ARTHUR LEYWIN

"What is that little device you have on your wrist?"

We were calmly walking through the forest of Elenoir, the thick fog working to impede the senses. It did little to hinder my own ability to navigate the lush, green wildlife while it forced others to hold someone's hand like a life line.

"It's something from my past life, just a simple piece called a watch." I held out my arm so Sylvia could get a better look at the jet black leather strapped watch, accented with gold and white. The metal was elegantly designed but was simple, having the bare minimum functions. "It was one of my first creations in my career as an artificer, back when I still thought I'd need to keep track of time. All it does it keep track of it."

With a sad hum in my voice, we continue on our hike to the capital city of Elenoir. I was walking with both hands occupied, my right hand enjoying the warmth of Sylvia's hold, while the other was reluctantly placed in Trista's vile grip.

For the first part of my punishment, I am to be held like the child they both saw me as. Sylvia saw me as such from the memories I showed her and Trista, despite everything she's seen so far, treated me as a child out of spite, curiosity or both.

As Sylvia nuzzles her face into Ellie's giggling form she asks. "Well, do you think you could make one for me? While my homeland had it's own way of tracking time, we never found the need to create something so accurate." She looks over to me before continuing "But I get the feeling these next few years may get a bit hectic, so having a watch may prove to be useful."

"Sure. Let me know if you want anything specific or if you want an extra feature"

"Extra feature? The only enchantment I can sense on your watch is one to bolster its durability. Is there more to it?" She was radiating a childlike interest in my wrist-piece, perhaps wondering if it was capable of stopping time and splitting dimensions, or something ridiculous like that.

"If you want, I can engrave a rune into the chassis to allow it to stop time or split apart a pocket dimension you may find yourself in" She looks down on me, mouth gaped open in astonishment while Trista just looks as confused as ever. "For a simple artifact to be capable of such a thing... I can only wonder what the full scope of your abilities may entail." She said

"Yeah" I keep silent for a moment before asking the question lingering in my mind. "Speaking of things we can't understand, can I ask why you haven't broken your daughter out of her seal?"

"No, you may not ask such a question" Her voice stern, as if we were strangers passing by. Her face slowly softened as she caressed the multicolored stone Ellie was holding in her tiny hands. "That is not to say I don't plan on releasing her soon, I simply wish to know what the future holds for me. Because ever since you appeared, it's as if every thread of time and fate refuse to weave together, forever changing."

"Are you worried about the reaction from your fellow clansmen? If you want, I can show you the faces they made when they first saw Sylvie-" I quickly jerk my hand away from Trista to cover my mouth. It wasn't necessary, but I didn't want Sylvia to feel pressured to name her daughter after the name I gave her.

"Sylvie... hm, you really are quite boorish aren't you?" With a teasing smile that eased the tension of my slip up, she looks at the stone lovingly "Simple, cute and completely unimaginative. It fits your persona perfectly."

With a slight blush