Silah -We entered the magic emporium just after noon. The contrast between outside and inside couldn’t have been more stark. As the door closed behind us, we were wrapped in the soft light of chanted glass and flickering candles. There were no windows on the ground floor and heavy curtains draped the bare portions of the walls. The wooden statues that doubled as display dummies for necklaces and radiantly festooned headwear, had an erie quality of surrealism about them. A lifelike quality that could only be captured by the careful studied and qualified hand of a true artist.
It was not my first time in the emporium. Like the others in the group, I had grown more familiar with the oddities of the shop with each visit. This time, however, held more meaning for me than the previous visits. Danin had recovered a Red Stone from the ruins of the Dwarven mine near Hlofreden. Even being close to the stone stirred long buried memories. My uneasiness was amplified by Sig’s aroused curiosity in the artifact. He had reasoned through a sound justification for his current actions. That didn’t make me feel any better. My own ingress to this enchanted life was facilitated with just such a stone.
I busied myself away from the counter while they revealed the stone to the proprietor. Dieter Blackrose was by all accounts a powerful and knowledgable wizard. My curiosity threatened to overrule my caution, but I managed to remain aloof.
“You know it is illegal to even posses one of these.” I heard Blackrose say as the group hovered over the counter.
“Illegal under whose law?” Sig countered.
“The council of mages and the princess’ own guard would shut my business down and revoke my license if they knew I was considering aiding you!” Dieter said in a harsh whisper as he looked over the top of his glasses at the group weighing his next words.
“Fortunately for you, I tend to look the other way when is comes to these matters.” Blackrose stretched to his full height and scratched at his chin. Sig leaned into the counter, apparently unperturbed by the wizard’s proclamation.
“What I want to know is the nature of the soul contained within the stone.” Sig said, furthering his petition. “It is with this knowledge alone that I can judge how to move forward on the matter.” A huff of exasperation escaped Sig as he awaited Blackrose’s response.
The enigmatic wizard leaned forward and stroked the air over the stone as if peeling back some invisible wrapping paper. I couldn’t help but be drawn in as he revealed the secrets of the stone. I pushed past Hakaar and moved close enough to the counter to see the older man work his magic.
“I see a restless soul. One given to whimsy and carelessness. His nature is that of a warrior. One who seeks to aggrandize himself before others.” Blackrose stiffened and then squinted. His harsh expression softening to a curios smile. “He was once a giant! Or more correctly, he was a giant before becoming what he is now. His name is Krieg.”
“A giant?” Sig said as a bemused expression crossed his face. “If he were to be crafted into a magic item, what limitations would there be?”
“In order for the stone’s magic to be utilized it would have to be forged into steel, or something similar. It could then be shaped into a weapon or perhaps even armor. I myself am not a smith. We would require another complicit party in this endeavor to move forward. Assuming that is that you have the coin necessary.” Blackrose said matter-of-factly.
“An how much would that be?” Asked Sig.
Dieter paused and pondered before answering. “I’m not really sure. I’ll have to look into it. For now, I wouldn’t keep the stone in its current transport. Perhaps your haversack would be a better protection against overzealous onlookers.” Blackrose said as he winked at Sig.
“Thank you for your time.” Sig offered as we retreated from the dark emporium into the sunlit streets of Widdowborn.
The warmth of the sun seemed to reenergize all of us. I wasn’t sure if I would be overstepping my station by asking if we could return to the food carts where we had had lunch. I wanted to get some more Fried That. I really like Fried That.
