Page 41 of Nico

The staff member hesitated for a moment before nodding. "As long as you stay behind the marked area."

That was enough for me.

The tavern was surrounded by what was supposed to be an elven forest clearing. The real forest at the edge of Pecan Pines provided most of the backdrop, but the production had added plenty of its own touches to make the place look more magical.

Silk vines hung between the trees, while patches of glow-in-the-dark moss had been attached to roots and rocks. In the grey morning light after the storm, the whole thing honestly looked a little sad.

The vines were limp and wet, and without the lighting and effects, the magical forest looked ordinary. It looked almost like an abandoned amusement park after closing.

Still, I closed my eyes for a moment. I could see it.

Lanterns glowing beneath the tavern's eaves as mist curled between the trees. Magical moss casting an eerie green light over the ground.

Characters moving through the clearing with weapons at their sides. I could almost hear the tavern music from the game playing softly in the background.

When I opened my eyes, Isaac was watching me.

"What?"

"Nothing."

It was only then that I noticed the disappointment on his face, the same frustrated edge I'd seen whenever something interfered with his job.

His gaze moved from the damaged section of the set to the staff member, then back again, as though he were mentally calculating whether there was anything he could do about it.

I wondered if that was what he'd brought me here for. I didn't mind helping with the repairs.

"Come on." Isaac gestured toward the golf cart.

I hesitated, looking back at the tavern. "But..."

Isaac shook his head. "Let's go."

The next stop was the prop and armory department, housed in a temporary building farther down the lot. This time, the staff member at the entrance actually let us inside.

Rows of props filled the room, with swords resting in racks along one wall and intricately tooled leather armour hanging from mannequins.

There were fibreglass shields, helmets, daggers, and enough other weapons to make me wonder just how many people had been involved in creating everything.

I walked slowly between the racks, trying very hard not to touch anything. I stopped in front of a suit of elaborate elven armour.

It was beautiful, made from dark leather with silver detailing and intricate runes carved into the breastplate. The high collar gave it an elegant but intimidating appearance.

I looked at Isaac, then back at the armour. "You'd look good in this. You'd look like an elven knight."

He scoffed. "I don't think I've ever wanted to look like an elven knight."

"That's because you've never seen yourself wearing the right armour."

He folded his arms, unimpressed, but I could see the faintest hint of amusement in his expression.

"Only the bravest elven knights could don armour like this."

That got his attention. Isaac glanced back at the armour. "How many?"

I blinked. "What?"

"The bravest elven knights. How many are there?"