Inheritor Of Magic: The Magi King

The next morning, Wolfe got up off Shorty's floor and cast a cleaning spell on himself before changing his armour spell to the formal Patriarch's Robes.

The twins had carried Petros to bed in the small hours of the morning when he passed out, but the apprentices were still here, scattered on the floor where they fell. They wouldn't be asleep for long, as Shorty was warming up the forges, making the place welcoming for his impending guests, but they were bound to be in rough shape.

As it turned out, four pints of Dwarven Ale and a glass of whisky were enough to put them down for the count. Petros had lasted a little longer, as he was already an old man and well-used to his drink, but even he hadn't dared to switch to the mug for the hard liquor.

"He drinks like a Dwarf, and he's up at first light, before the forge is hot. You know, Patriarch, if you didn't already have a job, I would offer to take you as an apprentice." Shorty laughed.

Wolfe chuckled at the blacksmith, whose apprentice still wasn't there for the morning, despite being dismissed even before Wolfe showed up to start drinking last night.

"Good apprentices are hard to find. First they're late, then they're out gallivanting with dryads half the night, and before you know it, they're suggesting watering down the ale to save money so they don't have to work as much."

A booming voice laughed behind Wolfe as three stout men in fancy armour came stomping into the room.

"Patriarch Noxus, what brings you by so early?" One of the Dwarves asked.

Wolfe recognized him as an advisor to Saint Gregor, who oversaw the Mist Continent to their east, so he would likely be both one of the Masters for today's appraisal, and part of the committee that would be debating the new peace deal with the Fallen.

"I was here all night. Celebrating an impending Master Rating." Wolfe shrugged.

The three Saint Rank Dwarves laughed. "And if he doesn't make it?"

Wolfe shrugged. "Then we'll do it again to drown our sorrows. There should still be half a barrel or more of Ale left, though we're out of liquor. Would you like a sip while you work?"

That was a rhetorical question, and Shorty was already pouring the five mugs of ale before he went to the safe to take out the hammer.

Everyone raised their glasses in a toast, and Shorty placed the weapon on the table where the mugs were, so the Saint Rank Masters could get to work.

They turned the weapon a few times to get a good look at all the work, but for the most part, they were silent as they made the appraisal. Finally, a half hour and three beers after they had started, a decision was made, and the Dwarves rose to their feet.

The oldest of them, so old that his beard was beginning to thin with age, extended his hand.

"Congratulations, Master Shebbediah Stoneforge, you have regained your status and are now a Rank Six Master Smith."

Wolfe gave him a quick congratulations, and then looked up toward the city, which was beginning to get active.

"I should be going as well. I have meetings all day today, assuming that King Petros is in shape to attend. Let me know what the appraised price for the weapon is, and I will arrange payment for you." Wolfe informed Shorty as the other Dwarves prepared to leave.

"I'll hold you to that. I've got a list of little things I wouldn't mind owning from the market."

Wolfe laughed and waved as he left. There was no doubt that Shorty would have a list of things he would like, especially after selling a masterpiece Rank Six weapon. That would not be a cheap piece, no matter how low they valued it on the scale of similar weapons, so Wolfe knew that he would have to be prepared to make something custom for the Dwarf, or be prepared to send an entire truckload of common items back to his family in Faerie.

That could be dealt with after the meetings, though.

The last of the Continental Representatives would be up soon and headed to breakfast, while Wolfe would likely have to send someone for King Petros. But to his surprise, when Wolfe scanned the city, he found that Petros was already awake and on his way to the spire for breakfast with one of the early awakened Witches, as well as some of his Nobles.

Once he reached ground level, he flew up to meet them, and found that Petros was looking well rested and excited about the day.

"Saint Noxus, those beds of yours are incredible. Perhaps it is thanks to the anti-hangover tonic that your bodyguards procured for me, but that might be the best night of sleep I've had in my life." Petros greeted him.

The other Nobles nodded in agreement, though a few of them blushed, and Wolfe wondered what it was that they had gotten up to last night. Technically, it wasn't hard to guess, but that meant that Petros wasn't the only one in danger of losing people today.

"The hammer you were interested in has been rated as Master Shorty's Rank Six Masterpiece, and it will be ready for you once it has been properly appraised. It's good to see that the tonic worked well for you, Dwarven Ale can be a bit hard on the system for some species." Wolfe joked.

"Some species? I don't think that hangover is suitable for any species." Petros replied.

One of the Fae, a Satyr boy who was bussing tables, laughed at that assessment.

"King Petros, Your Majesty, Sir. The Dwarves don't suffer from hangovers. When they pass out drunk, they wake up feeling as fresh as the day they were born. You just can't give them Elven wine. They're not good with sugary drinks." The boy explained.

Petros gave Wolfe a suspicious look, knowing that he must have been aware.

"I can do the same thing, using my magic to refresh my body and remove the hangover. But I would have delayed today's meetings until after lunch if we had to send you to the healers this morning."

One of the Noblemen perked up at that. "Speaking of which, I have met the most wonderful young woman, who is training to be a healer. I don't suppose that it would be possible to get some sort of arrangement about hiring workers put into the deal, would it? Because she was just finishing night shift at the clinic shack when I came in, and her magic is wonderful, despite still being a young student."

Wolfe nodded. "I think we can arrange something, though not until they've finished their schooling. A half trained healer can be worse than no healer at all, even if they are using magic."