System Break

Our packs were full of cores and skins as we climbed down the last mountain before the Dokkalfar stronghold. We were growing in terms of qi techniques and experience which was fortunate because the journey had become more dangerous. There was no wonder traders and their wagons went missing; it would be an impossible for them to cross the plains let alone the mountain pass.

On the plains Gisael worked on her speed technique and in the mountains we worked on her strength. She was talented, determined and she benefited greatly from our time together. With my qi sight I was able to give her feedback which helped her improve in leaps and bounds.

"Good," I said and touched a muscle on her back. "You use all your back muscles even these little ones above your fine ass. We call them obliques in the old world."

"Is qi not there?" she asked.

"No, its not, but you're covering everything else on your back." I pointed. "We're almost here."

She nodded and we moved in tandem. Lowering each other and pulling each other up when required. When we reached the flat we ran the last mile to the stronghold and Demon Bird left us to gorge himself then sleep it off.

"Hail," the guard said.

"Hey," I replied. The gates opened and we went through the familiar ceremony of placing our weapons and trade goods into carts. Sakaala waited with arms crossed in the courtyard.

"Took your time," she said. 

I shrugged. "Had to kill an army of ferals and fifty orks."

"Orks?"

I nodded. "Yeah, they weren't a problem. Just oversized ferals."

Gisael frowned. "No, they are abominations. Cunning and cruel."

Sakaala stared and I explained. "We're mortal enemies with orks. Something about being artificially made from the Alfar."

Barrin appeared from inside the tunnel. "That they are." He pulled his goggles down over his eyes as soon as he entered the light. "Brudin can tell you what she knows at dinner. It will make for a good exchange because we need to hear about them. We are their mortal enemies too."

He smiled. "But before then, you must come see your weapons." The old Dokkalfar bounced excitedly. He paraded down the long tunnel and through the maze of smaller ones before we entered the smithy. It was full of Dokkalfar banging hammers and working kilns or work benches. 

"Wait here," Barrin said and called for his apprentices. He instructed the group which included Redmond brusquely and the scampered to retrieve my weapons.

Barrin made us turn around while they prepared. "You may turn now," he said. He was standing behind a table covered with red cloth.

"I watched you fight the adventurers and I'm sorry I missed the battle on the docks. But I was thinking the whole time and imagining what you will need when you fight the largest of beasts." He pulled a shaft from beneath the red cloth.

"This is a spear," he smiled. "I know, not very surprising. But if you look closely at the shaft you will see the embossing to the head. If your qi flows up the shaft the head will guide it in a circular motion."

The spear head was long and narrow. I looked closely and I could see the embossing on the wood meet the engraving on the spearhead. The engraving spiralled around the head and I could see his intent. 

"What metal is this?" I asked.

"It is Cold Steel. We forge it using our secret techniques." He glanced at Redmond.

"The secrets will be honoured," Redmond said with his head bowed.

Barrin nodded, handed me the spear, and then went back to the red cloth. "When one is not enough it has a twin. But this is not an identical twin. The first spear is made for burrowing deep inside the enemy. This second is made to fly, it has wings." He brought the spear and handed it to me. 

Its wings started on the head and continued down the shaft tapering down to nothing in two feet. 

"The pattern will allow your qi will give it uplift so it can fly as far as an arrow. You can throw both spears, but this is the master in flight." He smiled at me as I inspected it with reverence. I was lost for words which was a rare occurrence. The master smith made weapons that I didn't think to ask for.

He clapped. "I have saved the best for last. Your spears are cold iron which we forge from regular ore with our secret arts. But the last weapon is made from a rare ore found deep within the mountain. It is called Mithril and only a Divine weapon can best it."

He pulled the red cloth with a flurry. It was like Christmas and Barrin was playing Santa. The spear shafts and this weapon were the same length, they were identical living wood. But the head of this weapon was massive. If it was steel it would have weighed a hundred pounds. His muscled bulged as he lifted it. The head was like a tear shaped axe.

"This is a glaive," Barrin said and tears appeared in his eyes. "It is one of my most precious creations and only someone as strong as you can wield it."

He handed it to me, and it didn't weigh a hundred pounds, it was closer to two hundred. "Holy," I said. "It's heavy."

Barrin nodded. "We used all our mithril. You got a bargain my friend."

I glanced at him. "You think to bribe me?"

He smiled.

"I think its working. I feel bribed. Do you have an ugly daughter I have to marry?"

He laughed. "No. I wouldn't do that to her. You have far too many women she would hate me."

"What are these engravings meant to do?" I asked as I inspected the head. Its blade was on one side and was thick in the centre then tapered to the edge. It looked sharp enough to shave a beard.

"Destroy."

I laughed.

"You can use it on a mythical beast. It is a weapon which can take them down."

I recalled the massive goat and nodded. And I had no idea how big Dark Bear would be when fully grown and I was glad he was on my side.

He waved at his apprentices who removed the tables. "Now you must give them your blood so they know you."

"Hmm," I was unsure what he meant.

"Reyas did it with her axes. Cut your finger and drip you blood on the metal. Add your qi if you are able and the weapon will know you as its master."

I nodded and did as instructed. I hefted the glaive and he laughed.

"Only you could make it seem light."

"I love it. I can't wait to hit something with it."

Everyone took an unconscious step away from me and my muscles rippled, and my elbows stuck out as I hefted it around.

"This weight, it will just make it hit harder."

Barrin nodded. "That is the idea."

I glanced at Gisael. "What do you think?"

She bared her teeth at me. "Now you are an angry, idiot bear with a big stick."

Everyone laughed including me.

I looked at Barrin. "Thank you. This is more than I could have dreamed of. They're amazing all of them." I couldn't hug him and the heavy weapon in hand and I didn't want to pass it off. I would bear hug him later.

Barrin bounced around. "We will welcome your next order. Perhaps some armour or knives."

I laughed. "You're a born trader." I nodded. "Yes, we'll discuss at dinner. We have much to discuss."

Sakaala peered at me. "We do?"

I nodded. "Oh yes, we do."