LIFE HAS A WAY OF FILLING EACH NEED...

Mileka had finished preparing the armor and weapons for the two Knights. The cleric had called forth their God to bless each weapon and the armor, making them very powerful, all in exchange for one scale of the vile beast. That one scale could be carefully treated, ground up, and then used to give many pieces of armor special abilities. One scale was all that was needed as it was a living piece of armor which would grow over time. Grind it up after treating it and it would continue to expand for years to come. Treating leather armor with it provided near impenetrable material which could not be pierced or slashed except with very powerful weapons. Basically, only weapons of great magical abilities designed to do exactly that, cut or pierce things which generally could not be cut or pierced.

She knew the two Knights would arrive in the morning to pick up their items. As she prepared for sleep, something beyond her imagination took place. There was no way she would have foreseen such a thing ever happening, at least, not to her. As she cleaned up after her evening meal, going back into her shop she cleaned up there, putting everything in its proper place. Then the final act before she was to turn in, placing her nightly gift to Fen'Harel, The Dread Wolf, the only remaining Elven God that walked the planet. She knew his ways and so she always left him a coin or gem. Every night, she would leave it beside a hidden statue in a closeted area. No one knew it was there except her. Yet every morning when she began her day, the gift would be gone.

She never asked him for anything. She believed she had actually met him years ago when he had helped another elf with a problem, even though it was a cunning answer to the elf’s problem, she felt he was only misunderstood. All Elves considered him mischievous and untrustworthy, except for one, Mileka Frost Fist. Mileka was one of the best armorers in the lands, not to mention the best weapons smith. She had more treasures put up than most elves could earn in a lifetime. The only reason she continued to create new things was her passion of the trade. She loved doing it. She poured her heart into her creations.

So when a shadow appeared in her path after she had left a coin beside the statue of Fen’Harel, her dagger instantly appeared in her hand. Her action received a gleeful chuckle from the dark form just in front of her.

“This is the way you treat your God?”

Mileka was caught off guard by this message.

“Step out of the shadows oh great God.” she replied, continuing to hold her dagger pointed at the shadowed figure.

As light from the candle in her other hand fell across Fen’Harel’s face, Mileka recognized him instantly.

Going down to her knees, Mileka dropped the dagger to the floor.

“Forgive me Fen’Harel; I would never have drawn my blade if I had known it was you.

Ignoring her words, he stepped forward, taking Mileka by the hand he pulled her to her feet.

“Stand Mileka Frost Fist, you of all elves, has earned my trust and honor. For over a century, you have gifted me of coin or gem every day. I might proclaim that no god has ever amassed such an amount from one individual without hearing many requests for favors. Yet you have never in all that time requested a single thing from me. What do you hope to gain from me Mileka Frost Fist?”

Mileka stood, lifted her gaze to peer into his eyes. “Fen’Harel, my gifts to you have only been to show my support to you and my admiration of you. When I was a little younger, I witnessed you assist another elf in your own way. While other elves feel your deeds are on the order of mischief, I only feel you are misunderstood. So I have chosen to support you and your deeds in my own way. I seek nothing from you in return.”

“Well Mileka Frost Fist, I have brought a gift for you this day, a telling, or prophecy, which I freely present to you. Listen and heed my words carefully Mileka Frost Fist, fore you are destined to rule all the lands as my daughter-in-law.”

Mileka listened to his tale with excitement filling her veins. Could it be true? Had Fen’Harel chosen me as his daughter-in-law? Yet he refused to tell me who his son was or how this would happen. Would his son agree to such a thing? Did his son even know about me? I feared to ask him such questions. I began to wonder if he were using a twist on words as he so often did to those elves he helped in the past. So I decided not to get overly excited for the moment. See where things went. He demanded that I travel north tomorrow though. Then he vanished just as suddenly as he had appeared. It was his calling card after all. Never stick around any longer than necessary. Still, something was going on and it was aimed right at me. I felt like I had a bullseye painted on my back. That was an uncomfortable feeling though.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The next morning I rose early, prepared to travel. I made arrangements to have my shop tended by a young couple who had inquired many times in the past about taking over my shop. The husband was a very talented blacksmith. He could create weapons and armor with the best but he preferred more common work such as needed by the local builders. Well, I would rent my shop and tools out to them while I was gone. That way if things went sour on me, I could always come back and pick up where I left off.

I WOKE THE NEXT DAY IN MY ROOM. SIR BRYAN SAID I PASSED OUT; THAT I MUST HAVE DRUNK TOO MUCH. ME, I COULDN’T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. IT WAS ALL MUDDLED IN MY HEAD. I WAS WATCHING SIR BRYAN AS HE HELD THE PENDANT AND THEN I WOKE IN MY BED THE NEXT MORNING. HOW STRANGE IS THAT? WELL, IT WAS NO MATTER. WE WERE OFF TO GET OUR NEW ARMOR AND WEAPONS THIS MORNING. I WAS RATHER EXCITED. IN ALL MY DAYS I HAD NEVER HAD THE BEST ARMOR OR WEAPONS. THIS WAS NEW TO BOTH SIR BRYAN AND ME. RARELY DID KNIGHTS SPEND THE KIND OF FORTUNE WE JUST DID ON SUCH FINE ARMOR AND WEAPONS. THERE WAS NO NEED IN THE LANDS FOR SUCH THINGS THESE DAYS. YET OUR QUEST DEMANDED SUCH THINGS IF WE WERE TO SURVIVE. NOT THAT WE LIKELY WOULD. A DRAGON WOULD NOT DIE SO EASILY. IT WAS UNHEARD OF REALLY. I COULD NOT EVEN REMEMBER THE LAST TIME SOMEONE HAD ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED SUCH A THING. NOT IN MY LIFETIME.

I wasn’t sure what it would take to kill a dragon. I mean, there was no one to ask such things of. Well, I just realized, maybe there was someone who we could ask. Elves and Dwarves lived hundreds of years and longer. Maybe Mileka would know of someone we could seek advice from. I mentioned it to Sir Bryan. His face brightened at the idea. More hope for us. I smiled also just thinking it over. The hopeless was growing less hopeless every minute. Yes, things were changing for us. We might have a future after all. I told Sir Bryan we should approach this whole concept patiently and seek wisdom. The better we understood dragons, the greater chance we had of slaying one.

We gathered our things, headed for the blacksmith. Our items should be ready this morning. As we arrived, we noticed Mileka chatting with a young couple inside her shop. We stepped inside, seeing our new items against the far wall, we headed directly for them. All shiny and new, they sparkled at us. It was the kid in us, getting something new we couldn’t help ourselves. I watched Mileka notice our excitement as she smiled. I knew I had a grin on my face to beat all, Sir Bryan also. His step picked up as we drew closer. He went right for the two handed longsword. I knew he would, as he had always showed favor of such weapons in the past. Me, I favored more intricate devices so I relished the twin samurai blade. Now that was a weapon. You could hold it with two hands or simply depress the button on the end of the handle to free up the one handed pair. Now you had a long one in your main hand and a second which was about a foot shorter for your off hand, a very ingenious design. My favorite weapon was the samurai and I favored a second weapon. It was like destiny had called forth this very weapon, just for me.

The armor, elven chain link, was spectacular. No dragon claws would pierce it nor dragon fire to harm me either. I felt secure in the knowledge that maybe, just maybe, we might survive an encounter with a dragon after all. Not that I felt like we could kill one, but at least we could try and survive to live another day. I was very pleased with our new weapons and armor. Then I spotted the bows. I had forgotten them. Sir Bryan loved the sturdy feel of the crossbow. Me, I always loved the feel of a good longbow. So the elven long bow would serve me well.

As we were admiring Mileka’s handiwork, she finished her discussion with the elven couple and came over to us. After she fitted the armor to us, making a few minor adjustments, it was finished. Sir Bryan and I were very pleased with her work, telling her as much. She seemed content with our reactions. Then just as we were about to leave her shop with our new items stowed away on our new pack horses, Mileka walked over to us.

“Might I ask you your destination Sir Knights.”, Mileka asked.

I responded quickly, “We are headed to the north to the Fire Islands.”

Then I realized, I should have only said to the north. Fire Islands was not a place where anyone visited, unless they were on a mission to die.

I could tell that Mileka was surprised to hear that as her eyes widened suddenly.

Then she asked us, “I too am headed to the Fire Islands. Would it be possible if I traveled with you?”

I looked at Sir Bryan who only shrugged his shoulders as if to say he didn’t mind.

“Looks like you are welcome to travel with us.” I smiled as this was working out very well.

Maybe Mileka would have knowledge she could share with us about how to slay a dragon. Things continued to look up for us. Mileka mentioned she would be right back. After walking around back of her shop, she returned with a beautiful black horse with a brown mare with several packs following. She led them out, nodding she was ready to travel.

I nodded back stating, “Looks like we’re all ready to head out then. Off we go.”

And with that, we were on our way. Sir Bryan was in a good mood as was Mileka. Truth be known, I also was in high spirits. By the middle of the day we had shared our story with Mileka and heard hers as well. She was surprised to hear we aimed to slay a dragon though. Her look soured a bit when Sir Bryan explained that. Mileka promised to bury our corpses if the dragon didn’t outright eat us or something. That let the air out of our sails a little. So I asked her if she knew any information which might help us survive an encounter with a dragon.

After a few moments of contemplation, she explained, “I really don’t have any knowledge about dragons or how to fight them but I do know someone who might help you. We can search them out on the way as they live to the northwest a bit from here. It might be well worth going out of our way to speak with them if it helped you accomplish your goals.”

We both agreed heartily with her there. Especially if it meant we survived because of it.

I replied, “It’s agreed then. We’ll swing by to speak to your friend then on the way.”