The air in the armoury was thick with the scent of oiled steel and leather, a familiar comfort to William, even amidst the extraordinary circumstances. Just before their departure for Tallenwood, Borin had summoned the team, his grizzled face a mixture of concern and determination. He stood before them, not as a commanding officer, but as a seasoned warrior offering a final blessing.

  "You face a perilous path," Borin said, his voice low and steady. "The Goblin King is not a foe to be underestimated, and Tallenwood is now his domain." He looked at each member of the team in turn, his gaze lingering on William. "You, William, are the least experienced among the team in the wilds. To help level the field, I'm lending you a few items."

  From a nearby table, Borin lifted a set of armour. It wasn't the gleaming, polished plate of a ceremonial guard, but well-worn, battle-scarred leather. The armour had clearly seen its share of action, yet every strap was oiled, every buckle secure, every seam meticulously maintained.

  "Magic light armour," Borin explained. "Don't let its appearance fool you. It's been enhanced far beyond ordinary leather."

  William ran a hand over the supple material. Comparing it to his own standard-issue armour, the difference was immediately apparent. While the basic material seemed similar, this armour felt subtly different. It was both incredibly flexible and, paradoxically, possessed a hardness that hinted at magical reinforcement. He could almost feel a faint hum of power emanating from it.

  "The magic woven into it increases its durability and deflection capabilities significantly," Borin continued. "It won't make you invincible, but it will give you an edge."

  Next, Borin presented a longsword. It wasn't ornate or flashy; in fact, it looked remarkably ordinary. But as William drew it from its scabbard, he saw the truth of its craftsmanship. The blade was flawless, a ribbon of perfectly honed steel, reflecting the armoury’s dim light with an unnatural sharpness. Not a single imperfection marred its surface, a testament to the skill of its maker.

  The hilt was wrapped in worn leather, but additional grooves had been carefully etched into the material and sewn over, creating an exceptionally comfortable and secure grip. As William held the sword, he noticed something else: minuscule runes, almost invisible to the naked eye, were etched along the length of the blade. As his hand closed around the hilt, these runes pulsed with a faint, ethereal blue light, revealing the weapon's magical nature.

  William was stunned. He'd read about magical items, of course, but he had never actually seen one, let alone held one. A wave of awe and gratitude washed over him. These weren't mere tools; they were treasures of the guild, likely worth a small fortune. Borin's willingness to entrust them to him spoke volumes about the level of trust he had, unexpectedly, placed in the young recruit.

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  "These... these are incredible, Guildmaster Borin," William stammered, his voice thick with emotion. "I... I don't know what to say."

  Julia, seeing William's near-speechless state, stepped forward with a gentle smile. "Magical items," she explained, "can be imbued with different types of enchantments. Some are infused with elemental attributes – fire, ice, lightning – while others, like these, focus on enhancing physical properties like hardness and durability."

  She paused, then added, "And magic items can come in all shapes and sizes, William. Most are practical, like weapons and armour, designed for combat or protection. But, in theory, with enough money, patience, and, most importantly, skill, you can imbue magic into almost any object. Rings, amulets, even everyday items like clothing or tools can be enchanted, though the complexity and power of the enchantment vary greatly."

  This caught William's attention. The idea that magic could be woven into something as mundane as a cloak, or even a cooking pot, sparked a fire of curiosity within him. He filed the information away, a seed of an idea planted firmly in his mind. He knew, with a growing certainty, that he would be using EMMA to investigate the intricacies of magical item creation at the first opportunity. The possibilities seemed endless.

  She gestured to the armour and sword. "The ones Borin is lending you have been enhanced with relatively minor, but effective, magic. They'll improve your defence and attack, but..." She paused, her expression turning serious. "...don't become over-reliant on them, William. Magic items are tools, not crutches. Your own skills, your own instincts, and your quick thinking are what will ultimately determine your survival."

  William nodded, absorbing her words. He understood the warning. Magic was powerful, but it wasn't a substitute for skill and awareness. He vowed to treat these items with respect, not as a guarantee of safety, but as an extension of his own abilities.

  "Thank you," William said, turning back to Borin, his voice now firm with gratitude. "I won't let you down. I'll return these to you in the same condition I received them."

  Borin gave a gruff nod. "See that you do."

  Caspian, who had been observing the exchange with wide-eyed fascination, couldn't contain himself any longer. "Those are truly remarkable specimens, William! Good, solid enchantments. Practical, yet elegant. You should make excellent use of them." He then launched into a brief, enthusiastic tangent. "It makes one wonder about the truly potent artifacts of ancient times! Legends speak of weapons capable of levelling entire towns, of armour that could withstand a dragon's breath! Imagine possessing such power..."

  Sir Roland, ever the pragmatist, cut him short with a wry smile. "Those are just stories, Caspian, bedtime tales to frighten children. No one has ever laid eyes on such things. And even if they did exist, they've likely been lost to the ages, crumbled to dust centuries ago."

  Caspian, momentarily deflated, sighed. "A scholar can dream, can't he?"

  With the new equipment carefully stowed – William decided to wear the armour immediately, its comfort and flexibility a marked improvement over his own – the team finally set off. Their destination, Sharwood, the first leg of their journey into the perilous depths of Tallenwood. The weight of the borrowed magic items felt reassuring, a tangible reminder of the trust placed in him, and the dangers that lay ahead. The adventure had truly begun.

  

  
1. Light Armour +1


  
2. Long Sword +1