Already serving bountiful mugs of good cheer, Stout was busy behind the bar downstairs. Cire hadn’t seen Nicolas or Andreas around, but Maisy had assured him that they knew to keep their mouths shut. She had let them in on Cire’s unusual background and heritage. It was either, bring them all the way in or risk them finding out the hard way. Cire agreed with the strategy, he just wished he had been the one to break the news. He wondered how they would react to him in person the next time he saw them. Would they see him as a monster or would they accept him? It wouldn’t be the same way the naga had taken the news, that was for sure.

Cire lounged on the edge of Maisy’s bed watching her examine one of the items laid out neatly on the floor. Flames from several candles in a small bronze candelabra danced and flickered next to them. He had filled her in on what they knew about the items so far, which included what he had gleaned from the journal.

Closing her eyes, Maisy muttered soft words under her breath requesting a blessing. Light from the candles surged outwards, growing brighter. It coalesced and pooled into a glowing sphere above the three candles. It didn’t carry any extra heat, but the color in the room was washed out by the strength of the flare.

Rushing into Maisy’s face, the light streamed from the globe until the room was left with only the illumination from the candles. When she opened her eyes they were shining a bright golden white, no pupils, iris, or sclera remained, only the shining depths. It was quite unsettling for Cire to witness and he was rethinking his ideas about light magic.

Everything he had seen from Maisy had been spectacular to behold, it made him itch to use his first real magical power. However, he only got to summon the keep once per month and in Elysium that meant once every full moon. He needed to figure out what it did, let alone what it looked like, but he wanted to wait for a peaceful moment. Preferably out of eye shot from everyone, except Durg and Selene, probably Maisy too.

It felt like he shouldn’t interrupt Maisy with conversation now that she was holding the objects and tracing her fingers over them, but she had said it was alright before they started.

“I am a little surprised you decided to identify these for me before we worked out a deal. Isn’t it in your best interest to keep me in the dark?” Cire put the added emphasis on the light based pun, interjecting a little low grade humor to compensate for the disquiet.

Maisy couldn’t roll her eyes currently, but the expression on her face left little doubt as to her appraisal of his comedic talents. She never took her eyes, or hands, off the spinning top in her hands as she examined each faceted side.

“Once I found out about the naga circumstances changed. The successful negotiation should help prove my worth as emissary. Besides dear, it’s quite clear that you don’t like being pinned into a corner. Pinned to other things, yes, but I shouldn’t have handled things with you the way I did. It’s clear you will respond better to other types of encouragement,” She grinned and looked up with her disconcerting eyes. “How was your night with Kalani by the way?”

Cire shifted uncomfortably and made a waving motion with his hand to physically brush away the question.

“Fair enough, when would be good for us to negotiate terms for the hamlet? Do you want to do it now? Wait until everyone is asleep? I imagine that if it is anything like what happened with the naga, you don’t want folks seeing if you can avoid it. Might throw everyone into a panic.”

Maisy chuckled, a warm and mirth filled sound. She set down the top very carefully, ensuring not to spin it and moved on to the circlet.

“It won’t be anything like what happened with the naga, but for completely different reasons. Tonight won’t work, I can arrange something for tomorrow morning. Meet me at the stage around sunrise.”

“That’s not ominous or anything. Why do we need to meet out there? And so early?”

“I can’t tell you yet, but you’ll find out when you show up. There is a very obvious question that you have yet to ask, but people seldom actually do, so it isn’t surprising. They just accept what is presented to them and move on,” Maisy’s tone was teasing and playful, but there was an undercurrent of an obvious teaching moment.

Pulling any additional hints from Maisy was often an effort in futility. She had managed to hide the fact that she was ruler of the hamlet from him until she had decided to reveal it, he hadn’t figured it out. What am I missing? It's not unique to me, otherwise she wouldn’t expect others to ask the question too.

Maisy derailed his thought train by leaning over the items between them and taking his hand. Slipping a simple silver band with an onyx gem rimmed in gold onto his finger caught Cire by surprise. Then she placed the circlet on his lap.

“Your very lucky to have found all of this. There can be no doubt now that you discovered the remains of Constantine Dawnslight, not that the journal wasn’t evidence enough. These are the remnants of his royal regalia. You should be able to see the item descriptions now, take a look.”

Ring of Lunar Sunrise

Description:

Mithril ring inset with an onyx and gold eclipse symbol. Crafted for Constantine Dawnslight as a symbol of his power.

Rarity: Legendary

Quality: Masterpiece

Effects:

1. +2 to Spirit, +1 to Luck

2. Spell Vault – Can hold one spell of any level. Spell can be discharged at will. The ring can only be charged by the wearer. If the ring is charged and removed, the spell will dissipate.

3. Conceals the wearers aura of leadership making them indistinguishable by other rulers. Does not inhibit scrying, tracking, or divination.

Crown of Moonlight

Description:

Mithril circlet with moonstones pattered after the moon’s cycle. Crafted for Constantine Dawnslight as a symbol of his power.

Rarity: Legendary

Quality: Masterpiece

Effects:

1. +2 to Intelligence, +2 to Perception

2. Clear Mind – immune to fear, confusion, panic, and berserk status. +33% mental resistance.

3. -33% casting time required for spells.

Regalia of the Eclipse Lord – 2/4 pieces: Incomplete set, bonus information unavailable.

“He obviously had these crafted for him specifically. The mithril doesn’t match your complexion, but it will be a long time until you can afford your own.” Next Maisy handed him the spinning top, with a warning.

“I couldn’t figure out everything that this one does. My knowledge and the aid of my goddess could not penetrate the veil that obscures some of the facets. This object has been touched by the divine, not one, but two gods – Artemis and Apollo. Don’t spin it by accident dear.”

Top of Dusk and Dawn

Description:

A mithril spinning top with 10 different sides each with their own symbol representing one of the various basic schools of magic. The effect changes based on the top being spun during the day or night. Once a side has been used it’s magic will go dormant a year. Graced by Apollo and Artemis during its creation.

Rarity: Divine

Quality: Divine

Effects:

1. Fire – Casts a massive fireball that scours a targeted area or sets everything within 60 ft. of the spinning top ablaze for 30d5 worth of fire damage.

2. Water - Summons an Oceanic Elemental Titan for a 1 hour duration that obeys the item user or summons a Berserk Oceanic Elemental Titann for a 10 hour duration.

3. Earth – ???

4. Wind – Imbues all allies present with Improved Haste or inflicts all present with the status affliction Sluggish.

5. Light – Blinds all but the item user within 60 ft. of the top for 1 day or permanently Blinds the item user.

6. Dark - ???

7. Holy - ???

8. Life – Fully heals all allies present and removes all status afflictions or drains all within 60 ft. of the top to 1 hp.

9. Infernal - ???

10. Death - ???

Looking over the object he shook his head in amazement and consternation. There’s no doubt that it’s powerful, but these types of items are always more risk than they are worth. Besides, with my Luck stat I am more likely to kill myself than anything else. In the right hands though, it could be pretty useful.

“Is there any chance you want to buy this last one? I doubt I would ever want to use it and if I am in a position that I need to it could easily do more harm than good,” Cire asked.

Maisy was checking the last ring, but she stopped and stared at him with those eerie orbs. Shimmers of white swirled through the golden glow in no discernible pattern. Incredulous laughter erupted with an irreverent snort.

“Cire, I have saved the proceeds of my mine for decades so I can afford it, but it wouldn’t be worth giving up the capital. You’re best trying to sell it at auction in Gearspoke. They have a large number of fae clientele that seek out more eclectic items such as this. Furthermore, I’m not about to chance a spin, it’s far too dangerous.”

Tucking the top away back into the pack carefully, Cire picked the crown back up and ran his hands over the cool, light metal. He debated putting it on, he wanted access to the tremendous effects, but it was also ridiculously ostentatious. Silvery mithril threads braided into a circle with inlaid moonstone gemssparkled in the candlelight.

The miners and loggers of the hamlet would immediately notice the resplendent item and begin to questions its origins. He could probably get away with the ring, it wasn’t nearly as flashy. Butbest not to tempt anyone with sticky fingers, into the pack the circlet went.

“Fair enough, I was thinking the same thing. Are either you or Stout headed there when the next caravan heads back? I don’t think I’ll get the chance for a while, maybe the summer. Durg told me Selene mentioned leaving the valley for home soon and I am pretty sure I’m going to go with her.”

“Neither of us generally travel with the caravans. You shouldn’t entrust any of these items to non-house members, they are tremendously powerful. Any one of them is worth thousands of gold pieces. Well, except this last ring, it’s priceless. Not in the same way as the others, you’re not so dense that you won’t realize why once you read the description. Don’t put it on dear, it’s not suited to you.”

Maisy placed the ring into Cire’s hands and then picked up the blank covered red book. She had inspected the journal, but she couldn’t read it and it was non-magical, just a simple diary. Taking the ring, he focused and brought up the item box.

Cursed Boss Miner’s Ring

Description:

Rarity: Rare

Quality: Expert

Effects:

1. Cursed – Cannot be removed without magical cleansing once donned. Wearer receives the Ravenous affliction.

2. Sleep required reduced by 90%.

3. Grants access to the Mithril Mines of Miletus and allows the wearer to grant access to others.

Holy crap! Mithril mines! No wonder Constantine built a city here. It’s also no surprise armies were willing to try and take it from him. As soon as the world knows, people will try and take it from me.

Loud thumping sounded from the other side of the door to Maisy’s cozy bedroom followed by drunken slurring. Cire jumped and the miner’s ring tumbled out of his hands onto the floor.

“You ‘bout done in there? I know you ain’t foolin’ around. It be too quiet.” Durg hiccuped and continued. “Your missing Selene’s seein’ off party. Get down here already.”

Sharp and commanding, Maisy’s tone carried an expectation of no response, simply action.

“Durg, you know better than most not to bother me when I am with paying customers. Now, go back to the others.”

Cire called out quickly, “I’ll be right there buddy, just one last thing to take care of.”

Loud solid steps proceeded down the stairs without so much as another word. Cire picked up the miner’s ring and put it into the pack along with the journal. Smiling, with a small shrug, he brushed past Durg’s faux pas.

“Looks like I may be leaving with Selene as soon as I thought. I doubt she’ll be in any condition to leave tomorrow though.Can we put off that ominous meeting a day or so? There are a lot of things I need to get in order before I leave the valley.”

“No problem. It’ll make it easier for me dear.”

Maisy handed him back the book and closed her eyes. When she opened them they had returned to their normal sultry earthy brown. Standing up and brushing off her plain robes she signaled the end of their rendezvous.

“I couldn’t pick up everything from this one either. It’s obviously a fighting style based skill book, but I only revealed the requirements and basic information. It will be a while until you can use it, so you have plenty of time to find out more about it or sell it. There are good reasons to take either course of action, but if it compliments your skill set I recommend keeping it. Gold can be earned, but rare knowledge is hard to come by.”

Dancing Heavens Style Technique Manual

Description:

A skill book crafted by Constantine Dawnslight conveying his personal fighting style.

Rarity: Legendary

Quality: Masterpiece

Pre-requisites: Level 30, Swordsmanship Skill Level 61, Dancing Skill Level 41, ???

Effects:

1. Grants skills and sub-skills developed by Constantine Dawnslight: Starlight Edge, ???, Constellation Forms, Starlight Footsteps, ???

2. ???

3. Imparts a residual memory of being trained by the style’s creator.

“I was right!” Cire grinned as he looked at the description of the book. “I knew it was a book that was going to impart skills. I didn’t know it would give more than one or that it had other effects, but I guessed it was a skill book when I paged through it,” Cire said.

Winding her braid up into a bun, Maisy speared it with a hairpin made of the same metal as Cire’s new items. Light tinkling bells sounded as she shook her head.

“You got lucky you didn’t ruin the guidebook’s magic dear. If you had read too much or tried to absorb the magic bound within the tome, you would have failed. The book would have been destroyed and you might have died in the magical backlash. It isn’t wise to fool around with unknown magical items.”

With eyes the twins of saucers, Cire nodded and tucked the book away with the other objects of immense power, danger, and value. Screwing his lips into a look of dissatisfaction he came to a troubling realization.

“Do you have anywhere I can store all this safely? I’d rather not tempt fate by keeping it on me before I go drinking with Durg and Selene.”

“Fates dear, there are three of them. Best not to ignore any of the sisters,” Maisy playfully scolded. Taking his pack, careful not to jostle any of the contents, she walked over to the wall of her cabin and removed a wall panel. There were several of small chests and bundled sacks hidden in the wall frame. She placed his pack on the top and resealed the panel.

“Now let’s go head to the party. I could use a good drink. I think I’ve earned it, so you’re buying my lord.”

“Hey brother, let me use the cooking skill real quick so I can heat up this stew and add some spice.”

Andre held out his hand and Nicolas reached over and took it. After holding hands for a few moments they released the grip. Flopping back down onto the stool he had been sitting on, Nicolas went back to eating his cold bowl of congealed slop. The table he sat at was to the rear of the workers lodge, next to the wood burning cooking stove.

With a waggle of his fingers to re-acquaint himself with the skill, Andre began adding dashes of various herbs and salt. Stirring the contents and warming it until it resembled a liquid versus a putrefied mass. He called out over the pot, “You really think Cire was the… you know what? He seems too kind hearted. I still don’t believe it really.”

“Keep quiet and don’t talk about it, not inside the lodge. I don’t care if everyone is over at the tavern for the party, you never know when someone is going to come back.”

“Yeah, yeah. You never know who is in the latrine next to you, I know. Well, are we going to try and find somewhere else to take us in? Maybe try to earn enough to get to another island?” Andre asked.

Spooning up his last bite of his solidified boar stew, Nic shook his head and chewed purposefully before answering.

“No where else for us to go. We can’t go anywhere near Meadow and there won’t be work for either of us in Gearspoke. You know how the elves and the dwarves are, I don’t want to go begging for scraps at their gates. I don’t want to chance work as crew, so saving up for transport would take years.”

Nic looked towards the tavern, staring at the lodge’s thick Twin Pine wall. Thinking over his interactions with the golden haired elf didn’t take too long. The loquacious elf wasn’t complicated to figure out.

“Cire is reasonable enough. I don’t think the naive good natured persona is an act, but we keep our eyes open. We have a chance to catch these eggs before they hatch. Maybe even strike it big.”

Pulling the pot off the stove, Andre served himself up a steaming bowl and began wolfing it down while still piping hot. While chewing, he kept his mouth open to cool the food, a most indelicate sight. Between bites he grinned and said, “I wouldn’t mind staying as long as you think it’s safe, it took us a long time to find a place like this. Maybe see about taking a wife of my own, follow Cire’s example.”

“I really don’t think that would be safe Andre. I bet it even requires armor.”

A splatter of peas and grease leapt from Andreas mouth to the table as he laughed and swallowed hard.

“I bet it does! That’s all part of the excitement brother.”

Nicolas stretched and got up off his stool while shaking his head again.

“You never learn. That’s half the reason we are in this place. When you finish up come join everyone at the tavern or go find that wife of yours. If I never see you again, I know which option you took.”

Andre followed his brother out the door a few minutes after his elder brother left. Neither looked up into the sky or back at the roof of the lodge. Perched at the apex of the roof, hidden by the dark of the new moon, sat an observer dressed in pure white feathers.