Tristan

The shop owner was unlike any other elf Tristan had ever seen, and had it not been for the tremendously long, pointed ears, Tristan might have mistaken the man for an incredibly tall dwarf. That's not to say he was tall, as he was only average height, but he was thick with muscle. He rivaled Tristan in stature, with biceps the size of a normal person's head. His skin was a deep, uniform tan that spoke to lots of time outdoors, which might also have helped explain the bleach-white hair tied into a sloppy topknot with literal twigs sticking haphazardly out of it. Overall, it made Tristan wonder if the man hadn't just come from a foraging session.

What really stopped Tristan's breath for a moment, however, was his attire. To cover his torso, he wore only a very well made apron. There were no sleeves or shirt in sight, though around the man's wrists and forearms there were two or three bracers per arm, each crafted from different materials with different techniques that were all visually impressive. Around his waist was a belt overloaded with various tools and a roller that seemed to just hold treated leather.

"Oh ho ho, I recognize the look of a smith when I see one," the shop owner said, clearly having taken a good look at Tristan too. "So why are you coming to me for leather?" His eyes clearly moved to the greatsword Tristan had stored on his back, then made an obvious display of pointing at all his other gear. "You don't wear leather. If I had to guess, I'd say you're probably wearing your own stuff, except maybe that breastplate. Unless it is yours, in which case good for you." He pointed at Sophie. "So, are you here for something for her? I should warn you, I don't sell that kind of leather." He raised both his eyebrows in quick pulses.

Sophie sputtered, then outright coughed.

Tristan shook his head, brow furrowing. "What kind of--? No, I just need some new pants."

For the briefest moment, a look of almost humor crossed the bulky elf's face, but it was quickly gone. "Oh, aye, I can see that you do. By The Forgotten, you've got on basic... This can't be your normal gear, can it?"

Tristan straightened. "As you've seen, I'm wearing my own gear, but it's because I have to. I'm also not a leatherworker, and I don't really want to limit my mobility by crafting heavy plate greaves or the like."

"Indeed, leather would do you better there. And my gear will be the best of all! I guarantee: it stops swords and arrows, not movement!"

"Sounds like what I'm looking for," Tristan said, generally indicating toward the walls. "I can't help but notice that everything you've got on display is either rare or epic. Will I be getting something as high in quality?"

The elf slid over the counter with ridiculous grace and landed beside Tristan, and not anywhere near any of the rugs, Tristan couldn't help but notice. "Depends, I think, on what you're willing to pay. It'll be rare at least, but of that quality? Well, we'll just have to see." He held up one hand as a tape measure began to unfurl from it. "May I measure you?"

"I--sure," Tristan replied.

"What's your usual price range?" Sophie said from nearby. "I notice none of your displays have any tags."

The elf crouched and began working around Tristan's waist. "That's because I adore those pieces, and they're not for sale."

Tristan began to pivot, to better see the elf, but a sharp poke from one finger stopped that motion entirely. Tristan asked his question anyway. "What do you mean they're not for sale? This is a shop, isn't it?"

Tristan felt the elf's hands continue their measuring, without slowing notably at all, as the shop owner replied, "Exactly as I said. Those pieces are not for sale. I only craft personalized gear, and the gear exists for that person alone. Once the person the gear is made for no longer has need of it, the gear returns, serving exclusively to demonstrate some of my abilities." He leaned in. "Which have only grown stronger."

There was something odd in what he'd said, and it took Tristan a moment to put his finger on it. Oh, is that what Intended means? Each piece is for one person specifically?

The elf stood up, pulled a small notepad and pencil from a pocket on one of his bracers, and began scratching down a few notes as he walked back around the counter.

Sophie, at least, was able to begin putting some of Tristan's concerns into words. "So every piece of armor you make you is fitted to one person specifically? It's... Intended?"

"Correct."

"And when that person 'no longer has need of it'..." She let the phrase hang, clearly hoping the elf would address it.

"Then I get it back, correct."

"What does that mean, exactly?" Tristan asked, not willing to let the ambiguity linger. "Like, when they outgrow it or find something better?"

"Or stop adventuring," the elf added, "or die."

Tristan's mouth quickly shut, trying to process the man's casual attitude toward his previous clients' deaths.

Sophie seemed about as shocked as he was. "Oh. And how do you do that?" she asked. "I mean, taking back the armor after the person...?"

The elf was now fully behind the counter and had begun making sketches on several sheets of paper spread out there. "Trade secret, I'm afraid," he replied with a sly smile. "But I do guarantee that they all make their way back to me. Eventually."

Tristan started considering how that might work. Maybe some kind of secret returning magic. But how would it work, and when would it take place? Suddenly he burst into laughter.

The elf looked up with a hopeful grin. "Did you just imagine the surprise of an assassin who finds his target's body suddenly devoid of clothing?"

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Tristan shook himself. That was eerily close to what he'd been thinking of. "Something like that. Just not as dark and dangerous. No assassins, for example."

"Well," the elf responded matter-of-factly, "for someone with such a bright red glow, you might want to consider it. You've got two strikes, right?"

"Yes," Tristan admitted, immediately sober and cautious.

"Don't worry, that won't matter to me," the elf said, already returning to his sketching and seemingly content to now ignore Tristan as he worked.

"So are you working on his designs there," Sophie asked, "or are those for someone else?"

"Oh, they're definitely for him. I took his measurements."

"And you just assume he's going to commission you?"

"While I'm not certain of anything yet," the elf admitted, "since you've both stuck around this long, it's very likely he will be a client." He made eye contact with Tristan and held it unnervingly long. "Yes, his eyes have that client-tell. I definitely think he will. Besides, the design process is probably what I enjoy the most, so I can write off these few little moments away from my other projects easily enough. Even I deserve a chance to live a little!"

Tristan understood that. He also found great joy in the first steps of the crafting process. He enjoyed finishing a craft even more, especially since his Core had the perk of making them stronger at the moment of completion. He often found himself holding his breath, wondering what kind of bonus or enhancements his Core might bestow.

Of course, his Core wasn't always so giving, and that was why they'd come here in the first place. "Out of curiosity, what would happen to any pants I might commission from you if I were to then try to upgrade them? Would that interfere with or trigger the 'trade secret' you've got that brings the gear back to you?"

At that question, the elf set his pencil down. "I'm honestly not sure. Why? Are you planning to do something like that?"

"Well, you've obviously seen that I'm a crafter, too, and that I wear mostly my own gear. I'm not going to lie to you: it's not really a matter of if I will, but when."

The elf nodded. "Crafter's pride. I get it. Everything I'm wearing is a Cam'ron original, too."

"Your name's Cam'ron?" Tristan asked, surprised a bit by how common that seemed for such an uncommon person. He also took a moment to [Identify] the elf.

[Cam'ron, Elf, level 27 (tier 3) extraordinary hideshaper] {{Awakened}}

It really came as no surprise that the shop owner was Tier 3, given what he was able to produce. What was a surprise was that he was choosing to wear the {Awakened} title, the same one everyone was awarded for hitting level 1. It was yet another quirk that Tristan just couldn't understand entirely. His Class was also intriguing, as he began to wonder if the 'extraordinary' portion had anything to do with what Tristan had already observed, with all the elf's gear being such high rarity.

Is it possible his Class helps him do that, or was the Class a result of his talent?

While Triatan was taking in this stranger, Sophie questioned a detail Tristan had glazed over: "Wait, you made everything you're wearing?"

"Indeed," the elf confirmed. "Leather can be so soft if treated well, and I assure you, I know more of its secrets than most." Then he turned his attention to the bracers lining his arms, caressing them fondly. "I made every stitch and strap on every item here with my own two hands. Even down to my silky smooth unmentionables."

Tristan didn't want to talk--let alone think--about that, so he quickly changed the subject. "Getting back to my potential order..."

"Of course, of course. Since you mentioned mobility before, would you like me to focus on those sorts of properties? Or perhaps you'd like something more offensive to boost your performance with that sizable sword you're wearing."

"Is one more expensive than the other?" Tristan asked.

At his side, he heard Sophie sigh slightly, but Tristan couldn't help it. While he knew that she seemed to have all the coin in the world, he'd grown up in a home that was much more measured and conscientious with their spending. These were not the sorts of habits one simply broke overnight, not even with Sophie offering to buy yet another item for him.

Cam'ron didn't seem to think anything the question at all. "There's no difference at all to me. It's just a matter of which pathways I take during the crafting process. As a crafter yourself, I'm sure you can relate."

Tristan did, more or less, though he hadn't exactly thought of his decision-making process while smithing or enchanting in terms of 'pathways' before. Still he nodded. "Thinking about what you'd asked before, I'd be most appreciative if you could increase my mobility somehow with these pants. I'm not the most nimble, and this blade can make moving around quickly even more of a challenge. If it's at all possible, I'd appreciate any helpful properties I can get in that department."

The elf nodded along, jotting down a few notes on the side of one of the pages. "Wonderful. I'll get started on it after lunch today."

"Sounds good to me," Tristan said.

"And do I pay for it all now, or half now and half upon receipt?" Sophie asked.

"All up front would show a lot of faith in me," the elf said with a smile, "though half and half is how I normally operate."

A short bit of haggling later, Sophie agreed that half now would be twenty-two and a half gold pieces, which she paid him.

"When should we plan to return to pick up my new pants?" Tristan asked, not trying to hide his enthusiasm. This would be the first gear that had ever been commissioned for him. Of course, it would all depend on whether using the [Protector's Boon] would trick his Core into thinking this was something he'd made. He still wasn't sure if he'd be able to use it after, but the 'maybe' of it now was better than the 'no' of nearly every other situation. Besides, even if it didn't work as he hoped, he'd learn something about his Core in the process, and that was valuable, too.

"Give me two or three days," the artisan said, "though three would be safer, to guarantee you don't make a trip here in vain."

"We'll see you in three days then," Tristan said, and both he and Sophie thanked the elf again before they left. Tristan couldn't help but notice that both of them were very careful to avoid stepping on any of the rugs strewn about the shop.

I suppose we get to do a couple more days of sightseeing, he thought to himself. Or what else could I do in that time? He smiled as an idea came to him.

"Hey, Sophie, do you remember seeing or hearing about any bookshops or libraries in this part of town?"

She looked at him with open surprise. "What are you looking to pick up there?"

"Well," Tristan said, the smile growing on his face, "I was hoping I might be able to find a primer on speaking to Astrals. Poof seems to be very chatty, and I'd love to understand what she has to say."

"That's an amazing idea, and she'll love it. Probably too much, if I'm honest. But to answer your question, I don't remember any. Luckily, we've got Sneakers, and he can find us any that may be nearby."

The astralist took a few moments to look at her bird-like companion, and it was clear though no words were spoken that they were having a conversation. Then the astral soared skyward with two powerful flaps of his wings.

Sophie's eyes immediately went pure white, which Tristan had learned was the signal that she was no longer seeing through her own eyes but through her astral's.

Within a few minutes, she'd identified two possible locations, though the more distant one had the look of a library.

"Then let's go visit that closer place first, and if we need it, we can head to the one that might be a library after," Tristan said.

"Sounds like a plan. Sneakers will be back shortly--"

No sooner had she said that than a flash of bright green marked the arrival of the astral in question, who swooped down into a position directly in front of the pair of them and now looked entirely too pleased with itself.

Tristan greeted the astral with a chuckle. "Thanks again for all you're doing up there, Sneakers. Please lead the way to the nearer of the two shops."

With a dip of his head, which clearly resembled a bow, Sneakers began to do just that.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.