The thrill of victory was short-lived. After completing the dungeon run, Robert found himself utterly drained, the lingering fatigue of the battle settling deep into his bones. Shopping was the furthest thing from his mind. He simply left and headed back to town, the familiar sights and sounds of Oakhaven a welcome balm to his weary soul. His first stop was the Adventurer's Guild, where he met with Lysandra. He presented his log entry, the record of his triumph over Xalzar, a faint echo of the battle that still thrummed within him. Lysandra, ever efficient, promptly promoted him to Tier 3. She offered to hold a grand ceremony in his honor, but Robert politely declined. All he desired was a hot bath and the oblivion of sleep. He did, however, promise to join her for a drink another night, a social obligation he'd fulfill when his energy returned.

He returned home to find Elara and Anya waiting, their faces etched with a mixture of anticipation and concern. "Robert, how did it go?" Elara asked, her voice soft. A weary but triumphant smile touched his lips. "It's done," he said, the words carrying the weight of his accomplishment. "I'm now a Tier 3 Adventurer." He paused, letting the news sink in before adding, "The dungeon... it pushed me, harder than I expected. But I managed." All he wanted now was the solace of a hot bath and the embrace of sleep. The girls, sensing his exhaustion, offered their congratulations and wished him a good night, their voices filled with a mixture of relief and pride. As he climbed the stairs, their words echoed in his mind. He sank into the steaming water of his bath, the heat seeping into his aching muscles. His thoughts drifted back to the battle with Xalzar, the raw power he had faced, and the unexpected aid from the amulet. He had taken on a level 62 dungeon solo, a feat normally requiring a team of five or more level 60 adventurers. A disquieting thought began to take root: was he becoming too powerful? Could he one day become a danger himself, a force beyond control? Lost in these unsettling reflections, he lingered in the bath for another half hour, the warmth doing little to ease the chill that had settled in his soul. Finally, he dragged himself out and sought the oblivion of sleep.

The easy rhythm of the morning, filled with the chatter of Clara, Willow, and himself recounting their days off, was broken by the chime of the shop door. Mayor Kaligorn entered, an unfamiliar older gentleman at his side. Robert excused himself and approached, offering the Mayor his hand. "Mayor Kaligorn, good morning," he said. The Mayor's smile was broad as he shook Robert's hand. "Robert, the town is buzzing with news of your exploits yesterday. Soloing the Bastion! And emerging victorious! Lysandra spoke highly of you, but she didn't quite capture the scope of your abilities." The Mayor gestured to the man beside him, who had been studying Robert with an intense gaze. Robert offered a slight shrug, uncomfortable with the praise. "Perspective, Mayor," he said quietly. "My strength is relative, I assure you. It depends on who's judging." He couldn't help but glance at the stranger beside the mayor, wondering at his interest.

"Robert," Mayor Kaligorn began, his voice carrying a note of formality, "allow me to introduce Sir Alaric Ironheart, the Landed Knight responsible for the safety and well-being of the lands surrounding Oakhaven." Robert turned his attention to the knight, a man of imposing stature and a steely gaze. He offered his hand respectfully. "Sir Alaric," he said, his tone matching the Mayor's formality, "the pleasure is all mine." Sir Alaric took Robert's hand, his grip firm and unwavering. "Mr. Williams," he returned, a hint of warmth in his otherwise strong voice, "the pleasure is mutual. I confess, I have only recently learned of your presence in Oakhaven. However, several individuals whose judgment I trust implicitly have spoken highly of your honesty and honor. That is a commendation I do not take lightly. Welcome to our community. Your shop is a most valuable addition, and having access to a skilled enchanter is a true blessing."

"Many thanks for your kind words, Sir Alaric," Robert said, beaming. "Now, what brings you and your companion to my humble establishment this fine day?" Robert asked. "I'm afraid I'm to blame for our visit," Sir Alaric replied with a wry smile. "News of an enchanter setting up shop here in town piqued my curiosity. I was eager to assess your skills, of course. But I also wished to speak with you regarding my son." Robert's smile faltered slightly. "Your son, sir? Please understand, I mean no offense, but... he's rather difficult." Sir Alaric chuckled, a deep, hearty sound. "Mr. Williams, rest assured, I'm quite aware of my son's... spirited nature. No offense taken whatsoever." Robert forced a smile and continued, "That is good to hear but what is it about your son you wanted to talk about?"

"I did want to address the matter of my son, Mr. Williams. He came to me expressing his displeasure regarding your encounter the other day. However, after some careful questioning, I ascertained that the fault lay entirely with him. I've since informed him that he is barred from your shop until he offers you a sincere apology." Robert smiled at this. "Sir, it's quite alright," he replied. "To be honest, your son hasn't crossed my mind since that day, so there's truly no need for concern on your part." Sir Alaric smiled and replied, "That is honorable of you and I thank you for not holding a grudge, so let us move on to other matters, namely what you can do." Robert smiled when the talk shifted to his work, "Well quite a bit, I have both the Enchanting skill as well as the Enchanting Sphere of magic."

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"Now, I won't ask your tier – terribly rude, and you shouldn't answer that anyway – but I'm guessing it's respectable. My keep's got a few enchantments for defense, but I've always felt a few more wouldn't hurt. Can you provide that sort of thing?" Robert's ears seemed to perk up. "Many such enchantments are within my capabilities," he answered. "If you could describe your current defenses and any areas you feel are lacking, I can offer more specific advice." Sir Alaric laughed, a brief, almost self-deprecating sound. "Normally, I'd say giving out details on my defenses is a fool's errand. But I guess you need some idea. We've got enchanted walls for extra strength, same with the main gate – that's fire-resistant, too. And the well's protected against poisons." Robert blinked, waiting for him to continue. When he didn't, Robert had to ask, a touch incredulous, "Is that it? Just those?"

"Enchantments are indeed a considerable expense," Alaric admitted, his gaze flickering downwards. "To be frank, my holdings are modest for a knight, and while the need to fortify the northwest border is dire, my coffers are…limited." Robert offered a reassuring smile. "I understand completely, Sir Alaric. No offense taken." He paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "If I may offer some suggestions, I'd prioritize self-repair enchantments for the walls."

"I explored that option," Alaric interjected, a hint of frustration in his voice. "But the initial cost was exorbitant, and the enchanter warned of frequent recharges at an equally exorbitant price. With all due respect, Mr. Williams, such an expenditure is simply beyond my means." Robert frowned, perplexed. "That doesn't sound right. While the installation cost varies depending on the size of the walls, it shouldn't be more than a few gold pieces. And as for recharging, under normal circumstances, the enchantment should remain active for several years. Unless you're facing constant attacks, of course. And even then, recharging is a simple process. Why would you need an enchanter for that?"

"The enchanter insisted that runes of such potency require a professional for recharging," Alaric explained, a furrow in his brow. Robert chuckled. "Nonsense! If crafted correctly, anyone can recharge them. I can even provide you with mana crystals for that purpose, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg." Sir Alaric looked skeptical. "Truly? That cheaply?" Robert nodded. "Well, the cost does depend on the size of your keep. I'm assuming it's a standard square layout?"

"Mostly, yes," Alaric confirmed. "Each wall is roughly 300 feet long, about a foot thick, and 25 feet high." Robert pulled out a piece of parchment and began scribbling calculations. "Let's see... two days to ensure it's done properly, so roughly 15 hours of work. You'll need four storage crystals, about 50 silver pieces each, so two gold for those. A bit of silver for the inscription, but not an excessive amount – say, another two gold. Then, for my time and expertise... let's say two gold, plus 30 silver for my apprentice Willow. It'll be good experience for her." He paused, tapping the parchment with his pen. "That brings the total for the enchantment itself to seven gold. You'll also need four large charging crystals for emergencies, so let's add another gold for those. Eight gold in total."

"Eight gold?" Alaric exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. "The enchanter from the capital quoted me 400 gold for the enchantment alone, and another 30 gold every time it needed recharging!" Robert chuckled softly. "Sadly, con artists exist everywhere. While I can understand charging a premium for such specialized work, a gold a day provides a comfortable living for a month. I'm not one for extravagant expenses." He shrugged. "Besides, we're practically neighbors. Ensuring the security of this region benefits us all." Sir Alaric stepped forward and clasped Robert's hand, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Then we have a deal! In fact, I'll make it ten gold if you can begin within a week."

"A week it is," Robert agreed, returning the handshake. "I look forward to assisting you, Sir Alaric. Now, let's explore some other options for bolstering your defenses." The two men spent the next few hours engrossed in conversation, devising a comprehensive plan for enhancing the keep's magical fortifications. They outlined a schedule for implementing several enchantments, including a barrier to deflect incoming arrows, a ward to prevent the unseen passage of a being by use of any spell or skill below Tier 5, and a magical water source to replace the aging well. When all was said and done, the project would span three months and cost the knight a total of 50 gold.