Chapter 260 Treasures (2/2)
The Matriarch gave him a reluctant nod ”Then our business for the day is nearly included One matter remains, however—”
”A replace broadly
The Matriarch gave her a dark look ”Indeed The amulet that supposedly protected him from the attacks of half a dozen adepts, only to fail just as the battle concluded” She glanced at Arran ”A priceless treasure, used to protect someone who needed no such protection”
”Perhaps the aed If having the deception revealed caused her even the least bit of en of it
”Perhaps,” the Matriarch replied ”But he does need protection, and to that end, I have gathered sohtblade, then produced three ite and an amulet, but Arran's eyes immediately shot toward the third item, which was a fine chain shi+rt that looked as if it was fashi+oned out of silver
Yet to Arran's disappoint, the Matriarch held up the amulet first
”This,” she said, ”is useless But it will give off a pretty little flash of light if you get struck by a , you can pretend it's protecting you when you get hit by an attack”
She handed the a
”This is one of the Valley's most treasured artifacts,” she said, a hint of reverence in her voice ”You are to keep it concealed using Shadow Essence at all times, and none of the Elders within the Valley must know that you have it”
Arran frowned ”What does it do?”
”It slowly gathers Essence fros,” she explained ”When you suffer a sufficiently strong ical attack, it will use that Essence to create a shi+eld Given tith of an Arche — but each use will fully deplete its reserves, and days will pass before it can be used again”
Arran could only barely stop hi in awe This wasn't just a treasure; it was a life
Against a strongcould mean the difference between life and death It would allow him to close the distance and strike before his opponent could launch a second attack
As the Matriarch handed Arran the ring, she repeated, ”Don't let anyone else see this A treasure like this will spark the greed of even the wealthiestand put it on, Brightblade frowned deeply ”Where did you get this?”
”It was taken from a defeated Hunter,” the Matriarch replied ”One of their commanders A prize the Valley spent no s”
”The Hunters have ical treasures?” This was the first time he had heard of that, and it caht they relied on siic
”Ah their physical attributes are every bit as dangerous as their treasures”
Arran listened with interest He knew far too little about the Hunters — especially now that he had joined a Valley which had waged nuainst them
But the Matriarch did not elaborate Instead, she picked up the silvery mail shi+rt from the table and handed it to Arran He was surprised to find that it was far heavier than it looked
”You should wear this under your robes,” she said ”It's ainst both ic and blades It will do little to protect you from an arrow to the face, but it will stop a blade to the chest”
”Another Hunter's treasure?” Arran asked Froes so far, it seemed like ht, he believed
”Correct,” the Matriarch replied ”Though nowhere near as rare as the ring Armor like this can be found on most of thehtblade said, her expression pensive
”Perhaps,” the Matriarch said ”But since you are the Valley's new Commander, I will leave it to you to decide what to make of it” After a brief moment of silence, she continued, ”I believe that concludes our business for the day Ghostblade, I expect you to host a banquet for the Valley's Elders in teeks We will resu after that”
They spent sooodbyes, after which Arran and Brightblade departed
Yet alhtblade shook her head ”There's so us,” she said, a deep frown on her forehead ”And I don't expect it to be so pleasant”
”You think she plans to betray us?” Arran spoke in a soft voice, since they were still in the Matriarch's gardens
”No,” Brightblade replied ”I iine it will be far worse than that”