The tailor's shop was a quaint little place, nestled between a blacksmith and an apothecary. The sign creaked in the wind, bearing the emblem of a silver needle piercing through a crimson bolt of fabric. The window display was a dazzling array of garments that whispered of elegance and refinement.
As they entered, the scent of fresh fabric and the sound of a sewing machine greeted them. The tailor looked up from his work, his spectacles perched on the tip of his nose, and offered a courteous nod. "Welcome," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "How may I assist you today?"
Lila stepped forward, her excitement palpable. "I came to pick up my winter coat," she said, her eyes shining with anticipation. "It was made to order, under the name Lila Siora."
The tailor's expression brightened. "Ah, Lady Siora!" he exclaimed, setting aside his work. "Your garment is ready and waiting for you." He disappeared into the back of the shop, returning with a stunning cloak made of the finest fur. It was lined with velvet the color of a deep, moonless night, with silver threads woven through it in intricate patterns that glinted in the candlelight.
Lila's eyes widened as she took it from the tailor's outstretched arms. She pulled it over her shoulders, feeling the warmth envelop her immediately. "It's perfect," she murmured, her voice filled with wonder.
The tailor beamed with pride. "It is indeed," he said. "Now, what can I do for you, sir?"
Aldwyn surveyed the shop, his gaze lingering on the various fabrics and styles. "I'm looking for something functional," he said. "It must be light, sturdy, and weatherproof. And most importantly," he added, his eyes narrowing slightly, "inconspicuous."
The tailor nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. He disappeared into the back again, returning with a roll of charcoal-gray fabric. "This is waterproof wool," he explained, unfurling a swath of it. "It's lightweight yet warm, and it won't draw much attention."
Aldwyn felt the material between his fingers, noticing the subtle weave of dark threads that made the fabric almost blend into the shadows. "It'll do," he said, a hint of approval in his voice. "I'll need a coat made from this, with a hood to keep my face hidden."
The tailor nodded, scribbling down notes with a quill. "Understood," he said. "For the lining, I would recommend a thin layer of dragon hide. It's not only warm, but it's enchanted to be resistant to most magical attacks."
Aldwyn raised an eyebrow. "Dragon hide, you say?"
The tailor nodded. "Yes, it's a bit costly, but it's worth the investment," he said with a smile.
Aldwyn considered it for a moment before agreeing. "Fine," he said. "Let's proceed with the measurements."
The tailor led him to a small chamber at the back of the shop, where he began to measure Aldwyn's frame with a tape that looked like it had seen better days. His movements were swift and precise, his eyes never leaving the fabric as he worked. Lila watched from the doorway, her thoughts racing with excitement and a hint of fear.
"What kind of enchantment is on the dragon hide?" Aldwyn asked, his voice low and measured.
The tailor looked up from his task, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "The dragon hide is imbued with a simple yet effective charm. It's resistant to fire, frost, and lightning. A protection that could come in handy in the troubled times we live in."
„That is very useful! I should definitely not be cheap in this matter." He thought to himself.
Aldwyn nodded thoughtfully. "Very well," he said. "I'll need the coat to be ready by tomorrow."
The tailor's laughter echoed in the small chamber. "Twenty minutes, my dear sir," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know... I'm a master of my craft, there's no problem at all for me to make it that quickly."
Aldwyn raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I look forward to seeing the results," he said, stepping out of the room to join Lila.
The main room of the tailor's shop was warm and cozy, with a crackling fire in the hearth casting flickering shadows across the walls. Lila was already modeling her new winter cloak, twirling around in a flurry of dark velvet. She watched him with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes, eager to see his reaction.
„Is she trying to impress me?" He mocked mentally.
Aldwyn couldn't help but smile, despite the gravity of their situation. "You look like a noblewoman ready to conquer the cold," he said, his voice holding a hint of affection.
The tailor emerged from the back room, a look of triumph etched on his face, holding up the completed coat with a flourish. "Voilà!" he exclaimed. "A masterpiece of both form and function, tailored to your exact specifications, sir."
Aldwyn took the garment, inspecting it closely. The charcoal-gray wool was indeed as light as a feather, yet he could feel the robustness in its weave. The dragon-hide lining was almost imperceptible, a silent testament to the protection it offered. The hood was lined with the same fur as Lila's cloak, a thoughtful touch that promised warmth and concealment. He slipped it on, and the fit was impeccable, as if the fabric had been molded to his very essence. The hood fell into place, casting his face into shadow.
The tailor's apprentices looked on with wide eyes, whispering to one another in awe of the swift workmanship. The master himself took a step back, admiring his handiwork with a proud smile. "I trust it meets your expectations, Sir." He said, bowing slightly.
Aldwyn nodded, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "It does," he replied, feeling the power of his new attire. "I'll pay now," he said, reaching into his bag and counting out the required notes.
The tailor's smile did not leave his side as he named the exact price: "Ten Lexus for the dragon skin, fifty Lexus for the enchantment and fifty Lexus for the work." He said with a mixture of respect and excitement in his voice. "So a total of one hundred and ten Lexus."
Aldwyn pulled out a crisp one-hundred Lexus banknote from his newly acquired booklet and placed it on the counter, followed by a ten Lexus note. The tailor's eyes widened at the sight of so much wealth changing hands so casually. His hands trembled slightly as he took the notes, feeling the weight of the paper, the power it represented.
"Thank you," Aldwyn said, his voice as cold as the wind outside. He turned to Lila, whose eyes were still sparkling with excitement. "We need to visit the blacksmith next," he said, his gaze flickering over her new winter attire.
They stepped out into the bustling street, the scent of roasting meats and spices wafting from nearby stalls. The chill in the air seemed to bite deeper now that the warmth of the tailor's shop was behind them. Lila shivered, her cheeks flushing pink as the wind played with the ends of her cloak.
The blacksmith's shop was a cavernous space, the walls lined with weapons and armor that gleamed under the flickering torchlight. The smell of hot metal and sweat filled the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of burning coal. The rhythmic clang of hammer on anvil resonated through the room, punctuating the silence.