Like all gems, even diamonds have rare properties beyond their spell storage capacity, but their abilities are unusual and tend to favor cleric and wizard spells and what I now understand to be paladin skills.

  I think that Isaac was surprised as I slowly focused and then inserted the gems. He had not considered the additional powers of the diamonds, merely their spell storage capacity, as used by wizard bracers of obedience when he gave me the gift.

  “What powers are you adding?” He asked, curious.

  I explained that for the first bracer, Glimmerblade’s Silver Dragon Bracer, I chose two Lesser Heal Other spells good for twenty health each, a Lesser Solum’s Slumber wizard spell, Ashram’s Key, which was another wizard spell that would open most mundane and magical locks, and a clerical Cure Disease spell. Steven had shared with me during our foray into the sewers to rescue Wilma that the only known remedy to prevent a bitten person from turning into a zombie is the simple Cure Disease spell.

  In the right bracer, I added two Lesser Heal Self clerical spells, also good for twenty health each, a Restrain Other spell, Remove Poison, and Complete Parry, a Second Servant paladin skill that required I use a weapon, but it would prevent what otherwise could be a very damaging attack.

  “That ability of yours is very handy.” He said, slightly awed.

  I stood back up. “Shall I give you a tour, Majordomo?” I asked.

  “I would be delighted, Patron Istari.” He replied.

  I explained briefly the setup on this level, showed him the Map Room, which he was very impressed with, and the magical vault, at which he just nodded. Living in The Tower, I figured that he had probably seen far more wealth and treasure than the director of the bank.

  He laughed at the hidden access to the stairs, seeing through that illusion without my needing to reveal it to him. “Very clever.” He said.

  We went below and made our rounds. He was very formal and complimentary of the different teams. He confided in me that people expected him to behave this way and became uncomfortable if he behaved in a normal and conversational manner. I began to understand why he appreciated talking with me in private as if we were equals. Which we clearly were not.

  It also explained a bit why the Gray Master behaved the same way around me.

  He made a couple of suggestions to the alchemical team, which they promised to act on immediately. The Majordomo was a grandmaster of alchemy. And while he had wanted to see the summoning circle when we were upstairs, he barely paid it any attention and instead redirected me to the forges and asked some questions there.

  We made our way upstairs to the top level, and after a brief tour up there, we ended up in my chambers at the same table where I had met separately with Biff and Red not that long ago.

  When we were secure behind closed doors, he said, “I apologize for my actions around the summoning circle. I didn’t want to draw attention to it. But it is solid and secure. There are some additional protections that I will help you with in a few days, but with the right power and concentration, you could summon, bind, or banish legendary summonings. The war masters really did a top-shelf job for you in your shoppe. That summoning circle itself should have cost twenty thousand gold. I understand they each charged you far less.”

  “Yes, I don’t typically discuss it, but they charged me a total of thirty-five thousand gold and the promise of making one enchanted object of their choice.”

  “It is likely a real bargain, but then, that is yet to be determined by their choice. That staff of yours, for instance, could be worth fifty thousand gold to the right buyer.”

  “Master Glimmerblade was not happy that I had made it. My surprise for him nearly cost us both our lives.”

  “Perhaps. Ichabod is a piece of work. I taught him and Corwyn when they were younger.”

  Just as Isaac forgot how young I was, I forgot how old he was.

  Isaac stood and, with a slight bow, said, “I need to be moving along. I have work to do at The Tower. I’ll send the two treble makers your way in the morning.” He said with a laugh. “Along with your mother’s present, which I shall discuss with her and Randy this evening, so they know to play along.”

  He gathered his robes, smoothing them out, and turned toward the door.

  “Wait!” I shouted.

  He turned and had a wand in his hand faster than I could blink. “What is it?” He said urgently, looking around.

  “Oh, I am sorry, master. I just remembered something.”

  He relaxed but looked a little irritated. “Don’t shout like that. I nearly blasted you by accident.” He said as he put his wand away.

  “I have something for the archmage,” I stated.

  “Can’t it wait until the morning?” He asked, tired.

  “I’m afraid not.”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Bella, please have Biff bring in THE chest. I asked.

  It’s already on the way up. She said in a more casual voice with just a hint of humor in it.

  Biff knocked and I opened the door. He placed the chest on the table between us before departing again with a respectful nod to the Majordomo.

  “Surprise for surprise,” I said.

  He tilted his head. “My boy, while I may not know what is in your box, I can assure you that at my age, very little surprises me anymore.”

  With an opening like that, I didn’t have anything else to say. I walked over to the table, removed the key from my pocket, and placed it in the lock. I did not turn it; instead, I left it in the lock as I had seen the Gray Master do minutes ago.

  You need to will it open. Bella helped.

  The Gray Master failed to mention that part. I pouted.

  I don’t think he really wanted the chest opened again. He really despised that robe. She explained.

  I willed the chest to open. The key grew warm for a moment, and the lid opened. And with the lid opened, the robe majestically rose into the air and twirled gently as if in a gentle breeze, before…

  Oh, it's just another mage. The voice of the robe’s tinny and off-key tone sounded in our heads. I had thought you might have brought me to someone worthy. It complained.

  I immediately empathized with the Gray Master.

  “Please permit me to make an important introduction, your eminence.” I bowed to the robe and tilted my hand toward Isaac. “This is Lord Isaac Oldton Pendragon, Grandmaster of Elemental Magics, Grandmaster of Enchantments, Grandmaster of Alchemies, Master of Summoning, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of History, and Majordomo of the Imperial Archmage’s Tower.”

  I turned to Isaac. “Lord Majordomo, this is the Imperial Robe of Ascension.”

  I have other titles too, you know. The robe quipped.

  “Of course you do, but one as important as you need only name the first and all others accompany your legendary renown.”

  I knew I was right about you, young mage. You will go far. Its shoulders dipped in my direction ever so slightly.

  When I completed my bow of thanks, I looked over at Isaac. He stood before the robe with his mouth gaping open and a look of utter astonishment on his face.

  “Surprise!” I sang.

  He glanced at me, back at the robe, and back to me again. “Is this an illusion?”

  I should say not, sir. And you are not befitting your station very well, I must say. The robe whined. Its voice cracking a little more than normal with static and distortion.

  “The voice has deteriorated slightly. It has been lost for a very long time.” I explained.

  “Thousands of years, I should think,” Isaac replied quietly as the history before him truly sank in. And then he snapped into action.

  Isaac knelt before the robe and said, “Forgive me, mighty robe, I was overcome by your majesty and did not greet you with the dignity and honor you deserve. Your return will create quite a stir among those who have long awaited an imperial return.”

  Either Isaac was a closet imperialist, or he was just really good at schmoozing powerful artifacts.

  Your apology is accepted, son of the Empire. Arise and bring me to those who await.

  He cleared his throat. “Actually, until a moment ago I had no idea you still existed and nobody else,” he looked at me for some sign, “knows of your existence either.”

  “I acquired this gift in payment of a commission just minutes before you arrived tonight.”

  “A commission?” He blurted out. “What did you do?”

  I raised my eyebrows but did not respond. Commissions were protected by imperial law, and I was under no compulsion to tell him. Not knowing where this came from will drive him crazy, I thought.

  That’s not very nice, given how helpful he has been to you tonight.

  True. But I’ll let him stew a bit first. He needs the robe’s full effect. I owe the Gray Master at least that much.

  I bowed deeply to Isaac and stated formally, “I deliver the robe into your hands, Steward of The Tower.” It was another of his formal titles and one used on the occasion that the archmage was absent. It was a lot shorter than his full title and a little more respectful than calling him Isaac, right now.

  The AL whispered into my ear. Enchanter Gwydion earns a greater magical object for the delivery of the Imperial Robes to a recognized Kingdom authority. You earned an ally in Archmage Majordomo Isaac Oldton. Additions and notes have been added to your Book of Quests that remain unread.

  I was surprised to hear that this was a completed quest. I had done little to earn yet another gift. I was beginning to think that all this power was leading up to one very nasty encounter with the invading forces.

  The robe turned to face Isaac. Approach and be recognized.

  Isaac complied. The robe twirled in place a few times and then said, You are found unworthy to wear the Imperial robes, but you are worthy to accept us on behalf of another.

  “I thank you,” Isaac replied simply.

  You will reward this young mage for rescuing us from the clutches of villains.

  “He will be suitably rewarded,” Isaac said, and he glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes.

  Your Imperial Archmage refused me upon the abdication of the Emperor. He is unworthy to be offered a second time.

  “You must be mistaken,” Isaac said. “The first emperor was killed in battle with the Great Necromancer.”

  I was there. The emperor abdicated and threw his crown at the feet of the archmage, and offered him his crown and power since he had taken everything else from him.

  We were both stunned at such a change in thousands of years of accepted history.

  And to think, he walked away from his crown, his people, from ME, all because of a woman. An elf of all things. Betrayed by his best friend. No wonder he fled to the depths below Erte Ale and took up a new crown and a new mission.

  It took me a few seconds to understand what I just heard. I could tell that Isaac was way ahead of me, but could not bring himself to speak.

  “The first emperor is the Great Necromancer? I asked.

  Of course. Where else would the great Mage-King go in his inescapable misery except to the darkest depths of the darkest magical temple?

  Neither of us had anything else to say, and an uncomfortable silence fell upon the room.

  Isaac eventually looked back and forth between me and the robe again. “I think we should retire to The Tower and figure out our next steps.”

  I didn’t fail to notice the “we” and “our” in his statement.

  “If you would please return to the chest, we will transport you-”

  I will not go back into that squalid wooden prison! The robe shouted, and an unbearable screeching sound that was some kind of sonic attack assailed us.

  We both covered our ears, and I fell to my knees.

  For the second time that night, Bella appeared, folded the robe respectfully, and placed it into the chest. As soon as the lid closed, she removed the key and walked it over to Isaac.

  “I believe this is yours now.” She said to him with a half smirk and walked out the door, leaving it open behind her.

  Biff staggered in and yelled as if he had a hard time hearing his own voice, “What was that sound?”

  “The sound of history,” I said.

  Isaac was wiping his brow. “That’s the last favor I do for you, Lord Patron.”

  He doesn’t mean it. Bella said. He’s just rattled.

  He and I both.