A blessing and a job

Belnan approached the gate of the walled city. The wall right of the gate looked to be part of a castle wall which jutted out from the near circular town. A stable with a few horses being taken care of could be seen on the ground level outside the wall. To the left was a guard shack in front of a wall which curved gently till it hit the river. There were a few merchant wagons being inspected by various guards. He approached the area for foot traffic. One of the two guards watching there raised his hand signaling for him to halt.

[Traveler. I have not seen you before. Who are you and where do you hail from?]

Belnan inspected the guards. The one who spoke was a middle aged human with light brown short hair and a beard. He had a lithe build and sharp eyes. He looked to be a surprisingly good guard for one who was guarding a gate which lead to mainly the wilderness. The other guard looked very young, probably in his teens, with blond hair and brown eyes. They both had long swords on their belts which were used as palm rests.

Belnan was not sure how much he should disclose. He had a human father who was a noble in this country so that might have been a safe bet. The issue was he did not enough information about his father. Was he alive? Was he still a Baron? Was he an outlaw? He had no idea. It was best to go with a general identification.

[My name is Belnan. I am a traveler. I came to stock up on supplies. Also, I lost my identification in a fight a few days ago with some wolves.]

[Wolves? Where was this and how long ago?]

[This was a few days ago. It was not near the town. It was that way up the river.]

He pointed to the north east while giving the information.

[You look awfully young for a traveler.]

[You are quite the nosy guard. Look at my ears.]

Belnan brushed aside his long hair and pointed at his pointed ears. He may look like a child of ten but not many humans would know that he was Half-Elven. Or at least he thought as much.

[Ok. Now it makes sense. Only the gods can tell how old an elf is unless they are ancient. Glad to hear the wolves are not nearby. Wolves can be nasty buggers. If you lost your status card then you will be wanting to go to the church or the guilds. We have both a small branch of the adventurers and merchants guilds here in town. The entry fee is a copper piece.]

[Which church is present here?]

He remembered his mother saying it was better to use the church services first.

[There is a temple of Watria, The Water Goddess, on the other side of the river. If you head straight through town and across the bridge, it is just on the other side. You can't miss it.]

[Any good inns? I'm tired of sleeping on the ground.]

[It depends on what your looking to pay. There are some cheaper ones on the other side of the river. The nicest place in town is on this side near the castle. Place is called The Stout Archer. Near the gate on the other side is a middle of the road inn which a lot of merchants like to frequent called The Bronze Chain. They have a decent Boar and fruit pie which is filling. Not too bad on price either.]

Apparently the more wealthy residents lived on the north end of the river which happen to be where he was. Belnan realized he didn't have money except for in his 'Item Box'. He didn't want to cast in front of these guards but he had to pay his way in. He figured he better do the chant this time. Looking at the symbol in his mind, he stared for a second till the symbol shifted to words which rolled out and came to his lips.

[Spirits of Space gather. I desired a door to the space which is my own. Hold steady the portal. Item Box!]

The guards were staring at the portal as it formed out of thin air. Belnan reached inside and grabbed the pouch with his coins and closed the portal. Looking inside he pulled a copper piece from the bag and passed it to the guard. After, he tied the pouch to his belt.

[Is this acceptable?]

[I see you are a mighty mage. No wonder you could wander in the wood by yourself.]

The guard bowed to Belnan after taking the copper piece.

[Welcome to Rosewater. My name is Beybrook, a knight of Baronet Addfeld of Rosewater. Please do not start any trouble inside. This is a good town and I would hate to lock you up or worse. I know I'm working the gate right now but that's just because I was training this guy here.]

He motioned to the other young guard.

[I am Badun, also a guard working for the baronet and town. If you need to know anything about the town please ask me. I have lived here my whole life.]

The young guard has a bright smile after admitting that he has lived there his whole life. Not that Belnan could say anything to the kid. He just lived up the river for ten years in the damn woods.

[I am also looking to purchase some forging supplies. Is there a smith in the town?]

[A mage and a smith? That's an interesting combination. There is old Wynna's place just over there.]

He pointed a few buildings down the street on the right. The sign that Belnan just noticed was an anvil and hammer.

[She's an old blacksmith who does some basic repair and weaponsmithing on the side. Nothing too fine mind you, but passable for most common adventurers and mechants. She might have something for you or at least know where to get it.]

[Thanks. I'll take a look at the place after I come back from the church.]

Belnan waved at them then finally entered the town.

He looked at the various shops on the main road before he made it to the river. The shops on the north end of the river looked to be in pretty decent shape and would probably be something that the well off would use. The signs that hung above the doorways helped to distinguish the shops and what their general type was. For example, there was a clothing store with a thread and needle sign called the 'Tailor's Delight'. Something else that Belnan notices was that he didn't recognized the writing on the signs but he could read it all the same. His 'Language Recognition' special skill was finally being put to use after a decade, besides talking in Elven that is. Frankly, even without the skill, he knew how to write in Elven at this point having learned it from his mother. It was the human languages that would have been more trouble.

The bridge across the river had guards stationed on both ends who were watching the people passing by. Security seemed to be decent in this place. The bridge was made of stone and iron. It was not fancy but it looked very sturdy and functional. It must have taken a while to make even with a competent Earth mage. Just on the other side of the bridge was a big square in a triangle shape. There were a few stalls which made this square feel something like a marketplace. In the center of the triangle was a raised wooden platform. It was probably used for announcements or executions and the like. Off to the left and along the river, was a boxlike church made of blue painted stone. It had a relief of fish and waves carved along the roof peak making it striking compared to the white and browns of the nearby businesses.

[That is most definitely the place.]

The doorway to the church was open. Inside the church could be seen pews with a few believers praying. A long isle lead to the back of the church where a detailed stone statue of the Water Goddess resided. Belnan had never seen the Water Goddess when he came to this world but if the stone statue was accurate, she looked like a mermaid with a well endowed chest covered by seashells. Below the statue was an alter with some religious instruments. Just inside the door, a human old man with blue robes that gave off the image of water approached Belnan.

[Young man. May the blessings of Watria be with you. How may the temple assist you this day?]

[I am here to get identification.]

[Of course this a common thing. We can assist you for a small fee which we ask you donate to the church. We also have some few other services we offer such as holy water and blessings.]

[You give blessings? Is that not something that only the gods can do?]

[You misunderstand. The blessing we can provide is one done by a priest. The would ask the Goddess on your behalf as an intermediary. It is not unheard of for the Goddess to favor some few individuals with a divine blessing but she would not know of your need unless we priests were to deliver your presence in this place to her divine persons.]

Belnan was skeptical but said nothing.

[What is the use of the holy water and how much does it cost?]

[We ask that you donate two silver to the church for a flask of holy water. It is useful against the undead. Many adventurers use it as such but it can be poured on the feet of the Water Goddess' statue as a penance or as an offering. It is typically coupled with prayer. I see you are not a follower of the Water Goddess. She is a merciful Goddess and you may look to her as a patron would in the future. Many of those that count on safe journeys by water such as merchants or those that live near water try to receive her favor.]

[I will donate to the church. I would like a vial of holy water and a new identification.]

[The proscribed donation would be four silver.]

Taking four silver pieces from his pouch, he handed them to the priest.

The priest took an empty flask from his robe and held his hand over the empty mouth.

[Gather spirits of water. Fill this vessel with your purifying power. Water!]

You have unlocked Water Magic rank 1

The flask was filled with water. After looking at the notification on his status, Belnan was confused how it could be holy water. He of course, said nothing to the priest and accepted the now corked flask.

[Now follow me into the nearby room and the Status Stone.]

Placing the flash of 'Holy Water' in his belt pouch for now, he followed the priest. The room was a square one with no other defining feature except a pillar of stone in the center. On the pillar was strange magic-like runes which glowed. Staring at it, Belnan could make out some of the element runes present. It must have been complicated to make. Belnan did not know you could use runes in such a way. He did think it weird that he could see runes in his mind when he used magic. This would need more investigation but for now he was here for his identification. Taking a metal looking plate from his robe, the priest placed it in the center of the pillar.

[You will place your hands on this plate and say, Inscribe Status. Your information as is known by the gods will be inscribed there. The plate will be able to display small amounts of your information as you desired to be made known to someone viewing the plate. There can be no lies for what is seen on such a thing as it is the will of the gods that such things exist. I will off to the side if you need any assistance.]

Belnan nodded and waited for the priest to step further away from the pillar. Placing his hands on the plate as instructed he said the words he was told. The plate glowed and flashed various colors before finally settling down to a polished silver color. He picked up the 'Status Plate' and looked at it. Words appeared on the surface of the metal.

Name: Belnan Leovaris Whitmoor

Age: 10

Level: 72

Occupation: Feral Child

He understood he name, age and level but why was his pathetic occupation listed. It was embarrassing. He needed to get a job quick to change the information on this damn plate. He thought to hide his occupation and it visibly disappeared from the surface of the metal.

[Thankfully, I can hide things.]

[I see you are done. Thank you for your patronage of our temple. If you are inclined, please head out to the altar and use the holy water to thank the Goddess for her kindness.]

Belnan thought. [I may as well. I have no intention of fighting undead right now. I should also not pass up the chance to speak some few words to another Goddess. Perhaps, if the other three beauties have not heard my prayers these years I will ask the Water Goddess to pass on my thanks.]

Belnan nodded to the priest and walked out to the main prayer area. He approached the statue of the Goddess and waited for another woman who was kneeling in front of the status with hands together in a prayer. When she was done, Belnan approached the status, took out the 'Holy Water' and poured it onto the feet of the statue. It flowed down and collected in a grove made specifically for such a purpose. He knelled on the step as he saw the previous woman do and put his hands together.

Belnan prayed. [Beautiful Watria. I am one who has been brought to this world by Cedona, Tearea, and Iris. They gave me a new life here and I am grateful for that. Though I have not had the pleasure of meeting you as well, I ask that you pass on my greetings to the other ladies on my behalf as I can not be certain they have heard my prayers and thanks. I will include you in my prayers now that I know of you and I hope to one day include you as a friend as I do the other wonderful Goddesses I mentioned. That's it. You have a nice temple. Take care.]

As he stood back up, he was wrapped in a radiant blue light. The priests jaw dropped when he saw this spectacle. The people praying stopped to look at the glowing boy in front of the statue of the Goddess.

You have received the Protection of the Lesser Goddess of Water, Watria.

[Ah! She heard me.]

[How can this be!? I have never seen such a blessing happen to anyone but an anointed priest.]

Belnan turned to the priest with a calm look.

[The beautiful Water Goddess heard my request. That alone is enough for me. I will make sure to pray to her so do not worry, Priest.]

He walked past the stunned man and parishioners as he left the temple of the Water Goddess.

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Trying to think of what to do about his listed occupation, instead of going to an inn, he headed back to toward the gate he entered town through so he could see that blacksmith that the gate guard mentioned. He needed some tools or he would not be able to use the smithing skills he had due to his former life's skill conversion. Belnan was interested in what he could use these skills for and it was possibly a way to change his occupation. He was a software engineer in his previous life, as well as a sailor. He hadn't been to the ocean in this world yet and his sailing experience was very much different from this world where he expected wooden sailing ships. He wasn't sure if that was the case but by the looks of this town, they did not even have high rise buildings or other electrical amenities. Why look for technology when you had magic? Was there magic as powerful as a nuclear weapon in this world? Better to not think about things like that right now. He thought that if he were to have another life like this then it would make sense to create something instead of destroying something if he could help it.

The blacksmith shop was called Wynna's Forge and the sign sported an anvil and hammer. Inside he could hear the sounds of metal banging. Walking into the shop, immediately he didn't see any other customers. The left wall had metal baskets with commonly used metal goods such as nails, metal banding for barrels, spurs, spade tips, horseshoes, and other farming equipment. The right wall had a host of common weapons like swords, daggers, spear heads, axe heads, and spear heads. There was a long counter made of wood that was covered in polished steel. An older human woman, probably in her fifties, with solid looking arms clad in a leather craftsman apron was banging on an anvil. The metal glowed and it was shaped into what looks like the head of a shovel. Belnan quietly observed her work. The smith woman put the metal back into her fire when the metal was cooling then took it back out to shape it with her hammer. She put the piece on the rounded end of the anvil to bend it into the shape of a spade. It was probably about thirty minutes when he realized she had finished by dunking the spade head into a barrel.

[Thank you for waiting. There are not many young ones that are so patient these days. If only I had some help around here I could ignore all these idiots and concentrate on my work.]

[Do not mention it. It was good to see a smith at work. I am an aspiring smith and wondered if you had any smithing tools such as a hammer and tongs for sale. I would even purchase an anvil if you had one.]

[Come here young man.]

Belnan walked behind the counter and stood in front of the woman.

[You don't look like you could even hold a hammer. Here.]

She passed the hammer in her hands to Belnan. He held it easily with no issues. The woman looked at him and let him over to the anvil. She took out a piece of iron and tossed it into the furnace. After a few minutes of heating she took it out with some tongs and placed it on the anvil.

[Make a shovel head like you just saw.]

Belnan looked at the glowing metal then back to the woman. He wasn't sure what game she was playing but he wanted to experience forging so he just went along with it. Grabbing the tongs from the woman in one hand, he tried to get good hammer blows on the metal. The anvil was up to his chest so it was difficult but he just reach it. There was no issue with his strength and his hits were even harder than the woman was making earlier. After flatting out the iron he put it back in the furnace. He repeated the process. Until the iron was shaped somewhat like a spade. He gently bent it on the anvil and continued hammering. It took about an hour but he eventually made a spade head owing to his skill in smithing being five. It was apparently good enough to offset his practical inexperience with making it.

[Not bad young man. You need a smaller anvil but you have nice clean strokes and can shape the metal well. I have some tools and an old anvil I used years ago in the back that I could sell to you but how about you work for me for a few weeks and I will give them to you. What do you think? You may have to work the counter if I am working on an order but you can use the space when the shop closes for the day.]

[I am on a journey so I had not planned on staying in Rosewater but if it is only a few weeks I do not think it will make much of a difference. My issue is that I would need a place to stay in town. I am just a traveler for the time being. I am interested in your offer as I could work on my smithing.]

[I am Wynna and I own this shop. If you work for me you can sleep upstairs. I have a spare room. You work for me for a few weeks and the tools are yours.]

He took out his Status Plate and though of a few things to show her.

Name: Belnan Leovaris Whitmoor

Age: 10

Race: Half-Elven

Crafting Skill: Forging 5, Material Processing 5

[So skilled for one so young! You are a smith in your own right. Are you still going to stay here?]

Belnan used identify on Wynna.

Name: Wynna Lighthammer

Gender: F

Age: 55

Race: Human

Level: 50

Physical Energy: 17600/17600

Magical Energy: 6600/6600

Health: 4750/4750

Strength 16

Dexterity 10

Constitution 14

Intelligence 12

Wisdom 16

Charisma 10

Everyday Skills: Merchant 4

Magic Skills: Fire Magic 1

Spells: Fire → Flame

Crafting Skills: Forging 6, Materials Processing 3, Weaponsmithing 3, Armorsmithing 2

[If you have a place for me to stay, I think I will take you up on your offer of helping for a few weeks.]

Thought Belnan was on his way to go see his father, he was not in such a hurry that he could not spend some time to learn something or fix up his broken occupation in his status. He could also earn some money and have a place to sleep while he stayed here.

[Excellent. We can have you start tomorrow. If you have some things to take care of in town, this is a good time to do that. I have a large order of shovel to make and the handles take a long time as I'm no good with wood.]

[Do you have the wood materials here?]

[Yes, in the back I have the planks.}

[Well I might as well get started on those first. I can do a bit of woodworking as well. I'll make one if that is alright and you can see if it is usable. How does that sound?]

[I hope your not lying about being able to make handles.]

Belnan showed her his status plate again.

Crafting Skills: Carpentry 5

He walked to the back of the shop and borrowed a wood saw and chisel. Apparently they didn't have a lathe in this fantasy world.