[PiE] Medieval Magic Part 1

>A loud clank echoes throughout the shop when you bring the hammer down on the end of the heated iron.
>Flies occasionally land on your forehead, but you've learned to ignore them.
>You bring the hammer down one final time and using the tongs, place the pot in the barrel of water.
>The heat from the metal makes the water bubble and hiss as you hold it there.
>It's too bad you don't get many customers.
>Not because you make bad merchandise, but because the town can only get so many pots and pans.
>Once the pot is finished cooling, you remove it from the water and place it on the rack with the others.
>As you stand back and look at them, your mind begins to drift back to the earlier years of your life.
>Back when this rack as well as dozens others held weapons.
>Anything from maces to broadswords you could mend within the day.
>You even worked for the king himself in the castle.
>Providing the lords and knights with their armor and weaponry.
>A fly nearly rushes into your eye and you swear at it, taking you out of your recollection of a past time.
>After you finishing gazing at your profitless collection, you walk to the front of the shop to get some fresh air.
>Your youthful and naive apprentice stands at the front as always, greeting anyone who might come by.
>Hearing you near, he turns with a smile.
>"Good den, finished that pot I assume?"
>You give a light nod but don't respond, instead you look out at the passing folks.
>He copies your movement and turns, looking out at those who walk by.
>"Been a slow one. No sales t'day."
>You look at him and he quickly returns your gaze.
"Aye, we've not had business in quite some time."
>He nods.
>"A shame that is."
>He has a look on him as if he wants to say something but is too afraid.
>He summons up enough willpower to speak.
>"Sir?"
"Aye."
>"I've an idea of how to get more customers."
"What dost thou propose?"
>"Forge varied things. The town be well full of pots and pans. Perchance 'tis time to strike the metal another way."
>You stand there and look up to the sky as a group of birds fly by.
"Thy idea is not a foolish one, nor is it one unthought of."
>The birds pass overhead and you return your gaze to the boy.
"A goody length in times past, I fancied the same idea."
>"Wherefore have you not carried through?"
>You shake your head and watch as sky is tinted orange by the sun slowly seeping into the horizon.
"Methinks you to make your leave before nightfall."
>He says nothing and looks disappointed as he grumbles out, "Aye."
>You watch as he leaves the shop and starts walking home.
>That kid...
>As the sun sinks down past the ground, the darkness comes and swallows up what used to be light.
>You leave the shop and walk around to the back.
>Not many know of the large pond behind your shop.
>Mainly because it is so well hidden by the trees and bushes.
>A light stroll through a stomped path which cuts the bushes in half leads you to the water's edge within a few minutes.
>Sitting down on the dirt, you look at the moon as it just peeks its way over the mountains in the distance, creating a reflection on the water that equals its beauty.
>This is where you and your wife used to go when you wanted to see each other.
>It was forbidden at the time because of reasons unknown to you, but you still managed to see her every night.
>She was a very smart lady, even smarter than you.
>You'd never admit that to anyone though.
>Along with her knowledgeable side, she was always right there with you.
>Always right by your side.
>She was a strong woman, the kind that some men feared.
>A light sigh escapes your lips.
>And you were the one she chose.
>Of all of them.
>As you sit here on this dirt looking up at the moon, you can almost feel her hand touching yours.
>You squeeze a bit of the dirt on the ground with your hand, trying to pretend that it's her.
>It doesn't work.
>You know she's not here.
>As you stop squeezing the dirt, you look over to the other side of the pond where she is buried.
>Not many lived past a fever...
>She managed to stay well for a long time, but it was never really enough.
>It never is.
>As you gaze at her grave, a tiny pink spark erupts from it.
>You blink a few times, unsure if your eyes are playing tricks on you.
>Another spark comes out, but you notice it isn't coming from the ground.
>It's coming from above the ground.
>How is that even possible?
>You stand and start walking around the water's edge to find out what is going on.
>More sparks and little pops of pink are seen.
>You start moving faster, for fear that whatever is doing this could desecrate her grave.
>Once you are merely a few feet away, a purple circle seems to open up in the air in front of you.
>A warm feeling is pressed on your chest and spreads to your back.
>One of the pink sparks forks out at you, striking you in the arm and causing no harm.
>Both confused and terrified, you turn to run away.
>The second you turn, a hum is heard.
>You look back, still standing there, to see the purple circle pulsating with pink electricity condensing on itself as the hum sound increases in loudness.
>Without warning, the purple circle expands rapidly.
>In shock, you freeze.
>The purple wave passes through you and you are thrown back.
>Your eyes close and all you see is pink as pain courses throughout your body in a strange manner.
>It doesn't feel like a stab wound or a burn.
>It feels as if something is inside of your veins, carrying with it a burning sensation all throughout your body.
>When you open your mouth to scream, you fall unconscious to the amount of pain you are experiencing.

>Your eyes quickly open and you sit up.
>Looking around at the trees, you cannot see anything different.
>What just happened?
>Was it all in your imagination?
>You stand and stretch out your arms, then pat the dirt off yourself.
>Something feels different.
>It's hard to tell what, but you feel somewhat refreshed.
>It's as if you've just taken a swim in a cold lake on a summer's night.
>But you're pretty sure you didn't.
>Why are you here again?
>That's right.
>Annabelle's grave.
>You look over to see if it was damaged and see one of the most unbelievable things.
>A purple pony with a dark blue and purple mane.
>What in the...
>Coming closer to it, you see a horn on its head.
>A unicorn?!