Chapter 12 (1/2)

James wondered why he was sure the mage would ask about this particular armour. He had no idea why, but he had known from the start that he would and that this was the one that suited him best. He regretted that it wasn't finished and it didn't look like it was going to be any time soon. There was no way it could be done. Matheo was not happy with the results of samples of this steel subjected to different cures. After making dozens of trials with varying results, he concluded that it had to be dragon flame, but he could not find anyone who even came close to meeting the exacting criteria he had set. When it became clear that he could not count on the dragon to breathe seven times in a row with identical strength and control he said that he could not let such a marvel go to waste through his impatience and would wait for the right moment. Even if that moment was never to come.

James was sure of one thing, however. The wizard had no doubt that this was the armour he wanted to wear. He could see it in his gaze and expression, and he noticed that the brothers nodded their heads in agreement as soon as he said what materials it was made of. He also saw them cloud up when he stated that it was unfinished.

His train of thought was suddenly interrupted when something happened in the shop. James reacted immediately and, without looking back, ran to the workshop and on to the front of the shop. Just as he had feared, as soon as he rushed inside he saw them standing in the breached doorway with contempt written on their faces. There were three of them, each with some kind of weapon. So they are back. He thought, remembering how they had come here last time threatening master Vittoro and hiding behind the name of some nobleman. There was nothing he could do then. Now they were the ones who had started it, so no matter what was to happen next no one could say he had done anything wrong. They broke down the door to the shop. They brought their weapons with them. They were the ones who had started it. He thought with satisfaction and reached behind his back, seeking the familiar coolness of the handles of his two heavy knives.

-The shop is closed today,- he hissed through clenched teeth.-You can come at another time.- He had no idea by what miracle he was in control of himself. Before, he could not bear even the thought that anyone dared to threaten someone as respectable as his master. At the same time, it pained him that he could not protect the person who had done so much for him.

In an instant he remembered how he was lying in front of the ruined house, with a wound on his chest, watching his brother helplessly trying to protect him while holding the blacksmith's hammer that had previously belonged to their father. Again he saw the blade smoothly slice through his brother's throat, blood splashing against the walls of the forge and Robert's head hitting the floor with glassy, unseeing eyes. Again he heard the same hoarse mocking laughter as then. Again he saw Michael York's face twisted with a cold smile. The vampire's cold eyes stared back at him. He sensed the fear he felt then and the anger that burned within him.

Shake it off. This is the past. He admonished himself by focusing his gaze on his opponents. He saw them slowly take out their weapons and smile as Michael York did that night. This time it's you who can help master. He clenched his hands tighter on the handles and gently loosened the knives.

-We have come for the answer.- stated the man standing in the middle weighing a short sword in his hand.-I'd better like it.

-You know the answer.- growled James hoping he could stop them before Matheo could get off the floor. He didn't want to watch something bad happen again to someone close to him. -It won't change.

-Shame.- Snorted the thug.

James pulled out his knives at the same moment and turned each smoothly in his hand all the while watching the three of the men. I'm a bodyguard. He said calmly to himself. I'm not going to let them do what they want. He leaned forward slightly preparing to attack when he saw the three bandits move.

At the same moment, he felt a steel grip at neck height and someone with tremendous force picked him up and pulled him back in a flash. At the same time, the shelves that were still at the height of his head before the single heartbeat exploded showering everyone with splinters and shrapnel.

He hit the floor hard losing his breath and releasing one of his knives. He momentarily jumped to his feet expecting some kind of attack, but saw the blue cloak of the mage in front of him and his arm stretched out in a frontal direction.

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Draco was surprised at the speed at which the elf ran out of the warehouse. He suspected something had happened, and one look at the brothers' faces confirmed his suspicions. James had immediately put his hand on his weapons for a reason before, and now he clearly had to do the same again. This time towards someone who deserved it.

-Maybe...- Angus started as if he wanted to say something that could explain the situation, but when his gaze crossed with that of the dragon he fell silent.

Draco glanced at Florence, who in turn tried not to look at him and stubbornly stuck his gaze into one of the armours standing next to him, but he couldn't hide that he was listening intently to the sounds coming from somewhere in the shop.

-Are you two not going to help him?- Draco asked looking at them.

-Maybe we don't look it, but fighting...- began Florence cautiously.

-We're not good at it...- Angus looked embarrassed, but endured the mage's gaze fixed on him. He didn't speak but stepped aside with the request written on his face.

Draco merely nodded and ran ahead. He was aware that Bleist might not be pleased with his decision, but he didn't know what else to do. He hadn't even started his training as a wizard, he knew nothing about what was going on in the city or how such problems were solved here. He also had no idea what might happen, but he felt he couldn't stand idly by and watch someone destroy the peace of the people who had shown him so much kindness when he first met them. Three years in military class. He thought indifferently as he rushed into the shop and saw James taking out knives from behind his back with his three opponents. Maybe these will finally be of use for something. The elf shifted his body weight and prepared to attack and at that moment Draco noticed something that made his blood freeze. Behind the three thugs stood a fourth extending his hand in front of him. Draco had seen the gesture before and subconsciously knew what was going to happen next.

He didn't even know when he moved, but he managed to grab the elf with one hand and pull him back just as a spell destroyed the display shelves at the level of James' head. Although the dragon didn't put much force into the move the elf flew backwards a few steps. Draco didn't take his eyes off his attackers, he didn't have time for that. He could already see the anger twisting the wizard's face as he realised the spell had missed.

The dragon had no idea what to do, he knew nothing about magic or how to use it. He could only release energy and shape it, he had no idea how to cast any spell. Nor did he have time to think about it. Runes and some sort of markings were quickly appearing in front of that mage's hand. Draco knew that in a moment another spell would be cast and this one would be aimed at him.

I think that sooner or later, you'll find out for yourself, but it's intuition that is one of the most important qualities of a wizard. Gizel spoke up in his head. With no other choice, he followed that very advice.

He stretched his hand out in front of him and focused on his energy. He didn't know how much of it was needed to block the attack, so he released as much as he could focus into a shield he imagined. He could see it, or rather he wanted to see it, a thick layer of energy stretched between him and those four. He began to release the power and was surprised to find that something different was happening than before. First, dragon runes shone around his wrist, forming a golden bracelet of the words shield, protection, enhancement arranged in sequence. After a single heartbeat, a translucent wall emanating golden light appeared in front of him, repelling everything in its path. When he felt the energy stabilise there was a hollow sound around him as a blow fell on it. The spell exploded and knocked one of the ragtag men backwards, and the others retreated. The wizard snarled and shouted a few words quickly, and silver arrowheads sprinkled towards the shield, striking deafly and causing the building to shake slightly.

Draco reflexively channeled more energy into the shield, which momentarily lit up stronger with golden light. He had no idea how much he would be able to withstand and he didn't know how much the other man would attack. He also didn't understand why the attacker had started using magic in such a spectacular way. It must have attracted quite a lot of unwanted attention. He quickly decided that he could not just defend himself. The best defence is attack. This is what Rector Heilem always said when looking at the duels taking place in the arena.

The dragon thought about what he could do to attack. He didn't know any spells, but seeing what effect using his imagination and three simple words had, he tried to focus on something that would give him a chance to achieve the desired effect. An arrow. It flashed through his mind. He decided to take a chance and thought of a short bolt, of how it should fly when the trigger of the crossbow was released, of its strength. He wanted to fire such a bolt, a projectile that would hit his opponent. He closed his eyes and sent another portion of energy in front of him. He saw with his eyes the golden shape of the bolt, its straight and deadly profile. He opened his eyes and released the power.

This time, a circle inscribed with dragon runes appeared in front of his hand, and the energy he pushed into it illuminated them with golden light. A shot. Bolt. Penetration. It ignited in the air for a few heartbeats, and then all the energy concentrated in one point and flashed ahead. The magical bolt pierced the golden shield as if it wasn't there and flashed forward between the silver bullets.

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Darius sat with his head resting on his hands and tried to think about what his friend had told him. He looked at the man's depressed face and knew that the blacksmith couldn't handle it all. He couldn't manage anything himself against someone who had so many contacts. It didn't help that Matheo was the most famous armourer and had his own, quite considerable, influence, which was further reinforced by his father-in-law's connections. However, this did not mean much on Atlantis and could be bypassed in various ways. The only people whose influence trumped the aristocrats were the officers of the Royal Guard.

-I know I'm putting you in an uninteresting position, but I really don't know what to do.-The blacksmith spoke very quietly, which in itself was unusual given his booming voice and powerful build.-No one else can help me.-He bowed his head and looked at the cups standing on the table.-If I had any other choice I'd rather not drag you into this.-He added in a whisper.

-Matheo, you have always been a friend of my family.- Said Bleist after a while.-Father respected you and treated you like a second son, for me you have been a friend and a brother since I was a little boy.-He put his hands on the table and calmly looked at the blacksmith.-Even if you would not have asked me I would have helped you.

-Thank you... Thank you, Darius...-The huge man looked as if he was about to cry from an excess of emotions.-I really don't know how to thank you.

-I told you that you have nothing to worry about, darling.- Said Fiora calmly placing her hand on her husband's shoulder.-Everything will slowly fall into place.

-You're right...

He broke off when downstairs something hit the wall hard. Darius momentarily pulled himself up to a standing position and Matheo froze in place.

-James was about to close up the shop,- groaned the blacksmith as he stood up.-They must have come again.

-I don't think we have time.-The mage muttered, fixing his sword belt.-You have to greet the customers, don't you?- He smiled mischievously and circled the table quietly.

-Customers...- Whispered the blacksmith and straightened up like a string.- James...- He darted ahead passing Darius and rushed towards the stairs.

The wizard at first did not know why his friend had rushed ahead so suddenly, but almost immediately understanding came to him.

-They went downstairs...- He let himself run after Matheo, thinking only of making sure that something he would regret didn't happen in the meantime. If something happens to him I won't forgive myself. He thought certain that if someone raided the shop then Draco would not stand by indifferently. He hadn't known his apprentice very long, but he knew what he himself would do and had no doubt what his protégé would do.

The building shook slightly and he heard the hollow rumble of an explosion, which made him speed up. He caught up with the big man on the stairs and overtook him without even slowing down, and then froze on the lowest step of the stairs. A golden barrier cut through the room, pushing away anything in its path. Darius could not believe what he was seeing. In the light emanating from the shield, he saw his apprentice with his arm stretched out in front of him and runes around his wrist. The elf lay on the floor behind the dragon and slowly lifted himself up holding his back. On the other side, two bastards were trying to lift a third, and the wizard was preparing for another attack.

The blacksmith bumped into Bleist from behind and was about to move on when Darius grabbed him by the arm and before he could shout for him to leave he pointed to the scene taking place and let him know not to interfere. The mage was curious to see what would happen next and what his apprentice would do. He could not hide from himself that he hardly believed what he was seeing. A boy who barely a dozen days ago discovered his magical abilities is creating spells by himself without even knowing the basics of magic. He realised that he was bursting with pride and feeling that he himself needed to start working harder on his own abilities in order to be a good master for Draco. At the same time, he whispered a shield spell, not wanting anything to happen to the dragon.

In the next moment, a veritable hail of projectiles rained down on the shield. Darius recognised one of the battle spells used in the army, but the shield did not move at all, and Draco must have strengthened it even more, because it lit up more strongly than before. After a moment, the dragon closed his eyes and Bleist was already about to cast his own spell, but he noticed that the shield had not weakened and was still stable. He furrowed his brow wondering what his apprentice was trying to do. Just then, a runic circle appeared in front of the boy's hand, ignited with a golden hue and a projectile shot towards his opponent. Darius was shocked, he didn't know what to think.

The projectile cut through the golden shield and reached its target piercing the attacker's protection, hitting him in the shoulder and throwing him into the frame of the front door.