a rather suggestive pat. ‘Though I must admit, it’s quite an interesting... exhibit.’
‘Yes, yes. Of course.’ The goblin persisted in his efforts and was already opening another chest, this time a smaller one.
‘A necklace with a medium-sized alchemical crystal.’ He pointed to the object inside the container. Indeed, the golden trinket looked intriguing. The medallion, made of precious metal, encircled a turquoise stone with a delicate mesh adorned with additional symbols in a language the dragon did not recognise. Runic symbols were also engraved on the crystal itself, and within it flickered a faint light that occasionally formed a circle of a complex spell. ‘It comes from the East; it was found in the ruins of the temple of the goddess Inui in the Tianshan Mountains. A very valuable artefact, especially for lovers of the history of magic. Perfect as a gift,’ suggested Debroth.
‘Is it active?’ Draco leaned slightly over the necklace and tried to make out something inside the crystal.
‘Absolutely, it is,’ the goblin visibly delighted in the magic apprentice’s interest. ‘We haven’t yet managed to uncover what secrets it holds, but I assure you it is completely safe. The specialists I work with have assured me of this.’
‘Owning an amulet with an unknown function can be risky,’ muttered the dragon, thinking more of his own incompatibility with certain types of magic than of the dangers that might arise from activating an unknown spell.
‘In that case, perhaps this will interest the young master more.’ Debroth opened another chest. ‘A beautifully crafted, carved music box, playing a moving melody. Goblin work.’ Indeed, the little box lying on the lining was beautiful, painted with floral patterns that beguiled the eye, making them seem to undulate. Here and there, some creatures seemed to peer out from behind the design, but they were hard to make out. After a closer look, Draco concluded that the music box really was magical, and not just metaphorically. The patterns not only created optical illusions, but actually moved. The creatures hidden behind the thick foliage only after a moment began to
