In the not-gloom which passed for morning, the Von woke with a start to find Monica already awake, cleaned and dressed. Normally, he was the first one awake, but today was different. She seemed tired. The look of her eyes indicated she may have been awake all night, but the rest of her was spotlessly clean as it usually was before she went out.
Please system, not now. Please turn off notifications for the moment.
Sensing something amiss, Von quickly sat up, concern etching his features as he regarded Monica with a furrowed brow. "Mon, are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.
Monica forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm fine, Von," she replied, her tone trying to sound reassuring. "Just had a bit of trouble sleeping, that's all."
Von didn't seem convinced, his gaze searching her face for any signs of distress. "Are you sure?" he pressed, his concern deepening. "You look exhausted."
Monica's smile faltered, and she sighed, relenting under Von's persistent scrutiny. "Okay, maybe I didn't sleep much," she admitted, her voice soft. "I had a strange dream, and it kept me up most of the night."
Concerned now, Von moved closer to Monica, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently, his voice filled with empathy.
Monica hesitated for a moment before nodding, her expression troubled. "It was just... confusing," she began, her words coming slowly as she tried to piece together the fragmented memories of her dream. "I was standing on the edge of this swirling vortex of energy, and it felt like I was being pulled in all directions at once. And there were these flashes of memories and images, but they were all jumbled up and didn't make any sense."
Von listened intently, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of Monica's description. "That sounds intense," he remarked sympathetically. "But it was just a dream, right? I mean, dreams are supposed to be weird."
Monica nodded, though she still looked troubled. "Yeah, I know," she replied softly. "It's just... I can't shake the feeling that there was something important about that dream, something I'm supposed to understand."
Von squeezed Monica's shoulder reassuringly. "Well, whatever it was, I'm sure it'll make sense eventually," he said gently. "And if you ever need to talk about it, I'm here for you, okay?"
Monica managed a small smile, grateful for Von's comforting presence. "Thanks, Von," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'm lucky to have you as a friend."
Von smiled back, his concern easing as he saw Monica's spirits lift. "Anytime, Mon," he replied warmly. "Now, how about we grab some breakfast? I'm starving."
Feeling a sense of relief that Monica seemed a little better, Von got up from his bed and stretched, his muscles protesting slightly after the efforts from the last few days. He glanced around the room, noting the soft golden light filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over everything and the magical fireplace which had warmed the room as they rose.
He stepped over to the basin and cleaned himself before going to the small room across the hall to relieve himself. Returning, he put on the freshly washed clothes and remembered he intended to purchase more for each of them today.
"Breakfast sounds good," Monica agreed, her voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion but also a newfound determination. "Let's head downstairs and see what they have."
As they made their way down to the inn's common area, they were greeted by the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon. The room was filled with the murmur of conversation as other guests enjoyed their morning meal, adding to the cozy atmosphere.
Von and Monica found a table by the window and sat down, their stomachs growling in anticipation of the food to come. A friendly server soon appeared to take their order, and they both opted for a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast, along with steaming mugs of coffee to wake them up.
As they waited for their food to arrive, Von couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the simple pleasures of a warm meal and good company. Despite the challenges they had faced and the uncertain future that lay ahead, he knew that as long as they had each other, they would be able to weather any storm.
Monica seemed lost in thought, her gaze drifting out the window as if searching for answers in the morning light. Von reached out and gently squeezed her hand, offering her a reassuring smile. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together, as friends and allies, ready to conquer whatever challenges came their way.
Their breakfast arrived, and they tucked into the delicious food with gusto, savoring each bite as they shared stories and laughter. For a brief moment, all their worries and fears melted away, replaced by the simple joy of being alive and together in that moment.
After finishing their breakfast at the inn, Von and Monica decided to spend the morning exploring Sungrove and preparing for the day ahead. Their first stop was the local market, where they hoped to find some suitable clothes for their upcoming journey.
As they wandered through the bustling marketplace, they were greeted by a colorful array of stalls selling everything from clothing and accessories to fresh produce and artisanal goods. The air was filled with the lively chatter of merchants and shoppers, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.
Von and Monica browsed through the various stalls, admiring the craftsmanship of the local artisans and sampling some of the delicious food on offer. Eventually, they came across a clothing stall that caught their eye, its racks overflowing with garments of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
After trying on several outfits and haggling with the friendly vendor, Von and Monica finally settled on a few items each, including sturdy traveling clothes and practical accessories for their journey. With their purchases in hand, they thanked the vendor and continued on their way, feeling satisfied with their finds.
Once they had finished shopping, Von bid farewell to Monica as she headed off to continue her training with Mistress Hellyne. He made his way to Master Oren's smithy, eager to begin his apprenticeship and learn the art of forging from the master blacksmith himself.
As he approached the smithy, Von could hear the rhythmic clang of metal on metal and the roar of the forge, signaling Master Oren or one of his other students was hard at work inside. With a sense of excitement and anticipation, Von pushed open the door and stepped inside, ready to begin his lessons and put to use the knowledge acquired while he slept.
He wasn't certain exactly how good an apprentice smith was, or how it differed from a blacksmith, weaponsmith, armor smith, or the dozens of other smiths, but he was happy to have increased his knowledge having done so little to do so.
Under the dim glow of the forge's flickering flames, Master Oren stood tall and imposing, his weathered face etched with lines of wisdom and experience. Von watched in awe as the master blacksmith worked the molten metal with practiced precision, his movements fluid and graceful despite the weight of the hammer in his hand.
"Welcome, lad," Master Oren greeted, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Today, you will begin your apprenticeship in the ancient art of blacksmithing. Pay close attention, for the lessons you learn here will serve you well in the days to come."
With that, Master Oren launched into a series of demonstrations, showing Von the proper techniques for shaping and tempering metal, as well as the importance of patience and focus in the forge. Von listened intently, soaking in every word and movement as he watched the master at work.
As the day progressed, Master Oren guided Von through the various stages of the forging process, from heating the metal in the fiery depths of the forge to shaping it on the anvil with well-aimed strikes of the hammer. With each swing of the hammer and each twist of the metal, Von felt himself growing more confident and skilled in the art of blacksmithing.
Throughout the lesson, Master Oren offered words of encouragement and gentle correction, guiding Von with a steady hand and a keen eye for detail. He stressed the importance of precision and craftsmanship, reminding Von that every piece he forged was a reflection of his skill and dedication as a craftsman.
As the day drew to a close, Von marveled at the progress he had made under Master Oren's tutelage. Though his muscles ached and his hands were blistered from the heat of the forge, he felt a sense of pride and accomplishment unlike any he had felt before. So far, he had merely made a number of sword blanks and a few daggers, but they were shaped well, and his eye for detail was improving with each item he made.
Throughout the entire time he worked the metal, Master Oren carefully pointed out things he missed or could have done to improve so he could continue to improve quickly. He also made certain to not waste metal and the poorest scraps were kept in a bucket below to be smelted later and reused.
Before he left for the day, he dunked his head into the tub of water on the side, but before he could make it to the door, the old elf grabbed his sore shoulders. "Remember, lad," Master Oren said, clapping Von on the shoulder with a grin. "Blacksmithing is not just about shaping metal; it's about shaping yourself. Stay true to your craft, and you will forge a path to greatness."
With those words ringing in his ears, Von thanked Master Oren for his guidance and vowed to continue his journey as a blacksmith with passion and determination. As he stepped out into the cool evening air, he knew that this was only the beginning of his time with the smith. He would have two more days before he and Monica left Sungrove.
Leaving the Bladesteel Forge, he walked quickly to the Mystic Emporium before the Elara, the elven merchant, would close her shop for the day. While there, he acquired three Luminescent Bog Lilies. Not knowing how deep they were in the bog, he felt three days would surely allow the two of them to make it to the edge where they could then find their way to a town and ultimately Marsgate.
Elara reminded him, "Each one only locates the shortest path out of the bog, and only works for a single day. If you are too deep within the bog, it will only get you closer to the closest edge. They will also not help you avoid creatures or bandits within the bog. If you detour from the shortest path, if may take several minutes for the lily to reestablish the shortest path out."
"Thank you again," said Von as she wrapped them in a silky cloth to preserve them. He still remembered how they worked from his previous visit with Mon, so he didn't ask. He left with a smile and wondered if he should buy a lantern of the compass but didn't know if he had enough to do so despite his winnings.
Instead, he ran quickly trying to reach the Wyvern's Hide before they closed. He dashed through the winding streets of Sungrove, the weight of the bog lilies nestled securely in his pack. As he approached the Wyvern's Hide, he could see the warm glow of lanterns spilling from the windows, casting long shadows across the cobblestone pathway. Unfortunately, the sign on the door was already changed to say "Closed".
Despite his disappointment at being too late to pick up the stuff he ordered; he still had a smile. By the time they would need to leave, they could have everything they required to make the trip out of the bog safely.