Shortages

It's been a rather uneventful week since then. After we fixed up my bedroom, we continued working on figuring out celestial magic. My separated mana does seem to be reacting to something, but no luck so far.

Elizabeth has started bringing the sword with her wherever she goes to prevent is being stolen. She even wrapped it in a thick cloth, so she could keep it under her bed when she sleeps.

Then, one morning, Vol brought my attention to another issue.

"Hm," he grumbled, "We still haven't received most of the manacaster modules."

"Weren't most of them supposed to be done by now?"

Vol nods, "We were supposed to have enough for two manacasters by the end of the week, but we don't even have enough for one."

Right. The manacaster I'm carrying around these days is woefully incomplete. It only has the tidal spell I used the other day, the rock spike spell I used in the mine, and the agility spell. All good spells in their respective situations, but not nearly broad enough.

"Maybe we should stop by some of the blacksmiths?" Vol suggests.

We do so, heading to some of the various blacksmiths he had hired. Unfortunately, they all said the same thing.

"Hrm, 'fraid I can't do much for 'ya. I haven't gotten any of the materials I need."

For some reason, not a single one of the blacksmiths had received metal shipments in over week.

"This really is quite odd," Vol said as we exited the third smithy.

"A week isn't that long. What's strange about it?" I ask.

"Seb, we're in Tayde. They have new metal shipments coming in *every other day*.

The last time they went more than a few days without a shipment was when they had to switch mines after they cleaned theirs out. I think they went without a shipment for a little over two weeks during that time, but that wasn't even two hundred years ago.

There's no reason why they'd be running out now."

He pauses and thinks for a bit. It seems to be weighing on him; I haven't heard him talk so quickly outside of our time researching in Rosewood.

"I think we should go to Voaneve."

I gaze at him blankly. He does this sometimes; mention people and places like I'm supposed to know what they are. I think he forgets that I've barely lived 16 years in this world.

"Ah, Voaneve is a sort of traders guild. It established Tayde way back. Technically, Tayde is under rule of the elven council, but Voaneve runs it."

"Sounds evil," I say, jokingly.

"Ha-ha, that's exactly what I said! They stuck with it, though."

The sun is starting to bounce diagonally off the water when we arrive at Voaneve. It's a large, almost mansion-like building, located up the road from the ocean. I had thought there were many people wandering between trading stalls on the main street, but it's nothing compared to Voaneve.

Species in all shapes enter and exit the permanently open double doors. Elves sure, but also humans, dwarves, and even a draconi or two.

Entering the building, it reminds me a bit of the magic academy. The entry hall is massive, with a floor of marble and stairs curving around the side, leading up to several more floors. Along the left side of the building extends a broad window with a perfect view of the ocean.

Not a single building is in the way. I guess that comes as a benefit of deciding where things are built.

"Over here," Vol says, holding me loosely by the arm to make sure that we aren't separated.

He pulls me over to one of the staircases. It's significantly less crowded, though plenty of people are still walking up and down between floors. We walk up a floor to an open platform with a view of the room below.

We head towards a closed door with four guards standing outside. Well, more soldiers than guards, really. They're not only carrying weapons, but also wearing full plate armor, which must be rather hot. I can only really see their eyes.

"Halt," one of them says as we approach. Because that always works.

He has a little feather in his helmet. I'm guessing he's captain or at least higher ranking than the rest.

"Hello, we're here to see Evelyne," Vol tells the guard while walking closer.

"What's your name?"

"Vol," he replies, simply.

The guard raises an eyebrow and looks back at one of the soldiers behind him. He looks down at a piece of paper and then shakes his head at the soldier in front of us.

"Evelyne only sees people by appointment and you're not on the list. Leave."

"No need to worry. She said I'd never need an appointment to see her," he says, still smiling calmly back at the guard.

He seems to be having fun, somehow. I get the sense that he's holding back a smirk. What in the world is he doing?

"Uhuh, right. Get out of here before we have you arrested."

Just as I'm about to ask Vol what he's trying to accomplish, I see the door open behind the soldiers. Vol clearly sees it too as he smiles even broader.

"Hng, why are you making so much noise out here?" a soft, sleepy voice asks.

With a twitch, all the guards jump into upright positions. I glance over at the lady.

"It's good to see you again, Evelyne," Vol says. He seems to be grinning. And... uh... blushing slightly.

The woman looks back at him blankly for a moment. Then, with a sudden start, her eyes go wide.

"Vol?!" she asks, her voice still pleasantly soft despite being much higher.

Huh, I guess this Evelyne really does know Vol. Is she some sort of important figure at Voaneve?

"Seb, meet Eve."