At dusk, Lin Hai and Gwen quickly cleared the dishes. After telling Harry, who was about to head down to the basement laboratory, that they were leaving, they took a Portal to Kamar-Taj.
They went to the library and found Hamil in a side room, sorting through recent borrowing records.
"Master Hamil." They bowed in greeting.
Hamil looked up and smiled warmly when he saw them. "Master Lin Hai, Master Gwen. You're here about the masks, I take it?"
"Yes, Master Hamil." Gwen stepped forward and carefully took two detailed design drawings from a rigid folder she had brought with her.
"These are the final mask designs Lin Hai and I settled on. We've marked our facial measurements beside them, too."
Hamil took the drawings and studied them closely. His gaze moved between the white and black backgrounds, the phoenix eyes and single-eye rune, the phoenix feathers and dragon horns, and the stars and bamboo leaves. Now and then, he gave a slight nod.
Beside him, Gwen quietly explained her design ideas, keeping her words as concise as she could.
When she finished, Hamil looked up, undisguised admiration in his eyes.
"Excellent designs, Master Gwen. At Kamar-Taj, we have many powerful magical items with all sorts of functions. Their effectiveness in battle may be beyond reproach, but design aesthetics and how well they suit their owners are often overlooked.
"You've woven symbols of your identities, the nature of your powers, and even the bond between you into the appearance of these items with such skill and harmony. To achieve such a striking visual effect as well is truly rare."
Gwen's face lit up at such high praise from Hamil. Lin Hai smiled beside her, happy for her.
Hamil put the drawings away. "I understand what you want. Two masks without