Milli looked at Elrin briefly before switching her gaze back to Lumina. Finally standing from the couch she spoke, “I just remembered. I promised you a new shield.” Elrin smiled understanding what Milli meant as he started to follow the large lady out of the house, motioning the kids to follow after them.

  Following behind their parents, Milli threw open the doors to the cellar and walked down the stairs leading them underneath the house. It was here that they stored most of the casks of mead and other large barrels filled with beans, rice and other dry storage goods.

  Moving to the far back left of the cellar, Milli stopped in front of the corner. Moving a crate from the area, she stomped on the ground and a large perfectly rectangular chunk of stone immediately rose from the floor revealing a large chest that had been cleverly hidden by her earth magic. “What is that?” Eldin remarked having absolutely no idea that there was a hidden chest.

  Grabbing the handles on both sides, Milli slid the chest out from between the rocks and set in front of Lumina. “Here you go! I have been saving this for you until you were ready.” Lumina eyed the chest, then looked back up at Milli then to Elrin. It was obvious that she had no clue what was in store for her. “What type of shield could be in this chest that required it to be hidden so securely?” She thought to herself as she opened it.

  Inside, she was greeted by a perfectly bright white cloth. Pulling it out, she saw that it was a white one-piece dress with an intricate blue rose and accompanying thorns beautifully embroidered into it. Underneath it was an entire set of armor as well as a sword and shield. “I thought you said I was getting a new shield.” Lumina remarked as she set the dress back in the chest and pulled out a shield that was longer than it was wide. It was an awkward size between a full-size shield and a buckler. Inspecting it a bit more closely, she saw that it had three slots on the inside to hold and the base of the shield had been honed into a razor-sharp tip.

  Setting down the shield, she pulled out the rest of the equipment: A helmet, breast plate, pauldrons, gauntlets, faulds that lacked a protective front and back plate, as well as a pair of strap on greaves. Lumina had never seen such a unique set of armor. Certainly, it focused on mobility over protection, but the overall design and lack of protection for the thighs and abdomen was abnormal and poor design.

  Milli chuckled as she viewed her pupil, “I know exactly what you are thinking, but that is the best set of armor I have ever seen.”

  Lumina pulled out the sword finally and unsheathed the weapon. It was a finely honed and full tanged steel sword with golden embellishments on the hilt. “Isn’t it missing some pieces?” She said with a hint of confusion still wondering why Milli had said it was the best armor. “Take a look at the dress again.” Elrin hinted.

  Grabbing the dress once again from the chest. Lumina held up the pretty fabric and inspected it more closely. As she felt the fabric and tugged on it, it was surprisingly soft yet completely unyielding. No matter how hard she pulled, it wouldn’t stretch, change, or show any sign of force being applied. “What material is this? And why is this dress so important?”

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  Grabbing the shield from the chest, Milli started speaking. “That dress is the armor.”

  “The dress is the armor?” Lumina replied even more confused. “Your father got that dress for Lucina. Your mother. The fabric was supposedly created before the Great Cataclysm. Its lighter than leather armor and stronger than a full plate.”

  Holding the dress closer, Lumina couldn’t believe that her mother’s armor had been stored under them her entire life. “I didn’t want to give one of the greatest armors ever created until you were adequately trained enough.”

  Tears started to form in Lumina’s eyes. For the longest time, she didn’t have anything to remember her mother by. Let alone her father. She hated the fact that these mementos had been hidden from her for so long but was grateful to finally have something.

  Elrin helped Lumina repack everything back into the chest and brought it out of the cellar and to her room in the house. Leaving her there with the equipment, he joined the other two back downstairs. “It seems the armor has brought some form of closure for Lumina.” He said, taking a seat on the couch, he watched as Milli rummaged through one of the bookcases. Specifically, the shelf that held magic scrolls. “What are you looking for?” Elrin asked

  As she looked through each scroll, Milli spoke, “I’m looking for that one crazy spell Adrok made. I want to use it at the party tomorrow night. Ending anything with an explosion is always a good idea.” Eldin chuckled at his mother’s statement. “I’ll keep that in mind. Also. I think dad already used the scroll you are looking for.”

  Milli turned to face Elrin who simply smiled innocently, “I used it in Eldin’s final test to become an elementalist.” It was easy to tell that she was disappointed, but the woman let it drop at that. She took a seat next to Elrin and leaned back into the couch until her head dangled off the back.

  As they sat in the living room chatting and relaxing, the door to Lumina’s room opened and she walked out wearing the dress and entire set of armor. “Well? How does it look?” she asked as she made her way downstairs to stand in the center of the room.

  Milli lifted her head and looked along with everyone else. “Just as I thought. The armor fits you perfectly.”

  “It was a little tight in the chest, but adjusting the size was easy enough.” Lumina replied.

  Elrin was the next to comment, “It’s amazing how much you look like your mother. If your hair was blonde, I don’t think I would be able to tell the difference.”

  “This armor really was designed for Fereece. The helmet and dress have slits in them for my ears and tail.” Eldin nodded in agreement, “It’s weird to see such a feminine set of armor. And yet. It matches your personality and taste for fashion a little too well.

  Elrin laughed in agreement as he sat on the couch that Mill had just got off of. “We have decided to kick you out two days from now.” Milli added in, “The village is having a get together tomorrow night in honor of you guys leaving.”

  “There’s going to be a party?” Lumina asked excitedly as she took a seat next to Eldin and set her helmet, sword, and shield on the ground next to her. Compared to what she used to wear when she was training, the armor was actually quite comfortable. She might even be able to get a good night’s sleep wearing it.

  “The entire town is getting together? For us?” Eldin repeated back what his mother had said. Milli laughed, “That’s what I said. But think about it. This place would have a party for literally any reason.” Elrin glowered at Milli for detracting from the focus on the kids. Even if what the woman said was true, he was trying to keep this moment as special as possible.