Jake pushed open the heavy door of Mara's Forge - Crafts and Gear, the bell above it giving a final cheerful jingle as he and the others stumbled into the street.
The morning was already lively. Merchants shouted over each other, hawking their wares, steam carts rattled by, the scent of frying food, oil, and dust mingled into a thick, familiar fog. The city's pulse was a living thing around them.
"Holy crap!" Jake breathed, flexing his arms inside the newly reforged armor. "This feels insane."
"Not just insane." Elise tugged on the string of her bow experimentally, smiling wide. "It feels miraculous!"
Riven adjusted the straps of his gleaming breastplate while Alric just stood there, staring down at his sword like it had spoken to him.
"We got lucky." Riven muttered, slinging his shield onto his back. "It doesn't seem like Mara does this for just anyone."
