by Thad Ward
Ike took a table of his own closest to the door. He summoned the bird from its statuette form and sat for a few minutes, giving it mental commands. Then he opened the door and it flew out into the street, parroting his services as it went along. “Double your speed! Blind your enemies! Silence your footsteps! Enchants starting at one silver knight! Free if you show an unknown enchant! Your mana drain! See Ike in the Weir Crest by the western gate!"
Ada listened to the bird as it flew away. “Enticing. Succinct. Decent price. That’ll get a lot of attention,” she said before returning to her book.
“You may not care for much of it, though,” Dusty chimed in without taking her eyes off her stitching. “Too many idiots out there.”
“Oh come on,” Ike said. “How bad could it be?”
Dusty was too right. By the time Ike had repaired and reshaped the table and chairs he was using, a pair of young players had burst in the door asking for Ike to teach them enchanting. Ike didn’t dismiss them outright, but may as well have when he quoted five platinum tenths apiece for the lesson. “It’s not restricted, but it doesn’t make much business sense if I’m trying to sell my services,” he explained, not unkindly. Despite his politeness, the two players gave him foul looks and left in a huff.
The next few players were no better. One asked for an enchant pro bono, trying to elicit sympathy for losing all his starting gear gambling. Another insisted on a detailed explanation of every enchantment Ike was offering, then abruptly said, “Lame,” before leaving. Several others had their hearts set on more conventional enchantments like boosted weapon damage or invisibility and didn’t stick around after hearing that Ike didn’t have those. A good half dozen had to have mana drain explained to them, losing interest when they realized they were trading money and permanent mana.
“This isn’t going as well as I’d hoped,” Ike said with his head on the table. It was now well into the afternoon and he hadn’t managed a single sale.
“Aww, don’t worry about it,” Ada said consolingly. She had left in the middle of the first few customers and returned with a variety of bottles and beakers. She had the junior chemistry set arranged on the table in front of her. “People don’t know how it works yet. Once the word spreads, you should start getting more legitimate customers.”
The door swung open and Ike raised his head wearily to see a tall, muscular man in overalls. It was difficult to tell much more about him since he was caked in mud head to toe.
“You Ike?” Clay said, towering over Ike’s table.
“That’s me. You must be here for enchanting,” Ike said. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if Maisy would mind the mess, then gestured toward the chair across from him. “Please, have a seat.”
Clay sat down heavily, flecks of dirt falling off of him as he did. “Your bird said I could double my speed. How much will that cost?”
Ike nodded. “Enchantments impose mana drain. That one’s called Biding and costs two, so you’ll lose two points of mana permanently. For the service, I charge one silver knight per point of mana, so that’s two knights.”
Clay didn’t hesitate. He reached into a mud-soaked pocket on his overalls and slapped down two equally dirty coins. Ike had to assume from the shape that they were the right kind. “Deal.”
Ike raised his eyebrows. “In a hurry, I guess. You don’t want to hear more about how it works first?”
Clay shook his head decisively. “No. I’ve been chasing that damn pig for more than a week. Anything to finish this quest.”
Ike realized that he’d seen Clay in passing when he and Ada had first entered Weir. “Sounds like a hard one,” he said. He stood and retrieved the coins, then touched Clay’s shoulder, casting Siphon Mana.
You have recovered 2 mana drain.
Mana: 3 / 6 (-7)
“That’ll do for payment,” Ike said. “Now, most enchantments can only go on certain kinds of equipment. The easiest place to put this enchantment,” Ike paused, looking over Clay’s gear and not finding much, “would be your boots. Does that work for you?”
Clay nodded and removed his boots, offering them to Ike. Like the rest of the man, they were completely caked in mud. Ike held them by the pull strap, trying to dirty as little of his hands as possible, then used his interface to place the enchantment.
Boots have gained the enchantment: Minor Biding
Boots have been renamed: Boots of Biding
Boots of Biding’s remaining enchantment capacity: 0 / 1
Mana: 1 / 4 (-9)
“You’re all set,” Ike said, handing the boots back to Clay. “They’ll take about an hour to get a full charge. Just click your heels together after that and you’ll have 30 seconds of doubled speed.”
Clay nodded as he put his boots back on, then left without a word. Ike didn’t think Clay was being terse on purpose; he looked more like a man on a mission.
“See? That one worked out,” Ada said. “Just keep at it.”
Ike nodded, wiping his hands and looking at the trail of mud Clay had left. “Sorry about the mess, Maisy,” he turned toward the bar. “If you give me a mop and bucket, I’ll be happy to clean this up.”
“Oh, don’t you think another thing of it,” Maisy said. “My tavern, my mess.”
Ike returned to repairing the tables and chairs. He had nearly finished fixing the furniture in the common room, starting with Ada’s and Dusty’s. He still had to fix the bar, parts of the floor, and most of the dishes, but the place was already looking considerably nicer.
Ike was drinking water from his tankard when the tavern door opened again. In walked a man wearing a well-fitted white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His dirty blonde hair was slicked back and his sparse beard was meticulously trimmed. He completed the look with a pair of suspenders and a bow tie, giving off a sharp impression.
“You must be Isaac Fennell,” the man said, flashing a photogenic smile. “Newcomer to Weir, hero who single-handedly defeated twenty goblins, and now enchanting entrepreneur. I’ve heard so much about you.” He leaned over the table to Ike and gave him a firm, enthusiastic handshake.
“That’s me,” Ike said, returning the handshake awkwardly. “Well, most of it. I helped stop a goblin raid. I think the story of that is getting a little out of hand, though. I didn’t kill anywhere near twenty.”
“I thought as much, but people do love a good story,” Warren said as he sat across from Ike. Ike was glad Maisy had already cleaned up. “My name’s Warren Fairbank. Perhaps you’ve heard of me in the real world.”
Ike tried his best to remember. There was something familiar to the man’s name. “I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere, but sorry, I can’t quite place it.”
Warren shook his head magnanimously. “Not a problem at all. There are a lot of tech CEOs in the world and not everybody reads magazines these days.”
Ike raised an eyebrow. “You’re a CEO? Playing a barber in a fantasy game?”
Warren laughed just a little too hard. “Sorry. Yes, I thought the choice of barber was a bit of a joke at first, too. Then I did a little research.” He leaned forward on one elbow. “Did you know barbers were priests and medicine men in ancient Egypt? That they were the center of gossip in ancient Rome? Or dentists and surgeons in the Middle Ages? Being a barber makes me a respected physician, a purveyor of status, and a nexus of public discourse all rolled into one.”
“That explains how you know so much about me,” Ike said. “It doesn’t quite answer my question, though.”
Warren pointed a finger at Ike. “Quite right. You’re as sharp as I expected. I’m here because I see an opportunity. I’d like to do business.”
Ike nodded. “Okay. I can tell you about the enchantments I have available or we can discuss a specific need. Did you have anything in particular in mind?”
“Oh, I’m not interested in enchantments,” Warren said. “I received a tip that tells me you may have special insight into this marvelous game.” The way Warren met Ike�
�s gaze as he subtly emphasized the word “special” made Ike uneasy.
“Maybe,” Ike said. “I’m a programmer in real life, so I may have a better idea than most how some of the game systems operate. I’m sure you probably employ lots of people like that, though. Why are you so interested in me?”
“Curiosity,” Warren said, spreading his hands. “Playing a game like this is all about having fun, right? This is just how I pass the time.”
“Bullshit!” Ada yelled suddenly. Ike and Warren turned toward her to see her scowling at one of her beakers. “Sorry, don’t mind me,” she said to them. Warren turned back to his conversation with Ike. Ike was about to do likewise when he saw Ada give him a very serious look and then turn it harshly toward Warren.
“Okay,” Ike picked the conversation back up. “Let’s say I have some insights into the game. What are you offering for them?”
“Tit for tat,” Warren said, still smiling. “How would you like to know more about astrals? Or about the goblin leader Adger asked you to kill?”
Ike had never been good at poker. He tried to keep his interest off his face but got the impression Warren saw right through him. “I would,” he admitted.
“Oh, son of a bitch!” Dusty suddenly piped up behind Ike. Ike looked over his shoulder to see her sucking on her finger from an apparent sewing accident. “Sorry, just a little prick,” she said.
Warren laughed. “Awfully energetic in here,” he said. “At any rate, I can sense some hesitation. No need to make a decision now. I’ve got a shop in the square called Warren’s Whiskers. You can’t miss it. Come see me when you’re ready to do business. I’ll give you a shave, too, free of charge.” Warren rose to leave and reached into his pocket, placing something on the table. “And here. A small token of good faith.”
Ike examined the leaf-shaped pin on the table as Warren left the tavern. It was a simple ornament, slightly glossy and edged in bronze. It was nice enough, but it was the pin’s enchantment that caught Ike’s eye.
Ike picked up the pin and checked out the front window of the tavern to make sure Warren was well on his way before turning back to Ada and Dusty. “Okay, thanks for the heads up, guys. Maybe make it more subtle next time? If I got the message, I’m sure he got it, too.”
Ada shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. That guy’s oily. Pretty much everything he was saying was a little embellished, but that bit about wanting information for curiosity’s sake was a whopper. He’s up to something. You should steer clear.”
Dusty gave a long, loud “mmm-hmm” of agreement. “Ada’s right, hon. I’ve seen his sort of aura before. He’s a two-faced bastard who’ll sell you a deed to the Brooklyn Bridge for one of your momma’s kidneys. And he won’t lose a minute’s sleep over it, either.”
Ike nodded. “That’s what I’m worried about. He’s dangling the right kind of bait. He came in knowing all the right buttons to push. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew you guys would warn me away. He probably just assumed it wouldn’t matter.” Ike looked down at the pin in his hand as he cast Harvest Enchantment. “He’s not just sleazy. He’s smart enough to get away with it.”
Verdant Pin has lost the enchantment: Minor Daydrinking
Verdant Pin has been renamed: Leaf Pin
Leaf Pin’s remaining enchantment capacity: 1 / 1
You have learned the enchantment: Minor Daydrinking
You have gained experience.
You have recovered 1 mana drain.
Mana: 3 / 5 (-8)
The afternoon stretched on. Ike switched gears and began repairing dishes, utensils, and cookware. Maisy, apparently over her hesitation, laid them all out on the bar for Ike. He noted how she picked the finished dishes up almost lovingly, then washed them and placed them in their appropriate spots. Everything in the room was starting to look like new, and it made Ike smile to see the effect that was having on Maisy.
After several grueling hours of experimentation and a few minor accidents, Ada was able to gain the alchemy skill, pumping her fist and whooping loud enough to be heard out in the street. She grinned from ear to ear at Ike as she showed off her first healing potion. Once the thrill had passed, she returned to her beakers and thumbed through her book, giving Dusty and Ike a conspiratorial wink. He took that to mean the alcohol immunity potion was within her starting skill level.
Customers continued to come in looking for Ike. Though fewer than at the start of the day, they tended to be better informed. The party he’d caught sight of in the square came in as a group, each sacrificing a bit of their mana for enchantments that would benefit their expedition. They left with Glow on a shield, Lesser Cartography on a map, and Preservation on a sack for provisions. Ike respected their practicality and teamwork just as much as he appreciated their patronage. He dropped the silver into his pouch and smiled at the satisfying clinking it made.
A woman decked out in a full-body ninja uniform followed closely on their heels. She presented Ike with a holy symbol in the hopes that it was magical. Ike decided to identify it for free.
Despite the ninja’s face being covered behind her mask, Ike could see her elation when he confirmed the item was magical followed by her abrupt disappointment when he said it was class restricted. He cheered her up by harvesting the mana from the enchantment and adding Muffle to the ninja’s tabi instead, doing so for free since he got to learn the enchantment in the process.
You have learned the enchantment: Spiritual Weapon
“You know, Ike,” Dusty said conversationally as she measured a bolt of fabric, “you could make a real killing doing this instead of adventuring. Identifying items, repairing gear, swapping enchantments. Hell, I bet you could make a decent amount just buying and reselling broken equipment. You’d never have an end of customers.”
“Just like you could do the same recoloring things like my armor,” Ike said. He lifted a ladle and cast Minor Repair, watching the bent handle straighten and the dented bowl pop out. “It’s a good way to make a few quick coins, sure, but it sounds too much like work in the long run. There’s a whole wide world out there to explore. Know what I mean?”
“Oh, I get it,” Dusty smiled. “Money’s fine. It’s just not where your heart’s at.”
“What are your plans when you finish the quest, Dusty?” Ada chimed in. She closed her book and rubbed her eyes. “Care to head out on a grand adventure?”
Dusty shook her head. “No thanks, sweetie. The stage is my battlefield. Besides, it’s hard to hike in high heels.”
The door swung open, interrupting their conversation as it slammed into the wall. A trio of men walked in. The one in front had the sort of cocky sneer on his face that made Ike sure he wouldn’t need Ada or Dusty’s assessments. The man’s fiery orange tunic was either a little too small for him or had been left half open on purpose to show off his muscular physique. He swept his blond hair back over his head and gave a confident wink to Ada as he strode in and planted his foot on the chair across from Ike.
“Yo, hook us up with your best enchants. Hop to it. I’m a busy man,” London said, looking down his nose at Ike and making a circular motion with his hand.
Ike was too distracted by London’s character sheet to respond at first. The stats might have been intimidating if they weren’t so obviously fraudulent. Ike had to assume there was a skill that could mask the results of Identification, which might have been a troubling revelation if only London had any idea how to use it properly. “Sure thing,” Ike said after a long pause. “Please have a seat and we can discuss business.”
“You hear that boys?” London said over his shoulder. “This newb thinks there’s something to discuss. Did I stutter or something?”
“Nope,” the goon on London’s left piped up. He was lanky and his eyes kept darting over to Ada and Dusty. “Better listen to what the boss says.”
Ike nodded. “Yup. I heard you. You want my best enchants, so I assumed you’d want to know more about what they are, how they work, and what t
hey cost.”
“Cost?” London squinted at Ike and gave an exaggerated shrug of mocked confusion. “What cost? Oh, you mean the privilege of giving me whatever I want. You know who I am, right?”
“Afraid not,” Ike said in an even tone, shaking his head slowly. He knew London’s name but didn’t feel like giving him the satisfaction.
“This here’s London Carver,” the goon on London’s right chimed in. He was a short, pudgy man with an overly large head. “London Carver,” the goon said with greater emphasis. “You want to stay on his good side. He’s going to run this town soon.”
London grinned and puffed out his chest. “Tell this newb what level I am.”
“Boss is already level three,” the pudgy goon said.
“Idiot!” London turned and made a threatening motion, causing the goon to cringe back. “That was days ago.”
“Right, sorry,” the goon said. “Boss is level five. Highest in the game so far.”
“Level six just as soon as I catch that damn wolf,” London added proudly.
Ike took a deep breath. He could see this was going nowhere. “Is that a fact?” he said. “I must’ve missed the leaderboards this morning. And you want me to enchant all of your stuff for free. Did I get that right?”
London turned back to Ike and sneered down at him. “I don’t like your tone, kid. You know why I’m called London Carver, don’t you?” London rounded the table and loomed over Ike, cracking his knuckles. “Only because the game wouldn’t let me name myself Jack the Ripper,” he said in a low, threatening tone.
Ike could feel himself losing his cool. “Look,” he said, rising. He had to look up a little as he met London’s gaze. “You seem to think a lot of yourself. And maybe you have a few levels. Three I could have believed. But all this?” Ike gestured broadly to London and his goons. “Who acts like this, man? If you want to do business, fine, I’m happy to talk it out. But only for fair payment. And only if you cut the cliché schoolyard bully crap. It’s embarrassing.”
