After increasing her inventory as much as she could, SJ and Yawnee continued to complete their shopping expedition. SJ still needed to find Daek about new claws and darts, but that would have to wait for now. Time had ticked on, and they had purchased several items for the house as well.
"Let's call in at the tanner and see if he has finished the boots, then we can head back."
The rain had eventually stopped, and the sun, which had now broken through the clouds, brought many more onto the streets. Hawkers seemed to spring up all over, and as they walked along, many called trying to sell their wares, offering unimaginable items that would bring luck or charms of all varieties—small wooden crates displaying their goods. Kindly rejecting any offers they reached the tanner.
As the bell tinkled when they entered the shop, Preston looked up beaming at them both, "Yawnee, SJ, welcome back, and perfect timing. I finished your boots only minutes ago."
"That's amazing. How did they turn out?"
"See for yourself," Preston said, lifting the boots onto the counter.
As her display triggered, SJ picked one up, turning it in her hand.
Boots of the Unhindered
Grade - Mythic
Quality - Perfection
Durability - Perfection
Enchantment Slots - Four
Armour Class - 14
Attributes - Sure Step terrain doesn't hamper your movement.
The boots were a beautiful black, not shiny but matt. They seemed to absorb light and would be perfect when night flying. The leather felt so soft in her hand, almost as soft as silk. Removing one of her boots, she pulled one on. As her foot slipped into the boot, it resized. They were as soft as her previous pair and so supple they seemed to gel to her legs. They stopped above her knee, pulling on the other boot as she bent and stretched in them. Even though the material ran behind her knees, it didn't restrict her movement and felt like the lycra leggings she had on Earth.
"These are beautiful."
"If I didn't know any better, I would think that Ariana herself had made them. They were the easiest pair I have made in a very long time. Everything went perfectly, and to trigger a named pair as well was unexpected."
"Who is Ariana, and you didn't make them that way?"
Preston laughed. "No, named items are luck based. Ariana is the goddess of tanners."
'Fizzlewick's sister,' SJ thought. 'She wouldn't have, would she?'
"Who really knows what Fizzlewick gets up to, or any of the gods?" Dave said. SJ imagined him shrugging.
"How much do I owe you?"
Preston winced slightly at the question before he answered, "With the naming and the mythic grade, I would usually charge at least forty gold, but since named weren't requested and you are a friend of Yawnee, I could let you have them for thirty-three."
They were much more expensive than SJ had imagined, but also much more than she had hoped for in a boot without looking to buy specific magic boots.
'Dave. Does the price sound fair?'
"Very," Dave replied quickly.
Removing thirty-three gold from her inventory, SJ placed it on the counter. "Do you know where the best enchanters are? I would love to get a repair enchantment."
"The best works for the chancellor. Alec, the Arch-mage of Asterfal. If you are after decent enchantments, then if you visit the guilds in District 7, I know several of them have decent enchanters. The prices, I believe, are quite high, even for basic stuff."
"Thanks, Preston. That's really helpful."
Not considering the professions of those in the tower, SJ felt a little daft.
"What do you wish to do with your old boots?"
SJ hadn't considered them. Looking at the worn and stained boots. "I am not sure they are worth much now."
"If you find someone with a refresh spell, they could return them to almost new. They lose two levels of durability but would give them value for resale. It depends on how much they charge for the refresh. If I had those boots from new and were looking to sell them, I would look to sell them for twenty gold plus because of the naming. Losing two durability levels, probably sixteen. So it is possible to make some gold back on them."
Placing her old boots into her inventory, they wished Preston well and left the shop, returning to the house.
"Thank you for today, Yawnee."
"It was my pleasure. I have never been on such a shopping spree before, and it was quite exhilarating."
Reminding herself that Yawnee and Lurtew made so few copper each day from their coopers profession, SJ felt a little guilty. She had spent so much money that they could have bought several homes in Asterfal, and would very likely never need to work a day's life again in the future, if they had that sort of money.
On entering the garage, Lurtew was busy completing the finishing touches on a barrel. Cristy was prowling backwards and forwards across the garage.
"About time," Cristy said, seeing SJ.
"For what?" SJ said.
"You have been gone hours, and we need you at Petunia's. Come on, get a move on." Cristy said, grabbing SJ by her hand and pulling her from the garage.
"Wait, a second. I need to drop everything off first." Walking to an empty countertop, SJ unloaded her inventory. Cristy watched impatiently as SJ removed item after item until the counter was covered in her purchases for those back in Killic and the house.
"I will sort through them," Yawnee said, smiling. "You better go with Cristy."
"Come on," Cristy grabbed her hand and dragged her outside.
As they hurried towards Petunia's, Cristy gave SJ a rundown of what she had been doing. That morning, Petunia went to speak to Jay at the stables, and then Jay came and collected Cristy to run some errands for her. They had been to several areas in the city to collect specific items Petunia had requested. Neither of them had any idea what they were for, and it was when they got back to Petunia's and found Zigferd talking to Petunia that everything had come out.
Zigferd was still as stubborn, but when Tanias had arrived and explained his deepest fears over Isavil being taken to the elven capital, he eventually agreed. Tanias had almost begged Zigferd to marry his daughter. The items that Cristy and Jay had been collecting were for a ceremony, and Petunia was getting them in case the marriage was going to go ahead, which, thankfully, it was.
Zigferd still had to propose to Isavil and follow the usual protocols expected of elven culture. Tanias had obviously given his blessing, so that wasn't an issue, but Isavil had been busy in meetings all day at the tower and would finish soon. She had been asked to come straight to Petunia's when she did. She wasn't aware of what was happening.
As Cristy gabbled away excitedly, SJ couldn't help but feel elated at the thought of Zigferd being married. Darren and Alice were due to wed in several months, and this would be the first marriage she had witnessed in Amathera. Cristy didn't stop dragging SJ until they arrived at Petunia's front door. Not even knocking, Cristy barged in. Petunia Tanias and Zigferd stood in the open entrance. Petunia's home was less lavish and nowhere near as large as Otherlisar's mansion.
"Excellent, you are here," Petunia grinned. "Jay is at the tower waiting for Isavil to collect her. Fasvil and the others should be here imminently."
SJ noticed Zigferd was dressed in an immaculate suit, similar to the one he had worn for the funerals in Kilic. He looked terrified and paced nervously.
"So what's the plan?" SJ asked as Petunia ushered them into a large lounge that, with its many books on shelves, felt more like a library.
"As soon as Zigferd proposes and Isavil accepts, we will head to the gazebo to hold a ceremony. Follow me."
SJ walked through the room and down a corridor into an immaculate garden at the rear. A large white gazebo and several chairs with a white arch covered in laurel leaves had been put up. A large ornate great axe was positioned at the arch's centre, reminding SJ of Killic's emblem.
"This is beautiful."
"You can thank Jay and Cristy. They have done it all."
Beaming, SJ felt proud of the pair. They had done an amazing job. "I wish I had known what was going on. I would have helped."
"No need to worry. We have everything in hand, and I have been waiting for this moment for fifty years," Petunia chuckled.
"It's just a shame Alice isn't here to see it."
"Ah. I have that covered for you. Alec will be here soon and create a crystal orb for the ceremony that Zigferd and Isavil can keep."
"A crystal orb?"
"Yes. Alec can capture his vision into an orb, and it saves what he sees."
"I didn't know that was even possible?!"
"It is very mana-intensive, but I will give him replenishment charms to keep him topped up."
Walking back into the house, SJ nearly walked into Otherlisar, who was walking down the corridor with the chancellor and Wystria. Several more beings arrived. SJ recognised from the tower, all making their way into the garden and taking seats. SJ stood in the lounge as Zigferd appeared to get even more nervous with every passing moment.
SJ walked over to Zigferd and grabbed his hand as he paced. Turning, he looked at her. "You deserve this," she said.
A tear formed in the corner of his eye, and he wiped it away quickly. He stood and took a deep breath, composing himself. Zigferd hugged SJ and whispered in her ear, "Thank you."
Alec arrived and was ushered off by Petunia, who handed him several items and then stood chanting and casting several spells on him. Alec almost glowed when Petunia had finished, his eyes open in amazement. Petunia just winked at him and then handed him a large crystal ball.
"You record every moment," Petunia said.
"I will your worship," Alec said.
The respect and power that this small, innocuous gnome held was remarkable.
"She is coming," Cristy shouted excitedly.
"Everyone out," Petunia shouted. As those still in the lounge moved to the garden, Alec positioned himself to have a clear view of the hallway but from sight. Tanias, Petunia, and Cristy all stood in the lounge with SJ, hiding from the entrance.
"They are coming down the path."
Zigferd had stopped pacing and now knelt with his head down, muttering in front of the door. The door opened, and SJ heard Fasvil's voice. "I do not know, sister; Petunia told me it was urgent, and you had to come immediately."
"I am worried something is wrong with Father," Isavil replied before coming to a dead stop as she saw Zigferd.
Zigferd looked up. Opening his hands, he held a beautiful white flower in his palms. As he spoke, his voice cracked. "Isavil, you are and have been the love of my life for over half a century. I am so sorry I have taken so long to come to my senses and the heartache I have caused you over time. Would you be so kind as to accept this undeserving lycan as your husband?"
Isavil stood in wide-eyed silence for what felt like an eternity. The tension was insane, and SJ was sure she felt energy crackling around the room.
"Yes, you great oaf. Yes," Isavil said as she ran towards him. Zigferd stood just in time to catch her, and she flung her arms around his neck, tears flowing from her eyes. Fasvil stood behind his sister with a huge grin on his face.
The lounge erupted in cheers, and Isavil turned, shocked to see them standing there.
"Petunia, you devil," Isavil said, beaming.
Petunia grinned. "Don't thank me. You need to thank SJ. She broke through his stubbornness. I just finished him off."
Isavil couldn't have looked happier. Zigferd looked in shock.
"Now, time for a ceremony," Petunia said.
"What?" Isavil said, shocked.
"There's no time like the present," Petunia said as she walked over, taking Isavil by the hand and pulling her towards the stairs.
"But, but..." Isavil said as she was dragged away.
"I will explain all," Petunia said. "The rest of you take your positions."
Fasvil and Tanias stood talking to Zigferd as Cristy approached SJ and hugged her.
"This is the most amazing day ever," she said. SJ hugged her back.
They all moved to the garden and took seats while waiting for Isavil and Petunia. Zigferd stood at the front under the arch, still looking terrified. Those who sat around spoke quietly as they waited. A bard stood off to one side, and Petunia appeared, walking to the arch.
"Is everybody ready?" she asked as silence fell across the gathering. "Lewis, if you please."
The bard lifted a flute, or similar instrument, to his lips, and the softest melody filled the garden. Turning, straining to see SJ, she watched as the angelic form of a changed Isavil made her way to the arch. She wore a beautiful pale yellow dress, her long blonde hair flowing around her shoulders topped with a circlet of gold, as she appeared to float towards the arch. SJ noticed Tanias and Fasvil had tears in their eyes as they watched her. She could feel her own welling up.
Petunia's ceremony was beautiful, and no one watching was left with dry eyes as Isavil said the final words of her vows.
"...and through whatever our lives bring us in our time together, I will love you more daily."
"You may now kiss the bride," Petunia said, a tear escaping for the first time.
As they kissed, those watching erupted, cheering and clapping.
"Right, everybody, into the lounge for drinks while the garden is sorted out for food."
Everyone filtered into the lounge. Servers had appeared from out of nowhere carrying trays of drinks, while everyone in attendance congratulated the happy couple. SJ could tell with the precision that everything happened Petunia had been planning this for a long time. As the evening wore on, the drinks flowed and the music played. Petunia had transformed the garden again by setting up tables and chairs for eating. Shortly after people finished eating, several got up and started dancing. Cristy was in her element, making the most of the dance floor, and SJ was surprised at how good she was.
"What an amazing day," Dave said as SJ climbed into the cart that Jay had brought around the front. He had been involved just as much as everyone else in the celebrations, and SJ wasn't sure if he should be driving. He had grunted her off, saying he was fine, and as they left towards the tower, they continued to chatter about the evening. Cristy was staying at Petunia's and had fallen asleep sometime earlier after discovering she had been filching brandy. Zigferd and Isavil were returning to her place that evening, and many other councillors had eventually left, although a few had remained where they had fallen asleep because of drinking.
'Today was perfect,' SJ thought, feeling lightheaded. Climbing from the cart, she thanked Jay before walking towards the bushes and transforming. Taking off, she was a little wobbly as she rose to her room. Landing harder than usual, she walked into her room before flopping on her bed, throwing her arms out, and grinning.
"Night SJ, sleep well," Dave said.
