Part 1

Vaust was getting tired of the questions, but they kept coming. What's the claymore outside, Innkeeper? Why is it there, Innkeeper? They just wouldn't shut up and he couldn't think of a way to get them to stop. In retrospect, letting Eigengrau and Vordea perform the spell at the Inn was an awful idea. Even Xilro the Flamemaster had stopped by. Vaust's thoughts were interrupted by a pair of humans dragging in an unconscious elf.

"Let me guess..." Vaust started.

"Touched the sword." One of the humans said, nodding. "Where do you want him?"

"Toss him in the corner with the others, let them sleep it off." Vaust said, gesturing at the corner of the Inn that was filled with cots of unconscious travellers, all of whom had made the same mistake.

Vaust wasn't sure of the reasons, but any mortal who touched Orenmir, well... they got what was coming to them, that's for sure. On the other hand, it was also great for business. Whatever Eigengrau did when she cast that spell, the casting circle runes engraved themselves into the ground, and continue to glow blue even weeks later. Her hoarfrost stubbornly refusing to melt around the sword only contributed to the spectacle.

The problems continued through the autumn and all the way until Sirene finally arrived at the Inn on the first day of winter. Vaust was hopeful that with the help of Sirene, she could explain exactly whose sword that was and why they shouldn't touch it nor look too closely at the runes, as it turned out comprehending the spell was causing divine school mages to go blind.

Vaust quietly signalled Sirene to make a spectacle as he brought her the first of many kegs she would drink over the winter, and she nodded.

"Oi! Old man!" Sirene said, loudly enough for everyone in the main hall to hear, causing people to at least glance over.

"Yes Sirene what is it now?" Vaust asked, inwardly smiling.

"Why's Orenmir on your front lawn?" Sirene shouted, causing all other talking in the Inn to very quickly stop. "I know a divine artifact when I see one."

"Oh, is that what it is?" Vaust said, acting innocent. "I was wondering who was littering on my lawn."

"Well I can't have divine artifacts sitting on your front lawn unattended. Everybody in this tavern, listen up!" Sirene said, raising her voice.