Tad walked with his friends across the bridge. Lamruil had the case with his new bow in it over one shoulder like a pole-arm. They walked around the city, this time around a path that took them to the north near the granite towers.

Lamruil looked up, "You know those are called Hoodoos or fairy chimneys. Folks used to think fairies built structures like that. "

Tad looked up at the tall pillars of granite with their pointy caps. "Those are what Herman the architect referred to? They are solid granite?"

Lamruil nodded, "I walked around them. They are what is left of a cliff eroded by the blood of the fallen god on the cliff. It burned away the stone and created these. See where that road runs to the waterfall to the north? Now it looks like a lava flow where the blood melted the stone when it washed away. "

Tad stopped and looked at the waterfall on the north side of the valley. It was over a mile from where he stood. He could see where the upper waterfall fell into a pool high up. The water ran from that pool, falling into a lower one. Then that one ran down to some rocks and the lake as a large waterfall.

"Have you been to the other side of the lake yet? " asked Tad.

"No, the path leads to the waterfall and stops. There is another way to the south, but the bridge there is broken. We will have to find a way around the lake or a boat unless you want to swim. " said Lamruil.

Tad hadn't thought about that other side much. He saw large clumps of trees along its distant shores, and he had seen old fields over there from the tower a few days ago. Stone fences around them were similar to this side of the lake.

"We will have to go explore it soon, " said Tad.

Lamruil just nodded as they continued to the cathedral.

They arrived back, and the first stop was Jack's wagon. The unicorn was no longer standing by the tree. He wanted to find Nuala Ilisyshar and help making Lamruil's bowstring.

Tad found her sitting near the cook fire in front of the wagons. The smoke was rising up into the rafters high above. They would have to move this out of the building soon. Nuala was talking to Terri, who was cooking something over the fire as she sat sewing a leather jerkin.

Tad turned to Lamruil, raising an eyebrow, "Isn't that yours? "

Lamruil just smiled and walked ahead of him, "Good morning, ladies. " Lamruil stopped on a dime and gave them a long, low bow.

Nico smirked, "Show off, " as he wandered over to look at what Terri was doing.

Naula had seen them coming and was smiling, "Lamruil, just in time, I've fixed the rent in your jerkin. " She held out his armor as she stood up.

The long slice in the side of the leather jerkin was repaired. Tad could hardly see the stitching holding it closed.

Lamruil smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Naula. "

He placed his bow's case on the floor and took the jerkin, slipping it on. He looked at it, pushing against the now fixed armor. Then he took her hand, "Amazing work, thank you, " and kissed it. Lamruil smiled at her while holding eye contact.

Tad rolled his own eyes, stepping forward, "Naula, do you have some moments? We are in need of assistance making a bowstring." Naula turned after a second, noticing Tad standing there. Then she smiled at Lamruil and pulled her hand away.

"Ahh, yes, Master Rockgrip, what kind of bowstring would you like? I'm sure we can come up with something that will work. Not really my normal thing, but I'm sure I can make you something that will work," said Naula, still smiling.

Tad raised his eyebrows at Lamruil and motioned towards the case on the floor. Lamruil, still hamming it up, lazily picked up the bow case. Then motioned to the empty serving table nearby. He placed the case on the table while he pulled the bow out, showing Naula and Terri.

Naula ran her fingertips along the bow, then continued up Lamruil's hand, smiling at him.

Tad coughed, "ahem. So what do you think? Jared said it had broken every string he had tried on it. "

She turned again back to Tad, "Well, we could try spiral silk if you have more. I have a few threads of different types that we could try. We will need to make a winding with a strong string. "

Tad thought about the bow and spiral silk, "Kettle, what do you think about this? "

Kettle's projected his voice sounded distracted, "I know nothing about bows, Tad. Jared does, though. He would not have sold that to you so cheaply if it was that simple. Relic weapon from the brother wars, the foci wars? That would cost a kingdom if it were that simple. I expect he took advantage of you because he had something nobody could use, and he just traded it to you for a very powerful sword. "

Tad sighed, "I hope not. We will see. " Then Tad smiled, remembering something.

"Naula, you can spin silk? " asked Tad.

She was spending way too much time looking at the magic bow. Well, at least Lamruil had found a friend thought Tad. "Yes, of course. Spinning, weaving, looms, cutting, design, I can do all of these things," said Naula.

"Ok, then I'll be right back," said Tad as he left back towards the cliffs. He found Bernard in the big tent near the ruined city.

"Bernard, do you know where Iliphar is? He gathered some silk for me a few days ago. I'd like to get some of that if possible. " said Tad.

Bernard was sitting at a table near the front of the tent. Behind him in the tent were stacks of stones carved into blocks with a hook on one side. Those must be the interlocking support blocks Kizzac talked about, thought Tad.

"Oh, Good morning Tad. Iliphar? I've not seen him since we all ate at sunrise in the Cathedral. Oh, I think he went around the lake to look at what those giant bees were constructing, " said Bernard.

"The other side of the lake? How did he get over there? " asked Tad.

"I have no idea, but he went off towards the waterfall earlier. If you are referring to that pile of hair or whatever he put in my wagon, it is on the left side when you enter, in a crate. I put a wooden top on it to stop it from blowing all over when we opened the door. Just to the left side when you enter, you can not miss it. " said Bernard.

Tad nodded, then went back outside to the quartermaster's wagon and went inside to find the crate. The inside was much larger than the average carnival wagon. Most of the hard supplies for the carnival were stored here. Tad saw long rows of tall shelves running the length from the front of the wagon. It was easily twice the size of his parent's wagon. To the left of the door was a large crate full of silver silk. He tried to lift it and realized he could carry it but didn't like the idea of walking it almost a mile back to the cathedral. He thought about that and then willed his torque to take him to the artificer's workshop.

Several seconds later, he was standing next to the metal worktable across the room from Aanalean, or Leana as he called her. She was still on top of the coffin, and he wasn't sure if she was attached to it or just resting there.

The metallic bust of Leana turned to Tad, "Hello, Thaddius. "

"Hello Leana, How are you today? " asked Tad.

She nodded, giving him a half-smile, "As well as yesterday, I suppose. What are you carrying there? "

"This is silk from a very special cocoon. I'm hoping it will help make a special bowstring," said Tad.

"Oh, isn't that interesting. A bow? Are you looking to become proficient in archery and bows now? " she asked.

Tad shook his head, "No, it is for Lamruil." He put the large crate down on the table as he spoke. Silk or no silk, that was heavy.

"Leana, we haven't talked in a while. How have you been?" asked Tad. Tad was still trying to figure out a way to see what treasure she said she guarded in that coffin. Being nice to her was not only polite but also might help with that as well.

Leana smiled, " I have been reading my new book. The pictures are very nice also. I will have to purchase a new hat. It appears the one I have, fell out of style several centuries ago. "

Tad nodded and smiled, "Well, we can't have that. I'll see if I can find someone that can help you. I'm afraid I have to go now. I have some business I need to attend to while the sun is high. If you will excuse me. "

Leana nodded to Tad as he told the torque to take him back to the quartermaster's wagon.

He made it back to the cathedral, where Naula and Terri were both talking to Lamruil while Nico sat across the fire pit from them. He rolled his eyes when he saw Tad and nodded at Lamruil, who was getting all the lady's attention.

Tad coughed. He was certain the elves knew he was there, but whatever. "Naula, I have something to show you. Would you like to take a little trip? " He tapped his torque and nodded. Lamruil stood as the ladies stood, and they all touched Tad's arm as he willed the torque to take them to the artificer's workshop.

Tad had brought them in the front doorway. Terri and Naula were looking around apprehensively, trying to figure out where they had just been brought.

Leana tilted her head a little, looking at the elvin ladies when they first appeared.

"Ladies, this is Aanalean or Leana for short. She is " he paused a moment trying to phrase what she was, "she is the keeper of the workshop, and this is her home. " Tad nodded to Leana as Terri and Naula moved forward to get a better view of the metallic bust of Leana on the top of the stone top.

"Leana, this is Terri Carlen, and this is Nuala Ilisyshar. " Tad nodded to them in turn.

Leana smile broadened, "Are you the same Nuala Ilsyshar whom I read about in my book Fashion and Hats of the Grand Bazaar?" She waved her hand. A book descended from an upper balcony bookshelf and landed in her hand. She started flipping through it. She pointed at a picture, "is this your hat? "

Naula got a puzzled look as her eyebrows came together. She walked forward and looked at the image. "Yes, I made that hat for the Lady Elanzia in the Bazaar. Where did you get this book? "

Leana's voice sounded excited, "Maximilianus gave it to me. Can you make me one of these? I can pay you, of course. "

"I suppose, how will you pay me? That hat cost almost ten gold and was made from silk and petals from a rare orchid. I do not think I can get one of those now. " said Naula with a more puzzled look on her face.

"Done, I'll pay you twenty gold, and you replace the orchid with a silk flower, so it doesn't wilt. I'd like white, please," said Leana excitedly, then something Tad didn't expect happened. Leana opened the top of the coffin her half body sat upon, it slid backward, and twenty gold coins shot up and hovered in the air in front of Naula.

Naula took the coins, "It might take me a while to find the materials, but I'll make you one. I'll make you a finer hat than that one. " She nodded to Leana.

"Good, I will patiently await the delivery," said Leana. She stopped talking and just watched them.

Tad had a sympathetic look for Naula. She had just made twenty gold which was a small fortune, but he was certain she would have another request when that was done.

"Naula over here, can you look at this please, " said Tad directing them to the wooden crate full of the silk that had once been the goddess's cocoon.

He took the lid off the top, and she picked up some of the fibers rolling them threw her fingers while casting a spell. "This isn't spiral silk. I've never seen anything like this. There is strong magic here. What is this from? "

"That is special. I was hoping you could make it into a string, " said Tad.

Lamruil stepped forward, looking at the silk, "If you can make it into a cord, I will make the string. We will need a strong center fiber. I do not know if silk will work because it stretches. Even this silk, we can test it, but it will most likely stretch given the pull of the bow. We can use this to wrap the center fiber. I've used hemp in the past, but that will not be strong enough here. I do not think it will withstand the magic either. "

Tad nodded, "Take what you think you need from this crate. I will see if Bernard or someone else has something that can help. " Tad was at a loss. He needed something strong and could withstand a lot of pull. Then he smiled, yea he knew where to find fiber.

***

Tad walked into Jack's wagon, doing his best carnie greeting smile, "Good Morning Jack! How is my favorite person doing? "

Jack was very much awake, and a small glowing circle of light was in front of him. Tad thought he saw images of something before it winked out. "Kid, I know that look. What do you want? "

"Well, you see, I have this little problem. Lamruil and I have this magic bow, but it lacks a strong enough string to make it work. And well, we were hoping you had an idea of how to help us since we believe the silk we have now will stretch too much to make a good taunt string that lasts, so we were –", Jack interrupted Tad.

Jack projected a steady don't mess with me tone, "No Kid, I know what you're thinking, but I'm not a resource to be plundered."

Tad frowned a bit inside. On the outside, he was all smiles, "Well, you know that nice lady vampire Aea you have me promising to help you with?" he looked down toeing the floor with his boot, "A lovely lady indeed, but I bet having an archer with a magic bow that is said to be from the foci wars would be a real asset on such an adventure. Also, if this other friend had these new daggers and liked to pop in and out of fights, sometimes. I bet that would really help too. " Tad smiled wider. He was pretty sure this would work.

Jack stared at Tad. His double-lidded eyes blinked at Tad like he was a roach, and Jack was deciding how to squish it. Tad waited patiently. Yea, this was gonna work.

"Kid, you bother me sometimes, " said Jack. Then a giant ball of glowing light encompassed Jack obscuring Tad's view of the unicorn. When the light settled, in front of jack was a small stack of long unicorn tail hairs. Each is about three feet long and white as snow. "I expect all your friends to help with this, and you better make sure your goddess knows what I'm expecting. "

"Thank you, Jack! I knew I could count on you! Soon as we are done finding Samphire, helping Aea is next on the list," said a smiling Tad as he picked up the unicorn hair in both hands carrying it carefully out.

"Kid, whatever you don't use, burn in the fire. It is not good to leave parts of oneself around where others can abuse it with magic. " projected Jack as Tad left his wagon.

Tad took the unicorn hair to Samphire's wagon, where they were set up to create the bowstring. There was a large table in the back of the wagon where the Portal of Stars used to be. Naula was sitting on a high stool in front of it, sorting through a box with cloth sides and lots of pins and needles stuck in it.

Lamruil looked surprised, "He actually gave that to you? "

Tad smiled, "Well, I had to do some haggling, and a few sacrifices had to be made. "

Lamruils face took on a serious look then he looked at Nico, who was leaning against the wall near the door.

"What kind of sacrifices? " asked Lamruil.

Tad smiled as he handed the hair to Naula, who had a miniature spindle set up on her table. "Well, it turns out there is room in the save the vampire wagon ride for an elf and beastkin. I managed to get you both tickets. " Tad chuckled to himself and looked over to where Terri and her sister Bellauna were looking at Samphire's Enchanters table.

"Naula, how did you get all this stuff in here? Where did it come from? " asked Tad.

Naula who was busy sorting out the unicorn hair, "I use enchanted disks, of course. You have one. They are much like yours. "

Tad looked puzzled, then he reached under his shirt and found his cittern amulet. "You mean all of this stuff is like this? " She had a small loom built into the table along with measuring and holding clamps. The table was heavy wood.

"Of course, who wants to walk around with a backpack all day. Terri's sister enchanted these. She is the one that makes all those confectionary snacks at Terri's. The ones that move and look alive. " said Naula.

Tad looked back over to Terri and Bellauna. " Bellauna, You can make things like this? " asked Tad.

Bellauna looked up when Tad said her name, "No, I can't. The cittern is priceless, and I'm shocked you have it, actually, but I can enchant things to traveling disks. It's how I support myself at the Bazaar. "

Tad nodded, "Could you do a few more? Can you do a whole set of clothes? " asked Tad nodding at Nico near the door, who was busy catching a gold coin Lamruil had tossed him.

Tad sighed, "What were you two betting on this time? "

Nico smiled as he put the gold in his pouch, "Well, Lamruil didn't think Jack would give you hair from his tail. I of course, knew you could do it. " Nico pulled the string taunt on the pouch and let it swing back to his side.

Tad shook his head and sighed, " Bellauna, Nico here loves to get naked and well, ahh, " Then he started laughing lightly. " I thought if perhaps you could make a disk amulet to carry his clothes, that would be a great thing for all of us. "

Nico gave Tad a friendly scowl but paid attention to her answer.

"I certainly can. I would need to have the outfit for a few days unless you would let me use this wonderful enchanter's table here. Then I could probably do it in one day. " Bellauna ran her hand along the edge of the table, tracing the metal design on the surface as she spoke.

Tad nodded, "Ok, I can do that, I think. But it will have to be tomorrow. We have to get a few things done today. I'll come to find you when we have time. "

***

It was a little past noon. Lamruil had his bowstring, and three men were on the other side of the bridge where Lamruil had the bow drawn back and an arrow nocked. He was going to take a few test shots at a makeshift target made from water reeds bundled tightly with string.

Lamruil let his first arrow loose at the target, and it shot right over the top. "Almost no arc on that at this range. Interesting," said Lamruil, who took out another arrow and shot. This one hit the target high but centered. He nodded and looked at the string. "It looks like it is holding up. Very powerful draw. I'll pull it full-back and shoot."

Lamruil shot several more arrows till he had a good center point. The elf held the bow pulled back for his last shot as Tad saw Lamruil feed his energia into the bow. The arrow tip started to glow a bit, and Lamruil let it loose at the target.

The arrow thunked in, and then a small amount of smoke rose arrow tip in the hole.

Tad nodded, "How much energia was that? "

Lamruil looked at the bow again, testing the new string a few times. "That was just enough to get it to glow. I could probably shoot several of those. I felt like it could take a great deal more magic, but these arrows are not really a quality I'd want to risk too much energia in.

Tad nodded. Earlier, he had cast the identify spell on the bow after it was strung. He had tried before it was strung, and it had failed. After it was strung, though, it changed in Tad's magic sight, so he tried again.

Divine Bow of Law; you believe it can be used to imbue any arrow with the power of the law foci in its purest form. It was created in the time of the foci wars for the celestial troops of Order.

It was definitely old, and Jared had not been wrong on its strength either. It was a good improvement over the wood bow Lamruil had been using. Hopefully, they will be able to find more arrows for him. Jared might have some. Tad would ask when he saw Jared again later tonight.

***