the first chapter
The yearning Lin 'er,
A middle-aged son,
only daughter
With his father's eyes,
For you, dear child,
We built these castles,
I'll look after your childhood.
By the rocks
Surrounded by moats and towers,
All the courage, was
The stone walls were sealed layer by layer.
drawbridges and fortifications,
The spires and battlements make you proud and lonely.
O beloved child,
In middle age I'm happy to have a son,
Who can tell how much pressure you're under?
The bright daughter,
Images of memories,
Is your newborn heart already prepared?
Your home,
Where are your compatriots?
Where is the unblessed discontent?
The power of independence from the heart,
How to surround the castle
Falling into this strong fortification?
the first chapter
The bell in the Paladin Temple's clock tower was still ringing, accompanied by the sound of doors closing, windows closing, and locks locking. Of course, there were also screams of protest when Kander people were caught sneaking around in the shops. The sixth chime signified the end of the day's business. The shop owners were ready to close the shop. As soon as they received the cash, they all looked at the ignorant customers impatiently.
Closing time, Max, Jenna told the young assistant. He nimbly left the seat beside the entrance and began to pull down the heavy wooden boards to cover every glass window.
The shop darkened. Jenna laughed. She liked this job, but she preferred this time of the day. All the guests had left, and the whispers had quieted down, leaving her alone. She listened to the silence. If she was blind and deaf, she could tell that this was a mage's magic tool shop just by the smell of rose petals, cloves, and spices, as well as the slightly rotting smell of bat wings and turtle bones. The smell was always the strongest at this time. Sunlight activated all kinds of smells, while darkness increased their intensity.
Max appeared on the porch. Can I help you, Miss Jenna? he said eagerly. He had just been hired, but he had already fallen in love with Jenna. This nineteen-year-old boy was crazy about love and fell in love with a woman who was five years older than him. All of Jenna's assistants would fall in love with her. This had already become a situation that she had expected. If the other party did not fall in love with her, she would probably be disappointed or angry. But she didn't seduce them. She just lived her life naturally. However, her beauty, strength, and mysteriousness alone were enough to form a fatal attraction. Jenna loved another man, and the entire Palansus City knew about it.
No, Max, you can go to the Wild Boar Hotel and relax with your friends. Jenna grabbed the broom and started sweeping the floor. They're just kids, Max said scornfully, his eyes following her every move. I'd rather stay here and help you clean up.
Jenna swept up a few clumps of mud and mint leaves on the floor and playfully swept them over Max. I've already told you that there's nothing you can do to help in the shop. You'd better not stay here. I don't want your blood on my hands.
"Miss Jenna, I'm not afraid," he said. " Then you lack common sense," she interrupted, her smile counteracting the sting in her words. The brooch in the box can absorb souls and send you straight into the bottomless abyss. The ring next to the brooch can blow your insides out. Do you see the spellbook on the shelf over there? If you dare to glance at the incantation on the cover, you will find yourself in a frenzy. Max was a little surprised, but he didn't want to show it. Where did these come from? He pointed at the shadows in the shop.
In every corner of the world. The white-robed priest who had just left brought the Soul Absorbing Brooch. You should also know that the brooch has an evil attribute, so she can't use it at all. However, she used this brooch to exchange for many spellbooks that she had coveted for a long time but could not afford. Do you still remember that dwarf from this morning? He sent these knives. Jenna pointed at a display case filled with knives and daggers.
Were they enchanted? I remember that mages are not allowed to carry weapons. We can't have swords, but daggers and knives are still in line with tradition. In addition, these were indeed not magical weapons, but the dwarves would make many weapons that could be enchanted later. If the mage wanted to, he could cast a spell on these knives.
The young man refused to back down. Miss Jenna, if you aren't afraid, why should I be afraid? Because I know how to deal with these magical devices. I was wearing a red robe. I passed the trial in the Great Wizard Tower. When you reach this stage, you can enter my shop. Before that, she had revealed a smile that served the young like wine. You can just stand at the door and watch the door.
"Yes, Miss Jenna," he promised firmly."And…perhaps I will study magic in the future…" She shrugged and nodded. All of her assistants said the same thing when they first started working, but no one really did it. This was Jenna's arrangement. She had never hired anyone who had the slightest bit of magical potential. Her products were too tempting for the young mage. Moreover, Gatekeepers needed muscles, not brains.
Only those who had the qualifications to become a mage and a few merchants who dealt with magic items could enter Jenna's shop. There was a sign of three moons hanging at the entrance of the shop: Silver Moon, Crimson Moon, and Black Moon. Mages drew power from these moons, and all the magic tool shops on Anselon would hang the same symbol.
Most of the residents in Palansus avoided Jenna's shop. In fact, many people would deliberately walk across the street. However, there would always be a few drunk or brainless guys who would try the hard board. And, of course, there were also the Kande people. Jenna's gatekeeper had to chase away the fast and agile Kander people every day. Every mage on the Anselon Continent knew the story of the magic tool shop. It disappeared mysteriously and never appeared again. Horrified witnesses said that they had seen a Kander enter the shop seconds before it disappeared.
Max walked to the tavern indignantly, wanting to quench his burning love with ale. The fabric merchant next door to Jenna locked the door and saluted her respectfully as he passed by. When Jenna first moved in, he wasn't happy. However, as his sales of fabrics (especially red, white, and black) increased, the volume of his protests also decreased.
Jenna also said goodnight to him. She returned to the shop, closed the door, and locked it. He also used a sealing technique. She lived above the shop and had to use her own methods to defend this place at night. She looked around one last time and walked up the stairs to her room.
The knock on the door made her stop in her tracks. Go home, Max! she said angrily. Three days ago, he actually returned to the window and sang a love song to her. This accident made her very embarrassed.
The knocking on the door repeated again, and this time it was more urgent. Jenna sighed. She was tired and hungry. It was time for a cup of tea. However, she still turned around and walked down the stairs. The owner of the Three Moons Shop must answer the door to any mage who needed it, regardless of whether it was in the shop, during the day, or at any time.
Jenna opened the peeping hole on the door, expecting to see the red-robed mage humbly apologizing, hoping to get some spider webs. Or the black-robed mage impatiently asking for bat dung. Unexpectedly, Jenna only saw two figures in heavy cloaks standing on the porch. Under the light of the setting sun, she could clearly see the swords at their waists.
"You've come to the wrong place, gentlemen," Jenna said in standard Elvish. Judging from their slender legs, exquisite leather boots, and gorgeous leather armor design, even though their faces were covered by hoods, she still guessed that they were elves.
Just as she was about to close her cranium, one of the men said in common," If you're Jenna, the daughter of the president of the Mage Congress, then we're in the right place."
"Let's say I'm Jenna," Jenna said, pretending to hesitate, but she was very curious. Why are you looking for me? If you have magic items to sell, she said after a moment of thought, please come back tomorrow morning.
The two men looked at each other. She could see the reflection of her almond-shaped eyes in the shadow of her hood. "We want to talk to you," one of them said. Just say it, Jenna said. We want to talk privately, said another. Jenna shrugged. There was no one on the street at this time. I don't want to be paranoid, but you must know that the owner of the Three Moons Shop is very careful about who he lets in. This is mostly for your own good. We have something very important to discuss. We can't talk on the street. Believe me, miss, the elf whispered, we don't like it any more than you do. We promise not to touch anything! Did my father send you here? Jenna played with them calmly.
If Jestaris had sent them, he would have sent word. However, she had not heard from him for several months since the last time they had an argument. Jestaris didn't approve of Jenna's lover. No, my lady, one of the elves said. We came here on our own.
Weird, Jenna thought. One of the elves was from Quirinastri, and the other was from Sivanastri. She could tell from his accent that there was probably no other human in Solania who could do that. This was because Jenna had spent a lot of time with the elves, especially one of them.
A long, long time ago, the elves once belonged to a unified country. The tragic War of Reading the Wall split them into two countries, Sivanasti and Quillingesti. Both sides hated each other. Even now, after the Battle of the Spear had united all the races on Anselon, the two elven kingdoms had formed a seemingly united country, but in fact, the distance between the two countries was greater than ever.
After Jenna's curiosity was piqued, she didn't have much of a choice. She opened the door and let the elves in. Actually, she was not afraid at all. They were elves, which meant that they were loyal to the law, upright, and so good that it made people feel bored. Moreover, if they acted rashly, she had a spell that could immediately blow them back into the street.
The two elves stood in the middle of the room. They put their hands on their legs and didn't even dare to touch the display case. They stood very close to each other carefully, but it was obvious that they did not want to touch each other. Although they were allies, they weren't willing allies, Jenna speculated. She could barely suppress her curiosity.
I'm sure the gentlemen would be more comfortable in my room upstairs, she said with a sly smile. I'm preparing to make tea. Are the two of you willing to join me?
The Sivanasti elf covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief. The Quirinastri elf turned half way around and was face-to-face with a jar of goo filled with eyeballs. This made him retreat evilly.
Jenna pointed upstairs. The two of you should feel that my little nest is quite comfortable. And it was very normal. " My research lab is in the basement," she added to reassure him.
The elves exchanged glances and nodded stiffly before following their mistress upstairs. When the two elves realized that Jenna's room was just like any other human's living room, with a table, chair, and sofa, they heaved a sigh of relief. Jenna started a fire and started brewing tea with the tea leaves from Quillingesti.
The elves drank tea politely and nibbled on biscuits. Jenna chatted. The elves would never talk about serious matters when they were eating and drinking.
The elves only responded occasionally and did not take the initiative to speak, so the conversation was quickly interrupted. The two elves quickly put down their cups without embarrassing their masters, indicating that they were going to start discussing serious business. However, they did not know where to start.
Jenna could make them think non-stop, or she could take the initiative to help. Since she was expecting a more pleasant partner tonight, she took the initiative to get rid of these guys as soon as possible.
Gentlemen, you have come here to find me, a red-robed mage. What do you need? I have to tell you that I'm not leaving the city. If you want to hire me to cast a spell, it must be a spell that can be completed here in my research room. Besides, I don't concoct love elixirs. If this was you…
Jenna knew very well that these two archenemies who had secretly come to her shop at dusk didn't want love. But pretending to be ignorant would never hurt.
" Don't joke around," the Quirinastrian elf suddenly said. I…I…He shut his mouth, organized his thoughts, and spoke again. This is very difficult for me. To us, I should say. We need to talk to…someone. A very special person. Someone suggested that we should come to you because you might be someone who could help.
Ah, Jenna thought. Tsk, tsk, tsk. This was really interesting. She smiled sweetly. Really? Someone I know? I really can't think of anyone. The two gentlemen seemed to have extraordinary family backgrounds. There shouldn't be anyone on the Anselon Continent that you can't see.
Except this one, said the Sivanasti elf hoarsely. In the Great Wizard Tower... His voice lowered. That person was an exception. The Dark Tower, said the Quirinastri elf. The Great Wizard Tower was located in Palansus City. We want to talk to…the Pagoda Master.
Jenna sized them up. Judging from their actions, swords, and the jewelry on their hands and necklaces on their necks, he could tell that they were two elven nobles. Although it was difficult to determine the age of the elves, it was obvious that they were already middle-aged, so they were at least elders.
Nobles, high status, enemies who had been enemies for a long time, and allies who had made up in a hurry. They wanted to talk to the person who hated them the most in the world, the Tower Master of Palansus City's Great Wizard Tower.
You want to talk to Dalama, Jenna said calmly. Yes, Miss. The voice of the Quirinastri elf sounded hesitant. He coughed to remind himself.
It seemed that the Sivanasti elf was completely speechless. His expression was stiff, his lips were tightly pursed, and his hand was desperately gripping the hilt of his sword. They obviously hated the current situation.
Jenna bit her lip, trying hard not to laugh. No wonder these elves insisted on having a private discussion. Dharama was their kinsman, the Sivanasti Elves. But he was exiled, shamed by elven society. He was the Dark Elf they were talking about, the Elf who had abandoned the light. His crime was to study evil magic and choose to wear a black robe. The elven society would never forgive such a heinous crime. These two people were unbelievable even just by looking at Dalama. To talk to him face to face-
Jenna couldn't wait to see Dalama's reaction. However, she still decided to let these two guys suffer first.
What makes you think I can arrange a meeting like this? she asked, feigning ignorance.
said the elf, blushing. We heard you were friends with... er... the Lord of the Tower (he wouldn't say his name)...
He is my Sharaf. A completely neutral red-robed mage could choose to serve any mage of any color, regardless of whether they were good, neutral, or evil.)。"She's also my lover," Jenna replied. The twitching muscles on her elf face made her satisfied.
They exchanged glances again, most likely meaning: What else could humans do?
It was obvious that the Sivanasti elves had had enough. He stood up and told us to end this as soon as possible. Can you…are you willing to let us talk to the Black Tower Master?
Maybe. Jenna didn't answer. When was that?
The faster, the better. Time was running out.
Jenna raised an eyebrow. Let me say this first. If you want to set a trap for Dalama!
The elf looked at her. I promise you, ma 'am. He said with a serious expression. He would definitely not be hurt.
Won't be hurt at all? Jenna said with a smile. Heavens, what kind of threat can you pose to Dalama? He was the most powerful figure among the black-robed mages. He was now the leader of the black-robed mages. When my father retires, he will take over the position of the Chairman of the Mage Council.
" I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for losing my composure." She tried to hold back her laughter. The two of them clearly felt that they had been greatly insulted. Gentlemen, I'm just thinking about your safety. This was good intentions. Don't play any tricks on Dalama. You won't like the consequences.
Damn it! said the Sivanasti elf furiously. We don't need--
Wrong, we have to, his companion said in a low voice.
Elf Sivanasti swallowed his words and did not dare to speak again.
When can we talk to the Tower Lord? said the elf coldly. If Dalama agrees to meet with you, you will find him in my room tomorrow night. I believe this place is still okay, right? Perhaps you would rather meet him in the Great Wizard Tower? I can sell you amulets--
No, Miss. The elf knew that she was mocking them. This room should be quite suitable.
Very good. Jenna stood up. I'll see you tomorrow night, about the same time. I wish the two of you a good dream.
Elf Sivanasti's face instantly turned red. He looked as if he was about to hit someone, but the Quirinastri stopped him.
" Sweet dreams. Ah, I was too careless," Jenna muttered as she lowered her head to hide the smile in her eyes. She had actually forgotten about the fate that Sivanasti had encountered. Please forgive me.
She escorted the two of them down the stairs and out of the house, watching them walk away on the street. After they left, she reset the enchantment at the door and went upstairs to welcome her lover with a smile.
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