by Jamie Davis
“If you’re referring to the purplish haze I now see around the outline of the steel, then yes, yes I do. What is it?”
“I think it’s a guide, sort of like what I showed you with the sharpening wheel before. Let me try something.”
Cari focused on the aura while activating her bladesmith skill. As soon as she did, the aura intensified and shifted until she saw areas on the bar of yellow glowing metal where the purple aura was stronger than others.
“There, at the end,” she said. “Can you see the area that looks a little brighter than the others? That is where you start shaping the point of the blade.”
Heath shoved the bar back into the coals and Cari reached over and worked the massive forge bellows, pumping oxygenated air into the base of the forge until the coals glowed white-hot.
Heath left the bar in the coals a few seconds longer then pulled it out and began hammering on one end, following the pulsing purple glow around, using it as a template until he’d formed a tapered point to the blade. He returned the blade to the forge before starting on the next part of the template the glowing aura showed them.
Cari and the big smith worked all day until darkness settled in. The final shape of the long, thin blade resembled her old sword, but this one had been crafted of layered steel with a unique alloy combination that left a beautiful patina of gray swirls on the surface of the metal.
“We can return to this tomorrow. I need a break,” Heath said, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “Using the magic, or whatever it is you’ve shown me, is more exhausting than normal metal work.”
“I think it’s because we’re infusing something from ourselves into the metalwork as we go.”
Heath nodded. “That would explain what I’m feeling. It’s as if I’m pouring part of my life into the crafting. This blade is going to be unlike anything seen here in Fantasma since the last of the great arch mages died.”
“It will be if we finish it. That’s going to take energy. Is that dinner invitation at your place still open?”
“Of course, Becca will be so happy to see you.”
Heath called out to his son, dozing on a stool in the corner, his work and chores long done. “Sterling, run along ahead to home and tell your mother we’re on our way. Cari is coming for dinner.”
“Yes, sir,” Sterling replied. He smiled and raced off down the hill towards their home.
“After you, ma’am.” Heath gestured to the gate out to the street.
Together, the two of them went to get a much-needed meal, replenishing the energy spent on the forging of the blade.
It ended up taking four days of hard work before the forging of the blade was finished. At the end of the fourth day, it was tempered and hardened and ready for the final stage on the sharpening wheel.
This was where Cari was to take over the lead, putting an edge on the blade and doing the final work to shape the capabilities infused into the sword.
It was Heath’s turn to look over her shoulder, offering tips and encouragement to her as she took her time working on the spinning stone with the sword.
As she’d seen before when working in the forge on her old blade, several colors showed in the blade’s core. Each represented a potential possibility for where she could go with the blade.
Cari didn’t want to settle for just one aspect of the sword’s capabilities, though. In the past, she’d focused on speed. Now she also wanted to access the endurance and strength enhancing the edge could achieve. She thought about using some of the other alternative grinding patterns she could see highlighted by the glowing colors.
As she worked the foot pedal, turning the stone beneath the blade, Cari leaned forward and peered at a point on the blade where the different colors of the blade’s core intersected. The blue, yellow, and red lines crossed at a position that glowed with a white nimbus.
Sliding the sword with smooth precision across the grinding wheel, Cari focused on the white nexus and as she worked it, the white glow expanded, guiding her hands as she followed it.
“Cari, I’ve never seen that before,” Heath whispered from beside her. “What are you doing?”
“I’m not sure…” Cari trailed off. She was lost in the work.
Cari worked for what felt like ages, sweat beading on her brow, dripping down her face. She followed the guides she saw in the white overlay on the blade. Finally, the white glow flashed and faded out. Cari lifted the sword from the stone, turning it in her hand as she gazed at the gleaming metal.
“It is finished.”
Cari stood and slid a wooden hilt blank over the metal tang, then threading the steel ball over the end to secure the handle in place. It still needed a leather or cord wrap to improve the grip, but the sword was essentially complete.
Swinging the blade in a graceful arc, she marveled at the exceptional balance. It was as if it were an extension of her left arm. That was something her instructors had always told her to seek out when selecting a weapon. In this case, it was as if she could feel the air passing over the blade’s tip like it was the tip of her finger.
Swinging the sword in more complex patterns, Cari truly felt a link between her hand and the blade, extending her body’s sense of self out to the end of the blade’s tip.
She focused inward and pulled up her weapons menu. The blade showed there at the top of the list.
Enchanted blade — the Duelist
+5 defense
+3 to hit/damage
20% chance for critical hit during riposte attacks
Heath held out his hand. “May I?”
Cari reluctantly handed the blade to the smith. Heath swept it through his own combination of moves, a childish grin on his face.
“I thought I had reached the pinnacle of my smithing ability the last time you came to visit. I was wrong. You should come back and visit Morton Creek more often.”
He offered her the blade, hilt first.
“Cari, this is cause for celebration, plus Becca has a surprise for you. Let’s head to the house and eat dinner on time for a change.”
“I’d like that. It’s been a pleasure being here this week. It reminds me of home and my parents.”
“It’s been our pleasure to open our home up to you once again, even if it is only for an occasional meal.”
The two of them set out for Heath’s home, arriving to find a full meal set and waiting for them. Becca stood by the hearth, stirring a large black pot suspended over the flames in the fireplace.
The meal filled Cari to the brim and left no room for even a sliver of dessert. As the children readied themselves for bed, Cari, Becca, and Heath sat by the hearth.
The smith’s wife had a huge grin on her face as she reached into the needlework basket by her chair and pulled out a small bundle, wrapped in a white cloth. She handed the bundle to Cari.
Cari took the bundle and looked from Heath to Becca. “What’s this?”
“It’s a small thank you from us,” Becca said. “You have done so much to improve our lives with all the special crafting tricks you’ve taught Heath.”
Cari smiled and unwrapped the bundle to reveal a six-inch tube fashioned from strange pebbled leather. She was confused and looked up at her hosts, a puzzled look on her face.
“It’s from a trader from the far east. There are great reptiles in the rivers there. This is crafted from a piece of leather I purchased for Heath to use in the crafting of grips for the swords he creates. I used it to create a special grip for you. The hide will not slip in your grip, even when wet.”
“This is wonderful, Becca, thank you. I’ll work on adding it to the blade tonight before I sleep. I’ll be sure to show it to you tomorrow on my way to the smithy.”
“Why come back to the smithy?” Heath asked. “Your sword is done.”
“I know, but I’d like to work on a few enhancements for my officers. My first mate, in particular, could use a proper blade instead of a standard cutlass.”
“You have the pi
ck of my stock, Cari. With what I’ve learned from you this week, I’ll take the best in show again this coming season in the capital, and no one wins two years in a row.”
“Cari, why don’t you stay here, tonight? It’s late to be wandering back to the docks and we have a spare room for you. You’ll be that much closer to the smithy and can get an early start when Heath leaves to open up in the morning.”
“I’d like that very much. I would like to get to work on this hilt, though. I hate to leave this unfinished.”
Becca smiled. “I have some spider silk thread. It’s nearly unbreakable and would be perfect to help you wrap that hide around the hilt.”
Heath stood and stretched his arms wide while he yawned. “If you ladies are going to work on that before bed, I’ll be off to sleep. I’m tired from all the energy spent today and I’d like to be at the shop early to get started on some new project ideas sparked by Cari’s improved crafting methods.”
“Sleep well, Heath and thank you for your continued hospitality. See you in the morning.”
Cari turned her attention to the sword hilt in her hand and wrapped the pebbled hide around the wooden grip to test the fit. It would take a little trimming and thread work, but she was sure when they were done, it would be the perfect way to complete the blade.
Becca returned with a small, tightly wrapped ball of thick thread.
“This spider silk has been spun into a thread tougher than any I’ve seen. Hold up your sword and let me see it. We both can work on this together.”
Cari leaned forward and started in on the final part of the project to create herself a new sword. It took them almost two hours to get the fit just right and to stitch the hide around the hilt in such a way that the stitching was hidden from view.
When they finished, Cari held up the modified rapier and tested the grip in her hand. It fit her hand just as they’d planned. She liked the warmth of the pebbled hide under her fingers. It almost seemed to grip her hand back.
“This is perfect, Becca. Thank you.” Cari stifled a yawn. “It is late. I think it is time to turn in.”
“Let me get you a towel and a pitcher and wash basin so you can wash up before bed.”
The two women left to get Cari’s bed together and Cari thought about how lucky she was to have good friends like the Fletchers. They, and others like them, were part of what made Fantasma special to Cari.
She drifted off to sleep with her hand resting on the newly crafted hilt of her sword. She had a blade of her own again.
Quest completed — craft a new blade
15,000 experience
Chapter 35
Cari woke to Becca shaking her shoulder.
“Cari, get up. There are soldiers everywhere. I heard from a neighbor they are marching in the north gate.”
“Soldiers? What kind of soldiers?”
“I don’t know. They are wearing green tabards with gold trim. It is a crest I have never seen before, not that I’ve seen many soldiers at all besides the occasional Imperial courier.”
“Green and gold means they’re probably from the Duke of Charon’s forces. He must have discovered where we were.”
Cari sat up and started pulling on her boots. “Are they searching the houses?”
“No,” Becca replied. “There is a group of four of them just standing at the corner on the way to Heath’s forge. They are stopping and questioning everyone passing by.”
“They’re looking for me. Where’s Heath?”
“He got up early like he said. I think he was already out and at the forge before they started coming into town.”
“Becca, I’ve got to get out of here without them seeing me leave your house. If they do, they’ll lock up all of you for helping me.”
“You can go out the back gate. I don’t think anyone is in the alley. You should be able to slip past them if they’re not paying too much attention.”
Cari finished getting dressed, splashing fresh water on her face to wake up and then pulling back her hair into a ponytail. She didn’t have time to braid it as she usually did in the morning.
Strapping her dagger’s sheath to her right thigh and slipping her sword baldric diagonally over her shoulder, Cari felt better right away now she was armed.
“Becca, keep the children indoors and if the soldiers start searching the homes, cooperate with them. They don’t like those who offend them and won’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way.”
“What about Heath?”
“There’s nothing to tie him to me so he should be fine, but you can send Sterling to warn him if you want. Just caution your son to be polite to the guards and tell them he’s on his way to work. They’re looking for me and a young girl, not a boy his age.”
Becca took Cari to the back door and out through their family garden to the fence that bordered the end of their property. A wide gate stood next to a small stable and shed.
“Go left after you pass through the gate to take you to the next street down. You should be able to sneak past the soldiers with some luck.”
“Thank you, Becca. I don’t know how I can repay you for the hospitality you’ve shown me once again.”
“Nonsense, my mother would have my hide if I let anything happen to you. She thinks of you like another grown granddaughter.”
“Pass along my regrets that I missed her when she comes for her next visit.”
“I will. Now you scoot before they decide to start searching the neighborhood.”
Cari hugged Becca and slipped through the gate, following her friend’s directions to get her turned towards the harbor.
Quest accepted — reach the Vengeance
All she had to do was get down to her ship. Once there, she could sail away and leave the Duke’s men behind her.
At the place where the alley crossed the street a block away from the talking guards, Cari decided to chance it and just cross as if she belonged there.
Just before she entered the far side of the street and the entrance to the next alley, a gruff voice called out.
“You there, girl, come over here. We have some questions for you.”
Cari waved at them, calling out, ”Sorry, I’m already late for work.”
She didn’t wait for their answer or to see if they ran after her. As soon as she entered the alley on the far side and was out of sight, Cari broke into a sprint. She had to get away and break contact before she headed towards the harbor.
The Duke likely knew she came there in her ship. She didn’t want to get bogged down in a fight this far away from the Vengeance. Cari knew she would probably have to fight her way to the ship once she reached the harbor itself.
Shouts sounded behind her and a quick glance over her shoulder had her cursing under her breath. Two of the guards followed her down the alley. She turned back around and concentrated on getting away from her pursuers.
Picking up speed, Cari exited the alley onto the next street down from Becca’s house. She turned down the larger street to try and mingle in the growing hustle and bustle of a normal market morning in Morton Creek.
As she reached the first major cross street, she ran right into two green-clad guardsmen. They all fell to the cobblestone street in a jumble of tangled limbs and curses.
Hands grabbed at her, trying to keep her from rising and continuing her flight.
Cari jerked her elbow backward trying to shake off the hand that grabbed at her arm. A satisfying crunch and a cry of pain and alarm told her she’d broken one guard’s nose. If she managed to get out of this pile of bodies in the middle of the street, she planned to do a lot more than that.
Cari kicked out hard with her boot and connected with one of the guard’s stomach, knocking the air from his lungs in a whoosh.
With one guard rolling around and clutching his broken nose and another on his hands and knees trying to catch his breath, Cari found herself finally able to roll to her feet.
It was just in time.
The two g
uards who’d chased her into this intersection arrived, swords drawn.
Cari drew her new sword. It was time to blood the blade.
Pulling her dagger free from its scabbard with her right hand, she extended the arm out and pointed it at one of the guards, gesturing with her fingertip for him to come get her.
He obliged.
Their swords crossed once, twice, then Cari spun away, parrying a third attack with her dagger.
Her spinning move foiled the attack from behind by the other standing guard.
Cari needed to finish this quickly before the two injured guards recovered.
She surprised the second attacker by diving in his direction, rolling back to her feet under the attacks aimed where her head had been a second before.
Leading with her sword, she thrust upward. The freshly sharpened alloy blade sliced into her opponent’s stomach and pierced all the way upward to his heart eventually exiting from the top of his shoulder.
With a gurgling gasp, he fell over backward, sliding off her blade.
2,500 experience
As the dead guard fell away, she turned and caught his companion’s downward blow on her dagger.
Parrying the guard’s heavier blade with her dagger in one hand, Cari brought her rapier around and scored a deep thrust into his thigh.
The guard staggered backward, blood streaming down his leg as he tried to shift his weight to the uninjured side.
Cari lunged forward with a feint.
The man’s sword came down, taking the bait.
She stepped on the middle of the sword with her boot, stomping downward. The blade bent and then snapped in two, the end clattering to the cobblestones.
Having the advantage now, Cari snapped off three attacks in rapid succession, laughing with joy at the superior quickness of her new, enchanted blade.
One thrust, then a slash, followed by a final thrust to the throat finished off the guard.
2,500 experience