Chapter 86: Calmly Exploring (1/2)
Quickly wrapping the gemstone in the leather once again, Mike carried it back to his room and placed it on his hammock. He had a sneaking suspicion that letting the 'sailors' see it would end badly for one or all of them. The others followed him, clearly wanting some explanation of what was going on, one he was willing to give.
”And that was how I escaped, any questions?” Mike asked with a smile.
”What do you mean you just learned how to do Light Magic? And why can you survive so far underwater for so long?” Sera broke in.
”Blue light. Suspicious.” Tal remarked.
”Right, and why did you just trust some random, singing blue light in the middle of the lake?” Sera continued.
”Well, I just did?” Mike replied sheepishly.
Brenden shrugged, ”Sounds like the usual for Mike.”
Sera gave a snort of disgust, but didn't disagree.
Tal was in the midst of examining the strange gemstone. Now that it was dry and unwrapped, it seemed to give off its own dim illumination. She was just about to touch it when there was a knock on the door.
Mike quickly covered the gem with the leather before answering the door.
Captain Bont stood there, a golden grin plastered on his face. ”I didn't know we be hosting such fine company. You should have let us know, Sir Mage, I would have made a grander welcome.”
Grimacing, Mike replied. ”There is no need. I didn't reveal my stature for the simple reason that I didn't want to attract attention. I would appreciate it if you and the rest of your crew could keep it silent.”
”Of course, of course. Discretion be our stock and trade. All I ask in return is that you keep old Captain Bont in mind when you're needing a boat. We provide all sorts of nautical.....services.”
”You have already proven more capable than I ever imagined. Rest assured that if ever find myself in need of ocean transport again, you will be the first I consider.”
”That's good, that's good.” He said with enthusiasm while glancing curiously around the room, paying special attention to the bundle of black leather in one corner. ”Do ye have everything ye need in yer accommodations? We could have ye moved to the more comfortable cabins.”
Brenden and Mike were sharing a small cabin, barely larger than a closet. Sera and Tal were in a similar situation. It was uncomfortable, but tolerable.
”We're are quite fine where we are, thank you.”
”Very well, I'll get out of yer hair. I look forward to sailing with ye, Sir Mage.”
With that he departed.
”Whew.” Mike said while closing the door.
”He suspects. Doesn't know.” Tal answered.
”We got to be a little more careful in the future. I don't know how trustworthy this crew is, especially now that we might be carrying something valuable.”
Sera nodded her agreement, ”Right, we don't want anyone to get there hands on this baby before we get a chance to sell it.”
Mike just shook his head.
He sat down across from the gem, and tried to use Appraise on it.
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{Unknown}
Unknown (????????)
Skill value too low to Appraise this object.
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[What the hell did I pick up?]
Looking for a clue, he tried his hand on the leather itself, with more luck.
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{Elder Wyrm Leather}
Magic Material (Tier 4, Rank 2)
Leather drawn from the hide of an Elder Wyrm, one of the legendary dragons of antiquity who were once said to darken the skies in ages past. Items made from this material will carry some of their ancient might. Due to deterioration, this particular piece has decreased in potency, lowering its rank.
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[That's a little more helpful. From the sounds of it, these Elder Wyrms were some kind of ancient dragon or something.]
He returned his focus to the strange gem, and curious about how it felt, he reached out and brushed its surface with his fingers.
Almost as soon as he did, he felt a massive drain on his mana. He pulled his hand back quickly. The gem seemed to glow brighter for a moment, before returning to its normal level illumination.
”What happened?” Sera asked after seeing Mike's response.
”It was trying to take my mana.” He replied with a puzzled look.
Tal tilted her head, and with a quick movement laid her palm against the side of the stone.