Bonus Short Story

Precious Rivalry

Dhoran was doing some routine maintenance for the Order of Healing’s slaves in his forge beneath the Yenice Healer’s Guild when he heard yet another commotion break out from the neighboring bench.

“You lied to me, Pola! You didn’t make that Lil Shiny whatsit! You copied it from a magic item purchased in the Holy city!”

“No. It’s different. I made it better. I didn’t even dismantle its parts.”

Lycian growled.

“I still win. You’re the one who broke it and made Chief mad.”

“You do not! Mister Luciel and Dhoran scolded you last night for misusing so many magic stones!”

“Genius takes resources.”

“Mister Luciel said that the winner is whoever can artifice the most universal and helpful tool. By my honor as an elf, I will not lose to you!”

“Well, I’m not losing either.”

Dhoran cracked a smile. “It’ll be a cold day in hell before those two start workin’ together.”

Pola had grown up surrounded by masterful craftsmen, just like her grandfather, in a town hidden away from sight. And being the only girl her age in the entire village, she’d been the object of much attention and pampering. It was only natural that she took a liking to the art of crafting. She’d been everyone’s little granddaughter and had learned from the best, taking lessons and honing her skills from all manner of artisans who sought to nurture her young talents.

Once her education was all but complete, Dhoran had decided to journey out with her. To their home: the Kingdom of Dwarves. He’d had high hopes that the trip would help her make friends with others her age, people who might take her skills to the next level. But those dreams were doomed to fall apart.

His granddaughter was a prodigy, one of the best, even among other dwarves, a race known for their innate crafting abilities. Pola believed that her talent for handiwork would make up for her clumsy way with words, however friendship was not what she earned for her efforts—only jealousy. The other dwarves started to whisper insults behind Dhoran’s back, and Pola lost any hope of ever making a single friend. So she tuned out all from her mind but her craft.

Dhoran smiled as he remembered how far his granddaughter had come, feeling yet more gratitude to Luciel for giving her someone to talk to. Someone to compete with. He couldn’t wait to see what those two would create together.

The dwarf couldn’t contain his excitement and peeked in on the argument.

“It’s complete! Behold, my invention purifies and circulates unclean air!”

Pola tested it out. “Not bad. But my artificial suns are way better.”

“Ugh, I must admit, those are more magically complex. They are impressive.”

The dwarf stuck her chest out. “Yes, they are.”

Lycian grinned. “But Mister Luciel has no need for mass-produced artificial suns, and they’re horribly costly in terms of magic stone usage.”

“This isn’t over.”

“Not by a long shot!”

The two girls grabbed as many magic gems from the center table as they could carry, hauled them off to their stations, and got to work.

Dhoran smiled and returned to his own. “Much as I love that she’s makin’ friends, our stock o’ gems isn’t gonna last long at this rate. Shoulda set some aside for myself.”

Three floors beneath the Yenice Healer’s Guild, the team was hard at work.