Upon entering Jess felt her body tense up in surprise and awe, her eyes widening at the display before her, her heart racing with a sense of exhilaration. “By the angels above. Is that… mithril?”
The queen nodded solemnly, she too gazing at the ancient bronze mannequin and weapon racks before them. Jess beheld a display of exquisitely crafted steel weaponry that was as impressive as Eloquin's own extensive collection, blades broader than what were used today, but with an inviting nod from Karine she found their balance exquisite for powerful arcing slashes, arming swords a bit more weighty than what she had trained with at Highrock, but fitting comfortably in the hand, maneuverable and perfectly balanced. And razor sharp, Jess found. No doubt capable of cutting even through even boiled rawhide, much like Eloquin's cavalry sabers could, if one was trained in the art. Even the war hammers on display were made with exquisite craftsmanship, their weight and balance perfectly suited for puncturing mail armor with the spike end, if the force of the blow was sufficient, or shattering bone through mail if wielded with the hammer end facing.
As Jess examined the armaments on display, she was increasingly awed by the exquisite craftsmanship and the quality of the steel used. The suits before her, made of overlapping bands of steel plates, were a brilliantly crafted version of laminar armor that had not been seen in active use for centuries, the few pieces she had ever seen lacking the smooth articulation that Jess, with a bemused nod from Karine, noted that the suits of armor before her still possessed, never mind that it all should have rusted, centuries ago.
Jess gave an impressed whistle, somehow intuiting the secret of the armor's exquisite flexibility. Sliding rivets. She had never heard of the like before. The laminar she was examining had been forged with secrets of construction that Jess was humbled to realize far surpassed the armorsmiths of her day. And perhaps of even greater significance, the steel itself seemed to have been forged by some process that allowed a uniform sheen, as if it were completely free of blemish or inclusion, steel of uniform strength and resiliency. Armaments that were far superior to even the masterwork suit of plate and mail Lord diOnni had commissioned for her brother. And the artifacts before her were ancient, having lain undisturbed for centuries.
It made her wonder how many of civilization's secrets, both wondrous and terrible, had been lost over the years. She knew of the fabled cataclysm, of course. Details so sketchy, yet one truth remained. Steel was far less malleable when formed in large pieces than it once had been, and Jess feared that even these exquisitely wrought suits would shatter under the stresses of the battlefield. For all that they were made by processes that modern smiths could no longer replicate, she feared the steel would have the same tragic flaw all larger pieces of steel armor now did. A key reason why mail, made of several thousand small interlocking rings of metal, was so favored. Such rings were no easier to rupture than they had been a thousand years ago, Eloquin had told them, such that even if one's horrifically expensive breastplate still shattered under a killing blow, the mail worn underneath may yet save one's life.
Yet it was what truly captured her awe that she held back from touching until the very last. For the final suit, the one that matched the armor worn by the warrior queen in the tapestries behind them was made of the most perfectly polished steel, save for the pair of gauntlets and an exquisitely crafted helm. Those artifacts of shimmering rainbow-like luminescence could only be artifacts of mithril.
With a silent query and a bemused nod from Karine, Jess solemnly removed the helmet from the mannequin before her, checking its ancient straps and inner padding, finding it to be perfectly preserved, and made of the most supple leather she had ever beheld. It showed absolutely no signs of wear or rot, and she could sense its strength was near that of the very mithril she held.
She felt the slightest tingle of awe, realizing that it was padded with the very same material as lined the sheath of her mithril blade. Carefully, she bundled her hair to serve as extra padding and strapped on the helmet. It was a perfect fit, exquisitely contoured to hook onto the loose collar of her mithril hauberk and so protect her neck, though the protection would be far better served with a gorget of treated rawhide underneath, were she truly ready to Delve or head into battle.
Her hearing and breathing both were unaffected, so well constructed it was, and her range of sight was only minimally hindered, even with the visor closed. It was truly an exquisite work of craftsmanship. "By Justice, this is a well-forged helm! The leather webbing and padding also assure it fits near perfect, well suited to absorbing the shock of most any blow to my head. I'm amazed it hasn't dried and rotted out, these many years it has been preserved here."
Twilight flashed a catlike grin. "That's because it's lined with dragonskin. Not your common leather, that."
Jess blinked, struck momentarily speechless. “Dragonskin?” Yet on some level she realized she had known that already. Just forgotten it, somehow.
"Of course," Twilight nodded. "Not so surprising, really. What do you think mithril is made of, anyway?"
“Do share your wisdom with us, noble Twilight.” Karine’s voice was soft, near breathless, her wondrous gaze a mirror of Jess's own, even as she continuously snuck furtive glances at the life-sized portraits lining the chambers, just as shaken as Jess was by the uncanny resemblance her rescuer had to an ancient warrior queen long lost to legend.
"The bones of dragons." Twilight paused, pinning Jess with a look laden with unspoken meaning. "The most terrible mithril artifacts are made of the bone and essence of Darkwings themselves. Hideous constructs of dragon, demon, and magic that in their short lifespans wielded unimaginable power and potency, until they eventually burned out in explosive supernovas of destruction very much like a miniature dying sun, leaving nothing but ash and ruin in their wake.”
Twilight seemed reflective for a moment, even as his audience gazed at him in speechless wonder. "It was the dragons' ultimate weapon in a war they had waged with demonkind for the fate of endless realms for millennia. Eventually however, those inhabitants of the darker planes of Oblivion came up with a weapon so terrible, so potent, that it forced a truce between demon and dragonkind that holds to this day. And still there are those on both sides who worry about the fate of all realms, should that weapon one day erupt, unleashing all its dread potential, leaving behind naught but ash and ruin from the deepest Hells to the highest reaches of the Heavens above."
Twilight's grin then turned teasing. "But that legend is as old as time itself, and one many would consider naught but a fanciful bard's tale. Suffice it to say, your new mithril toys are as shiny and durable as a questing warrior could ever hope to have, my dear mistress."
Jess grinned happily through her helm. "I agree, Twilight. Fantastic, isn't it?" She enthusiastically slipped on the brilliant mithril gauntlets, exquisitely crafted, every joint perfectly articulated. The clever hooks latched onto the sleeves of her mithril hauberk flawlessly. She raised her gauntlets to admire the fluid cascade of magical light flickering off them from the mage torches that had started to glow the moment they had entered these long forgotten chambers.
“Have you ever seen such perfect armor, Karine?” Jess enthused. “Karine?” Jess frowned, seeing the queen of this realm and a woman she would call friend favoring her with a stare so intent Jess felt a pang of nervous apprehension. “Karine, is something wrong?”
Abruptly blinking and shaking her head, Karine smiled warmly to allay Jess's concerns, though Jess could still feel the worry emanating from Karine's dark gaze. "No, my dear paladin. Nothing to trouble yourself over, in any event. Let me say instead that your armor is a perfect fit, as closely made for your frame as if the very angels above had had a hand in their creation." Flashing a bemused smile, Karine paused to look around at the chests near overflowing with silver and gold. "By the gods, that's a lot of wealth your ancestor left behind," Karine murmured ruefully.
Jess grinned warmly. “And I have no doubt you will use it well, for the bett
erment of your lands.”
Karine abruptly laughed, so caught off guard she was by Jess’s overture. “My dear Jess! By no means! One has only to gaze upon the likeness of the portraits preserved so perfectly in these chambers to know that this ancient queen is none other than your direct ancestor! And it was your hand, not mine, that unlatched wards of such potency that even I could sense their dread power. Wealth that would have been lost forever, had you not saved this realm from Oblivion itself.”
Karine shook her head solemnly. “No, my dear Jess. True queen of this land I may be, but your father the baron, sire of the one true paladin to walk the lands in these troubling times, I will still honor as my liege lord.”
Jess smiled and shrugged. “Keep it safe, then. I doubt it could possibly be safer than it is in here, locked away by magic and fortification, as it has been for a thousand years. I can only imagine the uproar it would cause, were the king and his court to find our families in possession of wealth that probably exceeds that of the treasury itself! As much as I love my country, as much as my soul is already stained with the blood of raiders and slavers I and my shieldbrothers have slain for our king, I have already seen more than my share of the dark serpents of jealousy and envy that infect so many men's souls.” Jess grimaced. “I have no doubt that some serpent-tongued counselor would find pretext for him to seize these lands, tearing them up and scouring for any other forgotten hoards, to say nothing of how much he would claim from us under the guise of royal taxes, which my father, wise as he is, would pay without batting an eye.”
Jess nodded firmly to herself. “Our families will keep this treasure safe, telling absolutely no one of its origins, taking only what we need in times of hardship, such that none would suspect anything but prudence, wise trading, and coin saved for hard times. Our bastion against the vagaries of life’s stormy seas.”
Karine’s gaze was solemn. “Well said, noble Jess.”
Twilight purred. “Good insights there, my wayward kitten. You have an intuitive understanding of the baser impulses that truly drive politics and commerce underneath the pretext of law and good intentions. And such frugal spending would keep both of your families flush with wealth for thousands of years. Perhaps there is hope for you yet.”
Jess grinned at that. “I don’t like politics. Not at all. But I do feel as if I could understand it. If I were to empty my brain of all thoughts of honor and idealism, the jaded cynicism that would flow in its place would let me understand those shadowy players and their convoluted machinations perfectly.” Jess shuddered. “That is something, however, I have no intention of ever doing. I will keep my dreams ever close to my heart, and let the callings of adventure and virtue guide me. Besides, with this much coinage at our disposal, why should we ever feel the need to play those games at all? So long as we practice discretion, we can stay safely above the muck and slime of political deal making and backbiting.” Jess grinned at the unspeakable display of wealth overflowing from the two adjoining chambers.
Twilight nodded approvingly. “It was always best when you avoided the grittier elements of that oldest of games, my dear Jess. A far finer thing to pursue your passions and leave those finicky issues to myself and those who have proven worthy of serving you.”
Jess grimaced as she raised her visor. “You’re doing it again, Twilight. Please stop hinting at things I really don’t want to hear.”
Her familiar grinned. “Of course, my mistress. But should you ever get it in your head that world domination is a worthy cause to strive for, I do hope you will consult with me first.”
Jess laughed at that. “And how could it ever by otherwise, my dear Twilight? You are always by my side, and never shy about sharing your opinion with me, particularly when you think I’m being an idiot.”
“I would never call you an idiot.” Twilight huffed at the thought. “Merely counsel that you might want to give various matters further thought before pursuing certain avenues of… discovery, shall we say?”
Jess nodded agreeably. “Exactly. Like you do when you think I’m being an idiot.”
Twilight grinned. “You are impulsive, my mistress. But hardly stupid. We would never have made it this far in the grand game we play, had it ever been otherwise. And perhaps we should continue this conversation another time, dear Jess? Karine is beginning to look a little bit… pale.”
Jess turned to gaze at Karine, noting that she did seem awfully pale, shivering slightly, as if she had seen an ancient specter of times long past, shocked to find such ghosts were very real indeed.
“Karine? Are you okay?” Jess’s voice was filled with concern.
Karine nodded abruptly, favoring Jess with a shaky smile. "Indeed, my paladin. Perhaps it would be best if I… rested for a while." She took a deep breath. "And let me say thank you. For honoring me as the keeper of your treasures. Rest assured, should your family ever have need of it, it will always be available to you. The Turnsbys shall always have extra coin available for our beloved Calenbrys, never mind the source." She winked. "I will tell your father it is your share on a particularly successful venture, which you bade me to give him directly. And I thank you as well for allowing my family the usage of such, should my father's mercantile fortunes ever meet folly."
Jess nodded in pleased agreement. "Exactly. Our families never need worry about financial hardship again! Now, with that dilemma out of our way, we can focus on pursuing the things that truly matter."
Twilight nodded. “And few arts are more worthy than that of culinary mastery, wouldn’t you agree, dear Jess?” Her cat purred as he gracefully leaped to his favorite perch, pouncing so expertly that Jess hardly felt his weight.
Jess nodded her agreement. "I, for one, am starving! Come, my queen. Let's see what the kitchen has prepared for us this eve!"
Karine chuckled warmly. "As worthy a pursuit as any. Follow me, my dear friends. Let us see what delights await us."
23
Pausing to make sure that the magic-laden bronze door wouldn't hesitate to accept Karine's entry in the future, they proceeded back to Karine's elegantly appointed study. It was only after they were reseated that Jess noted the fine web of magics subtly layered over the hidden panel in the rear of the fireplace. Indeed, laced throughout the room entire.
"Now I see why that hidden chamber was only discovered now, with your connection to your lands," Jess noted.
Karine nodded. "These chambers had been all but forgotten by our family for generations. Yet you'll notice the fine woods, rugs, and artwork hardly look the worse for wear. Even the head maid, shocked that not one of her servants had these quarters on their upkeep list, was all but mystified at the lack of dust." She gave a bemused smile. "Of course, having a sense of the mysteries of this place, I assured her that all was well and she need trouble herself no further with the upkeep of these quarters. And sure enough, she has all but completely forgotten they exist."
Jess nodded even as Karine poured them both generous glasses of fine apple cider into their crystal goblets from the chilled carafe the servant now waiting outside their door had thoughtfully brought them. Jess smacked her lips happily at the tart crisp flavor, a gesture that earned her no more than a bemused smile from her beautiful friend who looked so graceful in her silken skirt and blouse of deepest blue, and Jess felt her cheeks heat ever so slightly as she realized how very beautiful the queen of these estates, with her flawless skin, perfectly coiffed hair, and hauntingly beautiful eyes truly was. She found herself glancing away, imagining her sweet Onnika sleeping in blissful surrender in her quarters, and felt a guilty flush creep across her cheeks.
“Dear Jess, is all well?” Karine asked gently.
"No worries, Karine. All is well," Jess assured. "Now that you mention it, I can definitely sense the fine webs of magic interwoven in the very grains of wood of these chambers. Gentle wards more aptly called blessings, I suppose. Blessings of durability, protection, and misdirection. Both the wandering eye and the curious flame are unlike
ly to lock themselves to these chambers without your express direction, I suspect. Even dust itself would find fate forbidding it to settle upon these fine woods and rugs. 'Tis no wonder all is in such fine repair!"
Jess spent some moments peering most carefully at the faint filaments of power, resonating with a graceful pulse unlike any casting Jess had ever sensed before. "These are not elementalist wardings, either. Truly, it makes me wonder how old the Turnsby residence really is, at least this wing of it." Jess gave a bemused shake of her head. "If only I had the knack for magic myself! Replicating these wards would mean I'd never have to dust my own quarters again, nor could my family trouble me with bothersome ‘duties,' when I wished to be left alone!”
Jess and Karine shared a gentle chuckle at that, even as Karine continued to watch Jess with her gentle, measuring gaze. “A fair point, that, dear Jess. The Turnsby manor is indeed ancient, and was not even built by my ancestors, for all that we have added a few additions over the centuries. The heart of the manor, where we are located presently, was in fact purchased by my ancestors under most discrete circumstances. No doubt its long history under our docile wardship is what has allowed its true treasures to remain inviolate and perfectly preserved for so very long.”
Karine flashed an engaging smile. “With people and places alike, my Jess, sometimes it is best if one can play the wallflower and blossom behind the scenes, so to speak. Protected from the critical eyes of those unable to understand or appreciate one’s true beauty or talents.”
Jess gazed at her friend quizzically, even as her familiar chose that moment to pounce upon her chair and butt his head insistently for some petting, purring contentedly in her lap as her hand absently stroked his fur, her eyes now intently focused upon Karine’s own, fraught with unspoken meaning.
“And here is where we come to the heart of the matter, I think,” a bemused Twilight noted as Karine took a thoughtful moment to frame her words.
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