Semmi could only nod her head . The blonde officer had immediately been swept away by a group of young Ain'Dha.s.si women . She returned a few minutes later with a wreath of flowers in her hair and a white dress . Semmi's pretty face was bright red with embarra.s.sment .

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] It looks like they are planning to marry you off .

[Whisper Semmi to Nix] Right . You aren't allowed to mention this ever again .

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] No promises . . . You look nice though .

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] Thanks .

Semmi was seated next to Del, directly across from Nix . It was hard not to notice the scout, even among the attractive Ain'Dha.s.si .

Morti was wadding through camp with a dozen or so Ain'Dha.s.si youths on his back . The bear would stop every few minutes to take on more pa.s.sengers .

"Thank you for accepting my invitation Nix . " The Grand Elder watched the Inferno Guild Leader with a discerning eye . He had seen the human's impressive tailoring skills but there was something else that seemed out of place .

Nix paused while considering the statement . He definitely hadn't been invited . "It's a welcome opportunity to meet one of the Grand Elders of the Ain'Dha.s.si . "

Unlike the other Ain'Dha.s.si, Sai Teli kept his hair cut short . There was a ragged scar at his hairline that Nix hadn't noticed while in sparrow form . His pale blue eyes seemed ancient however his face was ageless . "Since we've gathered here as friends, please call me Sai . "

Nix spotted Cora bringing a plate of fruit to the next table, she was wearing the armor that he had modified . "Is that your armor Cora?"

The young dha.s.si froze in place when she heard their visitor speak her name . Her white hair hung down her back in a single braid, Nix had only noticed her because of the camouflage armor . "How do you know my name?"

"I heard Del Tali mention it in the Courtyard when she was speaking with Raine Xai . "

"Oh I see . This armor was gifted to me by Serai Del because I pa.s.sed the qualifications to begin training . " Cora's face was flushed while she spoke, but she kept eye contact .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Ranger training?" Nix remembered from the a.s.sa.s.sination attempt that there had been three bows stacked together at the youth camp .

Cora nodded . "I really like the way it looks . "

Nix smiled warmly, she seemed like a teenager . "Could I see your bow? Or is it improper for me to ask?"

Cora shook her head, "I don't mind . " She glanced at Del who nodded in agreement A moment later she presented her bow .

Basic Bow [Ranger Only]

+200 to Armor Cla.s.s

+50 to Range

+50 to Accuracy

Nix turned on the bench and held the bow in his hands . It seemed to be made of a hardwood, something like Black Ash . It was shorter than he would have thought, perhaps a hybrid of the longbow and short bow . "Makes sense, a longbow would be c.u.mbersome while hunting in deep foliage," he muttered to himself . He brought up his crafting menu and chose the Overlay .

[Camoflauge Overlay] [Basic Bow] [Camoflauge Clothe] [Fish Line Thread]

The Grand Elder watched as he worked, he had never seen the human crafting methods displayed before . They seemed vastly different than the Dha.s.si techniques . "That clothe naturally blends into the surroundings?"

Nix nodded . "It's called Camouflage, it's my own invention . I only thought to apply it to objects recently . "

/Inferno: Semmi: Did you just claim to have invented Camouflage?

/Inferno: Nix: Yes .

Sai didn't bother to hide the interest in his eyes . "Amazing Guild Leader Nix . You can apply this to weapons also?"

Nix waved his hand . "Just call me Nix, as you said, we are gathered here as friends . I haven't tried any weapons before, the only experimenting I've done is with different enhancements . "

The Grand Elder glanced at Del, who seemed content to chat idly with Semmi while Nix crafted . "Del . . . perhaps as Cora's sponsor, you have a small enhancement that could be added . I'm very curious about the possibility of Tailor enhanced weapons . "

Nix looked up at Del when she stood . "Sponsor?"

Del nodded and handed him a small stone . "I sponsor Cora . That means her initial Ranger training will be done by me until she is ready to study under one of our Master Trainers . "

"I see . " Nix held the small stone in his hand and checked its enhancements .

True-Strike

Description: A mysterious

stone that increases the chance of

scoring a critical hit .

The Camo-Overlay for the bow could have up to two enhancements . Nix added stone and considered his options . Just one legendary leather wouldn't drive up the cost too much, the Lamia should add a poison element .

[Camoflauge Overlay] [Basic Bow] [Forest Camouflage Clothe] [Fish Line Thread] [Bonus Enhancement: Lamia Leather]

"Since this is your training bow Cora, I shall gift you an enhancement on behalf of the Inferno Guild . " Nix checked the setup and then selected the Craft option .

Forest Viper [Ranger Only]

Bow: Tyrant I

+800 to Armor Cla.s.s

+75 to Range

+75 to Accuracy

20 percent chance to score a Critical hit .

[Additional Effects]

Lamia's Poison: A poison counter

is added to your target for each successful hit .

Avoid Detection: Remain motionless

and completely blend in with your surroundings .

Blurry Target: Incoming Range damage is mitigated by 40

percent due to your outline is heavily obscured .

When he was done, he did a quick inspection and then handed the bow back to Cora .

Cora's pale features flushed noticeably . "A Tyrant bow?" She looked at Del, "Is it okay for me to have something like this?"

Del inspected the bow and nodded her head . "In Oasis, sometimes events or special encounters can lead us to good fortune . Think of this as yours . "

There was an awkward silence that extended over the tables while the AIn'Dha.s.si stared at Nix . It lasted only a few seconds before the sounds of music playing distracted everyone . A dozen youths dressed in bright colors started dancing in a small circle .

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] I can't take you anywhere .

[Whisper: Nix to Semmi] Word will spread . Human crafters are skilled and our methods are creative and effective . You're right Sem, we need to unite the Guilds under one Alliance . Soon as we finish Mermaid City .

[Whisper: Semmi to Nix] Now you're talking .

They enjoyed a pleasant meal with their Ain'Dha.s.si hosts . There was no talk of politics but several Ain'Dha.s.si approached the Inferno members during the meal to thank them for the return of their family members . The music and the dancing were a pleasant distraction . Wine and conversation had started to make Nix tired . He covered a yawn and finished the rest of his drink .

A tall Ain'Dha.s.si approached their table just as Nix was finis.h.i.+ng . "Morai Sai, Delyn Xai from the Fir'Dha.s.si has come . "

Nix took that as his cue . "We should be going Grand Elder Sai . Semmi and I both have important business in Colonial that requires our attention . "

Del stood bowed low . "Thank you for gifting my sponsor such a nice weapon . I shall gather an escort to bring you back . "

Semmi shook her head . "We'll just gate out . "

Elder Sai's pale eyes stared as Nix and Semmi joined hands and then gated from their camp . The old dha.s.si sighed heavily . "It's true . They have an artifact that binds to an area . "