Of Cunning and Craft
Twenty Fifth Day of the First Month 294 AC
Maelor did not even look inside the heavy tome, he sent it on its way for those with the time and the inclination to pick through the self-aggrandizing rambles of the Brass Shapers. The less time it was near the city the less chance of it getting found. The fact that the damned thing had what looked like a tortured face trapped in a silent scream seemingly trying to burst from the brass of the cover just ensured he expedited it with a bit more force.
Lost 25,000 IM
Gained Master Work on Brass Forging (-2 progress needed to all related actions; Ritual of brass-breaking mildly enhanced)
The secrets of souls may only be written upon the stuff of souls, the note that came with the book had pompously proclaimed.
"Bloody lunatics," the young sorcerer scoffed, wiping his hands on his robe again as he entered the shop and closed the door firmly behind himself. "I've seen books made of bloody devils that aren't so twisted."
Bronn opens his mouth to say something, closes it, then settles on. "Aren't all books made of devils then?"
"Still grousing about learning to read and write properly?" the boy rolled his eyes. "You know the King isn't going to make you a lord if you can't read your own ledgers."
"I still say I can have a steward do it," the sellsword went down the same well-trod path, a touch of familiarity amid the strangeness and peril.
"Any reason why he shouldn't make the steward lord instead of you then?" Maelor asked, feigning innocence. "Your ancient and storied line mayhap?"
"My winning good looks," Bronn countered instantly. After a moment's silence he added in a more somber tone. "So you got any idea how much longer we'll be here for? I could do with a tankard at the Golden Hearth and a look at a sky that isn't on fire."
"No date set yet, but in a matter of months." Maelor drummed his fingers absently over the polished ember-oak table. "You know I'm going to miss this place a little when we go, not the city, that's a nightmare, the shop. Never thought I'd see the day when I'd not only be running a shop, but enjoying doing so as well."
"You could also take it up back in the Deep, wouldn't be the strangest distraction I've seen a lordling take up."
Maelor still had a moment of confusion at being called lordling, though it lasted far less than it would have once done. "Wouldn't be the same without the risk. Having the Dervishes burst though the door looking to catch us and have our souls struck into coin." He paused a moment. "Well alright, maybe I'd miss the city a little too, but I'm sure the King has no shortage of exciting places to send us."
"Here's to 'just enough excitement to be getting on with' then," Bronn toasted with a half-full wine cup.
What next?
[] Receive a report (Interlude series)
-[] From Slaver's Bay
-[] From Ghoyan Drohe
-[] From Gogossos
-[] Write in
[] Continue to the Reach
-[] Write in where to begin
[] Write in
OOC: Related projects in this context are things like forging metals with souls.