Waking up next to a beautiful woman was one of the most exhilarating experiences that Naru had ever experienced. He was so physically and mentally exhausted that he wasn't sure if he would even be able to get out of bed. He felt the heavy weight of Rose's head on his arm and realized that he had long since lost feeling in that limb. He pulled his arm out from under her and breathed heavily as blood flow finally started back up. He would have been quite content with laying there for the rest of the day, but there was knocking at his door.
The faelnir called out, "stop knocking, I'm coming," He groaned and got to his feet uneasily. He still felt a bit woozy from his work last night and it didn't help that his entire body ached. Naru slipped on some pants and looked back at the dozing Rose before opening the door quietly. In front of him was his boss who held a small box in his hands. Yunsig tried to step into the house, but Naru held out a hand and firmly stopped him from coming inside.
"I can't come in? This is important lad!" Yunsig sounded quite serious, but Naru didn't need him waking Rose. If she heard their conversation then everything was going to be ruined.
"I've got a guest and I can't have her listening in on this," Naru whispered, "we can talk at the shop. I'll head over soon."
Yunsig peered over Naru's shoulder and gasped, "Is that? That can't be Rose. Boy what have you done?" Naru closed the door enough so that Rose's beautiful face was no longer visible. "How do you think I got that earring," Naru said proudly, "now get out of here so I can wrap this up! If she finds out then it'll mess things up!" Yunsig would nod even though it felt wrong to be bossed around by his subordinate.
Naru closed the door and headed back to bed. He would shake Rose gently until she woke up and said, "what did I tell you about touching me while I sleep?" It was such a sharp, confrontational tone that Naru froze in surprise. "Oh, it's you Naru," she said after she opened her eyes, "is it morning already?"
"Yes, and I've got to get to work. I'm sure Uziel is worried about you, we'd best be leaving. Do you have a good story?" Rose nodded and got to her feet. She got dressed and proceeded to eat nearly all the food that Naru had left without asking for permission. Naru didn't mind, but she ate even more than he did! Before long the two kissed one last time and headed their separate ways.
Naru arrived at his boss's shop and stepped into the workshop. His boss held out an opened box and Naru peered inside. The earring was there, but it was broken into tiny pieces. Even the gemstones looked dull and frail. "What did you do to it," Naru asked incredulously, "I thought you were going to investigate it not destroy it!"
"I didn't do anything! I examined it all day, then when I woke up this morning it started to crumble. This has to be some sort of magic! Just think about it. Uziel works his magic on the jewelry, makes everyone think his wares are special, then the good stuff crumbles. If the other crafters knew about this Uziel would be pretty much run out of town!"
"That makes a lot of sense," Naru said, "if this is how he runs his business then that's probably why he moves so often. Once he's found out he finds a new home. How should we go about spreading the word?"
"I can take care of that," Yunsig said dismissively, "no offense, but I've a lifetime of experience dealing with the community. If you show them then they'll think it's another trick. I'm somewhat confident I can clear your name and who knows, you might be seen as a better person for uncovering the trickery."
Naru nodded. He wasn't so sure if he was willing to bet his career on "somewhat confident," but it wasn't like he had many more options. His reputation's future was in his boss's hands now. Naru could have just gone home and slept for the rest of the day, but he knew there was more to be done. "If this is going to end like I think it is, then Uziel's going to leave town and head over to the next town... It'd be a shame if Rose left. Maybe I can convince her to stay?" It was a stretch, but he might as well try.
The faelnir soon found himself standing outside of Uziel's estate for what seemed like the hundredth time that week. This time would hopefully be his last. He walked right up to the front door, ignoring the kid's jeers, "what are you doing here? I thought you'd have offed yourself by now!" Naru rolled his eyes and fought every temptation to throw the kid into a lake. Naru knocked on the elaborate looking door and waited until Uziel opened it.
"Well well well," said Uziel with a very snarky tone, "here to apologize are you? Hoping that if you beg I'll help clear your name? Or perhaps you want to become my apprentice and learn my craft?" Naru let the man drone on and on until he finally ended with, "well, out with it then!"
"I was hoping to come inside and have a chat with you," Naru said plainly. He wanted to have the conversation where Rose could hear it, since it would concern her too. "I assure you I'm not here to do any of the things you described. I just want to talk."
Uziel sneered and stepped aside so that Naru could enter. A couple of snaps later and Naru was being led to a large living room area by one of the servants. Naru took a seat and waited for Uziel to do the same. Rose was the one to bring refreshments and nearly dropped her platter when she saw who the guest was.
"The loser has come to have a little talk, he says," Uziel said with a chortle, "I thought I'd entertain the idea."
"If this is a vengeance story then just stop now so I can call the guards. I don't take too kindly to threats, child. This isn't the first time I've had a snot nosed kid come to waste my time."
Naru smiled and continued, "You see, I think I succeeded. I know your secret and I've already kindled the flames that are spreading the word as we speak. I have ruined you and have little doubt that you will leave. But I didn't come here to tell you any of this. I just wanted to say that you're getting what's coming to you. If you want to stay, I will ensure that there will be a home for you here." By this point Uziel's face had gone white and his fists were glowing with Naru could only imagine was some form of aeris. "Oh right, he's a mage. I better get out of here." Naru's words had only been for Rose to hear. He hoped she would stay and he was giving her the chance. Seeing the foreigner's torment was a happy side effect.
Naru blinked from one end of the room to the other and quickly made his way out of the estate before things could get ugly. As he crossed the estate's property boundary he saw a gathering of people walking towards him. No doubt these were the people here to rile up against Uziel and demand an explanation. But Naru didn't have a need or want to sit through this mess. He only wanted to sit and rest.