It had been several days since the funerals of the fallen, and slowly, the town had begun to return to normal. The vendors were all out as usual, their bright stalls and wares on display as SJ walked through the square heading to the training ground. Lorna had returned to town the previous day, confirming that Jabrey and his remaining clan members had all left the valley. The village had left a scouting detail, and there was a clean-up operation in progress to clear out all of the signs of the hobgoblin’s presence.
The mayor decreed that the village would be flattened, and new structures would be built once it was purged. The damage and filth from their occupancy could never be cleaned from the buildings. A building crew and several mages had been assigned to undertake the works and begin the rebuilding process. They were also informed to consider planning for a wall to be built to encompass the path leading up towards the town from the valley floor.
The valley only had three easily accessible routes into it. The west side, where the hobgoblins and orcs had returned through, the path to the ridge where the town was situated, and there was a Southern tunnel network. The tunnel network apparently led through to the far side of the mountains and was not usually travelled. On the far side of the mountains was the border to the desert territory that had been mentioned, and with the potential movement of tribes or similar, Zigferd wished to ensure that the tunnel was guarded and secured.
The amount of work that the town now had to complete was significant.
Over the past few days, SJ had been working on her tailoring and finished the final pair of gloves. She was so excited to complete the quest that she had scarred Dave half to death when she suddenly screamed, and her display triggered congratulating her.
Congratulations! Tailoring Apprentice level 4 completed.
Quest
Tailoring Apprentice – Level 5
Learn the secrets of enchantments.
“Enchantments?” SJ said.
“Ah. Yes. Now you have learned the basics, the next stage is understanding how enchantment slots work. You will have to see Fizzlewick, and he can explain it to you, but as you increase further now, you can start to add slots to your items. It’s a long process and very tricky, but it must be completed early. The number of slots you can add to an item depends on your ranking. As an Apprentice rank, you may only add one, and then at each successive rank, it increases by a further one.”
“I thought an enchanter, not a tailor, would complete that?” SJ asked.
“The enchantments are, but if the item is not produced with the available slots, how do you believe they are enchanted? Otherwise, Enchanters could randomly enchant an item with hundreds of differing enchantments if not specific to the professions.”
“Once I reach Master as an example, could I add five slots to items?”
“Yes. That is another reason your dress is Unique: it will eventually have seven slots available on it since a Grand Master created it.”
“It currently doesn’t have any, though.”
“No, and I don’t think it will open until you finish the training needed for Level 5 apprentice. I think it may also be the same for all your other eventual slots for the dress.”
“So, to get all seven slots, I would need to be Grand Master myself then.”
“Yes. I believe this will be the case,” Dave said. “Exciting, isn’t it.”
“It has taken me so long to make the gloves, never mind reaching Skilled or Journeyman status within the profession.”
“Tailoring is difficult, but you have more of a purpose to succeed and progress than most ever do. Your dress alone should be enough to give you focus.”
“It does, and I want to. There are so many other things that I also need to do. My claws and kata training are doing well, but it all takes so long to level.”
“You could always consider completing more quests.”
“I will have to, yes. I can’t stay at level 11 forever.”
“You will have plenty of opportunities, my YLF.”
SJ chuckled at Dave’s comment that he hadn’t called her in a while.
“How is your coding doing?”
“Meh. I managed to get through two further layers, but this next one is a right doozy. It’s very complex.”
“I am sure you will get it sorted soon.”
“I am not sure about soon, but I have my quest to complete as you do yours.”
“Ha,” SJ laughed. “What experience and rewards do you get,” she said, chuckling.
“Oh, I will decide nearer the time, although I am at least considering giving myself an official title.”
The inane and senseless conversations that Dave and SJ had on many occasions were nonsensical, and the pair now spoke as if they had known each other for years. They were so comfortable talking.
“Right. I need to go and find Fizzlewick then,” SJ said, standing and stretching. She had been hunched over at the table sewing the gloves for too long again.
“Oh. I just had a response to the Quest Query about reaching Level 10.”
“What have they said?”
“It was apparently a feature that the System had originally decided to implement when it did its original planning phase. Then since it commenced it never implemented the feature.”
“Then why was I told?”
“Why do you think?”
“Because of the waiver,” SJ answered.
“Yep. It appeared for you due to you waiving the terms and conditions. The System was apparently a little upset when the admin team discussed it, as they thought it had been removed.”
“What’s the outcome then?”
“Since you were offered a quest with no reward and still had a target. They are agreeing to a one-time offer,” Dave said excitedly.
“Don’t leave me in suspense. What is the offer?”
“They will give you one of two choices. The first is the ability to increase one of your attributes by three points permanently. The other is to permanently increase one of your skills by one rank.”
“That’s great,” SJ replied excitedly. “What should I do? Let’s see.” SJ reviewed her character sheet. The points were a nice addition to either option. “I am going to add it to my Shroud skill. If I get that to level three, that gives me 90 seconds of reduced damage, which would make a huge difference, and since I already get additional attribute points, they are not as necessary.”
“A very sensible option,” Dave agreed.
SJ updated her skill.
Subterfuge – Identification Level 7 – 98 of 200 to level 8, Shroud Level 3
“Thanks, Dave. Okay, let’s go and see Fizzlewick,” SJ smiled.
As SJ walked by the barracks, heading to see Fizzlewick, she spotted Shelly jumping up and down, very animated. Orik, the grumpy old dwarf, was standing with another dwarf SJ did not recognise.
“Morning,” SJ said as she walked near.
“SJ,” Shelly said, turning with a huge grin on her face.
“Hi, Shelly,” she smiled back.
“We broke through last night,” she beamed, unable to stop her enthusiasm.
“So, you have confirmed it then?”
“That’s why I am here now.”
“These are council matters, not for general discussion,” Orik interjected.
“And I am placing a vote to have SJ added to the council,” the mayor said as he walked out from the barracks.
SJ’s jaw nearly hit the floor, why on Amathera would he be considering adding her to the council. She was nothing of importance.
“Reputation can bring benefits beyond experience bonuses,” Dave said, obviously understanding SJ’s expression she now had on her face.
“I heard what you said, Shelly. That is excellent news. When do you think we may start operations?”
“A lot of pre-work is needed first. Mithril is difficult to mine. My Uncle has messaged his cousin, who is travelling here from Asterfal to help with operations.”
“Nevik?” the mayor replied, a little shocked.
“Yes,” Shelly replied.
“I haven’t seen Nevik in several years. It will be nice to see the old goat again,” Zigferd smiled.
“He should be arriving later today. I believe,” Shelly replied.
“When he arrives, please ask him to stop by.”
“I will, Mayor.”
“Now, Orik, we have a meeting to attend, and since you are here SJ, I would also like you to join us.”
“I was going to the tailors,” SJ replied, still shocked by Zigferd’s comment.
“Fine then. Can you join us later once you are finished? I have a few things I wish to discuss with you. I will be casting the vote this morning and hoped you would be in attendance.”
Not understanding why he would even want her to be part of the council, SJ didn’t respond.
“Look, I know it may be a bit of a shock to you, but with the changes we have discussed, I think it would benefit us all to have someone of your stature and potential on our side. I know you may not understand, but I am sure you will in time.”
Zigferd had invited SJ to participate in recent discussions because of her revered status and the importance of the Mithril mine, but she had never expected to be considered an integral part of the town to such a degree.
“I will call in as soon as I am done there,” SJ replied, continuing to see Fizzlewick.
When she arrived, the shop door was open, and the wagon was parked out the front. Several large crates were being loaded into the back of it. Fizzlewick’s Quarterling persona stood by the doorway, calling instructions.
“Areful. Evrytin is olded neatly,” he said to the two ratkin moving the boxes.
“Morning,” SJ called.
“Orning,” Fizzlewick smiled and winked at her.
“You look busy,”
“Order hipment.”
“If you are too busy, I can call back later?”
“No. Go in, be done oon.”
“Thanks,” SJ replied, smiling as she swerved around the ratkin, walking out the door with another crate of goods. SJ walked into the back room, pushing the beads to one side. She could hear a clunk and sliding sound as she did, and looking at the two looms she had seen before were busy weaving cloth. One was producing a bright blue material and the other a golden material.
SJ watched the looms perform their tasks. Having visited old cotton mills back on Earth and understood how the looms worked, it was amazing to see them automated, the mechanisms moving under their own duress. It had to be magical. There was no other way to perform the actions without manual intervention.
She heard the bell tinkle as the store door closed, and moments later, Fizzlewick walked through in his human form.
“Hello SJ. I see you reached level 4 and now need to learn enchantments,” he said, smiling.
“Yes.”
“Excellent. Then please follow me.”
“What are you making?” SJ asked, looking at the looms again.
“I have just shipped the first part of an order, and this material is for the second half. I could just conjure it up, but I love the process and time involved with making the materials, and it’s much more pleasing.”
“That is a large order.”
“Ah, yes. It is the new uniform for the Asterfal city guard. The newly appointed chancellor there wished to change it to his house colours.”
“Chancellor?”
“Yes. A chancellor rules Asterfal. All cities have chancellors or similar who oversee the day-to-day running of cities.”
“How often do they change?”
“Not very unless there has been a dispute or similar situation that causes them to. Asterfal’s new chancellor was only recently appointed after the untimely death of his predecessor.”
“Oh.”
“Yes. Chancellor Alequi of the Dryad enclave died several months ago, and only recently did the new chancellor Santic of the kobold council take over.”
“I didn’t realise that the political landscape was so varied. I assumed the cities were all run by Lords or similar?”
“No. Most cities have pledged an Oath to the Emperor, but several don’t and class themselves as freeholders. Asterfal is one of these. It has a very diverse population. Some cities are more racially bound in comparison. There are also all the race capitals and territories to consider.”
“So how does a kobold become a chancellor?”
“I have never met Santic personally, but I have heard he is very charming. He can convince many and has previously influenced the outcome of several high-value contracts between Asterfal and some larger cities.”
SJ followed Fizzlewick downstairs, and as normal, he called two large, comfy armchairs for them to sit in.
“Let’s get to it then. Apprentice Level 5 training is not like your normal training for Tailoring. It is all about state of mind.”
“Please explain.”
“Adding enchantment slots to clothing items requires a combination of factors. One is the item quality. If the item quality is not good enough, then it doesn’t matter how much time and effort you spend. It will never work. Secondly, it is your mental state. For enchantment slots to be successfully added, you must be in a tranquil meditation as you complete the task. If you aren’t, then again, it will fail.”
“I used to practice meditation back home,” SJ said.
“Hopefully, then you will have an advantage. Many of Amathera do not know what meditation is unless they are in one of certain classes, such as monks, clerics, or paladins.”
“Don’t mages meditate as well?”
“No. A mage’s mind is like a chaotic whirlpool. Very few mages can successfully meditate on enchantment slots.”
“So, what must I do?”
Fizzlewick began to explain the meditation process required to enhance materials. The requirements were no different from her other meditation sessions when she practised Yoga back on Earth.
“Sit comfortably, relax, close your eyes, and control your breathing. You need to be calm and at peace with your thoughts. Once you are done, you need to picture or imagine the materials you are working with. Hold the material you wish to enhance and slowly push your mana into it.”
“Mana? I have never used anything that requires mana before. How will I know if I am doing it right?”
“You will feel it. Once your mana starts to flow, your pool will drop. Enchantment slots can be applied to any material with the correct tailoring levels. The material must absorb fifty mana for every slot you wish to create, and at the Apprentice level, you may only create one enhancement slot. If you break from the meditation or stop pushing the mana into the material at any point, it will fail, and you will have to start over.”
“I need some cloth to practice with.”
Fizzlewick summoned a bundle of cloth which appeared on the small table.
“I warn you, it is not as easy as it may sound. The speed at which you release your mana will determine success. Too quick or too slow, and it will fail, once you can find it and feel its flow.”
SJ picked the bundle up and placed it on her lap, holding it. Sitting upright in the chair, she began to relax. She went through the steps she had completed many times before and slowly felt her body relax and her breathing slow. Once she felt at peace, she focused on her mana, and nothing happened.
She tried again, but nothing. She repeated the same exercises several more times before cursing, “Why is it not working?”
“As I said, it takes time. Your basic state seems fine, but you are not relaxed because you continually think about the mana. You need to allow it to flow naturally.”
“How, though?”
“I would spend time practising. I can’t really explain how you feel when you do it, as I do not know myself.”
“How do you add slots then?”
“Ha. I am a god.”
“Dave. Any ideas?”
“Nope, no idea how it feels or is supposed to feel, so I can’t explain sorry,” Dave replied.
“Gah. This is stupid,” SJ put the cloth back down on the table.
“It will happen. You just have to find your own path to release your mana. Learning the technique normally takes no more than a year.”
“A year!” SJ exclaimed.
“Yes, usually for the first time, they take about a year to succeed.”
“I am stuck as a Level 4 tailor until I can do this,” SJ replied with annoyance.
After a while longer, SJ gave up. “This is impossible.”
“As I have explained, you are not clearing your mind fully. Keep practising, and it will happen soon enough. I am sure.”
SJ checked her display. Given the time she had spent trying to manipulate her mana, it had been over two hours since she arrived at the tailor shop. “I must go. I promised I would see the mayor and town council.”
“Please do as you need. I will be here when you are ready. I may just add that it will be nice to stay here for a while. There are some lovely members of the township.”
“Stay here for a while?” SJ asked, frowning.
“Well, yes. Now, the borders have changed. There is no rush to move on so soon, and I am enjoying my time here,” Fizzlewick replied, smiling.
“You are enjoying yourself?”
“Oh, yes. I enjoy doing the mundane daily tasks of a shopkeeper. It is quite therapeutic, and it is a nice change from being involved in continual political scandals.”
SJ remembered the story about the naked emperor but couldn’t fathom any level of interaction with individuals so high in positions. She was astounded by how she had been treated so far in the town, and the fact that the mayor wished her to join the council filled her with trepidation.
“Thank you for teaching me, Fizzlewick. I will be back as soon as I complete the quest.”
“No problem at all, and enjoy your new position,” the god winked.
SJ opened her eyes in amazement. She knew Fizzlewick was a god, but he seemed to know every little detail about what was happening to her each time they spoke. Leaving the shop, she made her way to the barracks.
“I wish I could understand the mana flow better,” she huffed back on the street.
“Speak to Fran when you get a chance. I am sure she can assist and explain it better than I ever could. I know what it relates to but wouldn’t know how it feels or what you need to do to utilise it. Mages are taught about mana flow from the start. It is their initial skill, and they must learn it before they can even start to learn spells.”
“I will once I have finished at the Barracks. I also need to go and see Cristy. I promised I would take her to see Patch.”
“I like Cristy,” Dave said cheerily.
It was strange how Dave always seemed happier when Cristy was around and thought he might have paternal feelings towards her.
“You are always much nicer when Cristy is around,” SJ said.
“What do you mean much nicer? I am always nice.”
“Really,” SJ replied as she arrived at the barracks entrance.
