Hammer Falls

Leaning back in the tavern's chair, Blaed allowed memories to distance his grey hued gaze. A slow smile settled, and he began to allow imagery to flow into the inked quill as it scrawled with his steady hand, the memories and events of the past.


Clang....Clang....Clang

The ringing sound of a hammer on iron rang through the village. He had orders for weapons, armor, and shackles up to his eyebrows, horses needing to be shod, and locks, keys, jewelry. That was nothing new. The large double furnaced, and vented forge in the stone building was placed in much use. The pulley system lifting the one wooden wall upwards, so any meandering by could stop, gawk at the two men who worked the coals. Drew Silver.. tall, dark haired, and handsome. Dre Talbain... wry, white haired and seductive. Many women halted their progress, or changed their morning routine to stop, and stare. StoneForge was ever plied with baked goods, and scrumptious meals, all given by the single ladies who wanted to impress the men. Whether those two took the bait, was another matter. For their own good, they better not.

The Master Smith, Blaed en Shiva, could be found in the yard. An outdoor furnace was set up upon his claiming this land. The large table iron [anvil] had a divot in the center, and rounded portions both a convex, and a concave. Here, Blaed worked on the armor. Bare torso was coated with a sheen of sweat, his massive upper body, flexed with every rise and fall of his hammer. Many, male and female, took positions near the split rail posts to observe the 'show'. There was something about a forge, and the men that worked it, which drew attention. At times, the Mastersmith would indulge the audience, hitting a rod of metal at the right angle to kick up a display of sparks, burnishing the glowing edge of a sword in a dance, sending a wink to the oldest lady there, after dousing a rain barrel over his head to cool from the flames. Something about a forge.. and the men that worked it.

On this day there was no show. The sky was grey, matching the storm in his eyes, but unlike the weather, Blaed's expression was cold. When a happy man, known for drawing laughter, was expressionless, it drew more attention than a evil man looking...well..evil. Another difference to the scene, a woman.

She was quite attractive, by most standards. Chestnut hair falling in ringlets to dust over the curved derriere. Flesh kissed by the sun, movement reminescent of the delicate steps of a doe. Her form in hides which at first glance, seemed mere flesh, the lacings tight to emphasize her form's taut build,and womanly curves. She was in the yard, hair wrapped back in a thong of leather, and dancing.. a staff spinning a blur in her hands. A break here and there, when she charmed the Smith to stand for her to parry against. Once dismissing him, so she could sweep his feet out from under him, but nothing... nothing brought even a hint of a smile to his features.

Call it a superiority issue if you like, Blaed had his assistants working on the forms of every day order for weapons; simple, folding steel, and refolding steel, no form, no workmanship, nothing but endless tedium. Leaving Blaed of course with the detail work. Things like the armor he worked and reworked outdoors.

Blaed, was now shoulder deep into a crate, and withdrawing the pieces needed for Comamnder Kavin's armor. Blaed's suppliers back in Tel’Rune, had sent his order swiftly, and the scales withdrawn would give the Commander light weight armor, that was nearly impossible to pierce. Certaintily some may get dented, and there are always those small areas where a juncture resided, that would not be protected as the rest, but the positives far outweighed any negatives, except price.

The scales were laid upon the Iron Table, and he withdrew a hammer that was lighter than size depicted. The nearly white metal it was forged from almost glowed, and the first blow was landed. In near silence, save the creak and the sound of his breathing as he worked, no hammer falls were heard.

This process continued nearly all day, before he even attempted to take each curved piece, and attatch them into mail. Commander Kavin would be a well protected man.


The Commander had been told that his armor, that odd dragon scale armor, had been worked on and was near finishing. DevRayn liked his current armor, and would have to keep his chest plate as it was a gift from the Duchess, but the thought of something just as strong if not stronger, and lighter than the hunks of metal he wore on himself did make him a little anxious to change suits as it were.

DevRayn would occasionally ride by on horse, the gray one known as Columbri, during the overcast day. He was on duty, officially, though the Commander was always on duty in his mind. And thus he couldn't just stop by and chat about it with his friend Blaed like he wanted to.

It would be nightfall, or rather late night, when the Commander would come upon Blaed. Clanking in his iron armor hopefully this new set would increase stealth a little. His hand was certainly getting better. In a few more days he might be able to grip lighter things with it. Soon he would want to weild his sword again. He loved his mace, but a sword was his chosen weapon.

"So, friend, I hear you got that dragony stuff. Now understand I still have to wear this breast plate. Perhaps you can make some sort of intergration with the scales and this piece." The breast plate was form fitting, with designed musculature on it and in the center was the crest of Cluainin O'Ruairc. It was rather well made, "It was a gift from the Duchess, and I don't want to make her feel miffed if I were not to wear it." He simply started removing it to hand it to Blaed...


Blaed's mood hadn't altered over the long hours. Luckily, it also didn't affect his skill as a craftsman. When the Commander actually stopped this time, and approached, Blaed settled the small gator on the surface, and scrubbed his face. At some point during the darkening hours, Dre and Drew had not only lit torches over the courtyard for Blaed's work, but left two drinks, a plate of coldstuffs, and closed the main forge.

Glance about showed Chase was gone as well, most likely the three were off together, and that was just fine. Wearied featires swung back to the commander.

"Evening to you as well.. Yes the Silver scale is in, No i don't need your breast plate, you can wear it over the chest portion, and the form made, will allow it to attach, here..and ..here.."Gesturing to the areas where the mail was situated thicker and with the correct strapping to secure one heavy breastplate.

" You could wear this.. grieves, pancheons, pillions, and the helm... but your helm is one ... oboxious creation. No offense to whomever designed it. As for the rest of your clanking can of a defense, you won't need it. "

Firm nod, as right hand began massaging the left wrist. He once more eyeballed the commander.... measuring his form before a small smile. " It will be done, day after next. Anything.. interesting going on?"


As Blaed was about to speak further on his armor he held up a hand, "I had a thought and I was wondering if you could do it. As you know Blaed, there is a portion of the military called the Roc Ryders. We are supposed to defend from airstrike such as dragon and other roc. What we need for this are two specific weapons. The first being lightweight, single handed cross bows with bolts, as powerful as you can make them, if you can make them. The second is a specialty item."

"We need an extended lance, of a metal grade, light enough to wield in one arm, and long enough and sharp enought to piece deep into a dragon's hide before running into the thing. The problem is its length, strength and weight. You know of various odd and strong metals and other things, and I only need around ten or so made, as they may break and I want one's in hold. I just want to know, can you do that?"

The Commander honestly had no idea. He was simply shooting in the dark, but if they could have something other than crossbows at their wield it may give them the advantage. He would have to figure out some sort of shielding device for the fire, though Kav expected such to be not necessary possibly, as the Roc would have no such protection. In any case, he just looked anxiously to his friend's reply...


Crossbows, bolts of many sorts were not at question. The work on it would go smoother with a proper lumberer, yet he and his small staff could accomplish it. It was the talk of the Rocs that had him hold some inner debate. A long conversation about the creatures had been held by both the
avianist, Bruce, and the Silverwing Commander, Drew. The three had been in complete agreement. It was a bad idea. Nevertheless, this was a different land, and the determination in the commander would only have Blaed shake his head.

"Yes. I can design and construct all you need. Bolts tipped with Mythril, Lances of Titanium, with a curved waist clasp. You would be surprised how much strength that design gives a man. Now.. tack for the creatures, I have an old.. old design from early Air riders which would be good to utilize. Who is the leathersmith in the area? I will speak to him about those as well, unless of course, you have no need."

He listened to the reply, while moving to a large crate against the forge. Certaintly looked like easy pickings. Why didn't some thief come sniffing around here? At any rate, the crate was unlocked, the lining of molted steel glimmered dully, as Blaed gestured for Kavin to part the straw, and reveal his armor.


"Do that Blaed, and I'll owe you a kingdom in payment!" A loud laugh as he strolled over to box. Kav had complete and utter trust in Blaed and his abilities. The man had done nothing but good for him and the kingdom. If he wanted anything he probably already knew the Commander would crawl over mountains to find it.

There were many times Kav seemed not his age. Sometimes older and sometimes younger. In this case, Kav seemed like a four year old kid. He tore at the staw and saw his beautiful new armor. Removing the iron coffin was easy enough save the breastplate. He began putting it on and there it was, the most clear benefit. Kav could so much better move, and with less weight on him.

Oh this was a dream from heaven. He jumped. He could JUMP! He moved and almost seemed to dance in the armor. Everything was so much easier. "Blaed, if you were a beautiful woman and I were still just a simple soldier, I would kiss you now. Count yourself lucky you're just beautiful and I'm just simple!" Another chuckle brought his belly rolling. His eyes trying to intake all of the armor at once in study.

The half-smile remained as Blaed set the quill aside. another easy moment spent in public with the sounds of life flowling around him and the life lost, flowing within his mind. The ink set once more, Blaed gathered his belongings and with the same casual wave, strode from the tavern.



[Permitted and Edited Transcript - MastersmithBlaed, ChaseforOmega, XgeminidragonvX, DrewSilvrwing, KavinDevRayn]