It was nearing noon. With several hours before the sun would set beyond the sky mirror. Speraka led Verene to the treatment rooms. The rooms were near the central chamber where the two met. An area that once received high traffic for those who came to visit and pray to the patron or receive healing from the collection of light and water mages who acted as priestesses.
Verene searched each room thoroughly. Both she and Speraka used small traces of magic on all the items in the rooms, checking for a reaction. Of what remained in the rooms, none had any magic. Verene channeled her wind magic through yet another item. No reaction.
No surprise though. Healing magic was only enough for light injuries, for purposes like surgeries, typical enchantments might interfere with the priestess's magic casting. Which made the artifact Verene sought even more unique in its nature.
“It's not here.” Speraka said disappointedly.
In the half-day the two had known each other. Speraka had shown that she truly wanted to find this artifact for Verene. Although of the two, Verene felt she should be the one upset. But she could only smile in the sincerity of Speraka’s effort.
“It most likely was stored away someplace.” Verene mentioned. “It was only a rumor. So, I'm prepared to not find it here. Please don't fret over it.”
“But your friend. They need this to heal.” Speraka said.
“There’s no guarantee it will help him. Although his sickness is an unknown one, it mostly leaves him weak.” Verene replied. “He’ll live either way. I just don’t want to see him held back if there’s a chance to help him.”
“Then finding the artifact is still important.” Speraka said fervently. "Although this realm may be small and the mountains reflected in the sky mirror can even be seen from here. You still traveled a long way. I'm certain we will find something that can heal your friend."
“I haven’t given up. Don’t worry.” Verene laughed softly. “The sun will set soon. I’ll continue tomorrow. You are free to join me again. Your help is appreciated.”
“I will certainly be helping again.” Speraka stated. “If we’re stopping for the night. Let me prepare a room for you. Many of the rooms near my chamber are in good condition still, so you can use one of those that you like. I will have to gather some bedding though. There should be some spare blankets somewhere.”
“I’ll be fine without.”
The two had started walking back to Speraka’s area within the temple.
“No. It gets far too cold once the sun sets. The sun is still nearby. But you do realize the temple sits even higher than the mountains of this realm. I’ll find the blankets, so please use them.” Speraka chided.
“Yes, yes.” Verene responded.
As they returned, Speraka entered another room from where they had drunk tea earlier. Unlike the mostly stone furnishings of the kitchenette, this chamber held many wooden crates, packed to the point it was difficult to navigate. Of the open containers, Verene could see various daily necessities, tomes, and repair tools. Speraka led Verene all the way to the back of the room. Speraka pried a lid off of a crate.
Verene could smell the slight scent of mildew, of fabric stored in the dark for too long. It's likely the bedding Speraka sought hadn’t been removed from these crates for some time. Verene had managed to get some rest wedged into the bark of the Dragon Tree on her climb up. She would be fine with just her cloak. Although convincing Speraka that she would be fine might not work out. As Speraka held up the stored blankets with a look of disappointment.
“I thought I washed these more recently, but it seems I’ve lost track of how long it's been. My own bedding was washed a few days ago. We can split the blankets. It will still be chilly, but it should be fine.”
Verene walked closer, taking the blankets out from Speraka’s grip. Due to their proximity, Speraka had to look up to look Verene in the eye. Speraka felt confused by Verene’s action. Speraka hoped Verene didn’t plan to use these, although the smell was faint, it was still unpleasant.
"There's still time until nightfall. Where do you usually wash things? I'll clean these." Verene said.
“There’s no time to hang them to dry.” Speraka argued. “That might be fine for tomorrow, but doesn’t help you for tonight.”
“I’ll get them dry. Is the fountain in the central chamber the nearest water station?”
“No. There’s one below. There’s a small flight of stairs further down this way.”
Speraka slipped past Verene amidst the clutter of crates. Speraka wasn’t sure what Verene intended to do to dry the bedding. But she led the Verene through the door and down the passage anyway. To the side was a thin set of stairs leading to the other floors.
On the lower floor, the water that spread out from the central fountain into the side passages made its way here. The floor sloped downwards, but the channel remained constant in height, raised above the floor, filling basins along the edge of the hall.
Speraka left the soap she usually used for cleaning near the basin. And offered it to Verene. Verene scrubbed the cloth quickly. The sun had dipped further into the horizon when Verene finished.
Verene summoned wind to her hand. Unlike the white glow released by Speraka to fuel the magic stones earlier, Verene required the magic to take shape. A pale green magic circle appeared at her fingertips; the indication of a wind attributed spell.
Speraka watched the spell form.
“You’re a wind mage. I see. No wonder you wanted to come down here anyway.” Speraka said.
Verene tossed the bedding into the air. The sudden, strong current formed by Verene's magic held the blankets adrift. The air was still warm from the sunlight, combined with the wind forcefully blowing the water out of the blankets. The sun set as the blankets fully dried.
With the task complete, Verene released her concentration allowing the sheets to fall back into her arms.
Now able to change her focus, Verene turned to Speraka. “Yes. I suppose I should have mentioned my plan. You were awfully confused?”
“No, it's fine. It's fascinating to see other elements.” Speraka laughed. “I wouldn’t have fathomed watching someone do laundry could be so fun.”
“I’m glad my little skill for casting could bring some joy.” Verene smirked.
The two returned to the upper quarters. Ate and separated for the night. Verene’s search continued many days after.
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