A change to Arc 3 - Chapter 65

Changed a bit, won't affect the story much, but a Patreon, Peekaboo, found the not checking the red gem very silly. And on reflection, I agree. This bit replaces Fritz's initial dismissal.

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While Fritz was happy for it to be finished, he hadn't the time to study it or what was within the red gem, not yet. Still, they could take a small peek, just a few minutes.

"George, my good man, let's have a look at what is written within this stone."

He nodded stoically, though smiled brightly.

They set up the device in the lounge, interrupting two ladies within. Lauren had been perusing the Mist Art scroll, and Jess had been reading some 'tasteful' romance novella. They both quickly set aside their respective books, intrigued by the device and enamoured with the intensely faceted gem.

George set the strange, metal apparatus on the tea table while Fritz explained its purpose.

Soon, the gleaming red stone was in the receptacle, and Fritz's Mana lantern sat on the opposite side of the device, separated by the various large lenses. While the gem fit perfectly, the lantern wobbled in its housing. Though it was a small flaw, it set George to frowning.

"I'll fix that," he said, producing a small hammer from a bag.

"Later, George, let's see if it works first," Fritz said.

He nodded reluctantly, and Fritz activated the lantern.

White light splashed through the lenses, each focusing the illumination until it was refined to a brilliant point that plunged into the gem's depths. The wall behind was painted with warped lines and broken glyphs.

To Fritz's dismay, they were unreadable.

"Oh, that's pretty," Jess said, delighted by the sight.

"Quite," Lauren agreed.

"Unfortunately, pretty is not what I was hoping for," Fritz said.

"There are dials here, they let you adjust the lenses. And these ones rotate the gem," George pointed out.

Fritz immediately knelt by the device and started adjusting. The unfocused pattern blurred and sharpened, but nothing, then swirled and changed completely when he found the dial for the gem.

While there were ooo's and ahh's from the audience, and he quite enjoyed the show of lights himself, frustration and weariness built within him. Even with the dizzying display, he couldn't keep his eyelids from drooping or the grumbled curses from escaping his lips.

"Fritz," George said, after another five minutes of fruitless adjustment.

"Yes!?" Fritz asked with exasperation. It was meant for the device, not for George, but he still looked upset by the tone. "My apologies, I didn't mean for my words to come out like that."

George hesitated, then looked down at the designs for the device in his hands.

"What's wrong? Speak," Fritz entreated.

"I may have made a few mistakes," George admitted. "I can see now that there are places where the placement and forging aren't quite right. In my haste to provide you with something that might help you, I did less meticulous work than I should have."

"Alas." Fritz sighed. He wanted to be annoyed at the time wasted, but couldn't be; the man's intentions were clear, and Fritz was too tired anyway. "Well, thank you anyway, George. I appreciate the effort and skill it takes to make such a device."

"I'll do my best to repair it," George promised.

With that, the disappointing device was stored away, and they left the lounge.

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