They were an inventor and creator, but also worked with magic. They made special limbs for those missing limbs, braces for those with injured backs and other joints, chairs for those that could not walk, and medicines to ease pain. Best part? These items, no matter how people tried to destroy them, simply repaired themselves, and always returned, undamaged, to the owner. And if the owner was a child? These items grew with the child or changed with the owner's needs. -- Anon Guest
Magic can be used to restore what was lost. Magic can sometimes replace what was lost. It's not so good at things that were never there to begin with, but should have been. That was where other miracles are in order.
Khedna Gyrglint worked on a different kind of miracle. A blend of magic and technology, each artefact made for an individual with care and attention to detail. Every need seen to on a case by case basis. One might need a foot. One might need a special brace to reshape a foot. One might need a device to help them hear. All made one by one, to order.
Khedna does fine, detailed work, of course, because they are a Gnome. Unlike other Gnomes, they take pride in making sure their special artefacts last a lifetime. Specifically for the lifetime of the one who needs it.
For example, an artificial left arm where the gears must be aligned with tweezers. Charmed with good fit and made to align with its wearer's will. Its intended wearer would not be able to don it themself. They are, after all, only a handful of days old.
When finished, it will be self-repairing. It will be impossible to break. It will be soulbound, returning to its owner if anyone attempted to steal it. It will be priceless to its owner. It will be worthless to anyone else. It will definitely be a unique and bespoke work of art. Something to do everything a more normal hand could do, as good as something made of flesh. Khedna's patient was necessary to make sure the artefact would fit for the binding. Thus, their parents carried them in when they were awake.
It was, as one might understand, time-consuming and delicate work. Khedna was proud of their trade, and even prouder that they were not the only one doing it. There were tinkerers, artificers, and craftsfolk a lot like Khedna, making special items for the rare few with a great need.
Some might argue about the right to life. Rare indeed are those who argue for the right to quality of life.
[Photo by Marco Bianchetti on Unsplash]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.
Send me a prompt [50 remaining prompts!]