- 92 -

“We did it!” Kiritus cheered.

The children were crouched on the ground splitting up the coins they’d earned from selling the monster loot.

They had opted to purchase carving knives for each kid and Victor picked up a short axe for chopping wood.

They are good kids, they took my advice and started their new crafts.

Dyler planned to carve arrows and spoons. Kiritus decided she would make bows, Calvin and Victor planned to fell lumber for their friends and make shoes with their father on the side. The dwarf child Kodna wanted to make wooden tankards but she had no idea how to start.

The children all ran off to get started crafting, hoping to earn their first level in their crafting skills by the end of the day.

ha! Too excited to even say goodbye, they will be fine.

Marcus and Drew walked down the Main Street of Aldermere. The elf slowed his pace so the bird could keep up on foot.

I’m glad that the kids have a source of safe exp and income. What could I end up specializing in?

Enchanting is stable. And I’m particularly good at cartography, but I don’t know how lucrative that is. Could I make my fortune mending? Or are there any wealthy healers?

Drew looked at the elf strolling along beside him.

“Marcus. What’s your craft? Do you have a side craft?”

“I am a chef. I make desserts. Bonbons and custard and sugary treats of all kinds.” Marcus said.

“What really?”

I need to learn how to make deserts here!

“Yes I’ve got quite the following in the capital.” Marcus said.

“Well then why are you all the way out here?” Drew asked.

The two adventurers passed the last couple homes before stepping onto the town’s main cross street. The buildings around them turned into shops and storefronts.

“I heard rumor of a rare ingredient, the Mana Currant. But I could not find them anywhere in these last months and it is time to return home again.” Marcus said.

“Seems like a huge risk for a chef to take to find an ingredient.”

“It is but some things are worth risking your life for.” Marcus said.

You could get killed outside of the cities.

“Who runs your business while you are gone?”

“My store manager, obviously. I couldn’t be gone so often without someone to keep my employees in line.” Marcus said.

“I make sure to have a backlog of desserts stored away to last a few months. As things are going now I’ve got about 3 weeks to make it back before my best creations likely run out.”

“I’d love to see your shop. I’m trying to learn to cook my self and desserts sound fantastic.” Drew said.

“I’m happy to help you Drew. You have reminded me what it is like to be young and adventurous.”

I guess a hero like me does do some adventurous things.

“You have done a good thing for these children Drew.” Marcus said.

“It’s the right thing to do. I can’t protect them, but they can’t go out there without a plan. That would get them killed.” Drew said.

“It reminds me of a village I stayed at for a few months. They were being invaded by feral orcs. They needed my help. They needed the army’s help.” Marcus said with a far off look in his eyes.

“I taught them how to build a palisade, not unlike this one, and how to make bows and arrows. They survived, the orcs moved on to softer targets. They became a renowned village of archers.” He said.

“Have you gone back to visit them since? Let’s stop by there on the way to Valoria.”

“Oh the place is long gone now, that was generations ago.” Marcus waved the idea.

They heard raised voices coming from a shop across the street.

“If you cannot see the value of these shells then I certainly won’t be giving you them. Why that’s basically a charitable donation!”

“I’ve been made a fool of once already and that’s quite enough.” A second voice shouted back. “I can offer you store credit at 5 gold apiece, or 3 gold each. Take it or leave it.”

“Store credit would be worthless to me. We leave today.”

Thats Damien, is this the same store he sold my enchanted stones to?

“Good riddance. We don’t need your kind here in our quiet town!” The storekeeper shouted.

“My kind? My kind?! Speak plainly sir! What kind of man do you think I am?” Damien demanded.

“You are the lowest sort sir. An adventure that consorts with demons!” He laughed, a shrill noise that was part wheeze and part shriek.

“Enough, I will not be ridiculed and insulted by backwoods frontier trash like you sir.” Damien said cooly.

He stormed out of the building with his wand in his hand. He spun around to face the store front and stopped with his wand raised. He turned to look at Marcus and Drew, his arm wavered.

“Wait wait! What were you going to cast?” Marcus said. “Are we standing too close?”

“Damn it. It’s not worth it.” Damien said.

“You’ve made the right choice.” Drew said.

Thats not his usual wand.

The enchanter held out a bag to Drew.

“These shells are yours. Take them before they cause me more trouble.” Damien sighed.

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

Drew took the bag and looked inside. There were several spider melon scales glimmering inside.

“I checked, the local arcane shop won’t buy them. They can’t support their mana costs either.“ He said.

These will be great armor if I can keep them alive.

Damien stomped off towards the corral and their wagons. Drew and Marcus followed quickly behind him.

The Johns and the blacksmith’s apprentice did a good job. The Johns are all packed up and ready to go.

Damien’s trunk was anxiously waiting for him. The enchanter walked right up to it and tapped it with his foot. It opened its lid and he dropped in his kit and notes.

“John! Which wagon am I in?” He asked gruffly.

“You are in the new wagon. It is ready.” The nearest John said.

The trunk handed Damien his traveling cloak and a book.

“Thank you. The sooner we put this town behind the horizon the better.” Damien huffed.

The blacksmith was loading up a crate onto a wagon. And he had a long box nearly the size of a coffin. He carried it strapped to his back.

His face is grim. Must be heavy.

Krag was loading several kegs onto the magical cart while two home makers loitered.

Drew flew closer and picked up the conversation. Thrain was trying to sell a few more things to offset the kegs of ale he’d just bought from the two women.

“Surely there is something I can interest you in from amongst my wares?” He gave them his best smile and gestured to the housewares on display.

“Oh no there isn’t anything we need.” The woman said drawing out the last two words.

That's weird…

“Detect.” Drew said.

Huh, is she lying? It feels like it’s near to the truth. Then there is something she wants but doesn’t see? Or is it something she can’t ask for?

“Perhaps then something that is a bit more exotic? I am known for my discretion.” Thrain said.

That’s true.

“As you can imagine we have plenty of ale. It is the other… more rare partakences we lack.” The other woman said.

She’s really nervous.

Thrain touched on finger lightly to his nose and winked at the two women.

He made a show of looking around then pulled out a small black box from his coat.

He leaned forwards and the two women stepped in closer to speak with him.

“Directly from Easeayum. Chyoshum. Of fine quality. They mix in some moonlover flowers to give it that aroma and the flowers themselves add some… intimacy to the mix.”

Thrain winked again at the two ladies.

“Well, that’s nothing I’ve tried before but we might be interested.” She replied, blushing.

He’s telling the truth. And she’s lying.

“Certainly ma’am, of course not. This is a mellow vintage and ideal for recreational use.”

“Thats exactly what we want.” She replied. Her friend looked back over her shoulder towards the street.

“Thats 56 silver for a dram. Would you need to purchase a pipe or incense holder as well?” Thrain asked.

“Oh no we have two pipes at-“ the friend said, but was cut off by the first woman.

“No that’s all.” She handed Thrain 57 silver coins. “For your discretion.”

He nodded back and accepted the coins. The women scampered off with their black box.

Drew flew down as Thrain passed the coins over to Krag for safekeeping.

“All packed up?” Drew asked as he alighted on the last barrel.

“Hello Drew! Indeed, we are nearly done. A last minute purchase for the road.” Thrain stood and put his elbow on top of the stout barrel.

“The Johns recommended I pick up some ice wine for the road and I won’t say it’s the best I have sampled out here in the frontier but for this price?!” He said.

“An investment then.” Drew said.

“It’s exceptional by human standards. I couldn’t sell it in Rodokk.” He stroked his beard. “Nearly time to depart. Do you have any last minute business my friend?”

“No I’ve got my sights set on Valoria.” Drew said.

Nearby Marcus and a John were brushing down the garnts and hitching them to the wagons.

“There weren’t enough garnts in town for us to replace the one we lost. We still need Cassie to pull wagons.” John said. “Can we continue to rely on her?”

“Of course, she’s a fine steed. Has pulled me out of danger more than once and you have been treating her well.” Marcus said.

“Alright everyone it’s about time to hit the road. One Announcement. You all met William, the blacksmith that worked on our wagons. He’s done an amazing job. He is joining us as far as Valoria.” A John said.

“He is setting out on his own after a falling out with his master.” Another John said.

“Good riddance, that man was a drunkard and slob. It’s a miracle he could find his hammer, let alone work any metal at all.” Damien said gruffly. “Glad to have someone capable aboard.”

William waved at the gathered travelers but his smile did not ease the sadness in his eyes.

An old woman creeped up to where William was standing with his back against the fence of the corral. She reached out to touch him but he turned and stepped aside avoiding her.

“Witch. I mean no offense, but I am in no mood for your prophecy today.” Will said.

She’s a witch? How do you know she is a witch?

Thrain made a circular sign to ward off evil and Seraphina spat on the ground before climbing into her wagon and shutting the door.

The witch seemed unfazed by their reactions and reached for the young man again.

“My apologies,” Will said stepping back. “But I have no money for a reading today.”

She cackled and gave Will a coy smile.

Clearly she is a witch with a cackle like that. Is she going to be another ‘Mad Scientist’ like that guy in his tower?

Damien was staying back from the witch and had his wand ready.

Drew flew over for a closer look. He landed close enough to support Will if a fight broke out.

“Oh ho! A hero is among us!” She bowed deeply.

Drew could see her eyes were cloudy and white.

She is blind? Could I heal her?

“Protect yourself. Protect your king!” She screeched. Her eyes were frosted by prophesy and visions of the future.

A John aproached with a meal. Roasted Guile with grilled Hopper and roasted sweet roots. He placed it at the witch’s feet.

“Old Daughter, thank you for your warning. An offering to ease your day.” He said.

She snatched up the meal and swept away down the street into an alley. Her tattered a grimy cloak flowing behind her like greasy smoke.

“She took our plate.” Another john said quietly. “It was one of our nice plates.”

“If that was not a sign from Miia to leave then I don’t know what is.” John said from his seat atop the wagon.

Nobody disagreed, and they were packed and moving within a couple minutes.

Drew and Damien joined the blacksmith in the first wagon, his coffin was jammed in beside him on the seat.

“William. I should say welcome aboard again now that we are on our way.” Damien said.

“Thank you Sir.” William said.

“Yes! Glad to have you.” Drew said. “Did I hear correctly that you are headed to Valoria? That’s where we are going.”

“I am indeed. I’m headed to the the Blacksmith Guild offices there. I’d like to challenge their journeyman test there.”

“Could you not pass your master’s test here?” Damien asked. “He seemed the lax sort. Surely you could meet his standards.”

William looked out the window as the town passed him by. He rested his hand on the large box crammed into the seat next to him.

“His test was impossible.” Will said. “He was never going to pass me.”

The young man looked down at his feet.

It must be really hard to pass the apprentice exams.

“Impossible. I’ve seen your work and I’m certain that your master wasnt the one to complete our order.” Damien said.

The young man looked up hopefully.

“He’s not forged anything for 6 months. Everything that came out of that smithy was from my own hands. And all the profits went into a bottle.” He scowled again.

“And so, you are traveling to Valeria to report him and have him audited. And you will take the journeyman’s exam, like a simple roving blacksmith?” Damien asked.

“Exactly.” Will said. “I’ve crafted the finest suit of armor I will make in my life. A full set of platemail and sword and shield.”

Is that what is in the box? No wonder it seems like a coffin, it’s shaped like armor.

“I’m sure that you have. What enchantments have you applied to it?” Damien asked.

“None yet. My master- My former master refused to apply any. He claimed it was scrap and should be melted down and reforged!”

“Then he was a fool.” Damien said.

He turned and placed his had on Drew’s shoulder.

“Drew would be able to apply an enchantment for you. He’s something of an apprentice enchanter and the experience would be a boon for him.”

“Me?” Drew said. “For something so important shouldn’t it be a master enchanter?”

Damien smiled and waved off Drew’s concerns.

“You are more than capable. And you can use the opportunity to apply your methods to more of the schematics in my collection.” Damien said.

Ha! He wants me to improve more of his enchantments. It will get me exp so it’s a win-win right?

Their wagon rolled out and the other three followed behind them.

“Alright William,” Drew said and ruffled his feathers to look bigger.

Damien brought out his red and black folios and handed them to Drew.

“What kind of enchantments did you have in mind?” Drew said.

New Enchantment: [Self-Cleaning]

New Enchantment: [Self-Sharpening (Tools)]

New Enchantment: [Quick-Dry]

New Enchantment: [Noise Dampening]

New Enchantment: [Magical Timer]

New Enchantment: [Refrigeration]

New Enchantment: [Waterproof]

New Enchantment: [Pest Repellent]

New Enchantment: [Anti-Slip]