Chapter 59.

(Rose) Before going anywhere and doing anything, we should find a place to fix our gear and maybe buy new things. We could also ask for a map of the city to better orient ourselves.

(Enora) Do you always have to make the magic disappear ?

(Rose) You should try and think more then.

(Nick) Come on, ladies, let's find the right guy.

Looking and asking around for a few minutes, the three companions managed to find a blacksmith near the central marketplace. It was a ten meters wide stall, which was surprisingly large, particularly for the main street. However, it was very plain-looking, like any other place along this road. Clanking and hammering could be heard from inside, and also sizzling from time to time. The interior of the shop looked clean, with many metallic tools on display in the left part, while the right part specializes in what they were looking for, meaning weaponry.

There was one problem though : only small stuff could be found. Daggers, short bows, hunting arrows or hatchets. No spears, no shields, no armours. Felt like something was amiss. Soon enough, someone came to them from the back of the shop, looking at them with a suspicious eye. It was an ordinary human male, except for the fact that his skin had a tinge of green. Very light, easy to miss, but still present. After a few second, he arrived behind the counter and laid his left elbow on there.

- What can I do for you folks ?, he said in a coarse voice.

- We'd like to have our armours repaired, and see for some new one., answered Enora straightforwardly.

He observed them for a few seconds before continuing :

- I can do the repairs, no problem. A for the rest you'll have to go to another place.

- How come ?, curiously asked Nick.

- I don't have the permit, and honestly, I don't want it. It's too much work just to be allowed to sell weaponry. You've got a new guy on the other side of the market though, 'Magnire's Forge' it's called.

They nodded together. Nick put his hauberk on the counter and talked.

- We will take a look then, but how long do you think you would need to repair that ?

Placing it flat on the wood and looking at it for a bit, the blacksmith then raised it in front of him while saying.

- This thing has seen its fair share of danger I see. Honestly, for three big holes and at least five small ones, I'd need a day. Do you want it brand new or can I take the bottom rings to replace the missing ones ?

- You mean you would remove some to put elsewhere ? Wouldn't I lose on this ?, asked Nick, surprised.

- If it's only the last row down there, it won't change much. I'll need to use a few of mine anyway 'cause there won't be enough. Still, it would make my work easier and your price lower.

- What would that price be ?, interjected Rose from behind.

- Six silver if all-new, four with replacements.

The trio was not particularly stingy in general, and with more than a hundred nuggets of silver, they could afford the cost, but the tone and behaviour of the blacksmith made them uneasy. Even annoyed when it came to Enora. Also, even without caring for money, eight silver was still eight hundred copper, and close to one gold. Damn expensive.

(Enora) I don't trust him. Feels like we're being conned.

(Rose) Agreed. Let's check the other one at least before making any judgement.

Taking back the mail, Nick said :

- We'll be back later.

They were gone before the blacksmith could complain. Still, very much in need of a good blacksmith to take care of the repair on their equipment, the three mages looked around for 'Magnire's Forge'. There were many people in the streets, at least half were humans while the rest was hard to describe as they differed so much. Oddly, only humanoids made up the population of the city. Maybe they had just not met something else yet.

Finally getting to the forge, they were surprised about how much different it looked from the previous one. This one looked a bit smaller, but the wall outside was decorated with red engraving forming a two meters tall fire. The entrance was pretty large, letting out some strange noises. It sounded like huge flames and strong wind.

Upon entering, the trio was faced with a lot less stuff on display compared to the first blacksmith, but everything was protected inside metal boxes closed by glass. Those were either fixed to the walls or on stands. It was equipment though, swords and axes and spears and shields. Even unique armours that none of them could identify, all made in an exquisite and skilful way. As they were trying really hard to return their jaws to their rightful places, someone came in from the back.

It was an average-sized humanoid with broad shoulders. They had not seen this race before, but it looked relatively human-like, with a yellowish-white skin, relatively thin limbs and red eyes. In fact, this person looked a lot like a Grey Devil, but in a more advanced, noble way. Removing everything that made those monsters so horrible would probably result in this. It looked male, and very handsome too. After walking a few meters in their direction, the person stopped and said in a pleasing, musical voice :

- Welcome to my forge, I am Magnire. What can I do for you today ?

Immediately, Enora had a reaction. A reaction that annoyed Nick quite a lot : she felt attracted to that person. Nothing surprising in that either, as, not only was he good-looking, but his body was well balanced and slender, his face chiselled like marble, and his muscles obviously hard under his work clothes. Feeling Enora's sudden feelings and Nick's reaction, Rose took the lead :

- Hello, we arrived in town not long ago and require fixing. We may also need new equipment.

Detailing them one by one, Magnire finally acknowledged Rose's request without changing his facial expression one bit : he was smiling, with a slight boredom hidden in there.

- I see. Let me check the objects in need of repair.

While the other two were still lost to their inner turmoil, Rose brought the hauberk and brigandine to the counter where Magnire was waiting. While the person did his job, the three began arguing a bit.

(Rose) Really Enora ? Is it the best time to get all 'interested' in someone ?

(Enora) What ? Would have been difficult to do in the Maze ! And what's the problem with you, man ?

She was addressing Nick, obviously, as his slight anger was very hard to miss. Maybe it was not anger, but more like a mix between annoyance and jealousy.

(Nick) A problem ? I don't know what you're talking about.

(Enora) Yeah, right ! Can you say that again without the frown and everything ?

(Nick) I don't have anything to say. I better not.

(Rose) You don't need to, you know ? We can both see how annoyed you are at Enora's reaction, and jealous at the guy's appearance.

(Nick) So what ? Couldn't you even try and leave me some dignity ? You have to rub in my face that, the moment we meet that bastard, Enora is already drenched !

(Enora) Fuck off, dude ! I can do whatever I want, and I don't see why you should have anything to say about it. And I haven't even done anything ! I just have thoughts !

(Nick) I know, I can see and never unsee them.

They were arguing quite violently, not able to admit why, purposefully avoiding that part which frustrated Rose a lot. She could not avoid hearing all of it, after all.

(Rose) Would you two just shut up ? Enora, you gave shit to Nick for his reaction to Ischyra just yesterday and Nick, you can't blame someone else for something you have done yourself ! I know she imagined stuff while you did not, but come on ! You would have if you had been alone in your head. Now, can we focus on the matter at hand ?

Before they could focus completely, the blacksmith had finished his assessment :

- It will be quite easy. Give me a few minutes per piece, and I can get it done.

- What about payment ?, asked Rose.

- Two silver each., he said. Honestly, it is easy work so I would do it for free, but I don't decide here.

- You don't ?, suddenly chimed in Enora.

- No. my name may be on the front of the shop, but I am still only an employee. I was sent here by the Blaze School of Chrimmos to get some experience in the field before passing to the next rank.

Seeing the trio's lost expressions, the man frowned a bit then opened his eyes a little bit wider before asking :

- Are you Otherworlders ? I heard from the guards that a few came out of the Trial nearby.

- Yes. Yes, we are., nodded Rose.

While they were talking, Enora and Rose felt Nick suddenly disconnecting from the Nexus. They panicked a bit before seeing him get out of the shop in a hurry. They could neither stop nor contact him. Enora did feel ashamed in some way as if she was responsible for something. Although she did argue a bit pettily, he left on his own will.

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Chapter's Glossary

Chrimmos : closest city to Sephayis, on the surface.