He picked up the second platinum ring and hesitated. He looked at me and spoke in a quieter and more subdued voice than at any time during our conversations. “I share this with you in memory of a young enchantress full of life and hope like yourself, whom I convinced to travel with me and my companions on our journeyman travels. She died, well, it matters not how or where she died. But had I known then what I know now, she would still be with us. Her name was Gentle, as was her spirit.” His voice became even quieter, and I could barely make out his next words. “She was my twin sister.”

  His spell flashed red so brightly that I was momentarily blinded, seeing only spots before my eyes. After I blinked for a few moments, I found him slumped in his chair, gasping for breath. Adriana was beside him first.

  “Master, what is wrong? Should I call for someone?” She asked with deep concern in her voice.

  He stirred and patted her hand, which rested upon his shoulder. “It is a momentary side effect of the spell. I won’t be capable of casting it again for some time.”

  He struggled but managed to stand once more. Taking a breath to steady himself, he said, “The spell I cast upon your second platinum ring is the blood elemental spell Greater Imbue Life. It will bring someone lost to you back from nearly any form of death so long as you can cast it upon her, or a part of her, within seven minutes of death. It is the only magical spell of its kind that a mage may cast. Only priestly spells are its equal.”

  I was stunned. “I did not know that could be done, master.”

  “It is a spell not known by many, and there are multiple reasons too complicated to get into right now why that is so. It comes at a personal cost. You must sacrifice a part of your own life to bring the person back. ”

  “Master Gizmo, the price—” I paused, stunned by his gesture and unsure what to say. Finally, I asked, “You gave part of your life for this?”

  He smiled thinly. “I did it for her. You will not pay that price when you cast it. At least, I do not think that you will. To my knowledge, it has never been cast upon a transition vessel such as this before. It is meant to be cast upon a creature. You may need to pay that same price when you cast it yourself or whoever uses the ring’s power to cast it since anyone can use the ring’s magic now.”

  Master Gizmo turned to his apprentice. “You now know of this ring and its power,” he smiled and nodded toward me, “should your traveling companions need it in the future.”

  Adriana and I had spoken of adventuring together, but nothing had been decided. She was more likely to travel into deep and dark places, while I was more likely to travel across city guilds or libraries. It was interesting that he assumed we would travel together. Adriana and I had become closer these past years, but…”

  I shook my head and refocused on Master Gizmo, who seemed to sense some of my thoughts. He picked up a gold ring. “These next two spells are from the sixth or inner element spells and cover a couple of powerful area of effect offensive spells. Use them only in dire need, and realize that anyone around you will be impacted by the spell effects, regardless of whether they are a friend or foe, if your aim is off or you are in an enclosed space.”

  After another couple of flashes, one silvery white and the other orange, he announced. “I have given you Thunderstrike and Firestorm.” And he handed me the two spell rings. Like all such rings, as I put them on, I understood the spell and its spell effects. I had never encountered the power of such spells before. After wearing them briefly, I removed each ring and placed it into a buttoned inner robe pocket.

  He picked up one of the last two rings, both made of silver. “I give you a fourth element Fly spell and a third element Call Elemental Familiar spell.” Once more, as he cast his spells upon the rings, there were flashes, silvery white and orange, respectively.

  “In truth, I do not know whether the familiar will serve you only once after your casting or if it will remain tethered to you far longer than the spell is intended. When casting, you must decide which of the five elemental types the familiar will take. It will be able to attack and defend on your command, as well as carry out commands. It has a human-level intelligence and will be kindly disposed toward you, unlike similar summoning spells of an elemental, which you must force to obey your will and bind it. But the familiar is still a creature of raw elemental force, and it should not be treated disrespectfully. Always be mindful and cautious in its presence.”

  I bowed to Master Gizmo deeply after receiving the last of the rings. “He nodded to me and then turned to his apprentice. “See that you assist him with the spells as directed. I have other business.” And without another word, he just departed his chambers, closing the door behind him as he left.

  Adriana turned to me. “I have never seen him like that before.”

  “That’s good, right?” I asked, concerned.

  She laughed. “Yes, you dolt. It was very good.” She came over, closer. “Can I look at those rings?”

  “Of course.” I pulled them all back out again and held them out to her on my open palm. She retrieved them one at a time and put each ring on a finger before taking it back off and returning it.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  When she had finished examining the final ring, she said, “This is amazing. As I place each ring on my finger, I know exactly what the spell is and how to use it.”

  I nodded. “That is part of the enchantment’s magic. Anyone can use this even if they didn’t cast the spell.”

  “Do you have to be a mage to use it?” She asked.

  “No, anyone can use the rings whether they have magical ability or not.” I thought about it for a bit. “But a non-mage might have to study the ring and concentrate on it before realizing it has its powers. I have never tested that theory before. It is probably worth exploring.”

  “But not with a Thunderstrike spell, perhaps.” She added cautiously.

  It was my turn to laugh. “Probably not.” I agreed.

  She shook her head and said, “You can help me with the dishes.”

  We walked back into the small kitchen area, and the work took little time as we both helped each other.

  When we finished the last dish, I asked, “What did Master Gizmo mean by the spells you were to help me with?”

  “Right. The adventurer’s set. These are early spells taught to advanced apprentices as they prepare to go out on journey.”

  “The enchanter’s guild doesn’t do anything like that,” I said.

  “My master says that in the old days, all guilds prepared their students this way, but it has gone out of fashion. The wizards still do it, but it sounds like that is about it, other than us. Individual masters may still do such things, but not as a guild-wide planned effort.”

  “What spells are included?” I asked. “And how many rings do you need, and what will it cost me?” I asked with a little grin.

  “Ordinarily, it would cost you, but since my master has directed me to help you, there won’t be a cost.” She paused. “This time.” We both laughed.

  “The traditional set of spells to be learned is mostly all first element spells, one from each of the five realms, with a single second element spell for protection.”

  “I don’t think I have ever heard of the elemental types called realms before.” I said as I began fishing out five copper rings.”

  “We refer to each primal elemental source as a realm. Sages and scholars also refer to them that way. I think sorcerers do as well. Conjurers and Summoners might as well. Basically, all the mages and priests who deal with the other realms one way or another probably refer to them that way, but I just don’t know for sure outside my guild.”

  “Then pretty much everyone but us enchanters.”

  “Pretty much.” She smiled again.

  “Good to know. I am planning to meet with several more emeritus guild masters and master mages, so this way I don’t look stupid.”

  She stared at me with raised eyebrows and asked, “Don’t you mean even more stupid?”

  “Well, you're not entirely wrong. I am out of my element with these meetings.”

  “Ha ha.” She said, catching my pun.

  I laughed and waved my hands. “You know what I mean.”

  “You handled yourself well with Master Gizmo. He took a liking to you. I have only seen him that happy and engaged when his former apprentices or close friends visit, which is not very often. He is usually pretty lonely up here. Having a reputation that keeps people away has its drawbacks.”

  I had not even considered that side of his isolation. Despite his generosity and Adriana's stories about him, I would not have gone out of my way to spend time with him. I imagine that most others gave him a wide berth.

  But I would make sure to visit him or at least update him on adventures from time to time. I think he would enjoy that, and I owe him for the powerful rings.

  “Well, mister enchanter, we’d better get this going. I have my own trials to be preparing for, you know.”

  I frowned. “I’m not keeping you from your studies, am I, Addy?” I asked in genuine concern. I knew how important these trials were for all of us, regardless of the guild, and her guild trials had a reputation for being challenging and dangerous.

  “No, you bonehead.” She thought about it. “Well, yes, actually. But that’s okay. Let me get you started so we can both return to our studies.”

  “First, I have some other spells I want your help with, but I have gifts I will give in return.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, and what did you have in mind?”

  “I did not say anything to your master because it didn’t quite come up, but in addition to all these one-time spell rings, I also know how to make a ring with a single permanent spell that can be used once per day and add five sockets for gem or rune insertion later.”

  Her jaw dropped for the fourth time today. “You're full of it.”

  “No, really,” I said. “I plan to make one for you. I am also hoping for some rather serious spell-casting on your part. But it will be a good tool and an early graduation present. I am working with Steven to have it contain his cleric heal self spell as the base enchantment. I figured that will always come in handy out there.” I waved my hand generally to mean outside the city and on adventures.

  She stared at me for a good ten seconds, screamed, and then leaped and kissed me on the cheek. “That could save my life out there!”

  I stammered for a full minute before she slugged me on the shoulder and said, “Give me those six copper rings, you smooth-talking enchanter.”

  “I thought it was five spells,” I said.

  “Five first element spells and a second element protection spell.” She explained.

  “Got it,” I said as I fished out another copper ring.

  She cast the second element spell, Lesser Protection from Element. “General spells are far harder to learn but much more versatile.” She explained. “That means that when you cast the spell through the ring, you must decide what protection you desire. Any of the five elemental protection options are viable.”

  I whistled slowly. “That is some pretty cool magic. Other elementalists can’t do that?”

  She stood up a bit straighter. “No, those not trained in this classical way would have to learn five separate spells, one for each element.” She added, “But your spell will only be good for the target it is cast upon, like yourself, or for the one element you choose to be protected against. It will last around four hours, however.”

  “That is wicked cool. You elementalists are top shelf.”

  “True.” She said with a laugh.

  She then cast the other spells, one on each copper ring. The first five element level spells included four offensive spells with Firebolt, Air Bolt, Water Bolt, and Pebble Blast. The blood element spell was a Heal spell and would be good for a one-time healing of 10 points, similar to a minor potion of Healing. She was generous with the last of her casting points to boost the healing a bit.

  I collected the six copper rings and secured all twelve rings from Master Gizmo and Adriana in my inner robe pocket. We hugged awkwardly, and she walked me out of her master’s chambers. I returned the guild visitor ring to the guild administrator, who smiled and said only, “Good luck, apprentice.”

  After bowing deeply to her in thanks and respect, I departed the elementalist guild hall, turned right, and walked down to my next destination, which was the wizard’s guild hall. I was floating pretty high and actually said out loud, “What could possibly go wrong at the wizard’s hall?”

  I should have never given the universe an opening like that…