Noctbenua observed the vibrant city of Iomor's Grace as she passed by high-rise buildings and avoided flying above some fancy manors.
This city was the only city established under the harsh conditions on planet Hex. Humans of all walks of live gathered here for their own purposes.
Since this planet bred a huge number of ores and other exotic materials, which were partially processed on Hex, the city required a large amount of ordinary workforce. Those simple workers mostly lived on the city's floor and might never leave Iomor's Grace in their lives.
Planet Hex' special climate also attracted a lot of warriors and soldiers who were here to hunt beasts or simply to train.
And then there were the people Noctbenua had to visit now: the higher ups. Those consisted almost exclusively of the followers of the God of Light, who ruled the Luminous Empire.
As Noctbenua had an important mission, she naturally wouldn't let those unique views distract her as she approached the tallest building in Iomor's Grace.
This was the place where the God of Light's followers expressed their beliefs, and also where the powerful decision makers on planet Hex gathered.
Thousands of people crowded around the enormous structure every day, piously looking up at the majestic statue depicting their belief. It stood above a majestic temple, lording over the city.
Noctbenua scoffed lightly at those ignorant humans, only showing some respect when her gaze fell on the staff held in the statue's hand. It pointed far into the sky, beautifully reflecting the light, as it was the only object in Iomor's Grace which was allowed to reach above the energy panels.
This staff contained the condensation of the God of Light's wisdom and even Noctbenua wouldn't be able to produce it.
The loyal servant's gaze grew solemn knowing that she might have to face this unimaginably powerful being one day.
Shaking off this thought Noctbenua quickly focused back on the present. She had finally arrived at a building next to the statue.
Just like everyone she didn't dare to fly this close to the city center, so she now approached a luxurious villa on foot.
She observed the opulent gate before her in annoyance, knowing that her patron lived in this place.
A quirky and greedy magician oversaw the city's security from within this tacky manor. Noctbenua calmly waited in front of the gate, while cursing Inquisitor Linus Imrini in her mind. As always, this man enjoyed letting people wait in front of the door, only to fuel his insignificant ego.
After close to a minute, the gate finally opened. Noctbenua stepped on a short path decorated with opulent statues depicting important members of the Luminous Empire. Above her head Helii trees built an impressive roof tinting the path in a green shimmer.
Those trees always stretched their branches and even leaves towards places with high intensity of light. Thanks to the six stars the Helii trees tended to grow wildly in all directions on Hex.
Since they worshipped the light and gave of a greenish light in the dark, Helii trees quickly became the God of Light's followers' favorite ornamental trees. Even here on Hex they were planted anywhere despite this place not having any nighttime.
After crossing a short distance, Noctbenua was soon welcomed by an attendant, who led her straight towards Linus' study.
In her role as a smith, she had been here a few times, so Noctbenua knew the rules as the studies' door closed behind her.
She silently bowed towards Linus Imrini, before taking place opposite him. She didn't make any noise as the middle-aged man always had a peculiar definition of elegance, which he enforced whenever possible.
One could tell just by observing this room. Amidst green velvet hanging from the roof and vintage bookshelves sat a tall, slim man in pompous clothes. His shoulders had thick cushions, his sleeves were extra airy, only to then hug his wrists strongly.
His almost dress- like clothes were of a blinding white, only decorated by a few green lines. A tacky green belt wrapped itself around his hips multiple times, its green patterns leading onlookers to naturally think of snakes.
The man's shiny black hair was highlighted by the light falling through the glass wall behind him, additionally giving his smooth, brown face a certain mysteriousness to it.
This carefully crafted scene fell into Noctbenua's eyes as she sat down. Despite detesting this man's show-off character, the old woman still stayed wary of him.
Although rumors are that Linus Imrini only gained a comfortable and save job close to the frontlines through his family's connections, thus easily earning the title of Inquisitor, Noctbenua had long learned not to trust rumors.
Only verified information should be used to assess others. Therefore, she didn't dare to estimate Linus as she wasn't able to see through his strength. Even if he held a special item hindering her perception, it already required a certain strength to get one's hands on such rare tools.
Thus, a peculiar scene ensued. Noctbenua silently waited in her comfortable chair as Linus had his eyes closed and his head swaying, seemingly listening to some music only he could hear.
From time to time a light breeze would sway the Inquisitor's long hair out of nowhere.
Noctbenua naturally wasn't rash. With her experience patience was definitely not something she lacked.
Therefore, it took a few hours until the Inquisitor finally stopped his antics. A smile gentle like a spring breeze formed on his mouth as his eyes focused on his visitor. In a good mood he began speaking in his characteristic, soothing voice:
"You see. That's why I always favored you. You understand me. You understand the performance nature is weaving around us."
"I'm grateful for your favor, Inquisitor."
Linus chuckled softly from Noctbenua's formal words.
"Good mannered as always! You really shouldn't have learned storm magic. If I had discovered you earlier I would have taken you as a disciple for sure. You have the right disposition for sound magic."
Noctbenua naturally didn't take this offer serious. As someone with high proficiency in storm magic, she would still show some clues when she took on the role of a weak smith. The familiarity when casting wind magic could be observed in her every movement.
After all, learning wind magic laid the foundation for opting into storm magic at higher levels.
Therefore, she seemed like a genius in Linus' eyes whenever he coincidentally saw her use wind magic.
"I am naturally thankful for your offer. Unfortunately, I am an old lady already. I might not be the genius you saw in me."
Listening to the words, Linus' mood dampened visibly.
"So, the day has come? Are you leaving us?"
"Yes, Inquisitor. If I want to reach my hometown I will travel for a long time. I have to depart early, or it might only be my corpse which arrives."
Noctbenua's eyes showed sadness while her mouth dryly chuckled. She reached her hand towards the backpack on the floor and carefully placed it on the desk between them.
"Luckily I have found a good apprentice lately. He isn't at my level yet, but I left him my knowledge.
Please, Inquisitor, take good care of him."
With those words the old woman slowly pushed the backpack over. Contrary to her expectations however, Linus hesitated in accepting it.
"Of course I will take good care of your apprentice. You have done so much for this city; how could we not be thankful for your contribution. I don't need this backpack, miss Nua."
"No no. This isn't right either. I have only done my job."
Noctbenua perfectly played the role of a commoner seeking favors. Her face slowly portrayed some panic, fearing for the worst if the official didn't take her bribes.
The Inquisitor observed her for a few seconds before sighing lightly.
"Okay, if you say so. However, why don't you let this backpack for your successor, while doing me a small favor?"
Being suddenly thrown such a curve ball, Noctbenua cursed Linus in her mind, but didn't show anything on her face.
"This… of course I would love to. But how should I do you a favor? I'm just a dying old woman, what can I do?"
"Don't worry, it is nothing much. I only hope you could bring a present to a friend of mine. It wouldn't be much of a delay."
While the Inquisitor purposefully spoke his words, he observed Noctbenua's reaction closely. Only now did the old woman understand that Linus was trying to sound her out.
In fact this situation was rather dangerous even for her. She had to muster a lot of concentration to show the perfect mix of uneasiness, surprise, and delight on her face.
Linus would basically send her on an uncertain journey to bribe another official, which would delay her journey 'back home'. Since she played the role of a mildly successful smith, who never managed to get into high society, this would be a risky but tempting offer.
Not dropping her act Noctbenua stayed silent for a few seconds before nodding lightly.
Linus' intuition had always told him to be weary of the old woman, but he never found anything out of place. Therefore, he decided to drop his suspicion. Nua would leave his jurisdiction anyways, so she wasn't his responsibility in the furture.
The inquisitor showed a satisfied smile before taking out a metal cube from under his desk.
A dense net of runes decorated the cube. Even people who thought highly of their expertise in artifacts might be confused by those. The cube' appearance dazzled and awed those who saw it.
Noctbenua however was a paragon smith. As she laid her eyes on this cube, she had to try her hardest to stop her eyebrow from spasming.
The experienced woman immediately knew that those runes didn't make any sense at all. They served no purpose but to confuse people.
Since she couldn't show any mistakes however, she had to portray a dazzled, mediocre smith for Linus' eyes.
After inspecting the cube for a few seconds, Noctbenua hid it away as she asked with confusion:
"Inquisitor? Why would you entrust me with such an important treasure? How should I keep this safe?"
"Don't worry. This cube isn't as special as you might think. Furthermore no one knows that this is in your possession. Just do me this favor and I will be a good patron for your successor!"
With those words Linus wouldn't take any rejection. After Noctbenua reluctantly nodded, Linus smiled gently as he showed his visitor out.
Coincidentally both parties had the same thought after their separation:
What are you hiding…