Jacob focused on the object in his hand and began the work of his inscription.
'Alright, just a simple strengthening enchantment on this one. No need to be fancy with it. Looks like it will hold just eight runes. This will be quick.'
And it was quick. With almost no effort at all, Jacob had reinforced the object with a bit of magical power. It would not be nearly indestructible, like some of his enchanted items, but it would be much more durable than before.
The mage took it into his hands gingerly, like he was looking at a prize, as Jacob handed it to him.
"You know," Jake began, "it is quite durable now. I promise it will not break."
This broke the mage out of his fixation.
He blinked, then laughed under his breath. "Oh, I don't doubt it. This is more solid than some of the weapons I've tested out of the Academy."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "You teach?"
Gerald gave a slight shake of his head. "No, not officially. I've just spent a lot of time around places that do. Libraries, labs, the kind of places where most people talk more than they work."
He turned the rod in his hand again, still marveling at the enchantment he could feel and test, but could still not see.
"I know real work when I see it," he said as he turned his attention to Jacob. "And this is something else. It is a weak enchantment, but that is the point I am making. You could call this a beginner enchantment, and yet it still works so well. It is at the threshold of an advanced enchantment . . . as far as I can tell . . ."
Jacob gave a small smile. "It's not that hard once you know how to place the runes. You just have to feel out the flow a little."
Gerald just shook his head. "You make it sound so easy, but it is only easy for someone like you who seems to have developed a talent here. For simple folk like us, it's a work of wonder."
He tilted his head toward Arthur as he made the self-depreciating remark. Arthur nodded his head to agree, knowing his son really had a way with the enchantments he had never thought possible from peasants like them.
Gerald looked between the two of them, clearly thinking something over.
"I have a proposal," he said at last. "During your Trial Year, you're free to travel, yes? No chores, no required duties?"
This caused Jacob to look to Arthur as he subconsciously touched his medallion. Arthur looked back at his son before reaching out to rub his head.
"Don't worry, we are still protected by the kingdom and its laws. Even from mages. In my opinion, I think you should hear him out. He seems to know the ways of this part of the backwater county. I have never even met a mage in my life, much less gotten to make a deal with one. It will be a good learning opportunity for you."
With the reassurance from his father, Jacob looked back at Gerald with renewed confidence and nodded. "That's right. My parents said I could go as far as Thornhold if I wanted to."
Gerald smiled at that. "Good. Then how would you feel about setting aside one day each month to meet with me? I travel a circuit between Thornhold and the river towns, but I come through this region at least that often."
Jacob thought about it for a moment and replied. "But why would you want to meet with me once a month? Do you want me to bring you some enchanted clothes?"
This caused Gerald to laugh a bit. "Hehe, while I do like your enchantments, I think I would rather have my own clothes and items to be enchanted. Getting to pick the enchantments from what you know will be the icing on the cake."
"Well," Jacob replied, "when you put it that way, I suppose it makes sense. Though I do wonder about the payment. You said earlier that most enchanters charge for more than gold can buy. Would you care to elaborate on that?"
"Cough, cough." Gerald was caught off guard by the child. 'I gotta remember that this is someone with the magical power of an actual mage, his wisdom is probably much greater than even the average adult . . .'
"I am willing to trade at the rate we have previously used, and to sweeten the deal, I can tell you about the greater world outside these villages and even this kingdom. The laws forbid me from actually teaching you magic or from learning magic from you, but there are things I would consider worth more than gold that I am able to tell you about. So how about it?"
Jacob glanced at his father one more time before replying. Arthur gave a small shrug that seemed to say, It's your choice.
"Alright," Jacob said. "One day a month sounds fair to me. I don't mind trading enchantments for stories, as long as you keep your end of the deal."
Gerald nodded, clearly pleased. "You have my word. I'll keep track of the moons and send word ahead of time if anything delays me. Otherwise, expect me back around the first restday after the new moon."
Jacob nodded, I will be here. I will have to be alone sometimes but I will be here.
Arthur gave a thoughtful grunt. "Just don't go dragging him off to some mage tower or academy."
Gerald held up both hands. "Nothing like that. I'm not a recruiter or anything like that. I just want to see how his enchanting develops when he is already this good. And maybe help you both understand what exactly you've stumbled onto."
Jacob tilted his head slightly. "Stumbled onto?"
Gerald smiled again, more carefully this time. "Let's just say . . . inscription as a method is not commonly practiced. In fact, outside of a few old texts and disjointed theories, most would say it doesn't exist anymore. That makes you . . . interesting."
Jacob scratched at the back of his neck. "Well, I wasn't trying to bring anything back. I just thought it made sense."
"Exactly," Gerald said. "And that's why I want to see where your thoughts go. Where you will go, and how you will get there."
So Jacob replied, "It sounds like we have a deal . . . I will be seeing you around then."
Gerald nodded and turned to leave. "I really do hope I see you around, Jacob the Inscriber."
Jacob and Arthur just watched him walk off into the crowd.