Winterfall

My walk to Pari’s shop was uneventful for the most part. For the majority of it, I tried my best to not listen to other people’s conversations in fear I would worry too much about the fallout.

The tracker was paid for, correct?

Yes. I paid in full for both items.

I wasn’t worried about not having the money on me to cover it. What I was worried about was getting a hand out from Pari. As the heir there had been a few occasions where people would just give me items instead of letting me purchase them. I knew they were doing it out of the kindness of their hearts but truth be told, it did bother me.

Since I didn’t have to work for my money I often found myself feeling guilty about having an abundance of it. Especially when I knew that part of my kingdom was in poverty. That was something else I wanted to try to change when I took full control. I wanted to do some sort of payout to those who needed it. I just had to figure out the drawbacks of doing such.

Regardless of that issue, I knew there were other issues that I needed to look into. Like the increase in crime as you go inward. Though that could be fixed with hiring more guards.

Another issue is the crop lands. We always had a good turn out of crops every year, however, the farmers were beginning to question the ground's fertility. Druids I knew would be able to figure that one out. I just had to hire archdruids to come and take a proper look. Don’t get me wrong, I am not disregarding non archdruids by any means, but the archdruids of The Isle have incredible talent beyond that of base druids.

Mhm…

It was a simple sound he made. However, I had a feeling I was about to get a lecture.

Yes? I couldn’t help but groan.

Nothing, love. It just amazes me the thoughts that are running through your mind right now. The strides you are taking to prove yourself worthy of the title.

Huh, not what I was expecting.

If, I may ask though. Here it comes. Why the sudden shift?

Simple. You are taking the necessary steps in order to protect our kingdom. What have I done to show them that I am worthy? Nothing.

So no more sneaking around?

There will still be that. But I need to start balancing duties with my outside life. It’s what father would have wanted.

Silence fell through the bond at the mention of my father. I wasn’t just doing it for my kingdom, I knew deep down he would want this. He would want me to embrace who I truly am despite whatever I am feeling inside.

Take it as someone who knew your father outside the family, he is proud of you now and will be proud of who you are becoming.

And who am I becoming?

I couldn’t help but wonder what he saw of me. What he truly thought of me. I knew I was a scared girl once but I felt like I was getting braver. I was getting stronger. I was becoming who I was meant to be.

Someone who will be brave enough to stand up against Marcel. Someone who will be brave enough to rule the kingdom.

I felt my face begin to flush red as heat rose in my cheeks. He began to ramble on countless things that I have been trying to improve on, ever since Marcel came into our lives.

Eventually the bond fell silent again as he stopped his ramblings and I found my way to Pari’s shop. Pari’s shop was just as I had seen it through Théoden's eyes.

As I opened the door, a little bell sounded above me. “One second! One second!” Pari’s ethereal higher pitched voice called out from the back.

As I stepped further, my eyes widened as an overwhelming sensation of aw washed over me. There were four separate shelving units in the shop. Containing five rows each. Each had numerous magical items placed on it. Varying in size, strength, magical type, and use. Each shelving unit was labeled as follows: Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare.

Common magical items were general small items. Have basic enchantments and uses. These consisted of regular health potions, containers of various needs, and a variety of unique items that may or may not be found in our plane of existence.

Uncommon magical items were a step up from common in forms of strength, price, enchantment, and use. These things included a variety of gloves that aided in skills and potions. Things like my bag of holding was considering an uncommon magical item.

Rare magical items are third trier items. Often consisting of rings, like my ring of protection against divination, potions, belts and other fun things. These are more expensive than the other two options and can be hard to find or make. Often taking days or weeks to enchant the item properly.

Then there are very rare magical items. The fourth tier and some of the more costly items. These items often included various tomes that could increase a person's skills. Various staff spell casters seek. Amazing weapons that deal incredible damage. Even some potions fall under this category. These items are very hard to come by, which is why they are so costly.

Now, there are a few occasions where someone may stumble upon a legendary item or an artifact. Those things are often unheard of as those who contain the items often get targeted. For example, Théoden's own draconic blade is considered a legendary item. However, no one dares to fight him over it and he rarely has it out of his sight.

There is one artifact that I know of in the kingdom. And that is my father’s crown. The crown is locked and sealed away and only brought out on rare occasions.

Besides all that, the items that I saw in Pari’s shop, if I didn’t have control, I’d be all over each shelving unit. Buying items I didn’t need. As they all seemed to catch my eye.

“Almost finished up back here!” Pari’s voice boomed through the shop. Bring my attention back to my main reason for coming in here.

How is one not tempted to buy countless items here?

Don’t carry money and it’s not a problem.

He had a point. But still, there were so many things… “No.” I whispered underneath my breath and found my way towards the front counter.

The more I walked in here the more alive this place became. Things seemed to move or make sound as I walked down the main aisle. Which caused me to want to… “No.” I reminded myself of resisting the urge to reach out to the items that rested on the shelves.

I heard a snap of a finger as Pari fluttered in here. “Sorry about that Maria, I was testing a new enchantment on the store.”

“New…enchantment?” I muttered as the urges to buy something off the shelves faded away.

“Yes, I was hoping it would urge my customers to buy items. Based on the reaction I saw from you, I would say it works.”

I shook my head, “enchanting customers as soon as they walk in the door.” Interesting.

Pari just looked at me, “Like I said, just experimenting. You are here to pick up the tracker right?”

“Correct.”

Pari pulled out a bracelet that held three stones. One stone was a dark ruby, one was an emerald green stone, and the other a diamond. “Put this on an attune to it. The three stones have different meanings. The dark ruby is that for creatures of hell. The emerald green is that for the fey like me, and the diamond well that one is just for looks.”

“I thought it was just supposed to be a hell creature tracker?” I questioned Pari as I slipped on the bracelet. Almost instantly I began to feel the magic attune itself to me.

“I added an extra tracker. Fey probably won’t be a problem but it piqued my own interest to see what other fey creatures lurked in the kingdom.”

“Any extra charge?” I asked as I stared at the bracelet on my wrist.

“None, especially since I added the enchantment on my own.”

"How does it work?"

"Once attuned, any creatures within a quarter mile it will cause the gem to glisten. Creatures like devils, demons, fiends, fairies, hags, pixies, and dryads. I left the elven folk out of the charm."

"So, I'd just know if they are a half mile away?"

"At the start yes. If you move towards the creature, it will brighten more. If you move away from the creature it will dim."

"Got it."

"Anything else?"

“Nope, I think that is all. Thank you Pari.”

“Any time dear.”

With that I left Pari’s shop and headed back to the castle once more.

Maria, I was supposed to be the one to wear the item.

But it’s already attuned to me.

He grumbled through the bond, fine. Just be careful.

I will.

As I continued my walk back to the castle, I began to feel the magic take its hold. I didn’t feel the full strength of the magic until I reached the brass gates of the castle. Once there, the ruby and emerald green stone began to glisten.

Well fuck.