While Oren sat staring at the table, the rest of the group was discussing the armor. Grimdon and Voloren were trying to determine a fair price for the armor and shield, particularly since Monica returned a significant portion of the coins Grimdon had given them for food and a room. Based on the materials he received from the pommel and hilt of the sword, including the demon core within, he was still far ahead with what he gave them, but Monica had insisted.
Monica looked somberly at Von. "Hey V, do you think Sungrove has been trapped in the past and suddenly jumped forward, or did we jump backward when we entered the caverns or the bog, or maybe the altar? If we went back into history, maybe we can convince everyone of the threat of the rifts, and they can start trying to close them now instead of in a few hundred years when they're larger."
Shaking his head, he shrugged, "I honestly don't know, Mon. I've never seen coins like the ones Grimdon gave us last night, or so many other things we've seen. Some of the town seems normal, but some of it is just so out of place. I mean, they have vats and barrels with your family's stamp on them, so doesn't that mean the town is in our time?"
"I think you're right. The town has moved forward, not us moving backwards."
"In that case, we can sell the armor and shield, then get back to Marsgate via a coach or something after we get out of the bog. We should buy one or two of those lilies from the Mystic Emporium so we don't get lost on our way out."
"I already did, V. Grimdon gave us too much for one night's room and food, so I used part of it to get two lilies to help us get home."
"Speaking of the coins, Mon, I bet Lisa would be able to tell us about them. We can ask her while they discuss the armor, although I don't know if Oren will be alright. He just discovered his daughter was famous and powerful."
The two of them excused themselves to the larger workrooms at the far end of the field behind the shop. Entering, they discovered Lisa just as Von had left her, but in a different vat.
"Hey Lisa," he said. "You seem to know a lot; can you tell us how the coins work? I mean how much are the brass ones with a hole worth, and so on."
Looking at Von with doubts about his education in her mind, she responded, "That's easy. I'll start with the smallest value of coin. The first one we are have the brass coins, featuring a strange lizard under a hole, are known as Lizardarcs. Legend has it that these creatures once roamed the enchanted forests on the outskirts of Sungrove. The lizardarcs were revered for their mystical connection to nature. The brass coins are often associated with the city's druidic traditions and are considered symbols of good fortune. Each of them is worth one brass coin. The hole is so you can put a string or leather strip through them and hold groups of them together.
The triangular coins with birds: Those greenish-grey triangular coins, are named Aviarytens. They show different birds native to Yendora. Each bird symbolizes a different virtue or aspect of life and are often exchanged during festivals celebrating the kingdom's natural beauty. Aviarytens are also believed to bring luck and prosperity to those who possess them. These are worth ten lizards, hence the number ten on them.
The square coins with town depiction: Square coins, bearing the image of a town reminiscent of Sungrove, are called Groveons. Sungrove is a legendary town known for its harmony with nature and magical gardens. groveons are often used for everyday transactions and are considered a symbol of community and cooperation. They are worth one hundred lizards, that's why the number one hundred is on them.
The gold coin with circular patterns: The round gold coin, known as Auracircle, often called a 'circle' is a symbol of prosperity and abundance. The circular patterns touching the edges represent the interconnectedness of all aspects of life. Auracircles are often in larger day-to-day transactions but normally given as presents in ceremonies, weddings, and other joyous occasions. They are worth one thousand lizards.
The larger silver coin with weapon imagery: The larger silver coin, named Armari, tells the tales of Yendora's martial history. The front displays weapons wielded by legendary warriors, while the back features a suit of plate armor symbolizing strength and protection. Armari is often given as a reward for acts of valor or as a mark of honor among knights and adventurers. These coins are really made of mithril and are often used by smiths to make stuff or getting special things made. They are also used for big transactions. These are worth ten circles, but master Grimdon says they travel well because any smith will take them in trade.
The great big diamond are Diamapenths are not only the largest coins in Yendora but also the most intricately crafted. Carved from a rare and lustrous material known as celestium then mixed with rare molten beast hearts, these coins possess an otherworldly shimmer that captures the essence of the kingdom's magical aura. The diamond shape adds to their allure, symbolizing rarity and uniqueness.
The front of each diamapenth features a mesmerizing, ever-changing map that seems to shift and evolve. This enchanted map showcases different land masses, each adorned with symbols representing Yendora's diverse regions, magical landmarks, and hidden wonders. The map appears to continue seamlessly from one side of the coin to the other, creating an illusion of a world that extends beyond the edges of the coin. On the reverse side, another variant of the map unfolds, displaying a different arrangement of land masses. The back of the Diamapenth symbolizes the delicate balance of nature and magic within Yendora. It showcases mythical creatures, ancient forests, and ethereal landscapes that harmonize to create a kingdom unlike any other. The map on the back is just as dynamic as the one on the front, revealing new details with each gaze.
The celestium material imbues the diamapenths with magical properties so they can't be forged nor stolen. If you try to steal one, they give off a shock that goes through gloves until you put it back. You can only get them by having one given to you. Some people say these coins give off a faint, calming hum when in close proximity to other diamapenths. Supposedly, when several coins of them are held together, they unveil hidden secrets or unlock access to mystical realms, adding an element of mystery and intrigue to these extraordinary artifacts, but everyone says that's just what outsiders say and it's not true. What is true, is anyone who has one is considered to be a friend of Sungrove and will get better prices just by showing they have one. I know Master Grimdon has a bunch, but I've never seen one. I know to sell them is bad luck, but they can be traded for, and they are worth one thousand circles. Of course, everyone in Yendora knows these things. Master Grimdon must be trying to quiz me again. He does that sometimes because it would look bad on him if one of his apprentices didn't know how to handle a transaction."
Von let his head drift from side to side. "No, Master Grimdon isn't quizzing you, we are foreigners, and we wanted to see how the local coins compare to ours."
"Oh, I see. So you probably won't be an apprentice to Master Grimdon?" Lisa responded.
"Probably not, I am happy to learn everything that I can though, but I will hopefully be returning home at some point, where I hope to decide what I want to do there."
"You can always jump back in here with me," she said smiling at Von.
"First, we'll see what the Master smiths have decided about the armor and shield we found, then if we have time before we go, maybe." Von returned the smile. It turned out, once he had got past the smell and forgot what he was squishing his feet through, it did feel good, and was kind of fun.
Returning to the smithy proper, the two master smiths, Grimdon and Vorolen, were still discussing the armor, but neither of the youths understood what they were going on about. They overheard the words "upsetting, drawing out, splitting, quenching," and the discussion of fuels and what was used for this, and with their limited knowledge, it was beyond their immediate comprehension.
The elven master smith was still seated in the chair, his shoulder's slumped bearing the heaviness of the news he's moved beyond the time of his daughter's prime. There's a palpable sense of defeat in the way he's sitting as the weight of the earlier revelation continues to impact his body and spirit. His face, once expressive and lively, is now marked by a mixture of sorrow, disbelief, and a tinge of regret. His brows furrow with the weight of the emotions he's grappling with, and lines of worry deepen on his forehead. The furrowed brow conveys the mental strain as he processes the profound implications of the separation. Even his eyes, usually warm and lively, are now clouded with profound sadness. The glint of hope that once resided in his gaze has dimmed, replaced by a somber realization of the irreversible nature of the situation as they betray a hint of moisture, reflecting the unshed tears and the deep emotional turmoil within. A mixture of grief and acceptance plays across his features, creating a poignant tableau of a father grappling with the heartbreaking truth that he may never again embrace his beloved daughter.
Only the two youths seem to notice Oren's posture and facial expressions painting a poignant picture of a man trying to come to terms with an irrevocable separation, embodying the complex and profound emotions associated with such a profound and painful realization of the loss of a child.