Page #19

Walking into the mage guild Kota could feel eyes on him though he saw no-one.  He ventured further inside as he did a single man began to descend from a stairway to his left. “Well hello sir I was beginning to wonder if the guild had closed.” Kota began as he offered his hand to the man. The man’s eyes were cold even for a mage he was older than most men in the village and his hand reached out for Kota’s. When they shook hands Kota noticed a single black vein twisting around the man’s wrist and up his arm hidden beneath the man’s robes. “So sorry young one at my age I nap a bit too often.” The old mage said with a bit of chuckle. “What can I help you with today a love potion, a cure for your wound perhaps, or did you just need a simple spell done?” As the old mage asked his question he moved behind a counter and onto a stool. “Actually sir I have a rather strange request I need you to charge to theses opal crystals as you would a mage stone then I need a dispel potion.”  Kota said as he reached into his pockets to pull out the opal lenses. The old mage removed a pair of spectacles from his pocket and began to examine the lenses. “It will take about ten minutes for me to brew your potion and to charge these two thin stones it will cost you oh a silver piece. Do you agree to that price young one?” The old mage stuck out a hand for them to seal the deal. Kota reached out and shook his hand, when he did the old mage held it and set down the stones. Soon the old mage lifted the edge of Kota’s bandage. “You survived an arachnid shifter assassin as well.” As the old mage said this he lifted his sleeve to reveal the blackened veins Kota had imagined to see. “It was only a few years ago that I stopped receiving challenges from young mages passing through here. Take this as a warning young one never leave home without your arm covered, unless you are looking for bloodshed.” Kota just nodded his head and the old mage let go of his arm, leaving to prepare his potion. Kota watched as the old mage climbed up and down a ladder removing ingredients from high shelves behind the counter stopping occasionally to add something to a cauldron filled with boiling water. After he had finished gathering the items he needed for the potion he spoke a chant over the cauldron, and with a puff of smoke erupting out of the pot, he began to spoon the potion into a large glass bottle. As soon as he finished with the potion the mage placed the two lenses in a spell circle then began the process of transferring a portion of his magical energy into the stones. Kota could not look away as he watched the flow of energy coat the stones in power. After the mage finished the opal lenses glowed and pulsed with light. “Here you are young one, now for my payment.”  Kota handed the old mage a silver piece in exchange for the potion and the lenses.