Perrin stared at the map of the city laid out in front of him with a frown. It was heavily marked with pins and notes, strings of various colors connected to pinpoints presenting a convoluted mess - in no small part because it made little sense even to him and he was the one who had made it.
"Gods boss, have you finally snapped?" Kleid commented drily as he walked into the room, without knocking, and stood over the layed out crime map. "Did it clear anything up?"
"No, it just makes me look insane," Perrin sighed, massaging his temples. "Analisa is sending Oren over, he'll be here tomorrow to help us hire some new aides. I've put an advert out in the paper."
"That will be good, Simon is thinking about quitting," Kleid nodded in agreement with the plan. "He'll hate it less if we're properly staffed. You should also think about hiring some stewards to take care of your properties and send reports rather than keep doing it ourselves. Your whole 'do it yourself' attitude is commendable but unrealistic."
Perrin looked at his aide and friend and winced at the sincere and unabashed annoyance on the other man's face. Perrin knew he was being unrealistic, but he'd had so many problems taking over the dukedom when they were younger that he had trouble trusting outsiders. They had particular problems with Stewards taking advantage of his naivete when he'd first come into power and the damage was still being mitigated.
"Having Oren will help with the screenings, so I will take what you say to heart," he agreed heavily. He knew the current workload was not just unrealistic, but also a bit cruel to his employees no matter how generous the pay. "How was your time off?"
"Grand! I got to spend time with my little sister, who is clever and pretty and good," Kleid gushed, "even when four petty men came barging in all up in arms about not being as clever as her."
Perrin sighed and looked up at his aide and friend's accusatory expression. Right, of course, he hadn't really shown proper contrition. He had been more aggressive than he had meant to be, especially with someone he knew a close friend trusted.
"I will apologize to Miss Kiava soon, Kleid. Did you notice anything untoward?"
"Nothing I can confirm as suspicious. There is a lot of curiosity about the new shop, especially because she still hasn't picked a name and given it a sign so no one is sure what it is. A lot of folks peeking in the front windows and such. Then on the street my sister is so unique and pretty that people tend to stare at her, so it has been hard for me to tell if it's her general brilliance or untoward intentions." Kleid was expressive and dramatic, posing and talking with his hands as he spoke of the hardships of guarding his "sister's" beauty.
Perrin did not disagree that Miss Kiava was very pretty, but frankly it was not his primary concern when it came to the young Artificer. He removed his glasses and rubbed his temples briefly before slipping the spectacles back over his nose. "I'm glad nothing happened during your guard duty, how about the state of her shop?"
"She had someone help her with pricing and such today. It will be a hit, she's probably the only artificer that thought to make protection for people other than the rich and powerful. It will take a while for folks to realize what a treasure her shop is, but eventually they will," Kleid explained with the same cheerful grin he had whenever he mentioned Kiava. "I am going after work today to ask what she found out."
"I'll go with you." Perrin was curious to see the shop, and he truly did want to apologize to the young woman for his and his friends' behavior last time. "Should I bring anything?"
"Chocolate," Kleid answered immediately. "I had her try it and she might be a bit addicted."
Perrin was not surprised to hear this, chocolate was still new to the country but it was already hugely popular and many chefs had begun the task of creating recipes that depended on it. The supply was still not as steady as it needed to be for it to be a sustainable market. It and several other trade goods were the reason for his cousin's current marriage talks.
"We'll get it on the way."
…
Kiava was enjoying the dinner at first, the restaurant hadn't been busy when they arrived. Now it was crowded and she was beginning to suspect that the people were not here for the food. Silas had been cheerful and charming at first, but now was reserved and polite.
A flash lit up the interior of the room and Silas sighed and gave her an apologetic smile. Kiava's thoughts were already on the tabloids she had read on her way to the city. Her chin firmed, better to turn this to her advantage then.
"Thank you again, Sir Iaska, for coming to my shop today to look at my wares."
He picked up on her intention right away. "It was my pleasure. After you saved all those children, the City Guard owed you a favor." He spoke more formally than before and it suddenly occurred to Kiava that the knight may have been flirting with her since they met.
Her face flamed unintentionally at the thought. "I wasn't aware when I moved here that Artificery was only used for large things, I am relieved that you think my Wards will appeal."
"Have you thought about what you want to name your workshop?"
"Whimsical Wards Artificery," she said with another blush. It felt a bit silly, but it also felt right given how they were so rare among the populace. "Do you think it will go well?"
"I do," Silas affirmed with a smile. "Wards that guard against illness and such will be very useful for the regular populace. I didn't even know such a thing was possible and Count Trak seemed thrilled when he saw them."
Both of them were speaking a bit more loudly than normal, while the conversations around them were unusually muted as they eves-dropped on the hero and the stranger. The surrounding murmurs rose at the revelation of this information.
"Wards can do that?" and similar were the prevalent questions, but then others would say that if Count Trak said it worked, then it definitely would - he was a Master Artificer and a noble after all.
When the bill came Kiava paid, announcing it was to thank him for coming to view her shop. She knew Silas had intended to do so, but there was someone from a paper in this restaurant and she did not want people to speculate that this was a date. The knight didn't say anything but he did seem amused.
They left calmly and walked back towards her shop together. As soon as they were out of sight of the shop she pulled out a Can't See Me Ward and activated it. "There, even if someone tries to follow they won't be able to see us that easily."
"Convenient, we usually have mages cast on us, I didn't know that it could also be imbued," Silas explained as he looked at the small carved figurine of a cat she was holding.
"The languages are different, a lot of people don't want to learn three languages to cast a spell that a mage can cast using one," Kiava explained with a grin, she was proud of herself after all, it had taken a lot of trial and error. "I have seen someone using a Don't See Me ward in the city, it's similar."
"Who did you see using that?"
"I think it was someone from the newspaper, it was when I got out of the Temple with Kleid."
"What is the distinction between your ward and the one you saw?" Silas seemed curious and Kiava smiled cheerfully.
"Can't See Me manipulates shadows to obscure a figure, it can be imbued on specialty cloths and certain woods. Don't See Me manipulates light to make people unable to see us, but they require more power and need to be imbued on something that can refract light - gems are best but specially tempered glass is a good cheaper alternative," Kiava explained enthusiastically, and she bounced as they walked.
Silas seemed interested in what she was saying and paid attention to her. It was a little thrilling to have his golden eyes focused on her with warm interest. He seemed fascinated by Artificery. As they turned onto her street she deactivated the Ward and put it away.
"Kiava!" a voice called cheerfully and she looked up to see Kleid and Duke Levast waiting in front of her locked shop.
"Your Grace, Kleid!" She curtsied a bit awkwardly. She thought she heard Silas 'tsk' but when she looked at his face he had a lazy grin on his face.
"Perrin, Kleid, what are you doing here?" the knight asked easily.
"I'm here to apologize to Miss Kiava and to ask about her workshop," Perrin explained to his friend briefly before turning back to her and offering a bow. "During our last visit I behaved poorly and I want to offer a sincere apology. Please accept these chocolates as a token of my sincerity." He handed her a small tray box after taking a few steps closer to her and the knight.
"Chocolate, why didn't I think of that?" Silas muttered, but a quick glance again revealed the same grin.
"Thank you, your Grace." She took the box with a slightly awkward smile. "I appreciate your coming and accept the apology. Lord Trak came and helped me with pricing today, and I ordered my sign this morning. I should be open in a week," she explained as she led all three to the door and unlocked it. "Would you all like to come in for a drink?" she offered, "I bought some ciders." It was late to offer tea, but she was excited to see Kleid and wanted to show him how much money she was set to make.
"Sounds great," Silas agreed, readily heading inside and sitting on her work table to wait for the other two to look around.
"Thanks for letting us in," the duke said with a smile and nod, walking in and looking around with interest.
"What did you decide to call it?" Kleid asked instead, grabbing her arm and shutting the door as he had her escort him around the stocked shop.
"Whimsical Wards Artificery," she said with a blush, "My imbuements seem to deviate from what most people in the city are making and buying so I thought it was fitting."
"I like it," Kleid nodded after a moment's thought, viewing the various shelves with a growing realization that his friend was going to be financially comfortable for the rest of her life. Not because everything was expensive, but because so much of it wasn't and would appeal to anyone with disposable income.
"Do you sell those Can't See Me Wards?" Silas asked, looking around from his seat.
Kiava shook her head. "Not on the floor, it would be too easy to abuse for nefarious purposes. I talked with Trak today and he recommended I sell them only under contract so even if someone does use it for ill they can be traced. I was thinking of offering my current stock to the city guard and only making them for government officials to avoid potential liability."
Perrin asked and so she explained once more for the benefit of Kleid and the duke.