Mantle of the Gods

“Now you're asking the right questions.”

Trent smiled as he looked at his crystal band. “I have a lot of stuff in here that you might be interested in, but maybe you should tell me what you think you need.”

The exhaustion seemed to vanish from Aelin and Ether at the prospect of shopping.

I looked at the group before the women had a chance to try to browse. “I think we should see how much a healing spell for Justia would be.”

Ether was quick to nod her agreement but the others didn't seem quite so sure.

“Two questions.” I turned to the teacher, “First, how much would a cheap healing spell cost? Second, when will Justia learn a healing spell?”

Trent seemed pleased that there were questions going in the direction that he was trying to guide us. “It really depends on the Healer.” He looked at Justia and shrugged, “Some get them with their mantle, others don't get them until level ten. Each person is different and there are even some who have unique skills or spells that no one else has ever had.” He shook his head. “I could sell you a healing spell, but the going rate on those for a level one is 50 All.”

We looked at the thirty All that was in front of us. The food for a week was going to set us back three All, leaving the group with twenty-seven, or half of what we would need to get a healing spell.

“That's just one more day of hunting those bramble skeletons.” Trent offered.

I looked at Ether, “Do you think you can handle that?”

“Wait a second.” Rix said more than she had said the entire day, “You are talking like you're going to use my cut to give someone else something.”

I looked over at her, “What I'm saying is that if Justia had a healing spell right now then we could heal Ether’s hands. Plus with a healing spell, we would be able to take a few more chances and possibly earn even more in one day.” The look I was getting from Rix, Edward, and Aelin told me that they weren’t wanting to pool money.

“What about weapons?” I nodded at Edward and Rix. “Ranged weapons wouldn't be that effective against the bramble skeletons, but maybe a sword for Edward or…” I looked around the room.” Whose secondary stat was power?”

Justia raised her hand, “Mine.”

“How much would a sword or ax for one of them cost?”

“Yes, how much for a sword?” Edward asked, “Maybe one from the higher levels.”

Trent shook his head, “You could try wearing or using higher-level items, but the condensed crystal would wind up hurting you. I wouldn't recommend any weapons or armor that was made from crystals higher level than you are. Also, I wouldn't advise you to take any potions that were made from higher-level crystals either. If you think indigestion is bad, imagine what that would be like.”

The rest of us cringed at his analogy.

“Anyway, I have this short sword.” He laid a sword on the desk, “And an ax. Each one is three All.”

“I'll take the sword!” Edward exclaimed as he nearly jumped across the room to pick it up.

I looked at Justia and shrugged as she gave me a quizzical look. “Wouldn't the sword be better for Justia since it can be used defensively and the ax be better for you, Edward. Since you would be attacking?”

Our Hitter was too busy looking over his new prize as he headed back to his bed.

I shrugged and turned to the Healer. “Can you use that?”

She picked it up and tested the weight in her hands. “I think so.”

“Shouldn't she be buying bandages instead since she doesn't have a healing spell?” Ether held up her wounded hands.

Our teacher put a roll of bandages on his desk. ”One All.”

“We’ll take it.” I said. Justia looked at me quizzically and I waved at her. Between the weapon and the bandages and food she would have half an All left. “Take the ax out of my share.” I knew that I could use it in a pinch if I had to and would find some way to play that off. Plus I still had the level fourteen crystal in my pocket. I wasn't too concerned about a few crystals right now.

“What about gloves?” I asked

“Yes!” Ether exclaimed

Our teacher pulled out a pair of thick leather gloves and put them on his desk. “Three All.”

Ether picked up the gloves and tried them on.

“Will they work?” I asked

She pounded her hands together as if testing them. “I think so.” She pulled the gloves back off and looked at me as if waiting for approval.

“It's your money.” I said

She looked disappointed as she turned back to the teacher and nodded.

“Can anyone think of anything else they need?” the teacher spread out his arms. “Or should we settle up?”