Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

Magna (II)

"It's not a joke," Gjaki replied calmly.

Calm was precisely what was missing from the merchant's face. The Magna Mountain beer belonged to legends because the recipe and the knowledge of its preparation had been lost. However, the other scroll cited something mythical. Any dwarf revered the name of Heavenly Mountain beer. It had been a legend even when it could be brewed.

Many dwarves would make pilgrimages to where it were just to smell it, let alone drink it.

"Now, I understand... These ingredients... It'll take years to gather them for a single barrel... Is it real?" she wanted to make sure.

"The person who has to brew it has never made it, because they didn't have the ingredients. Of course, they hadn't brewed the Magna Mountain until yesterday either. I can tell you that person is a master chef. I'm sure it won't be any problems," Gjaki revealed.

Tihgla nodded very seriously. A master chef was certainly a good guarantee. Even so, it was a risk, since the ingredients weren't cheap at all. Nonetheless, it was worth taking such a risk. It was like risking a gold coin for the possibility of winning a thousand, or more.

"Well, we have a deal. If you don't buy it at the auction, we'll get you another one," she assured.

Inside, she was thinking of buying it back from the winner even if she had to pay ten times more. If it weren't for the damage that breaking its own rules would cause to the entity's reputation, she would have ordered it removed from the auction. That business was too important to lose.

"Perfect. You can send the ingredients to my mansion when you have them. By the way, how did our other matter end?" the vampiress was interested.

"I have to thank you for that. The problem was deeper than I thought. Not only have we cleaned out that branch, but a few more have fallen. They were doing a lot of damage to our reputation. Besides, your friend has turned out to be better than expected," Tihgla explained, only smiling at the end.

"Lakniba?"

"Yeah. Not only does she have integrity, she's also insightful and hard-working. Her superiors hadn't let her shine. She's still a little green, but perhaps in the future she could be a candidate to replace me," the merchant revealed.

Gjaki was really surprised. Tihgla wasn't usually generous with praise, not to mention talking for the sake of talking. The vampiress found it hard to believe that the shy receptionist was so valued.

"That would be good. I'm sure she'll give me a discount," the vampiress joked.

"Don't even dream about it! I'll teach her well!" the merchant also joked. She was in a very good mood.

"This's too much... I... I don't know what to say..." Mideltya was overwhelmed.

In her hands, there was a huge two-handed sword that Eldi had smithed for her. It seemed a bit big for the short elf. It was a rather unusual kind weapon between her people, although not exceptional.

She had been surprised by the unexpected gift, but not as surprised as finding out its quality. She couldn't stop caressing the elegant patterns that ran all over it, or the engravings that resembled the leaves of a tree on the handle. The gems that were embedded in it were capable of accumulating wind mana, to which she had affinity.

She looked at Eldi with immense gratitude. That weapon had been made exclusively for her. For her affinity. For her level. In her hands, it seemed to dance with joy, as if it had found its fated wielder.

"Consider it an early wedding gift," Lidia mocked.

"Mum!"

"Lidia!"

"Ha, ha. You guys are so cute when you're embarrassed. How's yours?" she asked her son.

"You're awful..." he complained, before answering the question. "It's like a dream come true. Thanks Eldi... grandpa. I wouldn't be able to find anything better, not even when I level up."

"You're wrong about that, they'll level up with you. They're designed to be improved. When you see that they are a little weak, tell me, and I'll give them a few tweaks," Eldi explained.

"Is that even possible!?" the elf was surprised.

"Yes. Any master blacksmith can do it. Of course, you have to find someone willing to make you a custom weapon, who wants to improve it, and has the materials on hand," Lidia explained, without mentioning the price it would cost. Her father had told her everything.

"Thank you, thank you very much. I don't know how..." Mideltya felt overwhelmed again.

"Don't worry, it doesn't cost me anything. It's the least I can do for you both," Eldi assured.

"So, what about my chain mail? I'm sure it doesn't cost you anything, either" Lidia asked without any shyness.

"Again with that? Do you know how much it costs to make a chain mail suit? Each of the links?" Eldi protested.

"Won't you do it?" the high human woman almost cried.

"It won't do you any good to make that sad face," her father accused her.

She stuck her tongue out at him, playfully. They both knew the other was acting. In fact, Eldi couldn't help but smile. Then, he took out two items from the inventory, which he threw at his daughter.

"Give the other one to Liodon," Eldi asked her.

"Thanks Dad! You're the best!" she hugged him, and kissed him on the cheek.

He hugged her back, while wondering for a moment if he wasn't spoiling them too much. Although it was just a fleeting thought. That orichalcum chain mail could save their lives. Besides, after having left them alone for so long, it wouldn't hurt if he spoiled them a little.

Along with the chain mail, he had made them some daggers and bows. While archery wasn't their strong suit, both siblings had trained enough to have considerable skill.

The overwhelmed elf and her fiancé each received some armor. They could wear it like normal clothing, and its defensive power wasn't at all negligible. Plus, it was light and comfortable.

Unfortunately, they weren't able to change the color or shape, and Eldi didn't know how to teach them to do it. Gjaki, the one who had been there the longest, didn't know either, even though she had investigated it. The vampiress had even asked the Oracle, and she still remembered with irritation the non-answer she had received.

Nonetheless, Eldi could change it for them when they met. He could also fix it if it suffered any damage, on the anvil of the beginner's village. Without a doubt, they couldn't find anything better even with all the gold in the world.

"They're ready," Lidia reported, suddenly serious.

"We're going too," Ted assured, with Mideltya nodding.

Lidia looked at them and nodded too. Although she hated putting them in danger, this was a conversation they had already had in the past, and one she had lost miserably.

Eldi opened a Gate, and the four disappeared into it.