Vesemir accepted the pocketwatch, seemingly satisfied with the first order of the day. A simple accessory, made of metal, and the size was right too. He placed Jazdia's compass on the enchantment table, and then the basalt stone was placed by its side. 

With a nod, Eblana channeled her arcane energy onto the table and had it run through an arcane circuit that linked both items. Done with that, he rubbed the basalt on the lid for good luck. 

The watch remained closed when he returned it to Jazdia, and the elf accepted with an appreciative smile. Appearance-wise, there was little changed in that pocket watch. Vesemir knew the item was important to her, and throughout their adventure, he knew that Jazdia was someone who appreciated functionality over appearance. 
[color=ec008c]
"Well, that was quick,"[/color] commented the elven ranger.[color=ec008c] "It seems your expertise is [i]really[/i] something else, or Theriadoere's work was really [i]that[/i] modular."
[/color]

[color=#F4E7CA]"A little bit of both, actually,"[/color] Vesemir answered with a moderated pride. Eblana shrugged behind him. 

[color=ec008c]"Anyway, thanks,"[/color] she pursed her lips before adding. [color=ec008c]"Since it looks like you two will be a bit busy, I am going to explore the place."[/color]

[color=fff79a]"Ahahah! Busy is an understatement,"[/color] quipped Eblana before adding quickly. [color=fff79a]"I am sorry I can't accompany you, Miss Jazdia."[/color]

[color=ec008c]"No problem. You are needed here. I am just taking a stroll to get rid of boredom. See you later, everyone!" [/color]


The second order was coming, and it made Vesemir appreciate the simplicity of the previous even more. Akari came with a series of weapons so many that Vesemir evaluated his choice of words; he knew sometimes he sounded rather verbose, but he also expected that everyone he hired had some common sense. 

[b][color=#F4E7CA]"No, no! Don't just put it like that!"[/color][/b] The old elf was clearly losing it when the big shuriken--almost as big as the table itself--- was added to the pile.

[b][color=#F4E7CA]"Young miss, I admire your enthusiasm, but you are ruining this piece of art! I can imagine Theriadore rolling in his grave, and I think I am going to join him soon! ---This device is fragile!" [/color]
[/b]
The rest were intelligible muttering when the scholar removed the sword and the shuriken from the table. The clearness in his voice was only recovering when he dealt with Akari's collection of knives; he promptly returned them to her. 

[color=#F4E7CA]"Here, take this. And this. This too. I don't know why you would need all of them enchanted. The blessing would work as long as you have the rune on your person. Ok, prestige points! I get you. I will only have two of your weapons enchanted, but you will have to wait."[/color]

After Akari, came the masked knight. 

[color=1a7b30]“My sword,”[/color] he said, holding his spadone out to Vesemir to enchant. [color=1a7b30]“Let the man that vanquished Scheel be vanquished by a weapon of Scheel.”[/color]

The words carried a significance that gave a much-needed pause to the archaeologist's consternation. With a nod, he accepted the long sword. It seemed he had missed a very important revelation, but he could not bring himself to be privy. The best he could do was to honor the knight's wishes. 

[color=#F4E7CA]"Very well. Mr. Rezello."[/color]

Before he could start processing the weapons, Verdant the youkai handed him a strange blade that thankfully came with its scabbard. Another simple addition to his list that thankfully would be easy to enchant. He was about to give his usual approval when he realized that Verdant had left with Jazdia. 

[center]***[/center] 

Leaving behind the workshop, Jazdia walked through the exhibition room with slow and steady steps. 

Despite earning many gasps and wows from Vesemir, Jazdia really could not call this place welcoming. It was cold, functional, and emotionless. Pale was its main color palette, and the lighting, while sufficient, only amplified the coldness of its design. It was almost giving off an impression of a crypt, a very ornate crypt at that, looking at the displays and items arranged. The lack of another person in this room further reinforced the feeling of cold, death, and loneliness. 

[b][color=#38b000]"We're hunting the wizard, it seems!"[/color][/b]

Verdant's energetic, slightly shrilly, voice somewhat dispelled the coldness, and it was hard to say she didn't enjoy the change. 

[color=ec008c]"I think we are,"[/color] she responded, brightened by the unexpected company.

[b][color=#38b000]"Anything you can tell about hunting wizards? I may be able to prepare a few helpful substances."[/color][/b] 

[color=ec008c]"A few, maybe. Had the pleasure of fighting a few of them. The most recent was in Kindeance, some ten years ago. A well-prepared wizard was the worst kind of enemy to fight against. There were eight of us back then, and it felt like subjugating a dragon." 
[/color]