That was quick she said You must have found a quest After glancing downward and eyeing Breeze with a knowing smile she added And by the looks of it I’d say your quest went rather well Huh What’d she mean by that And why does she keep staring at our hands Only then did I realize that Breeze and I were uh holding hands Well the wind was freezing tonight It even felt cold indoors So her hands must have gotten cold These northern biomes you see You’ve got it all wrong I said She’s not my Breeze interrupted me with a smile Our quest did go well but we’re rather exhausted so if we could just get that forge I’ll be right back A minute later I was holding a cube of raw and unimaginable power It was warm to the touch and its emerald-and-diamond grid pulsed softly I found it hard to believe that this item was thousands of years old It looked as though it had been crafted only yesterday shiny 6
its gray surfaces without a single scratch or blemish the diamond emblems of tools adorning its sides showing no sign of wear I handed it to Breeze who began carefully inspecting it like the neophyte historian she was Will that be all Feathers asked Like this thing isn’t enough I thought I gave her a nod As Feathers opened her mouth to deliver what I guessed was that standard shopkeeper line I beat her to the punch saying it loud and fast PLEASURE DOIN BUSINESS WITH YA Boom She didn’t know what to say to that Only closed her mouth and slowly blinked When it comes to dealing with these shopkeepers I’m a pro After I pocketed the forge Breeze dragged me outside by the hand The mayor will be thrilled she said as we both approached her horse 7
You don’t think he’ll be mad at me for taking off without speaking to him first No I don’t think so Once he sees what you’re carrying I’m sure he’ll lighten up My father too Yeah You’re right I felt such a relief My mission was complete All we had to do was hop into Shybiss’s saddle and head back home Well maybe not right away It was getting late and we had more than enough emeralds to spare for another night at that inn If we wanted we even had enough to buy a second horse in the morning a breakfast fit for a king and about one hundred healing potions because like I learned today you can never have too many ways to keep up your health I mentioned my plan to Breeze who added taking another hot bath to the list So with the forge tucked safely away in my inventory we set out for a warm room a warmer dinner and a sound night’s sleep Shybiss was also exhausted by now and the way she puffed with huge frozen breaths resembled a redstone steam engine 8
SATURDAY UPDATE 23 When we arrived at the Enchanted Dragon Breeze took Shybiss to the stable out back A few seconds after she left I heard a loud knocking This was followed by a shout It was coming from the other side of the building So hands in my pockets inventory I took a little stroll in that direction This side of the inn opposite the stable had a small building attached with its own door It must have been a side entrance used by the cooks and other staff When I rounded the corner the door was wide open and the innkeeper stood just outside with a waitress I thought I told you not to come back the innkeeper bellowed Please the waitress said I really need the work Just give me one more chance I’ve already given you plenty How many times did you show up late Often dirty no less Just as you are now I’m sorry sir I’ve been working a second job I need help she pleaded voice trembling with despair Please It won’t happen again I promise 9
