Ceylas and Cambrin had both been relatively quiet for quite some time and I’d begun to read the first few pages of the book I’d been given when Cambrin put the cittern back down on the table and sighed. “I do not think any of us can use this. It is a remarkable instrument but it is uniquely tied to the magics of bards. There is an enchantment tied to it that actually delivers harm to any who attempt to play the instrument without experience in the bardic arts.”
“I don’t know that it would have been particularly convenient to lug around anyway,” I said, taking the instrument and tucking it back into the haversack. “Perhaps we can get some decent coin for selling it?”
“Indeed! It’s considered a wondrous item so it should be worth some fair coin if we can find someone willing to aquire it from us.”
Ceylas still had her eyes closed and her fingers brushing the leather of her hat but she must have been listening to the conversation. “We might be able to sell or trade it at Mayhem.”
“Mayhem?” I asked.
Cambrin nodded. “She means Miadus Touch, Magic and Mayhem. It’s a large, eccentric store in the north west quardrant of the city.”
“What about the ring?” Ceylas asked, still keeping most of her attention on the hat.
I reached into my haversack and drew the small, amber-stoned ring out, handing it to Cambrin. He sighed, stretched his neck and took a sip of his ale. The drink had probably grown a little warm in the time it had sat on the table. The froth had mostly bubbled away but he still wiped a faint trace of it from his upper lip as he once again drew the pearl from his goggles, set up his mirror, and readied himself to cast the ritual for a third time.
I’d managed a full chapter of the book before he again reached the end of the spell. “Now this,” he said, “is a powerful item.”
“What is it?” Ceylas asked. By now she was starting to practice a strange hand gesture that involved curving her fingers and drawing them in front of her face as if she were peeling away a mask. She whispered an incantation as she did it that sounded like, “Cheilt”. There were faint shimmers in her features each time she did it but the spell wasn’t yet taking full effect.
“It’s a ring of mind-shielding,” Cambrin explained, ignoring the strange gestures Ceylas was making. “It offers some powerful mind protection and can even harbour your soul after your death.”
I raised an eyebrow. That was pretty impressive.
“It’s not as wonderous as the hat or the cittern but it’s still quite an uncommon item.”
Ceylas reached a hand out. “I’ll take it!” she said, but Cambrin gripped it a little tighter.
“You are already attuning to the hat, Ceylas. It is only fair to let Lo’Kryn or I make use of the ring.”
She pouted, but nodded and returned to focusing on the incantation for the hat. Cambrin turned to me.
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“I don’t know which of us would be better suited to such an item. I do know I have very little defence of mind myself. I’m not adept at deception but I also have little need to disguise my intention or heritage.” He eyed me, as if seeking deeper beneath the facade of my appearance. “Something tells me there may be more to you than you would wish others to know. (Insight: 5+0=5) But I have no idea what that might be.”
I sighed. Since I definitely appeared human I hadn’t really needed to hide the celestial nature within me. There was no reason to here, although I suspect it might become something that could need to be obscured depending on where we might venture in the future. But I didn’t like the idea of leaving Cambrin without mental defences. My own will was above average. As much as I liked the idea of the additional protections this ring provided, I worried that Cambrin would need it more than I would. Plus, I wasn’t so sure I’d want my soul stuck in a ring if I died. I did my best to convey this to Cambrin.
“No, you wouldn’t be trapped in it. That aspect is entirely optional. You are sentient within the ring and can communicate with the being that wears it. Should you choose, you may opt to transition to the afterlife rather than remain in the amber.”
“And you’re certain there isn’t already a soul inhabiting the ring?” I took it from him to peer deeply into the amber stone. It reflected the torch light that flickered around the room.
Cambrin blinked. “I do not think so, although, I suppose it may be possible that the identify spell failed to detect it.” He shook his head. “No, I’m sure I would have sensed the presence of an entity were it inhabiting the ring while I gleaned its properties.”
I nodded, handing it back to him. “I don’t want to deprive you of the protections. Besides, you’ve spent so much time and coin today it’s only fair that you should benefit from the spoils.”
He sighed, looking at the ring with a frown. “Perhaps I will use it for now and should we change our mind later I can give it to you then. Would you mind if I take the time now to attune to it?”
I didn’t like the idea of having to sit around, even with my book, waiting for them both to complete the attunement process. It would take them the better part of an hour. “What if you give me the directions to that magic shop?” I asked, tucking the book into my haversack. “I can see if I can sell the cittern while you two stay here and attune. I’ll probably be back before you’re done.”
“Given the trade, how about we consider the cittern yours then, Lo’Kryn. And you keep the value of its trade.”
“Hey!” Ceylas said, her concentration breaking. “That’s not fair.” She glared at her brother.
He shook his head. “Lo’Kryn has been more than generous with us, Ceylas. Besides, you have the hat if you ever care to sell it. I am certain it is at least equal in value.”
“Tell you what?” I said, reaching into my haversack. I drew out two of the healing potions. “How about you each have one of these and we consider it all a fair trade. I could definitely use a little buffer in my coin purse. I’ve only got two silver left, after all.”
Ceylas sighed and took the potion. Cambrin nodded his head and tucked the other into his belt pouch. “Thank you Lo’Kryn. Now, about those directions.” He spend a few minutes explaining in detail how to cross the river and the best route through the city to reach the western shore then travel north to find the magic shop.
“Do you know the proprietor?” I asked. He and Ceylas both shook their heads.
“We’ve never had enough coin to warrant going in,” Ceylas admitted, flushing slightly.
“Indeed. You will see when you arrive. It is an upscale property that caters to those of means. Not to say it does not, perhaps, also have objects for those of lesser wealth, but we have not before found ourselves in need of anything of that ilk.”
I nodded, understanding why Cambrin and Ceylas had probably never had need to go inside such a store before. “I’ll find it and return as soon as I can.” I told them, standing to head out the door. They both nodded, Ceylas returning her concentration to the hat’s magic, and Cambrin counting out the coin to pay for their drinks.
I gave Jovial a short wave as I headed out the door and, alone, into the streets of Talazen.