I blinked against the bright morning light that flooded the small room, the events of the previous night lingering in my mind like remnants of a vivid dream. Master Rogue's bed was empty, the sheets and blankets neatly arranged, a silent indication that he had risen early.

I rubbed my eyes, still heavy with sleep, and sat up. The book that had revealed so much the night before lay on the table, its cover catching the morning light. The memory of the Starfire's power, the sensation of the energy coursing through me, was still fresh in my mind.

My arms raised above my head and I stretched, feeling the stiffness in my muscles from the previous day's travel. I was excited about today's training, but I was starving. I quickly dressed; the thought of working in the desert forge with that human man gave me some slight anxiety. I was eager to see how the traditional skills I had honed would merge with the new, more arcane knowledge I had acquired.

I grabbed my hammer and strapped it onto my belt, then made my way down to the inn's common area, the sounds and smells of morning life greeting me. The inn was still pretty empty, with just a few travelers and a young couple sipping tea taking up the twenty or so tables. I sat down and looked around, still not seeing Master anywhere. The serving girl, with her bright smile and lively step, approached my table with her small parchment at the ready.

"Good morning," she greeted, her voice as buoyant as her step. "What can I get for you this fine morning?"

"Just some breakfast, please. Whatever you recommend," I replied, returning her smile.

"We got some fresh hen eggs last night. Would you like to try them?" she asked.

I raised my eyebrows. "Eggs? Like, from a bird?" I thought of Master's description of what he saw in my blacksmithing book. "You just...eat them?"

"Of course! Well, Jonas fries the insides up in some oil with some salt, but yes. They're quite good. We'll whip you up some. They're a bit on the pricey side thought..." She trailed off, as if not to offend me.

I shrugged at that. "If you say so! I'll take the eggs, thank you."

As she bustled away to fulfill my order, I leaned back in my chair, letting the murmur of the inn's patrons wash over me. I thought about taking my book out and reading it while I waited, but I hesitated. I still wasn't sure about the etiquette of showing my book in public. I made a mental note to ask the human blacksmith later on when I met up with him.

When the serving girl returned with a plate of food, the aroma instantly roused my appetite. I took a bite of the eggs she spoke of, and she was absolutely right. They were delicious.

The eggs were cooked to perfection, rich and flavorful with a runny, yellow middle, each bite a delightful experience. It was a simple dish, yet it was evident that care had been put into its preparation. The golden yolk was creamy, complementing the slightly crispy edges of the whites. I could really get used to life on the road, I thought with a smile.

I savored each mouthful, learning to dip the bread into the yellowy substance for an even more pleasant experience. As I put the last bit of egg in my mouth, the door opened, and Master Rogue strode through, the outside air blowing in as he looked around the small restaurant. Master Rogue's gaze was sharp and purposeful, and when it fell upon me, he nodded – it was time to begin the day's work.

I stood up to greet him, but turned back to drop ten gold pieces next to my finished plate. I looked over at the kitchen and nodded at the serving girl, who gestured with her hand where her thumb shot into the air. I returned the gesture, not really knowing what it meant, but I didn't want to insult her and aired on the side of caution. It worked, and she beamed at me, then returned to whatever she was doing.

Master looked on, a frown creasing his lips as he saw how much breakfast cost. I locked eyes with him, not ashamed of my decision.

I wiped my hands on a napkin, then walked over. "Good morning, Master," I said cheerfully.

"Morning, student," he replied, turning and walking out the door with me closely in tow. "I trust you are prepared for today. The forge awaits and, with it, the next stage of your training. Much rides on this."

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I nodded, a surge of excitement shooting through me. "Oh, I'm ready."

***

We walked quickly as the morning sun beat down on us. The alleyways of Oasis were a maze of sun-baked clay and stone, winding and narrow, with the occasional burst of color from hanging fabrics or potted plants perched precariously on windowsills. The early morning air was still surprisingly cool, a brief respite from the relentless heat that would soon envelop the town from the hot sun. As we maneuvered through the maze of streets, the sounds of the town waking up filled the air – the distant chatter of merchants setting up their stalls, the clatter of pots and pans from small eateries, and the occasional bray of a donkey.

Master Rogue moved with a purposeful stride, familiar with the town's convoluted layout. I followed closely, taking in the sights and sounds. I still wasn't used to life outside of Altheria, and any new sights were absorbed like a sponge.

We finally emerged from the network of alleyways into a more open area on the outskirts of the town. The desert stretched out before us, vast and unending, its dunes shimmering in the growing light of the morning sun. The clay homes shifted into large, boxy stone buildings, some with smoke billowing from chimneys. This seemed to be the industrial district of the city. Finally, I saw a swinging wood sign outside a two-story building with an anvil outside.

Master Rogue led the way towards the entrance as he waved to the man from the restaurant who spoke with us the day before. As we approached, the sounds of hammering, the roar of fires, and the metal clanging against metal reached our ears. He nodded back at us before turning and heading inside.

As we entered the forge, the hot atmosphere enveloped us, but I was shocked to find it more pleasant than before. Like the heat was being absorbed into me and fueling my soul. It was hard to explain.

The air was thick with the scent of burning coal and heated metal. Sparks flew from anvils where blacksmiths, all human with various skin tones, worked with intense focus. The walls were lined with tools and materials, and the sound of the bellows added to the clamor of the forge's life.

Master Rogue led me through the forge, and I could feel the eyes of the other blacksmiths on us as they paused their hammering, their curiosity piqued by our presence. I knew how this looked; an elf in the smithy. Master Rogue, however, seemed unfazed by the attention, his gaze fixed on our destination within the forge.

We stopped before a brick wall, hidden from the rest of the smithy. "This is where I leave you. I will return this evening to pick you up and return to the Inn before our trip home in the morning. Garrat, take good care of him."

The man nodded, and Master turned and walked out, leaving me alone.

Garrat was a figure that commanded attention, not through stature, but through an aura of quiet authority and profound skill. He was of medium build, with bulging shoulders that spoke of years at the forge, and his eyes glowed a soft orange in the dim lighting back here. I thought back to Rurik, the dwarven boss back at the prison. I remembered that he had blue, glowing tattoos running up his arms and face. Now, this man had an orange glow to his eyes. I wondered if these were somehow linked.

I inspected the man, but got the typical [?????, ??????] error you received when inspecting a guildmember. He stepped forward and pressed a hidden mechanism within the brick wall. The wall slid open smoothly, almost silently, revealing a hidden chamber beyond. Air blew from the tunnel inside, and Garrat motioned for me to enter, a small smile tugging at his chapped, dry lips. "Welcome to the heart of the desert smithy," he said. "We call it the Starforge."

The name instantly resonated with me, and my heart rate picked up. As I stepped into the hidden forge, lights built into the wall sprung to life. I was struck by the contrast between this place and the outer smithy. The forges were built with intricate designs, their flames burning with a white intensity that suggested a deeper, more mystical heat source. The anvils were positioned in front of the fires and surrounded by various tools, each meticulously cared for and arranged.

The walls were adorned with paintings, and I glanced around at them. Each painting depicted weapons and armor of exquisite design, the kind that spoke of masters at work. The bright orange signatures at the bottom of each were like stamps of excellence, most likely from the item's creator.

I took a moment to absorb the sight, the energy of the place filling me with a sense of awe and inspiration. Garrat watched me with a knowing look, the smile returning to his cracked, dry face. "Each of these," he said, gesturing towards the paintings, "represents a masterpiece crafted right here within these walls. This is the legacy you're stepping into, Erevan. The Starforge is a place of unparalleled creation, where the limits of blacksmithing are pushed and redefined."

I took a deep breath, then nodded. Garrett led me to the central anvil, another custom piece made with an iron of a magnificent shade of navy blue that glistened in the light. "This is where you will work," he said. "Here, you will learn to combine your skills with the knowledge from the book. The Starfire skill is not just about technique; it's about connecting all of your skills with the essence of the metal, understanding its spirit, and shaping it with more than just physical force."

I approached the anvil with reverence, running my hand over the gorgeous metal. I unclasped my hammer and took it into my right hand, excited to begin. The opportunity to work in such a place, under the guidance of Garrat, was a dream I hadn't known I had. As I looked around at the paintings, the forges, and the tools, I felt ready to take the next step in my trade.

I was ready to explore the mysteries of Starfire. "What are we going to make?"