Chapter 5.9 - Flash Forward

It took almost a month before the remaining dead could be brought back. As he slept, Serin awoke each morning with more and more bouquets of flowers. He had asked for nothing in return for his effort, but those who had their loved ones brought back had to do something.

Olma explained that the 2nd person brought back, a child without parents, had spent the day collecting flowers growing at the base of the region's waterfall. Lady Eris had accompanied her. She had been one of those killed at the academy blast. The child then walked through town with a bouquet of wildflowers and asked to set it next to Serin as he slept.

After the story, Serin took a flower from the bouquet and pinned it to his vest as he went into town. His trips were short. He visited the shops, spoke with protectorates on patrol, and sat and ate breakfast. Then he walked over to the row of dead. He looked to those dead with waiting families "Decide amongst yourselves who is next."

Serin then cast and fell to sleep in his chair. Olma and Jericho were there to collect him. Each time Serin woke he knew he would be required to see those heartbroken families waiting, and all but one would wait longer. It was draining.

It was nearly a month later when he was sitting at breakfast. A few younglings were playing near the town center. Serin knew that on certain days the children were given time to play. These children were sword fighting with pieces of wood. One of the smaller humans swung and missed the sword of the changeling child, causing it to hit his head. As the child cried, Serin looked around. An adult ran over and used simple calming magic and a bit of healing. Then Serin looked over to a few protectorates that were on patrol and saw that they too, were undefended from the head up.

Not sure how such a miscalculation could have happened, but other than the few soldiers with helmets, few had protected heads and none had protected faces. Serin's mind flashed back to the Jackal, to the Slavers, and to the Desert Sons. They see us all as monsters by how we look. Serin thought.

Serin walked over to the adventurer's guild and up to the attendants. "Welcome Lord Serin, how may we assist you today?"

Serin asked, "I want to make a helmet, but I want the facial armor to be solid. I need a spell that allows the wearer to see as if the mas was transparent, and I need the mask to purify any air being breathed through it."

The attendant smiled, "Might I recommend the spells "Purify" and "Remote Sight"? They should do as you ask." Serin smiled, "I already know the spell Purify. But I will go ahead and take Remote sight."

And with that, Serin headed off to his crafting room.

***

Serin was the first to try on the masked helmet. After a few iterations, and about two days, he had it solved.

First a skeletal frame of mythril formfit to his head was designed. It was in three pieces to ensure full coverage and connected to his chest armor to ensure that his neck, while still given freedom of movement, was protected from violent blunt force. The first layer was made of a golden contact pad to the forehead and wollen padding. Then came the plating. Ultrathin adamantine plate was made into a curve to cover the face, with an opening at the mouth. After that, an enchanted grill plate was set in the mouth opening to ensure freedom of airflow. The spell purify would also ensure any air moving in or out would be cleansed of any toxins. On the same layer a set of enchanted plates connected to the golden contact pad, allowing the spell "Remote Sight" to always be active. In this way, when donning the mask, the user would see as if he was looking through the mask.

It took several iterations to ensure there were no issues with depth perception, angles, and blind spots. On the first iteration the angles were so far off that it made Serin sick after a few minutes of use. However now it was perfectly able to be used without any abnormal changes to his sight. Finally, he created a thin aluminum mask that looked like a face. He didn't bother painting it, but instead took the entire design to Shurik in the Office of special projects.

"We will be making 300 masks like this and issuing them to the protectorate. I will need your people to work on the enchanted mouth guard and insets for the Remote Sight spell. I have already put in a quest for Ephraim to produce the remainder of the pieces and have them formed to each member. "

Shurik looked confused, "For what purpose, might I ask, Lord Serin?"

Serin, not wanting to explain, pulled out his bolter and fired a round into the helmet. The round, having met a smooth version of the same metal in the second layer sheared off the aluminum plate covering, but protected the face.

Shurik, surprised by what he saw smiled, "A slight oversight on our parts then."

Serin smiled, "very much so. But this should solve this minor gap in our personal security." Serin then laughed, "As an added benefit, the user can decorate the outside however they choose."

Shurik smiled. "I think that is the right thing to have."

Serin looked, "How long would it take to produce the 300 units?"

Shurik, "A few days."

Serin smiled, "I want those not the most apt at enchanting to do it to increase their ability."

Shurik thought, "then a week. But the others here will be grateful for the chance to improve their skills. Because of the issues of late we have been focused more on increasing the speed of production and development over personal growth."

Serin frowned. "Let me know when that happens. We can always work to adjust timelines. Growth at times will slow but should never stop."

Shurik bowed and Serin took his leave. He had many preparations for Announcement rites.

***