---
Finally dressed to his satisfaction, Eldric admired his outfit in the mirror, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Not bad. Make three more sets of this one, plus five of the custom style, would you, lad?"
The elf, suddenly all eagerness, nodded and jotted down the request. "Certainly, sir. Would you also like a hat? Perhaps a cloak to match?"
Eldric considered, fingers still paused on his beard. "Why not? And by the way, where might I find a wizard's shop, a bank, and a guild around here?"
The elf looked up, calculation flickering behind his professional smile. "The wizard's shop is two streets down. The Bank of Ulderi is by the fountain in the town square—impossible to miss. And the guild is just to the right of my shop. If you'd like, I could sell you a map to help with the rest."
Eldric's mouth curled into a half-smile, catching the elf's opportunistic gleam. "Why, how generous of you, lad. I'll keep it in mind."
---
The elf packed the clothing, accessories, and map neatly into a leather bag, then glanced up with a careful smile. "That'll be 53 rubies, sir. Only the finest materials and craftsmanship, as promised."
Eldric nodded, handing over the rubies without hesitation. "Fair enough, lad. You've done good work."
The elf's eyes widened as he counted not just 53 but 68 rubies—a generous bonus for his honesty. He looked back at Eldric, practically beaming.
Eldric gave a small, knowing nod. "Keep the change, lad. And while I'm at it, anywhere around here that can handle a proper trim for my hair and beard?"
The elf smirked, quick to respond. "Right across the street, sir—the Hair Witch Salon. Best stylist in town, hands down."
Eldric stroked his beard, intrigued. "You don't say?"
---
Eldric entered the salon to find rows of chairs bustling with stylists and clients. A young woman spotted him and approached with a bright smile. "Good afternoon, sir. Here for a bit of a fix-up?"
With a chuckle, Eldric replied, "Yes, lass. I'm looking for a proper makeover."
She pumped her fist with enthusiasm. "Count on me! Now, let's get to it—we're burning daylight!"
Eldric stepped into the Hair Witch Salon, the air thick with the sweet fragrance of essential oils and herbal scents. The flickering candlelight reflected off the polished wood of the chairs, which were arranged in neat rows, each occupied by a stylist and a client. He barely had time to scan the room before a young woman with fiery red hair and a glint of excitement in her eyes approached him, practically skipping to his side.
"Good afternoon, sir!" she greeted him with a wide grin, her hands already reaching for a comb and brush. "Did you come for a fix-up, or are you here for a complete makeover?"
Eldric chuckled, stroking his own beard, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "I think a makeover is just what I need, lass."
Her face lit up. "Count on me! We'll turn you into the most handsome wizard this town's ever seen!" She gave a quick, confident flick of her wrist, directing him to the nearest stylist's chair with a nod.
Without further ado, she gently guided him into the seat, the leather cushion creaking beneath him. Her fingers brushed through his hair with surprising dexterity, untangling any knots with deft swipes. Eldric, ever the stoic, leaned back in the chair, his eyes closed for a moment as he felt the rhythm of her movements. The sound of brushes and combs, snips of scissors, and the gentle swish of fabrics filled the air.
"Let's start with your hair, shall we?" she said, her voice a mixture of excitement and confidence.
Eldric didn't respond, merely raising an eyebrow as she unceremoniously lifted a section of his long, silver hair. She cut a few inches from the ends, trimming away any unevenness, leaving a smooth, sleek shape that would suit any grand mage.
With a flick of her wrist, she reached for a vial of deep indigo dye, a small smile curving her lips. "Time to add some color to this magnificent mane of yours."
She carefully applied the dye, making sure it didn't drip, working it into every strand with careful strokes. Eldric's usual stormy silver hair was soon overtaken by the rich, light yellow. The woman moved with such precision, it was clear she had done this a thousand times before. As the color began to take, she paused to place a preservation charm into the air, murmuring a soft incantation to keep the dye intact. The magical glow encased his hair, sealing the color into its fibers, ensuring it wouldn't fade with time or with future washing.
"Now for the beard," she said with a small nod. Eldric's usually bushy, silver beard was something of a masterpiece of nature in itself, but it would need some work to match the refined look she was going for. She gently ran a comb through the thick strands, her fingers pulling and smoothing as she worked, trimming the edges just enough to give it shape without losing its natural fullness. She then dyed his beard with the same yellow hue, working the dye in gently with soft, circular motions.
"You're going to look like you just stepped out of a fairy tale," she mused, stepping back to admire her work.
With a few snips here and there, she reached for a special vial of styling wax and began rubbing it between her palms. The scent of pine and rosemary filled the air as she carefully applied it to his hair, using her fingers to tousle and shape his new look. She molded the sides of his hair back into place, adding volume to the top, creating an effortlessly handsome, yet rugged appearance.
With the finishing touches, she expertly styled his beard, curling the ends slightly to give it an elegant but masculine flair. His features were now sharper, more defined, and there was a youthful vigor to his face despite the aging silver strands.
She finally stepped back, giving him a thorough once-over before nodding with satisfaction. "There we go," she said with a pleased smile. "Now, I'm going to set it all in place with a charm, so you won't have to worry about it getting out of hand. Just one last thing."
Eldric raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
With a wink, she gave his hair a final flick and cast a preservation spell, the incantation flowing like a gentle breeze around him. The spell shimmered faintly as it settled, ensuring that the color would stay vibrant, and his new style would remain flawless, no matter the trials the day might bring.
Eldric stood up and glanced at himself in the mirror. He couldn't help but grin, a rare moment of vanity shining through. "Not bad at all. You've done well, lass."
She clapped her hands together with a satisfied smile. "It's my pleasure, sir. You'll be the talk of the town now. Any other requests?"
Eldric rubbed his chin thoughtfully before turning to leave after paying her. "I think you've done more than enough for one day, thank you dear. I'll take it from here."
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