After finishing their light meal, Von and Monica strolled through the lively marketplace, enjoying the sights and sounds of Sungrove at night. Lanterns cast a warm glow over the cobblestone streets, and street performers entertained passersby with music and acrobatics. The evening air was filled with laughter and the enticing aromas of food from nearby stalls.
Monica pointed to a booth where a skilled glassblower was creating intricate pieces of art. "Let's check that out," she suggested, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Von agreed, and they walked over to watch the craftsman at work. The glassblower manipulated molten glass with precision, twisting and shaping it into delicate forms that caught the light in mesmerizing ways. Monica was captivated by the process, and Von appreciated the level of skill involved and at the same time, learned a little about the craft just from watching.
After spending some time watching the glassblower, they wandered through the market, stopping to browse various stalls selling handcrafted jewelry, leather goods, and unique trinkets. Von admired the craftsmanship of the items, noting the attention to detail in each piece. He made a mental note to return to some of these stalls later, as they could be potential sources of inspiration for his own work.
As they continued through the marketplace, they stumbled upon a small stage where a storyteller was entertaining a crowd with tales of adventure and heroism. Von and Monica joined the audience, listening intently to the captivating stories. The storyteller wove tales of ancient battles, mythical creatures, and brave warriors, captivating the crowd with his dramatic flair and expressive gestures.
After the storyteller finished his performance, Von and Monica decided to take a leisurely walk along the gardens near the wall's edge. Walking along the raised platform positioned against the wall, they could glance out at the bog beyond and its dark water. The sound of insects, frogs, and other creatures could be heard as they enjoyed the way the water reflected the soft glow of the moon, creating a serene and calming atmosphere. They walked in comfortable silence, enjoying the tranquil setting. Occasionally, they reminisced about their lives in Milltown exchanging stories from their own adventures, sharing memories of their strange journey to Sungrove including the challenges they had faced along the way each from their own perspective.
As the night grew darker, they made their way back to the Flooded Haven Inn where upon their return, Monica and Von made their way to the common room, where a variety of snacks and drinks were available for guests. The evening air carried the scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread, making their stomachs rumble in anticipation.
The inn was lively, with a small group of musicians playing in the corner, their tunes filling the room with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Guests sat at various tables, drinking, laughing and sharing stories, creating a lively buzz which seemed to resonate with the crackling fire in the hearth.
Von and Monica found a cozy table near the window and sat down, eager to grab something to eat before heading to bed. A serving girl, a lively young woman with curly red hair, came over to take their order.
"What can I get you?" she asked with a friendly smile.
"We'll have the cheese and fruit platter, and a couple of mugs of cider," Von replied, glancing at Monica, who nodded in agreement. "And maybe some of those little meat pies if you have any left."
"Coming right up," she said, jotting down their order before weaving through the tables back to the kitchen.
While they waited, Monica leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms with a contented sigh. "It's nice to get done early and relax for a bit, isn't it?"
Von nodded. "Yeah, it's been a busy day. But a good kind of busy. I feel like we've accomplished a lot, not just today, but in our time here."
"True," Monica agreed. "Plus, we got to meet some interesting people and learn new things. That's always a bonus."
The serving girl returned with their snacks, placing the cheese and fruit platter in the center of the table. She then set down the mugs of cider, the golden liquid frothing slightly as it settled. "Enjoy," she said before moving on to another table.
Monica took a piece of cheese and a slice of apple, enjoying the combination of savory and sweet. "This is really good," she remarked, taking a sip of her cider. "I could get used to this."
Von took a meat pie and bit into it, savoring the rich flavor of the filling. "Same," he said, his voice muffled by the pie. "I think I am going to miss Sungrove when we leave. I think I'll miss it more than Milltown."
"You know, V, I think you're right. Even though we haven't been here long, it's become a lot like home here. The people are wonderful, the food is amazing, and all the stuff we learned and have gotten to do is unbelievable. No one would ever believe us if we told them what happened."
They ate in silence as they considered everything that happened to them during their stay, completely forgetting about the sounds of the music and the lively chatter around them. Eventually, this brought them talking about their plans for their final days remaining in Sungrove and what they hoped to achieve at the academy.
Somewhere during the conversation, Monica looked down and still excited about the rings changed the subject, prodding Von to tell all about how he created such a wonderful artifact. Since she asked, Von shared today's experiences at the Bladesteel Forge, recounting the creation of the legendary rings and his plans for enhancing his helm the next day.
Monica then discussed her progress in her studies with Mistress Hellyne and how much she had learned and how much more she needed to learn about chaos magic. Von listened intently, intrigued by the complex and unpredictable nature of Monica's magical studies. She explained how Mistress Hellyne taught her to harness chaos and luck magic without losing control, emphasizing the importance of balance and focus to keep the effects centered on an area, thus minimizing potential disastrous effects. Unlike most of Von's lessons which seemed centered on practice and refinement, her lessons were a mix of theory and practice, with a few thrilling exercises to keep her on her toes.
"Hellyne had me try to manipulate a random pattern in a deck of cards," Monica explained, her eyes shining with excitement. "It's like trying to find order in complete randomness. It's fascinating, but also exhausting. I never thought it would be so hard."
Von nodded, fascinated by her stories. "That sounds intense and a lot to keep track of. To me though, I don't think I could handle that much chaos and still maintain absolute control."
Monica laughed. "Believe me, no one can maintain absolute control. It's a different kind of magic, that's for sure, yet at the same time, it's fun, too. You should try it sometime—if you can handle the unpredictability."
Von chuckled. "I'll stick to smithing and the small horde of other magics I'm still working on mastering. To be honest, I seem to use time magic the most, but in learning to properly imbue items, I've been using a lot of every kind of magic depending on what seems right for the item. I don't need to excel at chaos magic or luck magic. I have enough on my plate with everything else. Besides, you're magic fills a need with mine. Together, we will grow up to be invincible."
He then shared the details of weaving the essences into the items at the Bladesteel Forge, recounting the creation of the legendary rings, the various other items, and how he needed so many people in order to ensure his plan for enhancing his helm the next day. Monica listened with genuine interest, impressed by the intricate process of imbuing magical items and the skill involved in naming them.
"You really have a knack for this stuff, Von," she said, genuinely impressed. "It's like you were born to be a smith and to create items. I wonder if your helm needs a little luck or chaos essence added to it."
Von shrugged. "I do enjoy making things. It's like solving a puzzle, figuring out how to put everything together. But I still have a lot to learn. In the end though, I still want to become a knight, well, not I want to become a knight-wizard. I still remember seeing them in the tapestry at Blackstone Keep, and since I am learning magic, I want to be more than just a knight."
Monica nodded in agreement. "Well, you seem to be on the right track. If you keep this up, you'll be a wizard-knight in no time."
Von laughed. "I don't think they'll let me be anything until I get older. Mom might not even let me out of her sight after we got lost on the ride to Marsgate."
Before long, the night began to wind down, and the inn started to empty as patrons retired to their rooms. Von and Monica decided it was time to call it a night as well. They made their way upstairs to their shared room, where they settled in for the night, both feeling a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the days ahead.
As they lay in their respective beds, Monica sighed contentedly. "You know, I think Sungrove might be my new favorite place. It's so lively and full of interesting people."
Von agreed. "It's definitely unique. I never imagined I'd end up in a place like this. But I'm glad we did."
Monica turned onto her side, facing Von. "Me too. Here's to more adventures, right?"
"Right," Von replied, his voice filled with warmth. "More adventures and more learning."
They relaxed a bit and finally took the time to listen to the music and the bustle of the crowd around them. The atmosphere in the inn was warm and inviting, a perfect end to a long day of work and study. As the night grew later, the common room began to wind down, with guests leaving to retire to their rooms.
Monica finished her second mug of cider and stretched again. "I think I'm ready for bed," she said, stifling a yawn. "and you have a big day tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah," Von replied, finishing the last of his meat pie. "We should get some rest."
With that said, they settle up with the barmaid before making their way back to their room, the sounds of the inn fading as they climbed the stairs. It had been a day full of learning and progress, and they wanted to be ready for whatever adventures tomorrow would bring.
As they climbed the stairs to their room, the creaking wood beneath their feet was a comforting sound. It spoke of the long history of the inn, filled with travelers and tales, and made the place feel more like home. Von pushed open the door, letting Monica enter first, then followed her inside, closing the door softly behind them.
Monica sat on her side of the bed and stretched her legs. "I really like this inn. It feels like a proper home away from home."
Von nodded, flopping onto his own side with a contented sigh. "Me too. It's got a good vibe, and the food's great. Plus, the people here are really nice."
Monica chuckled. "True. They all seem to know you by now. You're quite the celebrity, Von Zupan, youngest archmage of the academy."
Von rolled his eyes but smiled at the compliment. "It's not like I did anything extraordinary. Just a few challenges, some smithing, and a little library time."
"A little?" Monica teased. "If you could, I'd bet you'd spend an entire week in there. You're probably going to be the first person to read every book in that library."
He shrugged. "Maybe. There's just so much to learn, and it's all so interesting. I mean, where else can you find a library that can stop time so you can read as much as you want?"
The fireplace's flame flickered as a soft breeze entered through the slightly open window, bringing with it the scent of the garden below. It was a peaceful night, with only the distant sounds of the bog and the low hush of the town settling down for the evening. Von closed his eyes, letting the calmness of the room wash over him.
"Good night, Monica," he said, his voice soft and relaxed.
"Good night, Von," she replied, her own voice tinged with sleepiness.
As they settled into their beds, the warmth of the inn and the comfort of their room provided the perfect backdrop for a good night's sleep.