Chapter 41, For a prince 7.

Reskeme)

Reskeme used heavy iron thongs to grasp the red hot tang of the sword sticking out from the coals. Clenching tightly, he walked over and placed the weapon into the sand. Of all things. Once done he breathed easier as Micheal covered the red hot metal in the thick orange sand using a small shovel to pack the sand tightly around the entire weapon.

" Remind me again why we need to put the metal in the sand?" Asked Reskeme.

" The sand will trap the heat and so the sword will cool very slowly. The metal will be soft and easy to grind. The sword should be ready to grind down by tomorrow. We still need to refine the edge and create the fuller." Said Michael.

" All right, but what use will the sword be if it's soft?" Asked Reskeme. After all, a soft sword would be useless.

" Once we finish with all the grinding and polishing, we can reheat the weapon and dunk it in oil and treated water to return its hardness." Said Michael.

Not wanting to look like an idiot, so Reskeme didn't ask how that worked. Reskeme felt pride as he looked over the plain shield. He glanced back to the handle with its green emeralds. He had to admit that the sword looked far more expensive than the shield.

" While we wait, lets get the loan from the guild master." said Reskeme. Reskeme changed his mind about the loan for two reasons. First, he had to admit the gems looked beautiful. and Reskeme needed an excuse to snoop around the guild master's office.

Wiping his sweat soaked hands on his leather apron, Micheal smile at him and nodded.

" Lets go! I can wait to see what he thinks of the shield." said Reskeme, walking over and hefting the metal shield from a wooden peg on the wall.

Reskeme used the longer of the leather straps and slung the shield over his back. He had to adjust the buckle but after sliding the buckle a few times he could carry the shield with no discomfort.

Reskeme actually felt like a soldier again for a moment. He had a shield on his back and the sabre at his hip. Well, the sabre could only be classified as garbage at this point. An idea struck him. Following Michael outside of their workroom, Reskeme posed a question.

" Michael, could we melt down the handle from the sabre and get the gold and silver from it?" asked Reskeme. After all, if they could, surely they could sell it or even use it to decorate the shield.

Glancing over his shoulder, Michael said," We could, but there is not much there. Judging by the weight of the sabre, then its simply gold plated. That means it's an extremely thin layer of gold to make the sword appear cast with gold." said Michael.

" Damit, I thought maybe we could do something with this damned sabre. I feel like I'm carrying around a piece of scrap metal." grumbled Reskeme.

" We could melt it down and reforge it into a new sword, if you would like?" asked Michael.

As they were approaching the doorway leading to the guild from the courtyard, four people strode from the building, each dressed in dark clothing ranging from dark brown to a deep navy blue. From Reskemes experience, only the wealthy of Pentir could afford such luxurious dark colours.

Michael went quiet as they walked past the four nobles. Reskeme wonder why the nobles were not dressed in an apron like both Michael and Reskeme were? They were Runesmiths, right? Surely they did the blacksmithing as well. Reskeme smiled at the leader of the group, Stan. Stan sneered at them, all the while not bothering to hold the door for his friends. Stan pushed past Michael and intentionally bumped into Reskeme as he passed. Reskemes fingers dipped into the man's front pocket upon contact, his hand darted in like a snake, carefully grasping the first thing his fingers came in contact with.

" Watch it, peasant!" said Stan, scowling back at him.

Reskeme, not wanting the man to suspect him of anything, smiled and bowed his head in what he hoped was a subservient look.

" I'm sorry, my lord, I did not mean to! Please forgive me." said Reskeme.

" Its good you know your place." Stan grinned. "Is that the weapon you made? Look, Ethan, these peasants made a shield!" said Stan as he burst into laughter.

Reskeme really didn't want Michael to rise to the bate and so he gently nudged his new friend on the back.

" We have a lot to do lets go!" said Reskeme, as the snickering nobles passed them. Reskemes could see Michael's red cheeks as the nobles comments continued.

"I cannot believe they think such a plain weapon will win." said the Waman walking with the two nobles.

" You should have bet them more!" laughed the other.

" I would have, but do you see their clothing? They are going to be in my debt when we win." said Stan.

Reskeme scowled at the nobles backs. Unlike Michael, Reskeme knew the shield and sword were something special.

" Do you think they are right?" asked Michael. As they approached the receptionist that guarded against unwanted visitors.

They ran into an official who was talking to the receptionist. Reskeme recognised the official, it was Michael's friend.

" What is that guy's name again?" asked Reskeme, eyeing the tall skinny man greying at the temples.

" His name is Wallace, and he is a good friend of mine. I owe him a lot so please be respectful." asked Michael. Reskeme showed Michael an aghast look. What? He would never be disrespectful.

" Greetings Wallace! I have an item I think the guild master might be interest in." said Michael as they approached.

" Really? I would like to see the item before I trouble the guild master." Reply Wallace, smoothing out his dark embroidered doublet.

Wallace's expression was interested as Reskeme took the plain but polished shield from his back.

The only ornaments on the shield were a ring of silver wire that circled the runes placed in the middle, giving the shield a practical look in Reskeme's opinion. The shield hung on his forearm, reflecting the firelight. Reskeme had to admit it was beautiful, with the green and purple runes twisting and turning as they spiraled across the surface.

" Its simple but the polished shield is rather alluring with those purple and green runes. And is that a monster's heart on the back of the shield?" Asked Wallace curiously.

" Yes, we have added a monster's heart to the sword and this shield. I think you might be interested in the result." Said Michael.

" The guild master is busy, but I can accompany you to the training hall. If your sword is of the same quality, I might give a loan." said Wallace.

" Wait, how did you know?" asked Michael.

" Its obvious. Many of our members do so. Its profitable for the guild to sponsor its members for their better projects." said Wallace.

" Thanks, Wallace. May we go now?" asked Michael. Wallace nodded his head.

Reskeme followed from the back as Michael, and Wallace strode down the hall towards the training hall. They took several doors and followed a hallway that seemed familiar. Something tickled at Reskeme's skin even before he reached the door. It filled Reskeme with a sense of foreboding as all three of them passed the two guards.

" Hey Vern, that is the kid that was snooping around here the other day?" asked one guard. Reskeme cocked his head, listening intently for the reply.

" Ya, we gotta keep an eye on him. It may just be my boredom but I swear that kid is looking for a way into the vault." said the other guard.

" He is just a no good busy body. If he tries anything we will smack him about." scoffed the first guard.

Reskeme furrowed his brow. Was he really so suspicious? He didn't try to make people distrust him. Just then, Reskeme remembered he had lifted something from Stan's pocket when the noble ran into him.

Reskeme reached into his pocket, finding the hard item he had liberated. He pulled it out, expecting a gold coin. Damit Reskeme scowled at the item in his hand. It was a shiny locket that wasn't gold or silver. Reskeme opened the item, making sure the two people ahead of him weren't looking. Inside was the pictures of a young girl of five years and another boy of perhaps eight. Reskeme closed the locket. Well, that wasn't good. He felt shame for his actions. Reskeme tucked the item away. He would need to return the item in a way that Stan wouldn't suspect him. Hopefully, the man would just think he had lost it until Reskeme returned the keepsake.

After walking through the maze of the guild for several minutes, they finally arrived. The large training room with its stone walls open sky made Reskeme breathe deeply as he walked into the fresh air. Unlike the training hall for sword practice, they clearly meant this place for magic. Reskeme excitedly ran over to the closest wall, admiring the runes. At first Reskeme had thought it was moronic to have such a place inside, but after seeing the complex runes that shimmered slightly, Reskeme was impressed.

Reskeme really wanted to spend more time to study the runes, but Wallace cut his introspection off. That nullification rune on the stone bricks was more complex than the one he used.

" Well, Reskeme, can you show us what the shield does?" asked Wallace. His cheeks flushing, Reskeme pulled the shield from his back and slipped his hand into the leather straps, tightening the buckles for a firm fit.

" Keep your distance. You don't want to get touched by the affects of the shield." said Reskeme. After both Michael and Wallace walked a suitable distance away, Reskeme took in a deep breath. He channeled his mana and linked to the monster's heart with a simple effort of his will. Mana oozed from the monster's heart and within the blink of an eye, a dome framed by four runes formed around Reskeme. Green fire popped and crackled, nearly blinding him as the flames brightened the cloudy day.

The two outside of the dome stare at him, mouths agape. Reskeme smiled down at the shield. Rune smithing almost seemed like cheating. With no effort Reskeme had just channeled a four layered barrier near instantly. No wonder rune forged weapons were so expensive.

" Can you move with the dome still active?" asked Wallace.

Reskeme took a few steps forward. The dome stayed still as Reskeme approached the shimmering wall. Wallace frowned, but seemed unsurprised.

" Can you make the mana dome bigger?" asked Wallace.

Reskemes eyes went wide, when he channel mana into the monster's heart and willed the dome to expand. The dome grew and grew until there were ten steps ahead of him and behind him. The barrier stopped just in front of the Wallace.

" Thats all! The barrier won't expand any more." said Reskeme.

" All? That's impressive. That shield could protect ten to fifteen people from attacks by mages and arrows alike." said Wallace.

" Wait here. I want to test its strength!" said Wallace. The thin, grey-haired man practically ran from the room, his excitement evident. Returning after a minute, the man enters the room carrying three spears. Reskemes eyes went wide as Wallace passed Michael a spear and gestured towards the shimmering green barrier.

Grinning, Michael lunged at the shimmering dome. The spear head crackled and smoked as it enter the shield. It was as though Micheal was stabbing into water. Michael withdrew the spear head and gaped at the melted head and smoking wood. Burning metal and the stench of wood filled his Reskeme's nose.

" Well, I did not expect that! I know you said you have a deviant form of life magic but that is bizarre." said Wallace.

" Watch out, I'm going to throw one at the barrier." said Michael, a grin splitting his face. Reskeme sighed. Why was he always the practice dummy?

Without hesitation, Michael threw one of the two remaining spears at the shimmering green dome. The spear struck the dome and entered; the barrier flashed all the mana in the barrier, focusing on the spear's impact. Moments later the spear fell to the ground as ash. Michael's face went pale as he stared at the remains of the spear inside the barrier.

" I am impressed." said Wallace. The older man took the last spear and channel mana. Runes formed on the spear's head as the older man used battle magic. Michael moved aside and Reskeme prepared to dodge, just in case.

Several red runes formed around the tip of the spear. Anxiety filled Reskeme as Wallace hurled the spear with an astonishing speed towards the barrier. The barrier rang like a hammer striking an anvil and crackled, the green flames flowing towards the spear impact zone instantly. The spear halted in the air and clatter to the ground, sizzling and smoking. A plume of smoke smelling of a week old chamber pot drifted to Reskeme's nose. He blanch taking a few steps back.

" Now that is more like it. A shield meant to stop magic and can also stop arrows and spears. How many crowns do you need?" asked Wallace.

" Five gold crowns," said Reskeme He avoided Michael's glare and stare hopefully into Wallace's intelligent brown eyes.

" If the sword is as impressive as this shield, I can offer you ten gold crowns. You will need to keep in mind that you already owe five gold crowns. Whatever you borrow from here will be added onto that." said Wallace.

Reskeme almost feinted. All he could think about was the stupidly large number, Wallace said.

" What do you think, Michael." asked Reskeme. He wanted to say yes, but he wasn't sure if they could pay back fifteen gold crowns.

" It may be a good idea. If we get the coins in advance, we can prepare for our next project." Said Michael.

Reskeme noticed something odd. He was channeling mana into the monster's heart and could sense that it was slowly loosing power. After several minutes of testing and the monster's heart was only now loosing a trickle of its power. Reskeme smiled. From the rate at which it was emptying, the barrier could last maybe an hour? Reskeme of course failed to consider the fact that when the barrier was attacked the monster's heart would use vastly more of its stored mana to maintain the barrier.

" Alright Michael, come with me, I need your signature for the loan." said Wallace. Reskeme felt left out as Michael and Wallace left him alone in the training room, standing inside the green barrier.

Reskeme could hear Michael as the man yelled! " I will meet you back in the workroom in half of an hour!"

Slinging the shield over his shoulder, Reskeme peered out of the training hall. He locked the front door, then walked back to the center of the room. Channeling his illusion magic, Reskeme wrapped himself in the power. He wrapped the first layer and the second, creating the third at the same time. It was like filling two panes of glass with water. Holding out his hand, Reskeme eyed his palm. His veins burned as he tried to accomplish his goal. His skin flickered, changing colours as he adjusted each of the layers. Wincing in pain, Reskeme focused intently. How in the hell was it supposed to work? No matter how hard he tried, his skin shifted only when he wanted it to. His illusions would be useless if they didn't adjust on their own.

Reskeme scowled as his skin tone refused to change. The air around his skin was changing colour, but his skin refused to change from a light brown. Reskeme stares in confusion. Wait a minute. Was the amulet Kellar made for him stopping him from changing his appearance? Reskeme reached into his apron and pulled out the runed amulet. Even after all of his study on runes, Reskeme failed to recognise most of the runes on the amulet. He recognized the small, seemingly plain rock embedded in the center. However, it was a small monster's heart. He took the amulet from his neck and then tried recreating the illusions. He quickly created the first three layers and willed the fourth to be no colour. His idea was that if the final layer was created with no colour, all of his illusion layers would change to their surroundings.

His hand faded from sight on the edges, as though covered in a slight haze of fog. The air whooshed as Reskeme broke his illusions. He panted for breath and tried again. He created the first three layers with as much mana as possible this time. He choked as the air shimmer with the thickness of his illusion mana. The fourth layer he once again willed to be no colour. The fourth rune, which was the control rune, guided the affects of the other three. And so willing the fourth rune to do something would affect the first three. Reskeme practically jumped for joy when his hand faded from sight slowly. He stood perfectly still and, much to his delight, his red skin blended with the dark smooth stone floor.

He shudder at the pain of channeling, the camouflaged distorted, revealing his hand once again. Reskeme cut off the flow of mana. Although it was interesting, that kind of camouflage was completely useless. Reskeme would need to spend some more time to mimic the sword before they sold it. He wanted the sword itself but recognised the fact that he couldn't keep it. Weapons were disposable. If he learned the ability, he couldn't lose that.

Reskeme smiled. If he practiced, maybe he could learn camouflage comparable to the sword's ability. Nodding his head, Reskeme put on Kellar's illusion amulet, disguising his demonic appearance. He left the room and strode down the hallway, wondering how long he had spent practicing?

Oh well, Michael could wait. Reskeme wanted to do some more snooping. He wanted to see what that weird presence might be. Reskeme smiled as he walked past the two guards. The thug Vern on the left scowled at him and made a rude gesture. Grinning, Reskeme rounded the corner. He paused and leaned against the wall. Reskeme could still feel the malicious presence even from around the corner. That wasn't good. The first time Reskeme had walked past, he had felt it from next to the door. Visions of a green inferno filled his mind, making Reskeme shudder. From around the corner he heard the door creak, and faint words drifted down the hallway.

" Guild master, are you sure it is wise to continue bargaining with the dread lord? it is doubtlessly trying to deceive us." said a feminine voice in a hushed tone.

" Yes, of course, we cannot get all the information we need without proper study on the talismans." said the guild master. Reskeme blanched and hurriedly walked down the hall as the voices grew in volume. His heart thudded as he rushed to the next corner hopefully before the guild master seen him.