The woman walked with her hands folded together, a picture of dignity but for the flash of joy in her eyes. She approached Tejón and lifted up a hand, asking him silently for permission. He chuffed out his reply and lowered his head.
I suggested, “Scratch near the bone plate. He loves that.”
She did so, hesitant at first, but after he groaned with pleasure, she felt more comfortable. After a time, she sighed. “I’ve adored these animals for years, especially the stone variety. I do not know how you convinced one to follow you, but you must be a woman of pure heart. You are here for the abyss bag, then?”
The shift in topic was so quick that it took me a moment to realize what she was talking about. “Yes, I am.”
She continued efficiently, “I told you if you had a win, I might consider a deal. Your offer was offensively low. If you knew your business, you’d have offered twelve thousand and we’d have agreed on somewhere around sixteen. But because of the bear, and what you’ve just given me, I will sell it to you for fifteen. Take it or have a good day.”
I smiled and held out my hand.
The woman looked at my hand as if it were covered in fleas. “Only men and savages need to shake hands to seal a deal. You have my word. When you have the gold, come by and I will sell you the bag.”
“I have it now,” I responded, enjoying the flicker of surprise that crossed her face.
A few minutes later, I came walking out of the shop, one OP item richer.
I walked to the armorer’s shop next. Wardahl was inside, and if I didn’t know the dwarf any better, waiting for me. “Did you bring the bear?” he asked. When I nodded toward the street, he grinned. “Look.”
I followed his finger and saw a matching set of wyvern scale armor, this one somehow glazed black. The red still reflected through somewhat, but at a glance, it looked almost like obsidian.
I ran a hand over the armor. “Gods above. Tejón is gonna flip,”
The armorer had crafted something completely unique, taking into account the bone plating of the stone bears. A helm of small, trimmed scales formed a guard for the top of the bear’s snout and ran up, forming a network of scales that would cover his vulnerable hide between the plate at the top of his head and the two on his cheeks. The rest was a drapery of scales that protected his shoulders, back, and the space around his rib plates.
Wardahl gestured to the masterwork armor and explained, “I didn’t want him to think his own armor wouldn’t do. Only problem is that he will outgrow this set. Each has straps that can be let out, so he can wear it until he approaches his full size. If you feel he still needs any armor by then, come back, and we will figure something out, though I’m out of scales. Who knows, though? By then, I’m sure you’ll find a few ingots of adamantium or dragon glass.”
I still had no way to truly thank the dwarf, but when we carried Tejón’s plate armor out, I retrieved the huge cobalt hammer and the elk antlers from our trip to Bridgerun. “I want you to have these. Not as payment, but perhaps you could use them somehow.”
Wardahl examined the antlers first, nodding, and then looked at the hammer. “Cobalt steel is not as light as mithril, but it is actually stronger. I can make plenty with this. Thank you, Madi. Oh, and tell Alysand he owes me a favor. Very little in this world is worth more than the favor of a bullet bard.”
Tejón shifted about nervously as we attached the armor to his bulky frame. It was no easy task. Yet after almost fifteen minutes of shoving and tugging things into place, and poor Wardahl getting his boot stepped on by the huge bear, we had finished.
I took a few steps back and admired his form—strong and powerful, and now gleaming like black marble.
How do I look? the bear asked.
I grinned at him wickedly. My friend, you look scary as hell. This armor will make you close to invulnerable.
Coal of Anwar Scale Armor Peytral
Quality: Legendary: Armor 250
Durability 800/800
+10 Vitality, +10 Strength, +25% Fire Resistance, +10% Blunt Weapon Damage Resistance
Coal of Anwar Scale Armor Chanfron
Quality: Legendary: Armor 125
Durability 400/400
+15 Strength, +15 Stamina, +25% Fire Resistance, +10% Piercing Weapon Damage Resistance
Coal of Anwar Scale Armor Crupper
Quality: Legendary: Armor 400
Durability 1200/1200
+15 Strength, +15 Stamina, +15 Dexterity
Coal of Anwar Scale Armor Crinet
Quality: Legendary: Armor 150
Durability 400/400
+5 to all attributes, +50% Earth Resistance
Coal of Anwar Matching set bonus: Equipping all pieces of the armor grants an additional 5% Fire Damage and 5% Earth Damage to all physical attacks.
Special Ability: Lava Burst.
Lava Burst (Active): By combining the Flame affinity of the Anwar scales and the Earth affinity of the stone bear, a sphere of lava explodes on any nearby enemies. All incoming attacks prevented for 10 seconds. After the sphere bursts, all enemies within 3 feet of explosion receive the Burned debuff, reducing their HP by 20 points every second for 12 seconds. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Next, the dwarf handed me a large sack next. “And this is for the Ranger and her pet enfield. You’ll have to ask Wardeen to make adjustments if needed.” I peeked inside. Hana would flip out when she saw it, and though I wanted to ask Wardahl to explain the armor he’d made for Pachi, I decided to wait to explore the prize with Hana when I gave it to her.
We made our goodbyes and Wardahl promised to meet us again at the Rooster’s Head that night.
When I sat down to watch the first rounds of fights, I was disappointed to see that Teegan wasn’t there. Then again, the solo competition was first, so I assumed he was getting
