The line took half an hour to pass, and indeed, there were prominent people present. The Duke’s steward, Jonathan, on the Duke’s behalf, the Archmage’s Majordomo, emeritus guild masters I had petitioned for support as an apprentice, my own former mentor, Master Glimmerblade, Master Alexander the Alchemist, Gavon the Sage, and even the Gray Master in his alias disguise as a merchant. Of course, my friends were present, and the Irregulars made quite a sight. There were eight City Watch, including two sergeants, present who apologized that the others wanted to come but duty required them elsewhere.

  Bella was not happy that so many were here with magical non-detection enchantments that prevented her from reading their thoughts. But she was very proud of me and seemed to let it slide after her third complaint about it.

  A few of the guests had comments that were memorable.

  The Duke’s Steward, Jon Beltman, was first in line and shared the Duke’s immense pleasure at my recognition. “The Duke grinned from ear to ear and couldn’t wait to share the news with a few of your less-than-enthusiastic supporters who previously cited bias among the enchanter’s guild and an exaggeration of your talents. Getting three dwarf masters to agree on the day of the week is a feat. Nobody can deny that earning this recognition as the very first human in recorded history isn’t momentous, and you are a notable citizen of Keelwell.”

  He pumped my hand in his excitement. Then he leaned in and whispered, “The Duke also asked me to remind you that he said to be excessive in your efforts and costs as necessary. If the city falls, all that wealth is lost to the goblins. He expected you to have started around 50,000 gold, and you are far under that first, conservative estimate. You may be getting help now from friends and concerned colleagues, but your work will continue up until and even during the siege. Mages and others may be far less forthcoming with their spells and skills. Pay them and pay yourself for your time. The cost of these rings on the open market would be in the hundreds of thousands when all is said and done.”

  He backed away. “Make it count. Keep good records. And get the first batch to the Duke as fast as possible.” He paused. “The earlier the better. He is fielding a lot of pressure to spend resources in other directions from very vocal and powerful players.”

  He nodded once and then departed.

  My parents were in line right behind the Duke’s representative. Isaac made sure they went before him.

  My mom gave me a big hug and a kiss, and my dad shook my hand and then pulled me into a hug. He was not a big hugger, but watching me carry that molten copper and imprint a permanent brand must have affected him. I know it did me.

  My mother said, “I have a little gift for you.” And she winked. She withdrew a small yellow silk bag from her pocket and handed it to me.

  I opened it up, and two Elf Silver earrings with 14pt yellow diamonds were socketed in each. “I thought you could use a fashion upgrade.” She remarked with a smile.

  Dad looked about as thrilled with the idea as I did, but I got a whistle from down the line, and Adriana and Wilma both gave me a thumbs up and laughed.

  “Here, let me put these on. Given all that is happening, you can use all the protection we can give you.” My mother commented.

  She stepped to my side and inserted first one earring, and then the other. I flinched when each stud went through my earlobe and was fastened magically on the other side.

  I lost a health point for each, more because of the magical binding than actual damage, I think.

  The earrings surprised me, however. The first, which she attached to my left ear, was exactly as Isaac said; it was the archmage’s Spell Chaos, and it did create a thirty-second sphere of countermagic around me. It would prevent any spell less than seventh level from affecting me and nearly any spell of seventh level as well. It was almost like this was an eighth-level spell, but no such thing existed.

  The second earring was not as we had discussed, however. It was even better. The spell was not a summoner’s Limited Group Teleport spell, but a cleric spell called Invulnerability. It was a Seventh Circle spell and for thirty-three seconds, I was truly invulnerable to any physical, mental, magical, or spiritual attack and effect. It is the most powerful spell I have ever encountered, and I now have it bound to me through Isaac’s blood magic enchantment. But between the two spells, I could be free from most attacks for a minute. That was amazing.

  And while not nearly as powerful, each of the 14ptt yellow diamonds could also be specialized. I would look into those options later.

  I gave mom a big hug and said, “Thank you, I hope to wear these well.”

  She laughed. They look good and pick up the colors of your robes nicely.”

  “With that said, I have a present as well,” Dad said as he turned and retrieved a thin square chest from where Biff was holding it. “Here, open it up.”

  He smiled widely and seemed as eager for me to open it as I was.

  I unlatched three shiny brass clasps, and with his help to hold the lid, I opened it.

  Inside was an array of minerals and gemstones. There were seven rows and seven columns, each labeled in his fanciest scribe’s calligraphy.

  Every gem and stone was yellow. They were all different shades, with swirls and unique characteristics, but they were all yellow.

  “It’s an A-Z of forty-nine minerals, semi-precious and precious gemstones, and a few oddities that I included for conversation purposes when I presented this as my honors project in my undergraduate program many years ago in the capital.” He said proudly.

  I scanned the names and saw that there were indeed some very unusual stones. There was another rare yellow diamond, but also a yellow ruby, emerald, and sapphire. There was also a yellow obsidian, onyx, and opal. And the very last was a Golden Pearl. I had read about those when researching the Lustros Black Pearl, and Alexander had hinted at it as well. The Golden Pearl was so rare that very little was known about its magical properties.

  “From agate to zircon, I called it.” Dad continued. “I realize that they are all uncut, but the gemstones, which are most of them, were all certified flawless uncut, which means they have no intrusions or blemishes.”

  Mom said, “Randy, I think he knows what flawless means.”

  “Of course, I was just falling back on my old habits.” And he laughed. “I believe that with time, you could fix yourself up with an entire staff of yellow protections of at least the 28pt variety, if you catch my drift.”

  I did. I would have to check each out later to see what properties they had within them. I could use their abilities as they were, but I could not insert them into a socket unless they were turned into magical cut stones.

  “Dad, I don’t know what to say. Why did you never show this to me before if you’ve had it for so long?”

  Mom and Dad looked at each other significantly. “That’s a long story, and there are people behind us. Stop by for dinner soon, and we can share some history with you.” And he absentmindedly scratched the side of his face where the tiniest of scars, barely noticeable, reached from his right eye back to his right ear. I had often wondered how he got it. Perhaps I will now find out.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Mom gave me another hug and a parting kiss on my cheek, and they both moved on, allowing Isaac to approach as the next in line.

  The Archmage’s Majordomo asked for an immediate private audience because he was needed elsewhere, and I stepped aside to speak with him. Nobody complained, given the status of the archmage’s senior-most apprentice, a triple grandmaster and then some. Even the other mages present only nodded and held a conversation among themselves as we walked a couple of dozen paces away.

  He cast a spell on us that made his voice sound low and slightly out of sync with his lips. “I have shielded us for this conversation. Even your Bella cannot hear us, although it is nothing I fear her learning.”

  “How can I help you?” I asked.

  “First, as you no doubt realized when you put them on, there was a change in plans. The Bishop arrived unexpectedly at The Tower last night and insisted that he work with me to enchant one of the earrings. I had not realized you had spoken with him about it.” He said with a slightly annoyed tilt of his head.

  “But I hadn’t.” I insisted.

  He looked at me and then replied. “Sorry. It’s hard to account for his special...abilities. So he had some reason why he did that for you. Whatever it was, he didn’t share it with me.”

  “Regardless, I am very thankful. It is an incredible combination.” I said.

  “True. Okay, well, I can disregard the lecture I had planned. Just be careful and don’t take unnecessary chances. Feeling like you are invulnerable could lead to some very bad decisions. It’s like having a water-breathing spell at the bottom of the sea. Works great until the spell effects wear off. Then you are deep in trouble.”

  “I understand, Isaac. And I appreciate your concern.”

  “Now, I actually had another reason to speak with you.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I would like to place an immediate commission, your first in fact, for a 15 socket Dwarven Copper circlet. Yes, I see the five gemstones placed in yours despite your attempt to hide them.” He smiled, meaning no offense by his observation.

  Adriana had slipped it back on me as they had lifted me to my feet. Grandmaster Copperheart had given it to her after I had completed the forty-ninth step.”

  “I will enchant it myself.” He continued. “I just want the Dwarven Copper circlet and the fifteen sockets. Is that possible?” He asked, searching my eyes.

  I paused. “Master Glimmerblade directed me not to create another artifact-level magical device since its use and purpose are as yet poorly understood.”

  “A wise counsel, but hardly one directed toward me, do you think?” He asked slowly.

  I hesitated a moment and then shrugged. “No, I do not think he had you in mind when he made the warning. I think it was directed at me.”

  “I agree, and also to those who would use your talent against you. But my intention is to prepare for battle. The Archmage has a similar circlet made of Elvin Silver with twenty-one sockets in a thin one-inch band around his head that is rounded at the top and bottom. I am content with a subordinate version. If he disapproves, which I doubt, I will relinquish it to him or return it to you on his orders.”

  “That seems fair.” I was out of my league and level of comfort. But my instinct was that he was on the level, even if he had removed Bella from the discussion. She would not be happy about that, I’m sure.

  “As payment,” he continued, “I assume you will get around to making circlets for your inner circle, of the five socket variety,” he amended.

  “I had not thought about that, but yes, I think I would do that for them,” I answered.

  “Good. I will enchant each with a base enchantment of the spell Greater Stealth. Another of the Archmage’s creations. It will give them a once-per-day combination invisibility spell and silent movement for up to four hours. It will help to keep them safe, and I believe that they would bond even better with a common magical device shared among them. They work far better together than their masters would, but they are all from very different guilds, and the more you can keep them together, the better for us all.”

  “That is very thoughtful, and yes, I accept that payment.”

  “I thought you might. You tend to think of others before yourself. It is one of the reasons I am comfortable expanding your powers beyond what a new journeyman would experience for several decades.”

  “Before we go, I am unfamiliar with the Greater Stealth spell. Is there anything special beyond what you shared? The gem ability Stealth with which I am familiar seems slightly different.”

  He thought for a moment. “The normal limitations apply with the enchantment. You cannot attack or cast spells while its effect is up, with one important exception. You can cast movement spells while under its influence. You can cast fly, sprint, climb, jump, levitate, etc. Or you could use a magical item that does the same. The archmage designed the spell to get out of trouble silently and fast.”

  I nodded. “Thank you. Is there anything else?”

  “No. How long will it take?”

  “It will take me three days to complete yours. I can have theirs done by the end of the day.”

  “Have a messenger bring them to me when they are ready, but before you put sockets into them. The base enchantment works best when it is applied soon after creation and before other magics interfere.”

  I told him I would send them along, and with nothing else to ask of me, we returned to the line, and before he departed, he pointed out his guests, which were hovering near the back.

  “Watch out for the halfling monk. The sorceress seems pretty level-headed.” Isaac said with a wave as he walked away.

  It took me half a dozen people in line before Bella calmed down from his isolation spell and resumed her background monitoring. She threatened to barge in on us if it happened again. I learned later that Bella had arranged the entire affair this morning with the guidance of the dwarven grandmaster and Biff. And they did it all in a few hours in the wee hours of the morning.

  And so it went on. I tried to defer meetings when possible and gauge how important they were. I was getting so busy just meeting that I would not get anything made.

  It was frustrating.

  I’d like to say that the other comments were merely supportive and straightforward, but the Gray Master in his merchant’s guise said, “We need to talk soon. Our lower-level efforts have become problematic.” We set a time to meet at 8:00 AM.

  Sage Davon asked when he approached me in line, “If your time is free at all today, I’d like to discuss rune weapons as soon as possible.” We set a time for 8:30 since I was already booked for 8:00.

  At the very end of the long line were Isaac’s unexpected guests from the archmage. The halfling monk and the human sorceress had hung around until the end to meet with me, and I figured out why about partway through the line.

  They were golden cognitos like me.

  Adriana and Wilma were the very last ones before my guests. Both had given me a hug and said they would catch up with me later. They just wanted to say how proud they were of me. Then they both slugged me on opposite shoulders. Declared me an idiot and stormed off.

  The heroes witnessed that exchange.

  “Friends of yours?” The halfling Monk named Stix asked.

  “Yes. Close friends.” I said, rubbing my shoulders. I was glad they had not aimed for my scars. That would have really hurt.

  “You need to choose your friends better.” The sorceress named Jade replied with a smile.

  We all laughed.

  “Pretty intense ritual,” Jade said. “It looked like it really hurt, too.”

  “It did. I nearly blacked out before the end. When that cauldron wobbled on the podium, my heart nearly stopped.”

  “Mine too, and I was just watching!” She agreed.

  “So, how did you wind up working with the archmage?” I asked.

  “Less working with and more getting expelled by him,” Stix explained.

  “There’s a story in there,” I said.

  “Let’s share it over breakfast,” Jade suggested.

  “Good idea,” I said. “We can walk up to the upper level and meet in the dining room. I’ll walk you most of the way. I want to stop by my room and change first.”

  We walked up the spiral stairs to the top floor, and I pointed down the hallway and told them to help themselves. I’d be along in a few minutes.

  Bella was waiting for me in my chambers. I was going to wash, change, get a bite to eat, and then maybe get just a few more hours of rest and recovery. She was standing at the table where Grandmaster Copperheart and I had talked last night. Upon the table was my true copy of Damascus’s book. I was certain that I had returned it to its secure position before going downstairs.

  “Open it.” She said out loud.

  I was very tired, but I complied. Written on the inside front cover was a hand-scrawled note. It read:

  Once more, tears came into my eyes. “Why didn’t he give this to me himself?” I asked out loud, not bothering to speak to Bella in my mind.

  She replied in kind. “You know why. There can not be overfamiliarity between you two, and the book itself is meant to be known to the few and worthy, only.”

  I knew she was right. I just wish I had more time to talk with him.

  But the shot of refreshing energy I got from the inscription meant I was no longer tired. Steven had healed me, so I was not at risk of infection, but I knew I should rest after such an ordeal. There was just too much to do, and I had some new comrades to meet.

  I splashed my face with some cool water, changed robes again, and went down the hallway for a bite to eat with Jade and Stix.

  I looked forward to learning more about how they got mixed up with the archmage and their experiences so far. It was an amazing start to the morning.

  It was really unfortunate how badly the rest of the day would turn out.