Chapter 21

Zeke blinked back the memories.

He retrieved the two wands, put them on the bench, and then pulled out one of the sacks of jewellery that had been in the box when he got it. He opened the large sack and tipped out the contents.

Rings and tangled chains holding medallions fell out. He started sorting them into pairs. He had twelve marching sets with two gems. Four leftover two-gem rings and two medallions that each had three different and larger gems and a matching ring.

He selected two of the two-gem sets. One set had Energy and Lore, and the other had Earth and Nature. From the box, he then pulled out a smaller bag. Most of the gems in it, were ones he had either collected or bought. He really needed to acquire more.

Zeke selected the gems to fix the wands. He picked up one wand and then did a duplicate spell using the materials and crystals he had on hand. He put the original back in his box. He then placed the gems on the wands and performed the spells to match his wand.

Glancing at his Pedz, he remembered the stylus that Lee had given him. He unclipped it and examined it. He then duplicated it twice before adding the same spells Lee had put on it.

Zeke went to the racks behind him and removed two new Pedz from a crate. He copied the database of spells and the other information about magic that Lee had added to his Pedz. He carefully included the spells she used to limit access to those spells the wearer couldn’t learn until they gained experience.

He clipped the new stylus to them, then placed the two Pedz beside the other items. Reaching into his satchel again, he removed two of the spare satchels he had made. They all had the same items in them as the ones he had made for the boys.

He was going to give them to others after the dinner party as a surprise. However, they had all wanted something different, so he still had six spares. Three were dark brown, and three were pale, creamy faux leather. He selected one of each.

He placed the magical items and a sachet of De Ray crystals in the satchels. He felt an odd shiver when he closed them. He chuckled. Raul was going to cry, he was sure. Sofia would probably try and feed him again. She always said he was too skinny.

Pleased with his efforts, he went to find his friends.

Raul sat in shock, hugging the bag.

He had said the magician’s pledge, wondering what game Zeke was playing. However, as soon as he touched the satchel, he could hear the voice calling him to put on the items.

“Raul, you didn’t have to accept,” Zeke said worryingly.

Raul burst into racking sobs with tears pouring down his cheeks. It took Zeke and Sofia several minutes to quieten him and get him to wipe his face. He clutched the bag the whole time.

Once he was composed, he said, “My Lord, it was the luckiest day of my life when you sat beside me to hear my woes. You have made so many of my dreams come true. Now you give me my greatest after marrying Sofia. I accept this gift, My Lord, as your humble and loving servant.”

Zeke was horrified. “Raul! No! You are my friend, not my servant.”

“Yes, My Lord. I am also privileged to be your friend,” Raul replied solemnly.

Sofia giggled softly and said, “Zeke, you may not realise it, but in his mind, you have been his Lord since you first confided in him that you were a wizard. My man idolises you.”

“I must confess that I do, too. We work for you because we believe you truly care about us. Giving us magical items to help you proves this. You have us doing an honourable job, and we do it proudly.”

Zeke squirmed. “Sofia, while I saw a need to get rid of the junk, I have every intention of making a good deal of profit from it. I’m not altruistic. Nor am I some sort of saint.”

They both nodded, and Raul replied, “This is to be expected. The work needs to be paid for. But it is honourable work that we do. We know you plan to use the material to make devices that many people rely on.”

“You also offer them much cheaper than other suppliers, so more people can afford them. You may think you are self-serving, but that is not how we see what you do.”

“Take your marvellous little ships and your shields. You have told me of all the people who will want them, and you need them to stay safe in space. Again, you are doing as the pledge asks by serving the people. I don’t think that you even realise that you are living it.”

Zeke felt humbled. He realised he had said the pledge with his brothers because he believed it was what a wizard should do. He hoped that time didn’t dilute his belief.

“Put the damn items on, Raul. We have work to do,” he said gruffly.

Raul laughed and opened the satchel.

Zeke had a lot of fun teaching Raul and Sofia to levitate things.

He explained about magical recharging, making Raul blush, and Sofia giggle. He also explained that they could work as a team to do bigger or more complicated spells.

Zeke showed them how to use the database. Lee had listed ten useful spells to try first. He didn’t tell them to study the spells. He just knew they would. He created a special shield in the smallest hold and told them to practice new spells in it.

Sofia liked this idea.

By the end of the second day, they were all exhausted.