NOVEL NEXT 1.41. Veins of Power
James opened his eyes as he finished with a pair of leggings. By his side, Jamie was dressed in the leather ensemble, her black hair matching the leather as her porcelain features stood out.
"How do I look?" she asked. Turning each way, she showed off her outfit that was snug to her body.
"It looks good," he said honestly. "I believe we need to test the abilities of the armor. I don't have Qi, so I won't be able to help."
Beaming at his weak compliment, she headed to the door. "I'll get Mary and have her test it with us. I'll be right back."
With a wave, she hurried out the door as he picked up a weapon. The dagger would be his first test with the new design that Jamie wanted him to try. He was supposed to enchant the weapon to gain the element of Qi pushed into it. The idea was intriguing and would help cultivators extend their abilities to their weapons easier.
Running his fingers over the rune that was a simple spiral, drawing in energy, he started concentrating. The image he wanted sounded like it would be simple, but when he tried to push the design into the metal, it bulked.
Wincing at the backlash of the iron refusing him, he pushed harder. His soul thrummed with power as he forced the iron to accept his will. Minutes passed before it clicked into place only to hear a gasp from his side.
Opening his eyes, he found Mary and Jamie standing near the bed, watching. "Something I can help—" Before he could finish his question, the dagger fell apart, disintegrating in his hands. "Dammit!"
"Do we need to dumb down the design?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah. We are going to need to limit the thought of enhancing Qi attacks."
Whistling, Mary eyed him like candy. "Hello, Handsome. Care to enchant with me?"
Frowning, he glanced at Jamie and found her frowning. "Let's test the armor. If it works properly, it should disperse Qi attacks."
Huffing at being ignored, Mary turned to Jamie and filled her hand with earth Qi.
"Hold on!" Jamie yelled. "I'm not rea—"
Mary lashed out with a powered punch that wrapped her fist in stone. James could only smile as the attack shattered on the armor, the white veins pulsing before the Qi was shredded and dispersed into the air.
"Damn," Mary said in awe. "I didn't think it would work that well."
Jamie gawked at her. "And you didn't hold back?" she shouted.
Cocking her head to the side, Mary asked, "why would I hold back?"
Eyes wide, Jamie started growling while reaching for a dagger. "Come here, Mary!"
Stepping away, the woman held up her hands. "What happened to my timid Jamie?"
"I just want to talk, Mary." Gripping the dagger tightly, she advanced on the retreating woman.
James watched as Mary sprinted from the workshop. Jamie followed right behind, screaming obscenities at her.
Whistling to himself, he grabbed another dagger. Dampening his thoughts, he started off simpler in his intent. Closing his eyes, he pushed into the iron and felt the idea take hold much easier than the last time. Instead of enhancing Qi and attacks, he made the dagger change its function based on what Qi was used. He only focused on the four primary elements and each one would pull on the user's Qi for different effects. Fire would encase the dagger in flames that would burn hotter than a forge. Wind would create a cutting blade that could cut through steel with ease. Water would freeze the target, and Earth made the weapon durable enough to never break.
When the enchantment clicked into place, he let out a relieved breath. Opening his eyes, he found the iron now had white veins of power running through it. It was beautifully designed, but he was ready for a break. He had spent nearly the entire day getting through rings and armor. He even had the storage devices for Luna and Amber.
Getting up, he stretched and headed to the door. Bringing the dagger with him, he followed the screaming down to Marion's shop. Stepping inside, he found Jamie straddling Mary and smacking her head against the ground. Behind the counter, Marion was watching with an amused smile.
"I brought you a dagger," James announced. Stepping around Jamie, he approached the master.
"It looks pretty, but what does it do?" Marion asked.
"Enchants based on what Qi is used." Handing it over, he waited until Marion pushed earth into the weapon. The veins turned brown and the blade shimmered before hardening.
"Feels like it won't break," Marion muttered.
"It won't." Gesturing to Jaime, he added, "we have most of the armor done and it works. You can collect it from Jamie's shop."
"Very good." Smiling, Marion grabbed a bag of coin out from under the counter. Handing it over, James nearly dropped it.
"How much did you give me?" James asked as he shook the bag.
"One thousand gold coins. There's more coming as well. I can sell each ring for a tidy profit. I already have customers lining up, waiting for me to set them out."
Sharing a smile with the master, James added the coin to his storage. "Let's go, Jamie. Beat up your girlfriend later."
Growling, Jamie let Mary go. "As if I would date this tramp!"
"That's right, you have Amber now," he teased. "Has she accepted you?"
Grumbling, Jamie pulled off the armor. "I'm working on it. Do you know anything about caring for tails?"
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Shaking his head, James helped her pull off the vest. "Let's stop at an alchemist in the city. I'm sure we'll find something."
Nodding, Jamie sighed and grabbed onto his arm after handing over the armor. "Let's go, dear brother. After you hand over my share of the gold."
Pursing his lips, he turned away from her. "I don't know what you are talking about."
"James," she growled. "Don't make me tell Luna on you."
Wincing, he pulled out the coins. "We'll split them at the inn. No point in doing it right now."
Eyes shining, she reached for the bag. "Gold…"
Pulling it away, he bopped her on the head. "Calm down you, greedy goblin. We need to buy care products from an alchemist so you can treat your sweetheart."
Beaming, she pulled him out the door. Picking up their pace, they rushed through the sect and onto the elevator. The trip down to the city left Jamie bouncing with energy before she pulled him through the busy streets. He barely had a moment to look around and marvel at the stone buildings before they were entering a shop.
The interior of the lightly lit space smelled strong with herbs. Shelves were packed with alchemical bottles and products, while a child no more than ten was at the counter. She had the typical eastern features of black hair and dark eyes.
"Welcome!" she chirped. "How can I help you today?"
Walking up to the counter, James said, "I need products to take care of a wolf tail. And this young lady on my arm needs products for a cat tail and hair."
"Umm…" the girl looked uncomfortable as she leaned back. "We don't have anything for demi-humans…"
"Can your master make something?" he asked.
"I don't know if that's a good idea, mister."
Chuckling, he waved off her hesitancy. "How about this. I'll show your master something they have never seen if they agree to help us."
"I'll check…" Hoping down from a stool, the little girl hurried into the back. His senses told him that the child was running up to an older soul that was filled with curiosity. Slowly, they both approached the entrance to the back room.
An old man with white hair and beard stepped out, his back hunched from age and liver spots on his hands and face. "I heard you have something for me."
His voice was surprisingly strong for his age and James quickly pulled out the flower he had collected during the night with Luna.
The old man's eyes widened as he reached out for the glowing flower. His breath caught as he trailed a finger along a petal. "Where did you get this?"
James smiled. "I harvested it in the forest at night."
"At night?" the man questioned. "Impossible…"
"So, I've been told. I do need your help, master alchemist."
"Products for a wolf and cat demi-human. I have what I need to make something. Is it for a regular wolf, or Fenrir?"
"Fenrir," James answered. "She can change forms as well."
"Rare," he said with a smile. "She's a lucky woman if you are coming to me for supplies."
"She's my wife," James said softly. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her." Pulling out a handful of the flowers, he handed them over. "I don't know what these flowers do, but they only grow and bloom at night. Will they work as payment?"
The old man chuckled. "They will, son. Come back tomorrow and I'll have plenty of my best for your wife and the young one's sweetheart."
"How did you know?" Jamie questioned while hiding behind James's arm.
"I'm an old man, dear. She'll be very happy with what I make for her, I assure you."
Beaming, Jamie nodded excitedly. "Thank you, Grandmaster!"
Bowing as best he could, the old man said, "tomorrow, my young cultivators." Turning to the child, he beckoned for her to follow. "Follow apprentice. I will show you why we don't discriminate."
Smiling softly, James turned with Jamie to leave. They had what they had come for and it was time to return to the inn for the night.
Luna stopped at a worn down tannery shop, her eyes wide as she looked over the racks of dragon hide sitting out in the sun. Three men with large swords were walking around the perimeter, eyeing everyone passing by, while a lone woman was stretching even more hide.
"Linda?" Luna called out.
Standing up, Linda turned to her. "Who are you, Fenrir?"
Stepping closer, Luna was quickly cut off by one of the men. Looking over his shoulder, she said, "you trained my husband yesterday. I came to see how you were fareing."
Face paling even more than it already was, Linda quickly hurried over to her and bowed her head. "I'm sorry, Matron. Please forgive me for not greeting you properly."
Luna glanced at the oni demi-human with a wry smile. The man shrugged and joined his brothers in patrolling the shop.
"Please don't bow," Luna said. Reaching out, she touched the elf's shoulder. "Did my husband leave a bad impression? I can kick his ass for you."
Shaking in fear, Linda quickly shook her head. "No! I would never wish that on the great cultivator!"
Eyes wide, Luna didn't know what to say. Grabbing both of the woman's shoulders, she forced her to stand up. "Please. I'm not here to chastise you or anything. James asked me to check in on you. That's all. We are leaving in a few days, and I just needed to make sure it would all be done before then."
"It will be, Matron!" Linda quickly responded. "Please tell the master cultivator that I will work all night in my shop if needed."
"Please don't." Luna wanted to groan.
What sort of fear did James instill in this woman? Are other people going to react this way as well? Maybe I should not let him come into cities…
"Linda, please stand straight. My husband would not want you bowing. In fact, he would be bowing to you and asking for more lessons. He's kind of a learning freak."
Gasping, Linda covered her mouth. "My Lady!"
Chuckling, Luna let her go. "Oh, please. He's my husband. He may be powerful, but he was pretty dense about my attraction. He's just another man. Oblivious to the world and the whims of women."
Cracking a smile, Linda let out a slow breath. "Please tell the master that I'll be done in two days. Everything will be packed and ready to go for him."
Nodding, Luna turned to leave. "You know. There's going to be plenty of hide and products that need to be made once we leave. We could always use an experienced crafter on our side."
"What are you hinting at, My Lady?"
Smiling, Luna glanced at the elf. "Just putting the idea in your mind. You may not have a dantian, but that won't stop my husband from getting you to cultivate."
Frowning, Linda turned away. Knowing her mission was done, Luna left. She had an inn room to warm up for her husband. They still needed to keep Amber and Jamie awake at night.
Linda's frown stayed in place as she wandered back to the shop. Bronson joined her. The oni had two simple horns jutting from his head while his red tinged skin made him stand out. Or it could be his muscular physique. It was hard to know the thoughts of other demi-humans.
"Is what she said possible?" Bronson asked.
Linda moved back to the rack and started stretching the leather. "I don't know. But she is clearly on the same cultivation path as him. Although she doesn't scare me."
"She felt like a predator that wasn't interested in hunting us," Bronson stated. "She also felt like she wanted a larger pack."
Linda hooked the leather into place. "I felt that as well. Who are those two?"
"I heard that the human killed five cultivators yesterday for beating up his friend and hurting an elf. He didn't even lift a finger. They simply died."
Shivering, Linda moved to the vats. "What do you think about her offer?"
Snorting, Bronson gestured to the streets around them. "And leave this glorious life behind? I can't believe you would suggest something like that."
Glaring at the man, Linda snorted. "It's not that bad of a life."
Sighing, Bronson turned his attention to his brothers. "When he comes to collect, we will ask if we can follow. I want you to come with, Linda."
Sitting down, Linda rested her head in her hands. "You've always been there for me, Bronson. But he's leaving the city and going to places that hold dragons. I don't know if I can keep up with that. I'm not a fighter. I haven't held anything other than my scraper and carving knife."
"I'll teach you. I'll keep you safe."
Forcing herself to smile, she pointed at the vats. "I have to get back to work and so do you. We'll talk about this over dinner."
"I'll cook this time," Bronson said with a shiver. "After last night…"
"It was edible!" she growled.
"Was it…"
Scoffing, she stormed over to her vat and pulled out the next section of leather. "Get out of my shop! Go play with your weapon or something!"
Letting out a boisterous laugh, he left her. With only her thoughts to occupy her, Linda couldn't help but look into the city. Maybe going with him was the answer she was looking for.