1pm Monday City Sewers Blessed Market
William moved through the crowded market place, hoping his glamour charm would keep his identity hidden. To everyone, William looked like a teenage boy with brown curly hair, brown eyes, and some acne. William would use teenage guises; since glamour could not change his height, teenagers or children was the easiest for him to pass as. The Market was so crowded you could not even breathe without bumping into someone.
:Word must have gotten out about the Shadow Demons. Nothing was better for business than the end of the world:
William's thoughts made him miss the simple days of just opening up his little store, talking with the occasional guest. Having lunch with Bai.
: No time to reminisce old man, have a job to do.:
William slowly move through the crowd towards the back of the Market. The Market designed made it so the further back you went the more power and expensive the items were. Therefore, by the time he made it to the tarp built tent against the furthest corner of the Marketplace he was the only one around other than the vendors. He had found the shop he was looking for. Violet's Moon Cottage. William knew Violet from more than a few lifetimes ago, and they did not part well at all. William collected himself, pulled his glamour charm from his pocket
"Reveal" William whispered, his glamour faded once again he was the old shopkeeper. William knew better than to try to approach Violet in any form of glamour, she would take it as a grave insult. William looked at the old, dirty, and leaning Tent. It look like a homeless person would live here, not the opening to one of the most powerful magic shops he knew of. The only way William could tell this was her shop, was by a small stitched crescent moon in the right hand corner of the tarp. This symbol was not there just to identify her shop; it was also a powerful ward. The moment you touched the tarp it knew if you were Blessed or mortal. If a mortal opened the Tarp Door the charm would make them see an empty tent. Should a Blessed open it, they would transport into Violet's shop on the other side of the veil, or in his case, vaporize him if she was still angry with him.
: Here goes nothing :
William's heart began to race; his hand trembled as he reached for the tarp. He stepped through and safely arrived at Violet's shop. The air was warm with a sweet scent to it. Looking to the windows William could tell that the sun had set, William had forgotten the time difference. On Oakwood side of Veil time is opposite on the mortal realm. Day in the mortal world was night on the Veil.
Violet's shop was a delight to the eye, crystals of every color, glass orbs to match, and rare gems glittered everywhere. The Building is also a stunning work of art, with distinctive architectural points, each with a unique Elven or Fairy gargoyle watching over the store, tapered logs made up the walls that complemented the unusual curved roofline well. The cabin had many unique characters, charms, and other magical components carved into the walls; clearly added during the construction phase of the cabin. The landing by the door lead to a moss like flooring, before stepping down William removed his shoes. Violet did not take kindly to those who did not respect her home or work.
Violet's shop was a place of Antiques and Oddities; in Oakwood, it was the go to for anything magical. From bone charms that summoned skeleton warriors, or animal feet or tails that summoned familiars, if you are looking for a magical specimen or antique from the darker side; you were almost guaranteed to find it here. If not here she knew where the send you. William could feel the magical power in the air here on this side of the veil. William had not returned to Oakwood in almost a hundred years. His abrupt departure was a necessity evil; his return was risky, but nowhere as risky if he did not get the homestead stone for his friends and family back on the mortal side of the Veil.
William wandered among the tables and bookshelves, being this late Violet may have been upstairs, getting ready to turn in for the night.
: I must have just made it before the lockout spell took effect:
1135pm Red Cap Burrow
Gwen awoke to find herself once again in the old dwarfs Burrow. The old Red Cap was sleeping in a hammock in the corner of the room. Gwen was suffering from a massive headache, her body was stiff and sore, she tasted blood in her mouth. She had to strain her eyes to look around; outside darkness had fallen. A single candle flicked in the cool night air. The dwarf looked frail under his heavy sheepskin blanket. Feeling the chill in air, Gwen wrapped herself into her own blanket and moved to the kitchen, the fire was slowly dying. She placed a few extra logs into the embers. The fire slowly began to come to life. A warming glow slowly filled the little Burrow.
{That should stay off the chill until morning} Gwen slowly stepped out of the Burrow's door to the chilly night air. She wanted to stretch the Burrow was just too small for her to really get that deep stretch she wanted. The door closed with a quite click. Gwen took in a deep breath while she stretched. It felt so good to stand and stretch. She could see the old dwarf sleeping away in his hammock; since she was a little girl Gwen heard tales of murderous and cruel Red Caps. Her mother would remind her every day to avoid venturing on the hillside roads alone. Yet this old dwarf had tended her minor scratches and kept her safe.
{Were the tales wrong? Maybe the little creäture was just waiting to catch me off-guard} Gwen shook her head, letting that horrible thought go.
{He could have harmed many times over and had not.}
{I need to find Jacob. I pray he is okay.} Gwen heart filled with concern for Jacob.
In Oakwood the people always seemed to fall victim to something. Gwen heard the little door open and the dwarf joined her outside. Wrapped in his blanket and a pipe in his mouth.
"Good to see you up child. I feared you may never find your way back." He said while packing his pipe.
"My way back?" Gwen replied.
"In the morning I will be taking you to a friend. She can help sort this all out. Maybe she can help find your fellow too. The name is Hildwulf." Hildwulf replied while lighting his pipe.
"Why are you helping me? I was always told your kind just murdered travelers for fun?"
Hildwulf let out a deep sigh, followed by serval smoke rings.
"Pay no mind to those tales this night, my kin are murderous, but not all of us are, head back to bed child. We will venture out in the morning" Hildwulf tapped out his pipe against his hand, a slight hint of vanilla hit the air. Gwen looked down at the old Red Cap,
"What?" Hildwulf huffed at Gwen. She leaned in and hugged him.
"Thank you Hildwulf." Gwen turned and went back inside the Burrow.
"Great, another one..." grumbled Hildwulf has he followed her back inside.
1145pm Violet's Moon Cottage
William had perched himself on a stool staring at the spiral staircase that leads to Violet's private quarters.
: What to do, what to do :
It was just getting later, William decide he could only do one thing; go up and hope she is in a good mood. William ascended the twisted staircase to the landing before her room.
: Last chance to turn back : With all the will he could muster William knocked on the door.
"Come in William" Violet's voice called from the other side of the door. William cautiously opened the door. William caught whiff of honey, lavender, and spice in the air. He stepped through the door to find Violet standing next to the window, moon light danced off her gray skin. Violet's purple hair flowed to the middle of her back, tied together neatly with a leather strap. Her pure white eyes looking straight at William, a thin sheer gold dress highlighted her body's frame. A thin, muscular, yet very feminine frame. Her leg gently angled out from the slit in the dress, she took a deep sip from the horn cup in her hand.
" I wondered when I would see you again William" Violet's voice was smooth and purred with intent.
: Shit :
"Violet. I need your help with a homestead stone." William did his best not to gawk, Violet enjoyed the game, give and take, cat and mouse, however never forget she is the cat.
"Oh William, straight to business? Isn't that.."
"Disappointing?" William replied with a shrug
"predictable." Violet placed her cup on the windowsill; once her hand left the cup, a wave of light washed over her body. Blues, Whites, and amber washed away her dress and replaced it with a simple green tunic, leather riding pants and a black Frock Coat. With a tap of her boots heel, she twirled before William,
"Is this better?" Violet pouted.
"No, but more appropriate." William replied.
"So after all these years, you wonder back into my business, and ask for a homestead stone. You in some serious trouble? " Violet twirled and flopped herself belly first on the bed.
"Yes, some very serious trouble, and I haven't a lot of time Violet." William did his best to convey the urgency of this need.
With a pout Violet swung her legs off the bed and sat up to face William.
" Why should I help you? What are you hiding from William?" Violent saunter over to William, since she towered over William, she crouched down and looked William in the eyes.
"Shadow Demons." Williams reply took away all the playfulness and teasing from Violet's demeanor.
"Shadow Demons? Are you Serious?"
"Extremely" William eyes locked with Violet's.
"So the rumors are true? Shadow Demons are loose in the mortal realm?" Concern dripped in Violet's voice.
"What rumors have you heard V?" Violet's business brought in clients from all over both Oakwood and the mortal world, so with the customers came rumors, Intel, stories of all kinds.
"Well William I have heard that Shadow Demons are loose in the mortal realm, looking for someone. I also heard that someone has made serious moves here in Oakwood" V seemed to putting pieces of the stories she heard together in her mind. Collecting her thoughts.
"Moves? Like?" Williams question snapped V out of her own mind and back to the now.
"Well keep in mind these are all different rumors I have heard from different people" V added air quotes to the peoples' comments.
"I understand V"
"Well someone is tracking down all the pieces of the Mainz Mirror."
"Wait, the Mainz Mirror? You mean Maria Sophia's Mirror? The Real Snow White Mirror?"
"The one and only. They have also collected up many dark ring crystals. There is also rumors that the Komodo Kings remaining soldiers are searching for something. NO one knows what or why. But I dismissed all of this has rumor, good for business rumors mind you."
"Well the Shadow Demons are real. So I will take everything else you said seriously. None of this makes any sense." William felt defended and it must have shown on his face.
"William when did you last sleep? It will take me at least six hours to make your stone. Please, eat, and get some rest here while I work." V smiled at the tired old dwarf.
"Thank you V."
7am Tuesday Hildwulf Burrow
Hildwulf ready a small bag, charms, alchemy components, a couple of live fairies trapped in jars, all things he hoped could be used to in trade for the information he needed and wanted. Hildwulf glanced outside through the kitchen window to see Gwen sitting on a stump enjoying the early sun. He had sensed the magic coming off her twice now; both times, she was under some form of extreme stress, yet now she is no different from any other mortal trapped on this side of the Veil. Hildwulf closed up his bag and headed out to Gwen.
"Are you ready to go?" Hildwulf extended his hand towards Gwen. She looked at him with a questionable head tilt, and then gently took his hand. In a flash, they were standing in front the walls of the Eagle River Castle that Gwen called home. Then they were standing before a strange wood cabin, Gwen's legs felt weak, her head was foggy, and nausea hit her. Gwen fell over, and vomited. Every time she caught her breath, she would vomit again.
"Sorry, traveling by Blink is rough your first time child. Chew this, it will help settle your stomach" Hildwulf handed her a thick root; she took a bite. The flavors swirled between peppermint and ginger ale.
715 am Violet's Moon Cottage
William woke to the sun shining on his face through the curtains. William felt more refreshed then he had in years. Oakwood was a magic infused land, the Blessed always felt stronger here then the mortal realm. After all this was the birthplace of all magic. At the foot of the bed, he noticed new clothing laid out for him. Violet had replaced the enchanted clothes he had received from Bai with some of her own. Violet's collection would be a vase improvement over Bai's. William got out of bed and moved to the pile. There sat enchanted Cargo Pants, offering functional utility with a magical update in design. Dark earth tan in color, these pants reinforced with magic would increase his stamina, magically enhance his legs stability when jumping, climbing or falling. They would also increase his strength when lifting or performing strenuous actions. The pants had two cargo pockets, one on each side, enchanted to hold ten times the amount of items without burdening the wearer. Once he stood up with his new pants on he turned his attention to the red and black flannel shirt on the bed. This was another beautiful magical work of art. It would keep him cool in the heat of the sun, yet warm in the cool of the night. It would keep him a float in water; also keep him dry. The shirt also had strength enhancing qualities like his pants. Finally, he put on his new boots. Black in color, softer than a cloud. They would increase his speed; also allow him to scale just about anything. Once he finished lacing them up he felt the armor enchantment lock. The whole suit could repel most mortal weapons. Violet used a lot of magic and resources on this. William walked to the mirror on the back of the room's door and looked himself over. Blessed eyes would tell instantly the outfit had enchantments; however, most mortals would miss it. Some Mortals have the unique ability to see through the magic. Satisfied with how he looked he made his way down the curvy stairs. Once on the ground floor he saw Violet working at her bench.
"I am almost done William"
"Thank you for all this. I did not expect such a warm welcome from you after how we left things before." William stepped closer towards Violet's workstation. She looked up at William with a warming smile.
"For a few life times I swore I would do all kinds of horrible things to you if I saw you again; but the years rolled on and I began to realize that my attitude did not help. You needed more from me than I knew. I understand that now. All Finished." Violet got up from her bench and gave William a hug. William could feel the sadness in her touch.
"HILDYARD!" Hildwulf yelled, while Violet and William were talking he had entered Violet's shop.
"Gwen?" William looked pasted Hildwulf straight to Gwen who was standing in the doorway.
End Chapter 19