Champion

Chapter 39

Sapphire didn't like that idea, for a multitude of reasons. David had a right to his anger, just as she had a right to her own. It was neither Astinus' nor Laurena's place to try to 'fix' either of them. Also, she had learned over the last few days how much the Champion valued his own religion. She had no desire to set aside her beliefs, so why should she help this woman convince David to set aside his? Finally, she did not like the idea of the acolyte playing with the man's affections. She liked him. He was a good man, and deserved to be with someone that would cherish his many wonderful qualities.

Unfortunately, she also understood her relationship with Laurena could rapidly deteriorate if she refused this request. They still had nearly two weeks on the road together before she could deliver them to their destination.

"What exactly did you have in mind?" Sapphire finally asked her cautiously.

***

David and Zaffre worked in her shop the entire day, into the late evening. He learned a variety of important lessons. First, he learned that enchanting was a very complex process, that required writing the words of the enchantment on an item, then imbuing the item with the magic to power it over a long period of time. Pushing too much magic into an item too quickly could cause it to become unstable, and be destroyed. If he needed results quickly he could simply cast a spell on the item, but the spell would be powered by the magic within him, not the item.

He also learned that enchantments imbued within items were often weaker than something he could cast outright, since the enchantment was permanent rather than temporary. However, this could be overcome by continuously pushing magic into the enchantment over weeks and years (depending on the complexity and amount of power needed) until it reached the desired power. The saddle bags that Sapphire carried had taken Zaffre nearly a year to craft, and she had continued to power them every few weeks for almost twenty years before they reached their current strength.

Next, David learned the best wording and phrase selection for protective enchantments, as well as those to create sharper and more durable tools, which he used to create a new fighting knife. Conjuring the knife and enchanting it was a challenge, but after a few failed attempts he was able to produce something he liked and could start to imbue it with enough magic to power the enchantments he selected, which were increased durability and sharpness. If it worked he would craft something he had always wanted.

"Ever since I was kid, I have always wanted a matched pair of swords, which will never rust, never break or chip, never lose their edge, and can cut through anything," he had confessed to Zaffre as they worked on the knife.

"I do not know if these enchantments will be strong enough to do that, but they are the only ones that I know of which are close," Zaffre had responded.

He also learned that it is much easier to recreate something than to conjure it from his imagination. Aware of his ammunition limitations he had tried to conjure a bullet for his side arm. After the fifth failed attempt he eventually pulled a round out of the M9's magazine, pulled it apart with some tools and a bit of magic, and conjured each of the separate components individually. Unfortunately, he had no way to reassemble the individually conjured components into a working round. It took him nearly three hours to 'teach' his magic how to conjure a fully assembled and functioning 9mm round. Thankfully, it worked.

As David walked with Zaffre back to the main house at the end of a very productive day, he lamented that with as much trouble as he had conjuring a simple 9mm round, there was probably no way he would ever be able to craft a lightsaber.

***

At dinner that evening David was less than pleased with the atmosphere. Laurena and Sapphire appeared to have had some kind of talk during the day, and David was not entirely sure he liked the end result. Laurena seemed rather pleased with herself, and was being more forward with him again; while Sapphire was acting reserved once more.

He didn't mind Laurena's attempts to draw him into conversation during the meal. He had begun to resolve his anger toward her, and found that he could stand her company well enough if they didn't discuss Erosian religion. But Sapphire's new mood was disheartening.

Laurena eventually convinced David to tell them all stories of his world. It took a bit of effort, but he eventually agreed after seeing the look of blossoming enthusiasm on Sapphire's face. At that moment, he would do anything to make her happy.

He decided to explain the concept of movies, and then regaled them with some of his favorites. He chose to stick with storylines that they would understand, so he told them about the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae (aka 300), Spartacus (Kirk Douglas version), Gladiator, and his all time favorite in that category Clash of the Titans (the original not that unwanted abortion of a remake). He thought about telling them J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but he hadn't read the books in a while and he refused to violate them by getting even a single detail wrong...the movies had already done enough damage. The women appreciated his storytelling abilities, and he soon realized that in their society he was essentially their version of television.

Well, if I can't get out of here maybe I can make money as a bard, he thought to himself.

David soon realized that he was more tired than he should have been, and after apologizing for his fifth yawn Zaffre explained that he had expended a great deal of magical energy that day, so it was natural for his body to be tired. Nodding in agreement, and filing that information away for later, David bid the ladies good night and went to bed early.

After his departure Zaffre turned to the two younger women and spoke. "Well, it is rather obvious that he was the topic of your discussion today. Care to share your juicy gossip with an old lady?" she teased them.

Laurena was disinclined to discuss the matter with the woman, but her daughter had no such issues. "Yes, we talked about David, mother," Sapphire told her. She explained everything that Laurena had told her, to include Astinus' theory on why David felt the way he did, and then informed her of the acolyte's plan. "She wants me to work at explaining her actions in the context of her religion. I agreed to try to present what happened in a context he may be more receptive to. That is essentially my penance after all."

Zaffre nodded in agreement with her daughter's assessment. Unfortunately, she knew her daughter far better than anyone else, and could see that this plan for David did not appeal to the younger Dracian.

"What do you think of the idea?" Laurena inquired of her warily.

"I believe it would be good for David to gain better control of his anger," Zaffre began, "but I am unsure if this plan will produce the results you desire. My advice is to be honest with him. David seems to be a thoughtful and intelligent man, and he responds well to open and honest dialog. Try to avoid 'convincing' him and instead talk to him rationally. It would appear that he responds rather poorly to manipulation," she finished, with a significant look at Laurena.

The young acolyte had the good sense to be embarrassed by that statement. It did not change her plans at all, but she was becoming more conscious of the cost of failure.

Zaffre then chose to change the subject, but resolved to discuss the issue with Sapphire in private later.

***

Later that evening, Sapphire heard a light knock on her door as she was getting ready for bed. She walked to the door and opened it to see her mother standing outside her bedroom.

"Can we talk a few moments daughter?"

"Certainly," she replied, opening the door fully and stepping out of the way.

Zaffre moved into the room and sat on her bed, patting the space on the comforter next to her and giving Sapphire a significant look.

Some things never change, Sapphire thought to herself as she closed the door and sat beside her mother.

"I can clearly see that something is bothering you dear," Zaffre began the conversation.

Looking at her mother Sapphire realized it was pointless to argue. Her mother had always been able to read her moods, and the younger woman had no desire to debate the issue anyway. "Yes mother," she replied, "I don't like Laurena's plotting regarding David. Her reasons for what she is doing ring false, and he is a good man that deserves better than that."

"I see, and who is this better person that he deserves?" her mother asked her slyly.

"I didn't mean he deserves someonebetter mother, I meant he deserves to be treated better," Sapphire responded with an exasperated sigh. "He is far too good of a person, and noble of character to be manipulated by someone that has ulterior motives."

"And how do you know she has ulterior motives?"

"It's obvious!" Sapphire exclaimed in annoyance.

"Really? He does not seem to notice it," Zaffre commented.

"He's oblivious," her daughter snapped. "I could probably stand naked in front of him and he would ask me if I needed to borrow a shirt."

"I see. And how often to you imagine yourself standing naked in front of him?" her mother teased her.

"That wasn't my point," she said defensively.

"No my dear, but that is my point," Zaffre explained. "You like him, and it is pretty obvious to me. I can also tell that he likes you as well, and Laurena knows it. The question is what are you going to do about it?"

Sapphire realized she didn't know, and that was the issue. She was fond of the man, but she had never had any interest in pursuing a relationship before. She wasn't even sure she wanted one now. She just didn't want to see David with Laurena. The very idea of it made her blood boil.

"I don't know," she finally admitted. "I don't want to fall in love with a man just to watch him die. Worse, I don't want to lose him knowing I will also have to watch my own children die a few years later." She paused when she realized she had just told her mother her biggest fear was living the same life of pain that she did. "I'm sorry mom," she said horrified at her blunder, "I didn't mean to say that."

Smiling at her kindly, Zaffre reached over and hugged her daughter, "Dear, it is okay. I ran from your father at first too. Why do you think I chose to leave Dracian lands and move to the middle of nowhere? I hated the idea that I was stuck either choosing another half-Dracian as my mate, watching a human mate wither and die along with my children and my grandchildren, or forcing a full Dracian to endure the same. If it wasn't for your father's persistence I would still be living here like a hermit."

"Then why did you marry him?" Sapphire asked her, pained by the knowledge that one day her mother would have to watch her die.

"Because I loved him," she replied simply. "It was one of the hardest decisions I ever made, and the day we wed was the second happiest day of my life."

"Second?" Sapphire inquired.

"Yes. The happiest was the day you were born," her mother replied with a wistful smile. "That day I realized a very important thing. As long as you lived, I would get to keep a part of your father with me. Marcus may have been gone these last two years, but as long as I have you, I have a part of him."

"But someday I will be gone too. Then what?"

"Then I cherish the happiest memories of my life with the both of you, and share them with my grandchildren whenever I can," Zaffre said.

"But what if I don't want children? What if I never marry?" Sapphire pressed the issue.

"Then you are an i***t, and not the daughter I raised you to be," she replied gently.

Shocked by her response, Sapphire simply stared at her mother.

"What? Did you expect me to say something different?" Zaffre said kindly. "You and your father have been the best part of my 137 winters, and the idea that you would refuse to have that kind of joy in your life simply because you are afraid to lose it is idiotic. You are allowing fear to steal the best part of living from you, and you are letting it go without a fight. Besides, he is a Champion of Eros. He could easily out live me," she added.