“You ready?”

“Feck, I guess.”

“Come on, you big lump. You’re blushing like a maiden.”

Kat, Ann and Rosalyn stood before Wendyl’s shop, closed sign staring them in the face. Kat was being a massive worrywart about talking to the Inlon. Rosalyn and Ann had been shepherding the princess out of bed, through a light meal and down to the store.

“You’ve already got the hard stuff out of the way, Kat,” Ann groaned. “Just knock.”

“Gods damnit, fine!” Kat raised her fist, then hesitated. “Are ye sure?”

“Just knock!” Rosalyn groaned, stomping a foot.

Kat did as she was told and rapped on the doorframe.

“Minute!” Wendyl’s voice came through the door. “Sorry, shop’s closed. Got myself bought ou… oh! Heya! Kat, Ann, Rosalyn. Come in come in!” The punk styled Inlon ushered them in happily.

The woman had been busy since the last day. The display cases were cleared and pushed to the side, opening more space to work in the center. Several tools and pieces of equipment were neatly organised with glowing gemstones dotting several surfaces.

“Holy wow, you’ve really been busy,” Rosalyn whistled.

“Sorry, still a bit of a mess,” Wendyl laughed. “Only had a day to get everything changed around. So much more room for work when I don’t have to worry about customers.”

“You’re not taking any other work?” Ann asked. “Figure that might get you bored after a while.”

“Eh, I can take extra work when I want. Have plenty of contacts for that, trust you me, but now I’ve got all the time for personal projects and research. You don’t know how freeing it is to not have to do fifty orders of durability enchantments every month for standard weapons and armour. Pay’s good, but it’s so dull. Now I can work on cool stuff, and whatever the hell you three come up with.”

Kat looked around, picking at a gem.

“Don’t touch that!” Wendyl yelped. “That’s a stabiliser. You mess that up, you mess up the rest of the enchantments set into the feeder. Need that for a steady flow of Voltium. It’s an absolute pain to work with by hand, and those things are expensive. Even by your standards, I’d imagine.”

“Voltium? What’s that?” Ann asked.

“Basis of every enchantment you’ve ever seen. One of the best magical conduits we’ve got, and named after the God of the Forge. Some say it’s his body, but I think that’s a load of bull. It’s just a really magically conductive metal. Inlay that in a circuit throughout a piece of equipment, or enamel it, and you’ve got yourself an enchantment depending on the design and crystal powering it.”

“Is what will enchant scope?” Lucia asked, peering at the device.

Wendyl walked over to the device. It was about twice her height, with a wide flat table on top. The metal framework, iron from what Ann could tell, formed the base and wound up above the workspace. It met with a contraption that appeared to be a vat that fed down into a small outlet.

“It’ll be used for that, yeah. So you put the Voltium up in the receptacle,” she gestured to the top, “then you start using this pedal here to pump out the Voltium at a steady pace. It’s a bit finicky to get used to, but it’s far easier and less wasteful than carving the troughs, filling them, scraping away the excess. You still have to do the carving, but Voltium likes to stick to shit, and if you can just feed it in all careful, it doesn’t mess it up when things smear.”

“So it’s magical resin?” Ann asked.

“Resin… I guess? That fits. Has to be all hot. When it cools, it gets harder and expands to fill the space it’s placed in. Then I get to either seal it in via an arcane torch or other more material appropriate means. That’s the boring part. The interesting part is the pattern work and circuitry.”

“Sounds like a computer,” Ann mumbled, keeping her words low enough that only Kat would hear.

“So, um, what’d ye say tae lookin’ at me armour, an’ tellin’ me what ye can do wit’ it?” Kat asked. She heaved the heavy sack down onto the floor.

“First order from my patron? Hell yeah, I can do it! Set that shit out and let’s see.”

Kat sat cross-legged, and pulled the armour from her bag. She’d brought the shell breast and backplates as well as the Ironbark pauldrons.

“Ooh. You had a good smithy on this. Prepped and ready to get me working. See those nice blank strips around the edges? Perfect for inlaying. Now, I’ve gotta know your skill set to know what to get you set up with. Come on, princess, spill the potatoes.”

Kat nodded, and detailed her Path. Wendyl listened intently, red eyes focused as she took in the skills and stats Kat presented. “Hm. Ok. You’re a tanky fighter. Strength focused with high defences. No magical aptitude, and shit Dex. You’ve got your defences covered, and your strength is rock solid. I’m a little surprised you need the armour.”

“Even me mum needs ‘er armour,” Kat said. “Ye’d be surprised how much can get past natural hardiness.”

“Yeah? Interesting. So we could go with some pretty basic fortifications first. I want to make sure your gear lasts when I set it up. Give me those, I’ll do that, and give you a five point in resil on your left shoulder and endurance on your right. Think I can fit in a decent strength enchant on your chest as well. Gonna leave the back piece for the fortification work. It needs to be complex.”

“Cool, sounds good,” Kat nodded.

“Do you work with leather as well?” Ann asked.

“Bitch, I work with everything. I can weave an enchant for your girl and guy friends here, too. Well, ok, I’m not the best at those, but I’m learning. People keep bringing you things made out of metal, you get used to focusing on it. Leather, well, my other type of client really likes leather. Can’t blame them. Give it a nice comfort enchantment, and you can do some crazy things in bed without hurting your wrists or ankles.”

“Speaking of, you did mention a portal kind of thing last time,” Ann reminded the enchanter.

Wendyl looked up at her, hands still sketching out a diagram on the inside of Kat’s breastplate. “Getting freaky already? I like that. What’cha want? Panties? Bra? Got all sorts of things I can do with that.”

“We were actually thinking about a more mundane use,” Bren cut in.

“Damnit. I knew you were the stick in the mud of the group,” Wendyl grumbled.

“I keep my own activities private,” Bren huffed. “Anyway, Ann can do several things that cause her fur, hair, and other body parts to shed in extreme quantities.”

“I’m gonna come back to that ‘other body parts’,” Wendyl interrupted. “Sorry, keep going?”

“We need a method with which to dispose of the detritus. Our best idea was to have a set of rings, or similar, connected to a furnace in the belly of the palace. Somewhere that is always burning. It would need to withstand the heat and function wherever we are.”

“Well, shit, that’s actually not that boring. Usually, short ranged portals are pretty simple enchants for me. Line of sight and it just needs to connect. Long ranged like that’ll be complicated. Need to take into account everything between the two points, bend space, and get that shit to pop out again. Honestly, it might be easier to just have an openable portal to the Fifth Hell.”

Bren recoiled. “Madness.”

“Listen, a land of infinite fire and lava’ll cook whatever shit you toss in. Hair’ll just ignite as soon as it gets there, and other, um, body parts will burn soon enough. Yeah, the Gods might get a little grumpy, but it’s not like we’re travelling there.”

“And you have a way to miniaturise a portal to the Fifth Hell? Just like that?”

“Fuck no,” Wendyl shook her head. “That shit’s way, way above my skill level. I’d need documentation on how it’s done, the ritual circle, the ingredients, the incantations, and if that could even transfer onto something like you’re asking is a whole other question. Nah. I’ll work with the lame portal to a furnace. One side being stationary does make it easier, at least.”

“Good. I guess we will let you get to that.”

“Hold on, you said other body parts and I’m not getting distracted. What’s that about, wolfy?”

“So, you saw Kat’s scales, yeah?” Ann asked.

“Yuppers,” Wendyl nodded, her mohawk bobbing as she did.

“She’s getting that from me. I can do shit like this,” Ann changed her eye colour to blue, then pink, then orange. “Or this.” She grew out her hair, so it was down to her knees. “I can do stuff with my teeth too, but I don’t want to deal with the toothache.”

“Bloody bake my biscuits, that’s terrifying,” Wendyl said, eyes wide. She turned to Kat. “And you’re sure she’s safe?”

“Goddess approved,” Kat nodded.

“Can’t argue with a divine cunt’s decree. Cool. Any other tricks your group’s got?”

“Bren and Lucia have the Life Debt,” Rosalyn said, then cringed at the glare she got from the two.

“Well, that’s a dark bit of history for you, huh, Tusks?” Wendyl said. “Only know the barest of it from history class. Just making sure, did he…”

“My choice. Asked him to,” Lucia cut her off. “He’s been good with it.”

“Coolio. Then it’s none of my business. Do want to take a look at the magic connecting you two at some point. Could be interesting when applied elsewhere.”

“Take a look?” Ann asked. “From what I’ve seen, they’ve just got the tattoos.”

“It’s a type of enchantment, but backed up by divine power. Honestly, studying it is kinda taboo, but I’m a curious girl. I’ve got a skill that lets me see ambient magic and poke through what it’s doing. Not quite identification, but a skill that precedes it. My next level up should actually give me the identification spell if I’m not wrong in my research.”

“Ok, listen, I don’t know shit about the crafting and economy around all this,” Ann admitted. “How good is that?”

“Real spiffy. Means that when I finish enchanting something, I can appraise it myself instead of having Dad or another person take a look. That either takes time or money, and if I can do it myself, then I’m fucking stoked.”

“By the way, I know it’s sensitive information, but if you don’t want to share your Path, what’s your level?” Ann asked.

“You’re right that is personal,” Wendyl nodded, her ears flopping adorably as she wore a very serious expression. “Good thing I don’t give a shit. My Path is Escapist Enchanter. I’m… what was I? Right, level twenty-two. Kinda why I’m excited about the next level. Get me a skill.”

“Wow, you’re higher level than all of us!” Rosalyn exclaimed. “That’s so cool!”

“Don’t get your panties twisted. I’ve just been working on this pretty much every waking hour since I got my Path. I… uh, well, the name of my Path is the way it is for a reason. Promise to tell you about it sometime, but not a great topic for new friends.”

Ann nodded. Wendyl’s shoulders had drooped along with her ears. Whatever it was, it bothered her, and it wasn’t the time to pry. “So, you can do that to Kat’s armor. Anything fancy you can do for the rest of us?””

“Dunno. What’s your thing, Wolf?”

“I hit things, and I’ve got a gun. I work with Dexterity for the most part,” Ann said, then got into her skills and current equipment.

“Yeah, I’m not touching those gauntlets. Grandpa told me about Pile when I was a kid. Almost a fantasy tale the way he described the meeting. So yeah, whatever she’s doing, it’s beyond me. For the rest of your stuff, we can definitely have some fun. If you don’t mind, could you drop off that gorgette? I want to see if I can copy that enchantment onto your facemask. If I get it right, we can make it so you just have to shove the thing up and it’ll go into your helmet, then pull it down again and it’ll turn back into that wolf shape you described.”

“Oooh. Ok, yeah. I like that. It’s a bit of a pain having to pull it off and on even with the clasps.”

“Then for your leg armour bits, we’re putting a quieting enchantment on those. If you have a skill for surprise attacks, that’ll be necessary. Just noise dampening on your footfalls. It’s not going to be perfect, but it’ll help. We can put some Dex and defences onto the rest. You’re a front-line fighter, so that should square you away.”

Wendyl turned to Rosalyn. “What’s your setup, Sheeps?” The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the NoveI(F)ire.net

“Rosalyn,” Rosalyn corrected her, then described her Path and skills.

“Hm, and you have a force amplifier in your staff, plus a spell battery in that band on your horn. Your robes aren’t really built for enchanting. Would you mind getting some pieces attached?” Wendyl asked, looking Rosalyn over. “Maybe some internal additions if you want to preserve the exterior. I’m sure a skilled seamstress could work that out.”

“That would definitely be preferable,” Rosalyn said, tugging at her robe. “This is pretty sentimental. I don’t want to change the patterns if I can.”

“Ah, ok. Yeah, get your, damn, really nice ass to a tailor and get enchantment stitching.”

“Guess I’m going back to Zabel,” Rosalyn sighed.

“Hey, if she pulls through with our other stuff, at least you know she does good work,” Ann said, giving Rosalyn a comforting hug. “I’m sure she knows the value of clothes someone loves.”

“Hope so,” Rosalyn said meekly, sinking into the hug.

“Really nice ass,” Ann heard Wendyl whisper, the Inlon’s eyes locked on Rosalyn’s backside. She gave the woman a wink, then released Rosalyn.

“Armor ready for enchant,” Lucia said. “Bracers help with recoil?”

“Yup, can do that. Stability for your boots, and I’m guessing Dexterity as well?”

Lucia nodded. “Some Stamina too.”

“Gotcha. I’ve worked on armour for a rifleman before. I can trick you out with some of the good shit. Not to mention your scope. How about you, humie?”

“I feel like I am mostly set, but if you can give me any spell storage or Mind increases, I would appreciate it. My robes have been crafted with enchanting in mind, so I do not think you will find it a challenge.”

“You sound like the practical sort. Bit stuck up, but yeah, I getcha. Alright, that’s a ton of work to keep me busy. Drop your pants here and I’ll take ‘em for a spin,” Wendyl said with a wink to Kat.

“I… er…” Kat flustered, then started pacing.

“My Gods, Kat. You are useless when it comes to women,” Bren groaned. “Orenous knows how you have seduced so many.”

“Me muscles did all o’ that fer me,” Kat grumbled.

“Not your impeccable charm, that is for certain,” Bren chuckled. “Being a princess surely did not help.”

“Ye ‘ave no leg tae stand on ‘ere,” Kat retorted. “Ye can get any girl ye want when ye try. Feck, ye had that bartender in the Keep wrapped around ye before ye finished orderin’ drinks.”

“Yes, and I know what I am doing,” Bren huffed. “Unlike you, bumbling your way into beds. We could go back and forth on this for a while.”

“Surprisingly, aye. Dinnae how ye keep people thinkin’ ye’re some stuck up prude.”

“Attitude,” Bren said with a flourish. “People see what they wish to see. When they see me in robes and all, I give off the air of a scholar.”

“Bren. I’ve met plenty o’ scholars that’re absolute freaks,” Kat said flatly.

“Librarians especially,” Ann agreed.

“Shite, that was a thing, too?”

“Oh yeah, big time. People loved the slutty librarian in stories or porn,” Ann said.

“Smart and sexy,” Lucia nodded. “Understandable.”

“Wait, so you are saying I have that air to me?” Bren cut in.

“When you want tae,” Kat shrugged. “Ye’re definitely not pullin’ off the macho act. Too skinny.”

“Well, now I know how to quantify my charms,” Bren laughed.

Lucia conspicuously looked away at that moment. Ann alone seemed to notice.

“I believe Lucia and I should take our leave. I know you four want to get better acquainted,” Bren said with a gracious bow. “Thank you again, Wendyl, for your services. Ann, try not to break her?”

“Yeah. See you later, Casanova,” Ann waved as Bren turned to leave.

He stopped, raised a finger, then shook his head. “I will inquire later.”

Then it was just the four women in the room. Kat shifted nervously. Rosalyn fiddled with a piece of scrap metal she’d picked up, and Wendyl looked around confused.

“Wait, why you, and why break?”

“Well,” Ann grinned. “I’ve got this other thing.”