The group cheer was followed by applause. These irregulars had grown in everyone’s hearts. Yes, they still annoyed many of the adults from time to time, but they were sincerely appreciated.

  After the irregulars had settled down again, some of them had been the loudest in cheering for themselves, I called out to the back of the room, where the gift bearers were waiting for my signal in the Map Room. “Julianna, would you please come forward with the gifts?”

  A way was opened for Julianna, her chief tailor, and her senior seamstress to come forward. Julianna’s hands were empty, but the other two carried yellow hooded cloaks across their arms like they were royal vestments.

  Murmuring started around the room. Some knew what had been made while others were seeing this for the first time.

  I had wanted to go with red based on our earliest discussions, but Julianna and her team would have none of it. “The color of the Service is yellow, after your Patron’s robes. Not red!”

  We began with Junior, whom Julianna moved to the far left of the line as we faced it. Julianna then began shifting the irregulars around from the tallest (Junior) to the shortest (Stubby). Each received a yellow cloak made to fit them. I shook their hand, the Majordomo looked seriously impressed at each and shook their hands, and Julianna followed us both and gave each a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Their reactions ranged about as you might expect from young kids at this level of attention.

  When Junior first received his cloak, I looked at him and said quietly, “The magical ability that you now know you possess while wearing this cloak is meant to be used in an emergency so that your life might be spared and not lost as we lost Ears. It is a secret and not to be shared with anyone not wearing these cloaks. Do you understand?”

  He nodded, put it on, and understood immediately that the cloak granted thirty minutes of magical invisibility as a Single Use Spell. While he was disappointed that it would be destroyed on use, it was still magical, and he was thrilled to have it and use it, when and if it became necessary.

  I repeated the same words for each irregular. When tiny, little “Stubby” had received my words, agreed, and put on the last of the robes, spontaneous applause broke out again.

  Biff walked forward and stood over all of them with a serious look at each. Then he looked out at the crowd of Servicemembers.

  “See yellow, protect the fellow.” He boomed.

  The brawlers, Watch, and Inquisitors boomed back, “See yellow, protect the fellow!”

  He then looked to me and said, “See yellow, protect the fellow.”

  And everyone in the room, including the irregulars, shouted back, “See yellow, protect the fellow!”

  There was a lot of laughing, cheers, hoots, and applause that followed.

  I let it go on for a bit more while Julianna and her fashion chiefs melted away into the crowd. When I saw them reach the Map room again, I called for quiet.

  It took a few seconds for everyone to settle back down, but I was in no rush since I wanted her and her team to assemble the next gifts.

  “Thank you, irregulars, and thank you all for your support. There is a second round of gifts to hand out as well.”

  Everyone grew quiet in anticipation.

  “Journeymen mages, please come forward.”

  With a look of surprise on their faces, the ten robed journeymen approached: Alchemist Sandor in dark blue, Conjurer Brom in forest green, Elementalist Adriana in gray, Illusionist Wilma in silver, Rune Lord Starla in orange, Sage Jakar in brown, Sorcerer Grolin in light blue, Summoner Eleanna in gold, Thaumaturgist Bido in red, and Wizard Cecil (Chompers) in white. They all stood before me, unsure what was happening.

  “Like our Irregulars, you also face regular dangers, and like the irregulars, you are not often surrounded by a protective guard. These are gifts for you. Keep the gift's powers known only among yourselves.”

  I looked to the back of the room again and called, “Julianna!”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  She came forward as before, but this time she assisted her two chiefs in carrying thick and luxurious mage robes made of the same Merino wool as the yellow cloaks, but these robes were more billowing and magnificent.

  I presented each with their robe, which they changed into. An Irregular stood behind each and held their old robes for them. Isaac followed and gifted each with a circlet from the box, making sure each knew that this gift was from me and not him.

  I whispered to them, “Meet with me later, and we will decide upon the stones and gemstones that go into the sockets. Think it over and then come see me.”

  After the last one received his robe, and it was the wizard Cecil, Red called out before anyone could cheer or applaud, “See white and-” he paused for a long while as people began to snicker, “give the goblins a fight!” he finished lamely.

  The room erupted in laughter and applause. Chompers grinned, and his big teeth flashed, making those around who saw him laugh even louder.

  I let the talking and laughing go on a bit longer, then called out, “Okay, everyone, back to work, we have-”

  Bella announced loudly in everyone’s head, We have one more gift to present today.

  The room grew silent. Bella was liked but feared, and when she raised her voice for all to hear, people grew silent fast

  I looked over at Isaac, who shrugged his shoulders. He had no idea what was coming either.

  Julianna called out from where she was standing back at the far edge of the room, and stepping out of the map room was every master of the Enchanter’s Guild. The line was led by the guildmaster, followed by my master, Master Glimmerblade, and then the clothing enchanter Master Habberjaz, who was carrying a yellow robe identical to the ones made for the other journeymen but in enchanter yellow.

  The mages stood around me as the guildmaster received the robe from Master Habberjaz. He spoke quietly, but I discovered later that Bella had conveyed his words to everyone present. “Gwydion, on behalf of our guild and a grateful city, we present you with this small token of our esteem and gratitude. Please know that all our guild masters met last night and put forth a request to the mage council and the Archmage to raise you to the rank of master.” He smiled sadly. “It is doubtful they will approve such a request, only a few days after rising from apprentice to journeyman, but few have earned the distinction more. Such a request is usually kept secret, but we are not in usual days. We wanted you to know you are respected.”

  He handed me the robes to thunderous cheers and applause.

  “Put the robes on!” Red shouted, and the others picked up on the chant.

  I was very glad I had put a shirt and pants on this morning under the robe.

  I removed my previous robe and put on the new robe. It was very warm and comfortable.

  Look at the left breast above your heart. Bella said.

  I looked, and a stylized rune was sewn in the colors of my journeymen. I recognized the rune. It was the rune for “patron” and means loyal protector and guide in the old runic language.

  My tear-filled eyes met the knowing smiles of the masters of my order. I got hugs, handshakes, and pats on the shoulder and back. We were a half hour before getting back to work, but in small groups, people began peeling off and going back to the work of saving our city.

  And of course, upon wearing my new robe, I understood its power. It had a Single Use Spell cast upon it, which would destroy the robe if used. It was a spell I had never heard of before, but I now understand its power.

  Master Glimmerblade said to me after Isaac and the other masters departed and as the crowd had thinned to just those who would normally be on this level, “To my knowledge, it may have been one of the last acts the Bishop did before retiring to the chambers above the bell tower. It was his idea to grant you these robes and this spell. Even Master Habberjaz did not know how to make this particular spell anything other than a Single Use Spell, but given its power to bring you to a pre-destined place, your shoppe’s summoning circle, at the very moment before death would claim you after a strike that would steal you of your last health point, we didn’t think that its impermanent nature would offend you.”

  “Thank you, master.”

  “Please, call me Corwin.”

  “I don’t think so, Master Glimmerblade.”

  “Well, we’ll see over time.” He said, accepting my respect. “Oh, and a warning. The robe’s power is significant. It is a divine spell after all, but there are places you could be where your departure could be blocked, even from this spell’s effect. So don’t rely on it completely. Use your wits, my boy. You are good at that.”

  I thanked him again, and he made his way down to the lower level. He said it was his turn to assist with ring enchantments.

  I looked around the mostly empty room, but could hear background noise as service members worked hard to do everything in their power to protect our city. Time was short. I had some enchantment and forging work to do myself before I prepared for my next move.

  It was time to visit the dwarves.

  I realized later that I did not have that detailed conversation with Isaac about dwarves. But I could hardly bother him now about such a trivial request.

  Bella, what do you know about dwarves? I asked.

  What did you want to know? She asked in return.

  I’m not sure. How will they react to my arrival?

  Like all creatures, each to its nature. She said.

  That’s not as helpful as it sounded. I replied.

  Then you need to ask better questions. She answered curtly and then was silent.

  She was right, though. I did need better questions. And I needed to figure it out soon because I was about to enter the lion's den.

  If I were going to ask for their help, I had better speak with the Duke and figure out what they will want and what it will cost us in return. I was not especially good at politics. Meeting with the Duke seemed like a good idea.

  Bella, I am sorry that I did not appreciate your answer. I do need to figure out what questions to ask. I am nervous about going to the dwarves all by myself.

  Gwydion, you will not be alone. She replied, and I sensed she accepted my apology. And I do have one piece of very old knowledge that may be of help to you.

  And she shared her idea.

  Bella, that is an insane plan. I said.

  I never shared a plan, merely a prophecy.

  That happens to fit our reality. I said, going over it again and again in my own head. Bella, please inform Jon that I am on my way to meet with the Duke. I want his advice about seeking help from the dwarves.

  Done. She replied.

  I gathered up my battle gear. I did not venture out of the shoppe without being ready for an attack these days. The sneak attack by the goblins and the death of the Bishop had put me and everyone on high alert.