Day 151 of Banishment: Gems (2)
Magic involving gemstones is abundant. Perhaps it is because humans see fear and admiration in things that are beautiful or born over an eternity of time.
Whatever the reason, gemstones have a strong affinity with magic.
For example, talismans often utilize gemstones. Many charms given to loved ones heading off to battle are carved from agate or jade. Likewise, some medals awarded to those who have fought in wars are made of jade, imbued with magic as a symbol of entrusting the nation's protection.
The examples are endless. Even those who are not adept at using magic can reap its benefits through magically infused gemstones.
And this is not limited to humans alone.
The same principle applies to golems.
"Now, let's get started on polishing."
The next day, on her 151st day of banishment, Marylia began polishing gemstones after breakfast.
She started with jade she had previously picked up from a riverbank.
"For polishing powder, river sand should do the trick for now."
Marylia knew that the main components of white river sand were quartz and feldspar. She had the golems fetch some sand, which she then ground down further to use as an abrasive.
Here’s the plan.
"Let’s mix this with water and clay, knead it, and spread it over a board... then let it dry."
The abrasive alone wasn’t sufficient, so Marylia separated the ground quartz by particle size through a process called elutriation. She then mixed the particles with clay, kneaded the mixture, and spread it onto a board.
Her idea was to use this clay-coated board as a makeshift grinding surface for polishing the jade.
"This is working better than I expected."
On the semi-dry clay board, the jade was gradually shaped and smoothed by the abrasive mixed into the clay. Marylia, becoming increasingly engrossed, worked the jade bit by bit, shaping and refining it little by little.
Although the process was slow, that was precisely why it was enjoyable. By midday, she decided to pause the polishing and leave the rest for another day.
Winter was long, and repetitive tasks could easily wear on the eyes, shoulders, and back. It was better to switch activities after about half a day.
In the afternoon, she completed one leather bag, cut the leather for a second, and did a bit of stitching before calling it a day.
For dinner, she simmered water with smoked meat, dried wild herbs, and the grain she had salvaged from the shore. While the stew simmered over a low flame, she tidied up her tools, making efficient use of her time. One of the benefits of stew was that it could be left on the fire to cook itself.
The resulting hearty porridge was rich with the flavor and umami of the smoked meat. The grain added a gentle thickness, making it perfect for warming winter nights. The warm, savory porridge not only heated Marylia’s body but also comforted her heart.
"Ah, it’s so cold… but there’s no helping it."
Even indoors, the cold seeped in from the roof, walls, and floor. The fire burning continuously inside made it warmer than outside, but winter nights were relentless.
"I guess I can’t skip it—might as well take a bath tonight."
So, Marylia decided to warm herself with a bath.
Fetching water was a task for the golems, while Marylia prepared heated stones in the hearth.
For the bath stopper, she captured a slime and squished it into the drain. Recently, the slimes seemed to enjoy the baths themselves. Whenever Marylia approached them, they would gather around as if volunteering.
She brought extra slimes to keep her company in the bath, using one to plug the drain and leaving the others near the hearth to warm up. By the time the golems had finished fetching water, the stones were sufficiently heated. Using wooden tongs, Marylia dropped the stones into the bathwater, gradually warming it.
Once the water reached a comfortable temperature, Marylia stepped into the bath—bringing the slimes along.
"It seems you’re enjoying the bath again today."
The slimes floated and bobbed around in the water. Whether they were swimming or simply drifting, it was hard to tell.
"Hey now, don’t wander too close to the hot stones; stay over here."
The heated stones were enclosed in earthenware submerged in the bath. As long as the slimes didn’t enter the container, they would be safe. However, their curiosity often led them toward it, forcing Marylia to occasionally pick them up and move them back.
"Hah~... Well, let’s warm up as much as possible before heading out."
And so, Marylia leisurely enjoyed her bath with the slimes, washing her body and hair, and even her clothes. Afterward, to dry off, she warmed herself again by the hearth.
The slimes joined her in warming up by the hearth, then she donned her coats and returned home... with the slimes in tow.
And then!
"Alright, everyone, goodnight. Ehehe, so warm~"
Marylia tucked the thoroughly warmed slimes into her bed and drifted off to sleep, snug and cozy with them.
Yes! The slimes were now... also her personal hot water bottles!
"They’re so squishy and comforting."
Marylia played with the slimes, poking and squishing them until she fell asleep. The slimes, docile and compliant, seemed to enjoy this warm and snug sleeping arrangement as well. Even if it occasionally meant being squished or used as bath plugs...
The next morning, Marylia got out of bed and began preparing breakfast.
The slimes were gone. They had likely woken up just before her and slipped out through the house's crevices to forage for food. Their mornings were always early; otherwise, they wouldn’t stand a chance of finding food ahead of other creatures.
Today, Marylia made pancake-like dishes using lily root starch. She tried them with berry sauce, which turned out quite pleasant. Slightly salted, the pancakes were moist, springy, and delightfully crispy on the surface—a truly delicious treat!
After the delightful breakfast, she returned to polishing gemstones. She carefully shaped jade on a clay board mixed with abrasive material, gradually perfecting its form.
"When this is done, I’ll give it to the Iron Golem."
Smiling warmly, Marylia envisioned the Iron Golem, likely busy with iron sand processing at that moment.
"A knight deserves a medal, after all."
Indeed, Marylia believed that merit should be rewarded.
In the afternoon, she turned her focus to spinning fibers into thread.
The fibers, sourced from plants the golems had gathered, were soaked in water before being extracted and processed. Using a spinning wheel, she twisted them into thread—a satisfying task that yielded immediate results.
"I could weave fabric again, but this time, let’s dye the threads first."
Winter offered her the leisure to pursue beauty, a luxury she couldn’t afford during the busier summer months. Now, she could indulge in crafting items that were not only functional but also beautiful.
"For dyeing... Hmm, let’s gather some tree bark. A reddish hue would be nice. Maybe roots too? They might yield surprising colors."
Marylia gleefully contemplated the possibilities as she spun the threads. She imagined dyes made from berries for a bluish-purple hue or red pigments extracted from winter trees' branches. Even roots might hold hidden colors.
Lost in her musings, she spun threads until she had enough to weave a few pieces of cloth. Then she wrapped up her work and began preparing dinner.
The next day, she polished more jade in the morning and dyed threads in the afternoon. The following day, she wove the dyed threads into fabric.
Thus, Marylia continued her routine of polishing jade and producing textiles. The fabrics she made were put to good use, whether for drying herself after baths or wiping her hands during meal prep. These simple comforts greatly improved her quality of life!
Finally, the jade she had been polishing reached completion.
On the 157th day of her banishment, Marylia let out a cheer.
"It’s done! Hehe, it’s so smooth and cute, isn’t it?"
She smiled, gazing at the jade—a small, acorn-shaped gem that fit snugly in her palm.
The jade, once irregularly shaped, was now beautifully polished, smooth, and adorned with intricate patterns.
For the final touches, she used fine sand from crushed quartz applied to leather, polishing it until the surface gleamed. The vivid green of the jade became even more striking and vibrant.
The patterns, painstakingly carved using crystal shards, added an exquisite detail.
"Hehe, it was a lot of work, but it was worth it."
Marylia admired the polished jade with a dreamy expression, then said:
"Now, let’s thread it... hehe."
She took a string dyed red with plant-based pigments and passed it through the jade, which she had managed to drill a hole into using abrasives and a sturdy twig—a monumental task.
"... Finished!"
But Marylia had done it! She had transformed the tough, resilient jade into a beautiful piece of jewelry.
And so—
"Iron Golem, come here."
That evening, Marylia called out to the returning Iron Golem. As it knelt before her, she placed the newly crafted jade ornament around its neck.
"This is your decoration. Keep up the good work, alright?"
The jade ornament was inscribed with patterns meant to enhance the golem’s strength. Gems naturally held mana, making this decoration both beautiful and functional.
With this, the Iron Golem could store more magic and operate with even greater strength.
"Maybe I should make something for the Terracotta Golems too."
Marylia immediately began planning her next project.
These accessories weren’t the most efficient way to enhance golems. That’s precisely why she hadn’t made them before.
However, in this quiet winter period with fewer tasks at hand, creating beautiful and enjoyable items that also boosted the golems’ performance seemed like a worthwhile endeavor.
"If I could find thick enough shells, they’d be easy to polish... or maybe..."
Marylia pondered what to make next.
Something simple yet fitting for the Terracotta Golems, something that could be produced in larger quantities. While it might turn out rustic, it could still be charming.
After much thought, she made her decision.
"Alright, let’s make decorative cords."
What do you think about this chapter?
