Part 12 (1/2)
He's already come up with the general idea of where to hide it. Now he just needs to figure out how to hide it from searches, especially those magical in nature. The first problem, how to supply the power for the spells needed to hide it, seems to have been solved. On the chest, he's having five crystals embedded, one on each side. Four can be responsible for the gathering of magic, the fifth needs to be able to draw on the stored power of the four to empower the spells of hiding.
What he needs to figure out now, is a way for magic to hide the 'Fire'. He finally decides to take something out into the forest and then try to locate it by magical means. All the while he'll be focusing on how the magic is locating it and try to come up with a way to counter it.
He takes one of the stools from the workshop and etches an 'X' in the top of it. Then he leaves the workshop and carries the stool about ten yards into the forest. After setting it down, he returns to the workshop and then takes out his mirror as he begins trying to locate the stool...
”Lunch!” he hears Ezra calling. Canceling the spell, he puts his mirror down in frustration. He understands better now how the magic is locating it, he just hasn't come up with a good way to actually counter it. This is harder than I thought. This is harder than I thought.
As he gets up from the workbench, he realizes he's quite tired from all the magic he's been doing. His head aches a little and when he leaves his workshop, he has to shade his eyes to keep the sun from hurting him. Once in the kitchen, he washes up and then takes his place at the table.
”How's it going?” asks Jiron.
”Frustrating,” he replies. ”Just when I feel I understand, I realize that I don't.”
”I'm sure you'll get it,” Tersa says encouragingly. ”This will just take time.”
”I know,” replies James. ”Just not sure how much time we'll have.”
”What do you mean?” she asks.
”Oh, nothing,” Turning to Illan, he asks, ”How's the training going?”
Shaking his head, he says, ”I doubt if anyone will kill themselves with their sword, but they've just had no experience at this sort of thing. A couple are good marksmen with the bows, especially Errin, but they're hopeless with swords. Given enough time, I'm sure we can shape them up.”
”It's only been a few days,” Jiron says.
”True,” admits Illan.
”I'm going into town today,” he announces to everyone.
”I better come with you,” Jiron states.
”Me, too,” Miko pipes up.
”Alright,” he agrees. ”We'll leave right after lunch.”
James is quiet during most of the meal, his mind on the problem with the spells as well as the funds needed for this place. There're lots of gadgets he could introduce into this world from his own that would turn a profit, like the steam engine or the printing press. But revolutionary ideas like those usually bring turmoil and strife among those trying to control them. This world already has enough to worry about. Maybe his trip into town will bring an idea or two.
When they finish eating, they go out to the barn and saddle their horses. On the way down the lane, James looks over to the construction site and sees they've managed to get the walls to the house up and have begun to finish the roof.
At the end of the lane, red haired Moyil stands guard, the horn hanging at his side. ”Do me a favor,” James says as they approach him.
”Yes, sir?” he asks.
”Don't blow the horn when we return,” he tells him.
Giving him a nod, he replies, ”I won't sir, promise.”
”Thank you, Moyil,” he says as he leaves the lane and turns onto the road.
”You know,” says Jiron, ”since we've gotten the extra lads, we've been bothered by fewer people.”
”Good,” states James. ”They're a nuisance we can do without.”
Once in town, they make their way to Alexander's where he arranges for Roland to be able to withdraw funds. He also withdraws another two hundred golds. Leaving Alexander's shop, he then heads over to the blacksmith to check on the status of his box.
They find Kraegan again at the anvil working on some kind of iron bar. When they pull up, one of his apprentices tells him of their arrival. Glancing over to them, he hands the iron bar to his apprentice who continues working the metal while he goes over to greet them.
”Ah, master blacksmith,” James greets him.
”Here to see about your box?” he asks.
”That's right,” he replies. ”Just wondering if it was ready yet?”
”About two more days,” he says. ”All but the interior lining is completed and the man who will be doing that gets back in town this evening. Tomorrow at the earliest, but most likely the day after.”
”Excellent,” exclaims James. ”I appreciate the update and I'll not keep you from your work any longer. Good day to you.”
”Good day to you, too,” Kraegan says. Then he returns to where his apprentice is working the bar.
”Are we heading back now?” asks Miko.
Shaking his head, James says, ”One more stop first.”
He takes them down to where Burl the chandler's shop is located and stops in front of it. As he gets down from his horse he sees Mary, Devin's mother, coming out the door carrying a bundle of goods.
”Good day, Mary,” he greets her.
”Why, James,” she says to him, a smile on her face. ”It's so good to see you. How is Devin doing?”
”He's taking well to it,” he says. ”He seems to be enjoying it.”
”Good,” she says, almost breathing a sigh of relief. ”He's always been a quiet boy and I was worried about him.”
”He's doing fine,” he a.s.sures her.
”He never did much care for the farm,” she says. ”Oh, he did well and I believe he would've made a good farmer, but his heart never was in it. I remember when you first came to us, his eyes lit up at the things you talked about. And then after you faced the demon, or whatever that was, I knew he'd never again be satisfied with farming.”
”I'm sorry,” he tells her.
”Oh, don't be feeling bad or anything,” she tells him. ”I may worry, but that's a mother's prerogative. I know a boy must find his own way, maybe this is his. At least with you, he shouldn't get into any real danger.”
James glances to Jiron a second then says, ”We'll try to keep him safe.”
”I know you will,” she says matter-of-factly. ”You're a good man. But I must be off, no telling what the girls have gotten themselves into while I've been here in town.”
”You take care Mary,” he says.
”You too, James, it was nice seeing you,” she says as she moves past him with her bundle. Down the street, he can see her horse and wagon.