The morning didn’t dawn.

  Twilight had removed that joy along with many others. But I had been awake since my Dwarven Master trials, and I guess I didn’t notice. Jade and Stix seemed to hit it off well with Starla, and they seemed to have some interest in working together over the next few days. Stix would decide later if he stayed or pursued adventures elsewhere. He disappeared after getting his magic, but Jade and Starla each joined in the morning meeting of journeymen and team leaders.

  I was happy for the help and trade-off of skills for the rings I promised them. But they wanted a story of their own, and I understood that as well.

  The meetings with the Gray Master and the Elven ambassador had been mixed but overall productive. It seemed like the day was half over, and it was barely 6 am. Despite a later meeting time planned, the Gray Master had met with me earlier. I was not sure that he even departed the area after the Dwarven ritual. He couldn’t have gone far before turning back for our early meeting.

  I did manage to make the time to meet with Red and learned that he had a crazy idea about mass producing the ancient’s armor, but it had not panned out. However, he hoped that the old retired jeweler, Master Schuel Umbrennan, along with our newest journeyman armorer recruit, might help. The armorer Journeyman, Gertrude “Gerty” Smythson, might just see us creating some soon. Red had special plans which he would not yet tell me about regarding this armor, but he was excited after his talk with Gerty.

  The ancient armor consisted of metal, leather, and cloth sections. Red had a couple of books from the library that described the armor and its functions. He wanted the metal armor to be made out of Dwarven Copper, although we are starting with just plain copper for the prototypes, while the defects are being worked out. There were five metal sections: a helmet, breastplate, bracers for both arms, greaves for the legs, and a dangly bit from the abdomen down with strands of linked chains called the balter.

  His plans for the two leather sections involved sturdy boots instead of their traditional calf-length sandals, and gauntlets to cover the hands. Magic rings would probably work under gauntlets, but we had yet to test that idea. He also wanted a matching shirt called a tunic and loose lower clothing called a tunica, which looked a lot like a short skirt to me. He was still debating a cloak and whether, if present, it would have a hood or not.

  It was a work in progress.

  Red and I talked together until our morning briefing, which started later than normal but still with the jokesters and their morning ritual. But after a few quick laughs, we got into our work quickly. Progress continued across all areas with shift goals being met or exceeded. The change in plans for the rings, thanks to Red and Chompers, was underway. It did not impact the production side of the operation, just the enchantments.

  I introduced Starla as our newest team leader for runework. She was welcomed warmly since everyone had already met her.

  Jade was introduced as a visiting friend who would be with us for a few days and who would work with Grolin, our Sorcerer guild journeyman, who was the team leader in that area. She was also welcomed, but more politely than warmly, since nobody knew her very well yet.

  We had just gotten into new projects and details when Bella interrupted me, and I held up my hand for everyone to hold. Bella did not interrupt me lightly during a briefing with the team leads, so it had to be important.

  Gwydion, the Bishop, is here to meet with you. He is in room one. Bella said.

  I answered her out loud so the others in the room could hear. “Does he want to meet with me and Steven?” I asked.

  Steven looked over at me with a question on his face.

  No, he wishes to meet just with you for now. She answered.

  “Tell him I am on my way.”

  I turned to Steven and said, “The Bishop is here and wants a private meeting with me. Are you in trouble?” I asked with a grin.

  Steven got a few oohs from the journeymen, but everyone was equally curious why the Bishop was here.

  “Carry on, Red. It’s another briefing I narrowly dodged.” I said as I bowed to the group.

  Adriana threw a piece of paper at me that missed entirely.

  I looked at it and shook my head. “Better practice some more. Your accuracy needs to improve before the goblins get here.” I said.

  She squinted her eyes in a falsely threatening manner. “That was paper. My accuracy with fire is far better. Shall I demonstrate?”

  I pointed at Biff. “Use the target dummy. I have a meeting to get to.”

  There was another round of laughter, but most in the room could tell I was concerned. Someone of the Bishop’s power and influence did not just stop by for a cup of our delicious teas.

  I joined the Bishop in the first meeting room. He was seated in the spot facing the door and had a large wooden and bronze chest on the floor beside him. He wore a faded, gold robe, and his gray hair was tied in a loose bun behind his head. He looked a bit more like one of my dad’s eccentric professor friends than a legendary, powerful cleric.

  It suited him.

  As did the warm smile that greeted me as I entered.

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  Walking across the room to greet him, he started to stand. “Please, Bishop, remain seated.” I offered as I came to him and shook hands. I did not feel that an arm clasp would be entirely appropriate with an important clergyman, but I also wanted to show my respect. Shaking hands is how the Duke greeted me, and I felt he deserved similar respect, even if I was not one of his usual flock.

  I was surprised at how firm and strong his grip was. For as old as he appeared, his grip was that of a man half his age. He was stronger than I was, in fact. I took the seat across from him with my back to the door.

  “How can I serve you, Bishop?” I asked.

  “Actually, it is I who has come here to help you.” He paused, “Well, in truth, I have come bearing gifts, to make a personal request, offer advice, and to provide what I hope will be worthwhile service.

  I smiled. “That sounds like good news to me.”

  “Good News is the best kind.” He suggested with a smile. “Let me start with the gifts.”

  He reached into his robe and withdrew a small blue cloth bag, which he handed to me when I got up out of my seat to receive it.

  I sat back down and opened it. I could tell they were gems. I carefully tilted the bag, and twelve 28pt diamonds poured out.

  “This is a fortune, Bishop,” I said in appreciation for the gemstones. Each appeared flawless.

  “All are filled with casting points, one each for the ten mage journeymen on your team, including yourself, and two more in case guests arrive unexpectedly.”

  He meant Jade and Starla. But how could he have known?

  “I will see that each receives one of these. Thank you sincerely.” I said, gratefully.

  “Before you give them away, be sure to call upon their special traits as only you can. I would suggest each be placed in a ring, and you include the First Circle ability Holy Light and Third Circle ability Lesser Group Heal if you can, for each. That, in addition to the casting points, may become necessary before this ordeal is over.”

  The Bishop was known to have a kind of second sight or foretelling that warranted close attention. He also seemed to know that my ability allowed for multiple abilities pulled from more powerful gemstones. I had never discussed this with anyone before and had only recently come to these conclusions because I rarely encountered gemstones more powerful than crystals and 7pt magical cuts. But, of course, seasoned adventurers may be aware of this ability through random chance.

  “Yes, Bishop. I will see to it that each receives those abilities.” I said slowly, put off balance by his gentle manner and deep introspection.

  “The personal request is a simple one, but requires you to keep it confidential.” He said.

  “Of course. Unless it violates a personal oath or ethics, I would never reveal such a confidence.” I replied.

  He smiled. “That is a good answer, and I promise that you shall face no such troubles, although someone may come asking about me.”

  I shrugged. “We have a lot of people come and go through here, who am I to recall the details of every visit?”

  He laughed again. “I do not require deception on your part, merely your confidence and a promise to deliver this chest to my great nephew, Paternus, when he returns from his dungeon adventures.”

  “Oh, so that is where he is. I had wondered where some of our city heroes got off to, so soon after the Deathlight.”

  He shrugged. “He should be back in a matter of days, but if I am unavailable, I want to make sure he gets this as soon as he returns. The timing of it is important, I feel.”

  “Of course. I will keep it in the vault. There are few safer places in all of Keelwell.” I added.

  “For what is needed, there actually are none safer, save for The Tower, and I have different plans for Isaac.” He replied.

  I had no idea what he was talking about, but it was often that way with the Bishop, according to stories. I trusted him, and I would see his request through.

  “I nearly forgot, I also have another gift for you before providing the service I had in mind, but you may need to have some magical restoration potions handy.”

  I patted the vest below my robes. “I have quite a few handy right now. What did you have in mind?” I asked.

  “I wish to give you seven platinum ring spells for your mage staff. You will need to sort out some of your lesser spells and strengthen your choices. I understand that you may have tried for some symmetry around metal types- fourteen copper, fourteen silver, fourteen gold, and seven platinum, or something of that manner.”

  “Exactly that manner, Bishop,” I said, the hairs standing up on my arms as I spoke with him.

  He nodded. “Even so, while it is a nice idea, fill your available spots with as many powerful spells for defense and offense as you can. The symmetry you need is in your mind, not in the types of metal on your battlestaff.”

  He continued. “Also, do not hesitate to have more than one of the same spell if it serves you. Think about saving lives and stopping evil, and not about appearances.”

  “Yes, Bishop,” I said as his words rang true.

  He paused and then asked, “Do you have seven platinum rings with you?”

  I reached into my robe. “I keep around a dozen of each type on me in case an opportunity presents itself, but there are many more in the lower level.”

  He smiled. “An opportunity has just presented itself. Prepare the rings for me and set them down on the table. I will need three lesser restoration potion vials if you have them, maybe more afterwards.”

  I did so, and he blessed the rings before saying, “The first two will be Greater Heal Group spells for up to seven companions, including yourself. Use them in an emergency, and they will have significant effects on you and your group.”

  He cast the spell on the first ring and then said, “Please give me two of your potions.”

  I did, and he drank them down.

  He repeated the casting and asked for the third vial.

  “I did not use all my casting points on the healings, but sufficient that you and most of the six other companions with you, given your current abilities, will be nearly fully healed. You have two of these rings.”

  I retrieved the rings and put them each on so I knew their powers. They would heal me and six companions for forty health points each.

  “I am also giving you Ambrose's Greater Spell Shield, Holy Ward VII, which works against corruption, shadows, invasion of the mind, and sorcery. The final three are Greater Immunity, Valor’s Divine Armor, and a very special gift from above that is called Miracle. It is similar to a mage’s legendary wish spell, but of a more divine nature and requires the right kind of request. Unfortunately, such a spell is given by decree of a messenger and not by my own choosing. It would have been very handy on many occasions across my life, I assure you.”

  I think he just told me that the last spell was being granted to me by an angel, the divine messengers.

  He used up his remaining magic on those spells and sat slightly out of breath with sweat beads gently rolling down his forehead in the chair before me.

  I held the rings and knew that I held some powerful gifts. And because they were coming from him, I knew deep down that each would play a role to save me or another. At least, until the gifts ran out.

  “Would you like some water or tea, Bishop?” I asked.

  “Water would be wonderful, thank you.” He said, and then shook his head. “I really must be getting old. I am doing this all out of order. I have another gift for you. Can I trouble you for another potion vial?”

  “Of course, Bishop.” I had filled my vest with the Lesser Restoration potions from the Alchemist Guild’s first installment, along with three similar healing potions and one skill potion.

  “I have several remaining, and we have more in the lower level.” I handed him three more of those potions.

  He took them and drank them all. “I suppose I will need more anyway in a few minutes.” He motioned to me. “Come, kneel before me. I am too tired to stand at the moment, and you will end up falling over after the spell in any event, so you might as well be close to the ground.”

  I got up and knelt before him.

  Bella said, I cannot read his mind, Gwydion, and I do not understand why. He is wearing no magical device that blocks me.

  I trust him. I said in reply.

  I hope so, because I may not be able to do anything to prevent him. She said, troubled.