World Sphere - 32 - Pascal's 17th

Chapter 32 Pascal’s Seventeenth Celebration

As I walked with Callem, I recast my obfuscate spell and set it to show my aether core at 10% of its actual size. So someone with a reading ability would see it as 123, still extremely large for a 15-year-old but not overly frightening.

I asked Callem what he had purchased at the general store to start a conversation during the walk. He said just some consumables and showed me the list. He had a long list focused on restocking the two larders on the farm. He had purchased everything I had requested for cooking and much, much more. With seven people living there, we were consuming food at a prodigious rate.

I noted he had bought enough ingredients to make the spicy chili a dozen times over and ingredients to make ice cream a few times. Dessert was a new concept for everyone, and it was something that was growing on Callem. All the supplies were being shipped out to the Gaskil farm to be loaded onto Callem’s new cart. Callem also mentioned that Wynna was paying a fair portion of the food bill. Apparently, his new live-in girlfriend was paying rent in food.

Getting a little bolder, I asked if we could go to the city today to buy a few things. “Can we go to the city today as well? I have a few things I need to get.”

Callem, like he always did, was processing the question. Before responding, “What do you need in the city Storme? I do owe you a lot of back pay.” Callem hadn’t given me any money for working his farm in quite some time.

I was ready with an answer he would like, “I want to get some chocolate to make chocolate ice cream. I also wanted to go to Marigold’s Mystical Emporium to get some spells. I don’t have any coins, but I could use the bracelet, or I could just…” I left the rest unsaid, especially after Callem’s cool gaze fell on me.

Callem stopped walking, his brow creased. A few moments later, he spoke, “Yes. Yes, we will go to the city, and I will accompany you. It’s the only way we can be sure you’re safe. Can you create coins in your pockets?” I nodded, slightly surprised. “Well, make as much platinum as you can. I have five of your platinum with me, so there’s no need to use your bracelet to withdraw funds. I will go with you and supply the coins for your purchases. That should divert all the attention to me as your benefactor.”

Callem grinned a little evilly, “We should make an effort to spend a few platinum. That way, it should reach back to the thugs who robbed you, whose coin they actually stole.” Callem's look turned to me, and I was slightly scared. “If you see them, point them out to me.” He had a grin now. “How many more can you make?” Callem asked.

“I should be able to make two complete platinum coins,” I responded.

“Good. You can palm them to me at the party.” Callem paused again. “When we get to the city do not speak out of turn. You are smart enough to know what not to say. After this trip everyone should think that your benefactors are Wynna and me,” I nodded. Happily, my thoughts had turned to what spells I hoped to purchase. Callem started walking again and I had to jog a little to catch up. I think he was excited.

It was great to see my family’s house. The noise from inside was quite loud, as everyone was singing a folk song about reaching maturity. It was around lunchtime and I actually didn’t know when the party was. I guess it was now.

Callem held us back until the song finished and then we entered. Everyone turned to us and everyone went as still as a statue. Oh, they hadn’t expected me back and I surprised them. “Hi everyone!” I said awkwardly and waved.

My entire family was there. I could hear Monty pawing at the bedroom door of my sister’s room, anxious to mingle. In addition, Pascal’s five friends were there, and Brianne was as well. Brianne was standing awfully close to Pascal, too. These seven would all be going to the academy together in a few months.

They were the seven from town, and there was another half dozen or so from the outlying farms, too, that would make up Pascal’s first-year Academy class. “Uh, happy coming-of-age brother,” I said as I moved into the room. Then I noticed no one's eyes were following me. They were locked to the doorway behind me. I turned, and Callem stood there, taking up the entire doorway. I guess I was a little portentous to think they were surprised to see me.

“Everyone, this is Callem. I mean Captain Callem. I have been out living with him for a while now.” Mother and father were the first to move into action at the unexpected guest. They both went to Callem and started talking with him in soft voices so no one could overhear. I moved to the group of Pascal’s friends and soon found Freya hugging me tightly.

“Storme, I missed you!” She pulled me down to whisper, “The sword is in my room. Mom did the engraving on the scabbard, and Antal did the handle. Mom paid for the scabbard, and Dad got the dragon bone for the handle. It looks marvelous! Pascal is sure to love it!” I had actually forgotten I had made Pascal a sword for his birthday.

My life was incredibly stressful, and I had been intensely focused on learning spells. “We are going to eat first and then open gifts!” Since our parents had paid for the scabbard, I wondered what happened to the coin I gave her to purchase one. Before I could ask her what happened to all the coins, Freya had already moved off. My guess was they had been turned into candy.

Callem had finished talking with Caleb and Alurha and they were all smiles. Mother motioned me to the small kitchen to help with the food. Of course, I wouldn’t get away without cooking. The meal was to be chicken fajitas with honey ginger rice. There were a few bottles of wine on the table as well as it was customary for your 17th birthday to drink a glass of wine or beer. Most kids had tried alcohol long before this occasion, though. Both me and Gareth had downed a bottle or two of cheap wine ourselves.

“That blade is marvelous, Storme! How did you ever get Callem to part with it?” My mother asked in a hushed whisper as we heated up the food. My mother thought Callem gave the blade to Pascal? Of course, she did, as it was probably quite valuable. I held my tongue, not wanting to say something in error. They had just talked with Callem, and I looked over at him, and he winked. Son of a bitch, he had taken credit for the sword! I was angry for the briefest moment before thinking this was good. I didn’t need the recognition.

Soon, everyone was eating and happy. I listened here and there as this group was not really my friends. They were mostly discussing their upcoming entry into the academy. Freya had accidentally let Monty out, and she was chasing him to bring him back into the room. The guests' excitement was overwhelming for him, and he dodged her at every turn. I sat in one of the few chairs and relaxed for a moment. Brianne approached me and leaned against the wall to my right. “How is Gareth doing?” she asked attentive.

“He’s doing pretty well,” I said. This crowd wasn’t Brianne’s usual group. She typically hung out with the younger kids in town. “Do you want me to pass a message to him for you?” I asked, as Brianne hadn’t moved.

“No, I was just wondering if he was ok,” she said. She didn’t move and, a minute later, added, “On second thought, just tell him I was wondering why he wasn’t here as well.” After a brief pause, she added, “And also tell him that I was happy to hear he was doing well.” She smiled at me and moved away. Well, Gareth still had a chance with Brianne if he was interested. Maybe she came to this party in hopes of running into him? I didn’t understand women at all.

Soon, the gift-giving started. Pascal’s friends started. They gave him some silly gifts that I assumed had some meaning from the years they had played and practiced together. Freya went to her room and returned with the sword. It was wrapped in fine white cloth. Mother intercepted her and tried to give the sword to Callem to present to Pascal, but Callem motioned to me and mother walked over to hand the package to me.

It was obvious that it was a sword, but still, all eyes were on me. Taking the sword, I approached Pascal. “Brother, what we have here is a gift from your family. The blade was given by Callem...I mean Captain Callem, but mother made and engraved the scabbard, father had the work done on the hilt, and Freya was instrumental in getting it all completed, carrying it from Callem’s farm to here. I...” What did I do then? “I...I have paid Callem for his time to teach you how to use it properly. He will...”

I didn’t have a chance to finish as Pascal jumped up and actually hugged me. Chatter began as Pascal proceeded to unwrap the blade and draw it. Everyone was awed by the sword, even me. It was passed around, and when it got to Callem, he spent a good minute studying it before passing it along. I inspected the handle and sheath; both were impressive and highlighted the watered blade I had made.

Everyone was clapping and congratulating Pascal on the back. I moved to stand next to Callem to talk.

“It is a fine blade, Storme,” Callem said. “Definitely created by magic and should serve your brother extremely well. Do you know what such a blade is worth?” he asked.

I didn’t really care. It was just an hour or two of work on my part, but I decided to humor Callem with a guess. “Fifty gold?”

Callem huffed. “No. Not even close. People would pay three hundred on a bad day for a blade like that. Twice that on a good day and if it was prepped for enchanting.” I was in a little shock. Maybe making coins was the wrong way to make my fortune. That blade may make your brother a target. I will make sure your parents know to let him know to temper his enthusiasm in showing it off.” I took this moment to stuff the two platinum coins into Callem’s pocket. Callem moved away from me to make another fajita and talk with my mother.

Callen and I soon made our excuses to leave. I got hugs from everyone in my family, and Callem said Pascal could come to the farm tomorrow for four weeks of training with his other students. Pascal was over the moon, and I had to smirk a little because Callem hadn’t mentioned the three young women. Pascal was probably just thinking it would be me and Gareth. He was going to be in for a shock!

We started on the road to the city, and Callem started talking about blades non-stop. I threw up my arms and said I got the hint. He wanted me to make him some swords. He had a giddy childish grin on his face. Then he began detailing six different blades he wanted me to make for him, two blades were for him, one for me, one for Gareth, one for Aelyn, and one for Cilia. As we approached the city, he said it was time to watch our language and keep our eyes peeled. We ended the one-sided sword discussion and passed through the gates.