. It’s very useful for making many items which significantly enhance the quality of life of others. Well, I suppose as a healer you’re already doing your fair share of that.” He laughed heartily, then grabbed his cup to take another sip, side-eyeing Lee’s untouched tea.

Lee cleared his throat and hurried to pick a new topic. “Let’s get to talking about magic. As I’ve asked plenty, do you have any questions, or general magical ‘things’ you want to talk about first? I’m not the most scholarly, but I like to think I can have some input.”

“Yes! Yes. Firstly, if I may be so bold… As you know, I specialize in lightning. Might I ask what you, the Genesis of Healing, specialize in?” Captain’s Karlyle’s teacup clinked on the tiny ceramic plate as he finished speaking.

“I would say life magic, but I have a little bit of everything going on if I’m being honest. I know several advanced elements, as well as two experts. But, as you know, I’m well known for life—healing and all of that. I was actually mana infused at the start of my magical journey with an expert tier element. Glacial. My friend, a Dark Elf named Neia Sindris from Neldam, which is deep within the Shadowgrove forest, did it for me. I have a lot to thank her for.”

The captain spluttered as Lee explained. Shocked, and with a shaky hand, he quickly reached for his teacup and raised it to his suddenly dry lips. “Tw—Two experts? And a Dark Elf you say? Why, that is a story in and of itself! I’m curious as to how fair they are, as what little I could find about the Drow, or Dark Elves, isn’t very academic and painted them in a horrid light.”

Seeing a perfect opportunity to spread the good word about the Dark Elves, Lee took his chance. “Well, for one, I wouldn’t be here today to speak with you if they never helped me. I would be dead in a ditch—meal for a goblin or Owlbear, for sure. They’ve told me about their, excuse the pun, dark past… And from what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen? They’re completely normal. It’s a shame that they’ve been locked away in the Shadowgrove for so long. Afterall, Thexis is built upon their land.”

The captain nodded along, right up until the end. “Oh? Haven't you heard? I believe Fatalina herself advocated for their un-banishment directly to the king. Why, not a few weeks past? By now, I think that some of them were well on their way toward entering our fair kingdom and seeing the sights and connecting with us humans once more. I myself cannot wait until one crosses my path—Not that it’s likely out here in Selldun, but I would love to have a nice, civil conversation with yet another race. We have so few here in Thexis.”

Lee smiled as he leaned back into the sofa. “I have only met them, the Wood Elves just this morning, and maybe a halfling? I’m not sure. It could have been a really old lady…”

The captain laughed and nodded along. “Were they about yay big?” He held a hand outwards, about waist high. Lee nodded, causing the captain to smirk and shake his head ruefully. “A Fae-touched, not a ‘halfling’ as you might say. Though, half fae would maybe be correct? It’s hard to say. The only…” Captain Karlyle quieted and looked toward his door, then cupped his mouth and leaned toward Lee. “...the only halfling I’m aware of is Fatalina.” He leaned back and did the zipper lips and nodded solemnly. “Do not bring it up in front of her, lest you earn a dagger in your back. She is self-conscious about it… Did she tell you the tale about her ear? No, I suppose she wouldn’t tell you that right away, renowned or not.”

He shook his head softly, and seeing Lee’s inquisitiveness, sped it up. “I will not tell you. She will be the one, should she deem it appropriate—It is not a tale for those un-close. It’s personal. So, Glacial magic, I assume it’s similar to ice?”

Seeing as he wouldn’t get the details from the good captain, Lee moved on. “That’s right. I could show you a spell right now if you wanted. It summons a suit of armor and a weapon. Though, I would advise not touching it, as it will do some very unpleasant things to you if you do.”

The captain waved the showcase away, then refilled his tea. “No need. Save your mana for when it’s needed. That’s been ingrained into me from my early days in the mage corps. No quality of life to be had out there on the field. Every point of mana is precious.”

“I know quite a few advanced elements, but I’m afraid I don’t know lightning. I’ve seen one other person, an adventurer, use it before. Does it have quality of life spells?”

The captain smirked and nodded. “You ever needed to jolt someone awake? That’s quality of life in and of itself. You can also heat liquid, sense the living around you, start a fire, purify water… lots of things. I even have a spell that soothes sore muscles. That one took a bit of trial and error, mind you. I’m of the mind that the spells for quality of life are the best parts about magic.”

“I agree. Well, if you count healing as quality of life.”

They both laughed and continued to chat for the rest of the night.

And Lee didn’t drink a drop of tea.