I enjoyed the sight of Keith faceplanting into the ground. Wasn’t my best prank, but it was a good one. After a few minutes of Keith not moving I started to get worried. “Keith you ok? It was just a joke. You can quit laying down on the job now.” Keith spasmed, then with both hands did a push up. He glanced around. “I’m back!” With a confused look on my face, I said. “How hard did you hit your head?” He glanced over at me spitting blades of grass out of his mouth. He tried to get up, but had issues staying upright while getting his feet under him. “Here i’ll help, just know that if you get knocked on your ass in a fight, we are all fucked. So try learning how to do it on your own.” I reached down getting both hands under his shoulders lifting him up enough so he could stand.
He looked over at me, saying. “How long was I gone?” My eyebrows lifted up in confusion. “Left? You faceplanted than got back up. You didn’t go anywhere.” He looked down for a second in deep thought. “I touched the column, it transported me. It must have been all in my mind, but it worked. Im now a disciple of Hesaphut…umm Hestyp…umm ya the Forgemaster he gave me new spells.”
At that moment a second pillar rose from the ground next to Mythra's. Atop it was the statue of an Olympian with a hammer held high.
Behind us we heard a strange buzzing sound. We turned to see a strange blue circle forming in the air. It grew to seven feet tall. Two figures walked out. Then it closed behind them. One was a grizzled old human about six foot tall. His craggily scarred face could give sandpaper a run for its money. One eye was milky white with a scar running an inch above, and below the eye. The other was a hard grey color. His stare was intense. He wore full plate mail of a very ornate style. It was fitted perfectly looking like a second skin.
The second figure was about four foot tall as wide as he was tall. His hair long white in many braids actually intertwined with his long white beard. Most of his face was covered by either the beard, or his hair. He wore a blackened leather apron. I couldn’t make out much else. They scanned the area, then both stared at Keith.
The smaller of the two who had to be a dwarf. Barked out. “So your the young welp, I was sent to forge into a smith. Pahh, ya look like you could barely swing a twig let alone a hammer.” Keith stood up straight looking the dwarf in the eye. “I’m already a smith I forged the armor i’m wearing.” The dwarf huffed saying. “Bah that pot metal ya be wearing isn’t good enough to sell let alone use for fightin. Did ya not even imbue it with mana?” Keith got a surprised look on his face. “I’m a paladin, not a mage. I don’t use magic that way. I forged the metal like my craft told me to.”
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The dwarf laughed hard at that. “Well at least ya got some backbone. Your still slag metal for now. I’ll be teaching you the proper way to forge. You’ll see how shit your gear is now, after your done with a proper set. I am Kraglin of the Stone mountain clan. You’ll be my apprentice till I think your fit to come off your mother’s apron strings.”
The other stepped up to peer at Keith. “I am Otto, Armsmaster. The Forgemaster sent me to get you in shape. I’ll be taking over in the mornings to train you in proper fighting techniques. How to move properly in heavy armor. You will hate me, that’s fine. But you’ll respect me, and do as I say. Or i’ll break you over my knee to serve as my new dining table.” I giggled a bit jabbing Keith in the arm. “I know a drill Sergeant when I see one. Have fun with basic all over again.” Otto's eyes turned towards me. “You look like someone who could use my training also.” I put my hands up towards him immediately. “Nope not even a bit. I did my time in the military. I’m a priest now.” Otto looked happy at that. “Good you can heal him after I run him hard, no need to hold back.” Keith looked over at me with a stern expression. “Stop helping me.”
From behind us a growl was heard, it raised in volume until both woman were glaring at our group. The growl turned into an explosion of a yell from Katie. “If your all going to keep interrupting our attempts to get a Diety. I’ll be more than happy to explode your brains right now, so you can meet yours … Right..Now!!” All the men took an involuntarystep back. Thats when Erica twirled her knives at us. “We can discuss the rudeness now if you want. Or you can all go to the other side of the camp… your choice.” Her daggers started to hiss, and spit droplets of acid on the ground.
“Now that’s what I call a woman, Ha. Ofcourse fair lady we shall depart for now, but come round after your done. We can share a couple of flagons.” Kraglins bemused smile faltered slightly as, the glare of both women transfered to him. He actually looked a bit intimidated. He coughed than, he motioned for us to follow as he walked away.
Katie turned to walk back to the shrine, saying. “Men and their damn posturing. Can’t have a simple conversation. Nope just threaten, and puff up their chests at every opportunity.” Erica had a bemused look on her face. Than said. “Think we should touch the column like Keith did? Our standing around humming? Didn’t seem to do much.” Kaite gave her a quick glance than, shushed her saying. “Not so loud they might hear us. But yes that’s a better idea.”