Chapter 44 - Armor

Ash was surprised to find they were married, but more curious as to whether it was an arranged deal or something they had chosen themselves. Seeing her curious gaze, Gardenia smiled slightly.

"We have been together since our childhood, growing up very near each other, joining the temple and later the adventurer's guild together. While we each have rooms here, they are mostly for storage of our possessions relating to the temple. For sleeping and day to day life when we aren't busy here, we have a home a short walk from the temple."

"Speaking of possessions," Yarrow grumbled, "You need better protection than just what you appeared here in," his wine colored eyes locked with Ash's pink ones.

Ash shrugged slightly, certain that most shops were closed and that even if they weren't she didn't have enough money to buy anything worthwhile and likely wouldn't for some time. The few small quests she'd completed wouldn't get her much and there hadn't been anything of substance that dropped in the graveyard during its morph. The chest had already slipped her mind entirely.

Gardenia offered her a hand, "Might I take her for a little bit, Lord Sidus?"

He inclined his head slightly, permission given, and turned his attention towards Luna. Ash walked with Gardenia, glancing back at Sidus often until they were inside the temple. She wouldn't admit it out loud because he'd likely fuss over her, but she missed being able to just spend hours with him. Responsibilities came first, though, and she had to help out with the dungeon that had morphed as well as get stronger to keep Redwood Stars safe.

"I am sorry," Gardenia said softly, "For drawing you away from him. I understand it has been a long time since you were able to be in his presence."

She smiled, a little bitterly, "Responsibility first, even he would agree."

"That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt somewhat," she responded, her voice just as calm and gentle as before.

Ash walked along with her, weaving through the temple and the lights that swirled within it from Sidus' presence and her own. Every once and again Ash would reach out and brush one of the floating lights, sending it cascading through a marvelous display of colors. The lights were related to the composition of Sidus' magic which was why Ash's own set them off. She was a unique creature, her magic had changed over time to become her own rather than his. The temple still recognized her as being 'related' to him and put on the same display of beauty as if he were there.

The room they eventually entered was clearly an armory and Ash found herself scowling slightly at it. She hated the idea of owing people anything and armor was not cheap. Even the small daggers that had been forced upon her by Yarrow before they left were something she intended to pay him back for.

"None of that look," Gardenia said, her voice ever so slightly sharp, "It is the temple's pleasure to provide you some armor to start out with. I've even spoken to all of the others in charge, from each of the groups within the temple. Beyond that, through a crafter that worships here the temple has gained some very special foci," she looked at Ash meaningfully, "That have largely increased the casting strength of several of our healers that have taken oaths of pacifism, Fi included. As Arfved no doubt said, the temple should be paying you for these things. Especially considering Luna has discreetly informed me that it seems your secondary horns will need trimming weekly and they can be used in a variety of things for the temple including rituals to protect all of Redwood Stars."

Gardenia slowly began to look around the armory, taking her time to decide on something that would be suitable for Ashterra but also allow her the ability to move on and purchase or find other armors for herself later. Armors dropping in dungeons weren't exactly common, but it wasn't unheard of either. She didn't want Ash to feel as if she'd been given something clearly saved for an important person within the temple and so avoided the things of extremely high quality.

She eventually settled on some chain mail created from a lower grade magical metal that should be able to stand up to Ash's shapeshifting ability as well as some robes to go over it. The robes could be enchanted to block blows but actual armor was always preferable. The chain mail could later be replaced with something else or enchanted to be even stronger and the robes likewise could be enchanted to either increase her defensive, offensive, or healing abilities.

She included a light belt that could hold anything she wanted quick access to, such as the daggers and their sheaths. She had Ash try everything on, grabbing different robes until she found one that both fit and looked nice on her.

The chain mail was entirely covered by the robes and would help block any blows that went towards vital areas beyond her neck and head without slowing her down. The robes were a beautiful set that hadn't quite seemed right for any of the other priestesses that had tried them on over the years they'd sat in the armory.

They were a deep charcoal color, similar to that of Sidus' coat. A magical thread used in its construction also brought out a pearlescent shimmer in the robes that was present in most of them. With the darker colored robe it had the effect of feeling like one was seeing stars when it shifted in certain ways. The trim was pure white, the color of a unicorn's main horn and deep colors wove their way into designs within the charcoal coloring, the colors of the Star Ash's leaves that had cleansed the world's magic. It seemed a fitting design for a unicorn that did the same, for the daughter of Sidus.

Ash looked at herself in a mirror, using her Unicorn Eyes skill to examine the robes as she did. They were well made, but as far as rarity went, they were only marked as uncommon. They didn't have any enchantments and were created from rather common materials, Gardenia explained. With a slight sigh, she accepted the gift and turned to head back to the pond in hopes of seeing Sidus before he took his leave.