Jaeger and Lisette didn't have to wait long before a gigantic gray-skinned man wearing a blacksmith's apron walked toward them. It wasn't until he got closer that Jaeger realized the man was probably more giant than human, he was taller than even the tallest man he'd seen; tall and muscular, similar to the giant merchantress he'd seen not so long ago. His size also only emphasized the uniqueness of his skin, it was metallic and caught the sun as he walked over to them. When he came to a stop in front of them, Jaeger had to tilt his head to meet his gaze and was stunned by his eyes, they were made of solid onyx.
“So it’s you who has asked for a master?”
His voice was deep and powerful, like a hammer striking an anvil.
“I asked for one, but he is the one who requires your service.” Lisette waved her hand.
“Why?”
“I need a new axe, and I wanted to find out if it was possible to reuse part of my old one. Lisette recommended I speak with a master.”
The man grunted before holding out a hand. Jaeger pulled out his axe handle and placed it in the man's hand. Once he had it, he brought it up to his face and examined it. Seconds passed in silence as the towering man looked at the handle, before he handed it back to Jaeger and crossed his arms.
“You are an Outworlder and that item is too. You were smart to bring it here, it would have been better to bring the axe before breaking it but that is not important. You now have two options. I can work with that handle, affix a new head and have it for you, good as new. Or I can work with it and make it the weapon it has always wanted to be. Each option will take me most of a day, the type of metal or inscriptions you want added will not change that by much.”
Jaeger looked at Lisette, who shrugged her shoulders.
“Why would I not pick the second option? It is clearly the better of the two.”
“Price and desire. It will cost more and while the weapon will be an axe it may not be one you desire.”
“I can handle money, but answer me this. Will the axe come out the same general size?”
“The size of the weapon will not change. It will simply become what it wanted to be.”
“Explain that. What do you mean by ‘what it wanted to be’?”
“I am a fathach mhiotail, a metal goliath. I am also a master blacksmith. Through my blood, metal speaks to me. In its worked and raw forms, it tells me what it wants to become. By my class, items speak to me, telling me how best to create, modify, or finish them. In the case of broken or in-progress pieces, they tell me what they want to be. I can ignore it, and if I do, the weapon comes out fine, a perfectly usable weapon; that would be your first option. On the other hand, if I listen to the item and help it become what it wants to be, there is always more. It comes out better and just more; your second option.”
Jaeger didn't say anything, he just took the information and thought about it. He would clearly choose the second option, if this master blacksmith said it was better, the hunter was willing to believe him. As a master of his craft, the hunter recognized a master of theirs. All that remained was to find out about the cost and the time.
“Repairing your axe would cost 75 gold, with a 25 gold discount because you provide the handle. For the second option, I will charge you 200 gold. This is a unique service that no one else can provide, but I do not get the opportunity to do it often.”
This caught Jaeger's attention.
“Why not?”
“Like you, I am an Outworlder, my class is not one that other blacksmiths can gain; it is a result of my origins. The leaders of my guild do not want me to use my skills for anything other than the projects they assign me.” The Goliath's face took on a new expression, one of quiet anger.
“But I will not allow anyone to control what I do. So I took their mastery test, a test they only allowed me to take because I had no master of my own. They assumed I would fail, and they were wrong. Now that I am a Master, they cannot restrict me according to their own bylaws, so they did the next best thing. They required me to do my mandatory service to the guild and put me here. Most adventurers cannot afford the services of a master, and the few who can have a master assigned to them by the Grand Master. Whether the Grand Master wants to or the Guild orders it, he makes sure to pass me up every time. The only reason I am here now is because the dwarf you were talking to is a friend of mine and came to me. But your friend here has an assigned master and I imagine he will be along shortly.”
The goliath's tone and emotions had not changed as he spoke, but Jaeger had experience in judging and studying people. The anger, disappointment, and boredom that had been forced upon the blacksmith were clear in his minute expressions and told Jaeger all he needed to know.
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“In fact, that should be Master Erryon coming. He will try to assign you to himself; the blame is not his, it is simply the way of things. However, I will ask you to choose me instead. I will not make any grand promises, but will state two facts. If you choose me, your weapon will be better than before, and I can do the same for any weapons you or your party might want. Second, unlike the other masters, I have a lot of free time.”
With that, the goliath stepped back. Not a moment too soon, for hastening over was a human man, with a glorious mustache and arms that told of years of forging.
“Ah, my apologies, Lisette. I was in the middle of a task that I literally could not step away from, as the results could have been explosive, but I rushed over as soon as it was done.” The man turned to the goliath and waved him off. “Sorry lad, this is my adventurer and I will be taking care of her friend as well.”
The goliath just nodded at the two adventurers and stepped back just out of earshot, waiting.
“So, Lisette, what brings you here? Need a new wand or work done on your armor? And who's the new blood I've never seen before, he's got a look I'd remember.”
Lisette had been silent, probably going over the information that the goliath had dumped on them. Jaeger nudged her when she didn't answer.
“Oh yes, this is Jaeger Darkblade. He's a recent arrival and the newest member of the Adventurers' Guild. He's an Outworlder and a Bounty Hunter as well. Jaeger, this is the blacksmith I work with, his name is Erryon Brightforge.”
“It is always exciting to meet a new Outworlder, so many new things come with each of you who arrive. I hope your arrival in our realm wasn't a bad one, is that why you came here? I cannot promise that I will be able to replace any of your world's unique items that you may have lost when you were brought here, some items are simply not allowed in our realm, but I can try. Now, what do you need? A shackle and chain? Perhaps a bounty cart?”
When he had bombarded Jaeger with words, he had also offered his hand. Jaeger shook it, feeling the strength behind it. It spoke of the years, perhaps decades, spent in a forge.
“My arrival in this realm could have been much worse, but no, my arrival did not cost me anything I had with me. I managed to keep most of the tools of my trade, and while I may need a cart later, for now I'll start small.” Pulling his hand free, Jaeger reached to his side and tapped the orc axe. “I'm actually looking for a new axe. My old one broke in battle and I had to replace it with what was on hand, but I'd like a new one. I kept the handle and was interested in having it incorporated into the new one.”
Jaeger pulled out the handle and held it out to the man. The man just looked at it, gave it a quick once-over before handing it back.
“The handle is still in fine shape; seems the break was solely in the head. That is a sign of good craftsmanship. I could have a new axe head sized and fitted in a few days. The time would depend on the metal and any inscriptions you might want.” He paused for a moment and seemed to think. “Repairs start at 100 gold, that would be me using roaming steel, a good metal for someone who travels as much as you do, and I'll take off 25 gold because you have a usable handle. If you don't mind using that orcish axe, it's an ugly but sturdy weapon, a little longer and I might be able to find other alternatives. There are stronger metals and more intricate types of inscriptions, but they cost more and take longer.”
As it was brought up, the knowledge of roaming steel filled his mind. It was a metal so called for two reasons. First, while it could be mined in abundance, its veins of ore never stayed in one place for long and would simply wander away, replenishing themselves. The second reason was that roaming steel had a natural armor-piercing effect; any weapon made with it could pierce most non-magical armor without much effort. The effect was called unhindered blows.
“You've offered a fair price and a good time; even potential enhancements. Would this be a one-time deal or would you be available if I needed services on a regular basis?”
“I could become the master blacksmith you work with exclusively, but I have other adventurers to work with and unfortunately other duties. As a master, my skills are in high demand and my time is hardly my own, which is partly why I was late in greeting you both. Between duties to two different guilds, personal projects, and private business, I am unable to work with each of my adventurers on a regular basis. However, I have dedicated apprentices, journeymen and adepts who will. Lisette can attest to their abilities, and that's not to say I won't help; I just can't be available on a regular basis.”
Still lost in thought, Lisette made a few offhand comments.
“Master Erryon's people are quite good, they did the work on my rapier and wands. This is also the deal with every,” her eyes cut over to the goliath master smith, where he stood. “Almost every other blacksmith. Their time is simply too valuable to be tied down. The Adventurer's Guild simply ensures that we have access to them, not constant access.”
Jaeger considered this for barely a second before making a decision; an easy one, in his opinion.
“This is unfortunate. As a bounty hunter, I might need access to a blacksmith at any time, certain bounties require special tools that I might need made. So I will not be using your services.”
Tipping his hat to the blacksmith, he walked past him to the goliath.
“Would you be available for blacksmithing on a regular basis? Or is your time hardly your own?”
“I can be as available as I want, and unlike the good Master Erryon, I do not have to deal with guild politics. I have no desire to become the next leader. If you need a blacksmith for regular services, I can be that.” Here he paused, a slight frown on his harsh face. “Within reason, if you come to me at half past dawn looking for extensive work I may be cross. I’ll still do the work but charges will apply.”
Jaeger cracked a smile at that.
“Bounty hunting is a job with odd hours, but I'll try. I'll take the second option for my axe, and if it turns out half as good as you claim, I'd like you to be my smith.”
Jaeger offered his hand to the goliath smith, who looked down at him. The large man’s lips turned upward for a moment before he took Jaeger's hand in his. Then he shook it firmly.
“My name is Lorcan Ó hIsinemhiotail and I will be your blacksmith, Jaeger Darkblade.”