277****** “It’s fine. I didn’t even know I wanted a set of armor rings until today. I can live without them.”Alden sat on a large, glossy wooden chest, watching Stuart close the lid on a jewelry box that was only big enough for a couple of fists instead of a couple of people. This was the third place they’d checked after realizing the room-sized jewelry box hadn’t held the rings. “They’re supposed to be here. They were here only days ago. I saw them! And they’re still on the library’s inventory. Someone has taken them without updating the list.”“And that person should be force fed a cup of cooking fat as punishment,” Alden said, trying to match Stuart’s scandalized tone. “We have to find out who it was. Call the executioner, and may their wevvi forever be lukewarm!”Stuart let his fingers fall away from the box. “I really wanted you to have those. Soon. I have an idea for where to quickly get a different set, but it won’t be quite as good.”“Why soon?”“I told you. To protect your casting ability.”“I’m not (...)