New Jewelry, New Mage

Gwen’s eyes never left Garrick’s hands as he polished the bracelet made from the magic metal. It shone with a light blue sheen as he worked. He moved through the different grades of sandpaper to clean and refine it.

Watching him move from one station to the next was mesmerizing.

Chris’s loud snore mixed in with the rest of the sounds in the workshop. How he could sleep through all this madness is only Goddess Hael would know.

Finally, Garrick wiped off the jewelry one last time. He examined the bracelet closely before giving a sharp nod and turning to Gwen. “Here ya go, lass. Why don’t you try it on?”

Gwen caught the bracelet out of the air. Her hands shook lightly as she clamped it on her wrist. It flashed blue before it changed to black with a white accent.

“That metal matches the color of the user when it binds with them,” Garrick said, answering the unasked question. Here, it changed to match the element you're most aligned with.”

“I see…” Gwen trailed off, looking down at the object. She admired the beauty resting on her wrist.

I guess that answers whether I could still use dark magic.

Maybe if Gwen ever left the kingdom, she'd look into necromancy. Skeletons sounded useful enough. But Alulmeric was known to hate and prosecute people who practiced it.

Something she wouldn’t want to deal with.

“Use some magic, lass, and get a feel for it,” Garrick said, breaking her out of her thoughts.

Gwen took a deep breath and started channeling her magic.

It was slightly different since using the bracelet as a focus. For one, the response was immediate. Way quicker than either staff she’d used. The bracelet lit up white but didn’t glow brown despite using earth magic.

The ground near her shook slightly before a small stone broke free from the soil and floated around her body. Gwen waved her hand, and it followed. After a couple of seconds of practicing, she flicked the pebble at Chris.

Plunk!

The rock bounced off the top of Chris’s head, startling him.

“What the hell, are we under attack?” He jumped to his feet, reaching for his sword, but grasping at nothing. He looked at Gwen and frowned. “What’s so funny?”

“You have a giant mark on your forehead.” Gwen giggled.

Chris glared at her. “Haha, hitting me with a rock while I was sleeping is so funny.”

“It really was! Next time you should be more aware of your  surroundings.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, kicking at the dirt.

“Well, what do you think, lass?” Garrick interrupted the conversation.

“I love it!” Gwen exclaimed. “I’ve never had my magic flow like this before… it just feels so much easier to use.”

“That’s magic metal for you. It's one of the best for magic, but it’s rare.”

Gwen gave a small bow of her head. “Thank you so much for making me this bracelet with something so precious.”

Garrick looked away awkwardly. “Think nothing of it. You’re a noble; next time don't bow your head down to someone of lesser status.”

“Ahh, so even you know who I am.”

“The silver hair is really hard to miss.”

Gwen snorted.

Chris cleared his throat to gather everyone’s attention. “How long will it take for you to finish up the staff and the shield?”

“About a week, give or take a day.”

“Hmm, then we’ll be back two Mondays from now.”

Garrick dug around on the ground before picking up a shield. “Here, lad, make sure to bring it back in one piece. I’m charging you for each dent.”

“Thanks,” Chris said, taking the shield.

It was a little bigger than the old shield had been, and sturdier. The metal glistened in the light as he strapped it onto his back.

“Now leave. I want to get back to my peace.” Garrick waved them away.

He turned and picked up the unfinished blade, and put it back in the flames to heat before pounding away at it again. Gwen gave him a small thank you and walked out of the door. Chris followed closely behind.

After a short walk (and pushing through the crowd), Gwen and Chris made it back to the guild doors. Mel and Kira were standing there, looking slightly annoyed, before lighting up when they noticed Gwen in the crowd.

“Ugh, boss, I thought we were supposed to get food hours ago!” Kira whined, glaring up at her.

Mel punched the back of Kira’s head. “Sorry about her!” She growled, turning to Gwen. “She has been complaining for the last few hours about you taking too long.”

Kira rubbed the back of her head, mumbling under her breath.

“I’m sorry I’m running so late,” Gwen said, chuckling. “It took the blacksmith a while to get my new gear done.”

Mel looked her over. “I don’t see you carrying another staff.”

Gwen raised her hand; her bracelet shone in the light. “I ended up getting a bracelet made of magic metal.”

“Whaa—”

The sound of growling cut off the rest of Mel’s sentence.

“Sorry about that!” Kira and Chris spoke at the same time.

Chris had a bashful look on his face. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

Kira’s face was glowing red in embarrassment.

Gwen shook her head. “Okay guys, let’s go enjoy the rest of the Founders Festival!”

“Finally!” Kira cheered, pumping her fist in the air.

In her excitement, she grabbed Gwen’s hand and pulled her forward. Kira’s nose sniffed the air as she led the group through the crowd. Gwen laughed as Kira pulled her through the crowd. Every few seconds, the beastkin would stop and sniff the air before changing direction again.

“I smell meat!” Kira shouted.

“Earlier you said you were smelling sweets?” Mel sighed.

“Yeah, well, now I smell meat!”

Chris chuckled. “She is always so enthusiastic about food!”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Mel mumbled.

Gwen could only nod in agreement.

A few minutes later, they stopped in front of a food stall. Skewers of roasted meat covered the grill. The owner flipped them over, sending even more of the delicious smell into the air.

“I told you!” Kira grinned proudly.

Gwen couldn’t help the smile threatening to show on her lips. “Looks like your nose was right once again!”

“Of course it was!”

Since Gwen had promised Kira that she’d pay for the food—stepping forward, she ordered enough for the entire group. Kira’s tail unfurled from around her waist and started wagging, becoming a blur.

“I knew you were the best boss!”

“You only say that because I’m feeding you.”

“That is a really good reason.”

Mel sighed, though Gwen could see the small smile on her face.

After everyone got their food, they wandered away from the stall. Gwen took a bite out of her skewer, and her eyes widened.

“This is really good!”

“I know, right?” Kira said with a mouth full of food. “We should come back again later!”

“I don’t think we should waste the entire day eating only at this stall.”

“It’s not a waste if we come back on our way home.”

Chris laughed while Mel just shook her head.

The four of them continued walking through the festival.

Music echoed from somewhere ahead while children ran around laughing. Every stall seemed to have something different to sell, from handmade jewelry to colorful masks and small wooden animals.

For the first time in a while, Gwen found herself relaxing. There wasn’t anything she needed to worry about right now.

While she was busy enjoying the festival, the bat creature from before followed from above.

Adiran watched her every move, a frown on his face as he began thinking of plans. It seemed Gwen was becoming more competent. Even the rumors surrounding the duke's daughter were beginning to lose traction.

That wouldn't do; if she was free to continue her movements, it might lead to her interfering with him once again.