“So, after saving a mountain from blowing us to the deepest pits of the five hells you’ve gone and signed us up to poke the very thing that we tried to stop from being poked in the first place,” Leaf said in a dry tone.

“I do recall saying that I was going to help them. I made no mention of you or Jahora joining me,” Helbram countered.

Leaf scoffed, “Please, when you’ve been through what we’ve been through that makes us a group.”

“I am fairly certain that is not how that works… but still, I am glad you decided to come along.”

Leaf grinned, “Someone has to keep an eye out on the both of you, who knows what our mage friend will break while she’s down there, or what machinations or abominations you’re going to charge into headfirst.”

Helbram snorted, “I suppose I shall keep an eye out for any explosions heading your way then. Tis only fair.”

Leaf rolled his eyes, “Just don’t pass out in front of them and you’ll do fine.”

Their conversation rang through a relatively empty street in Goldshire. It was one that he had charged down just a week ago, sitting right in front of the mine’s entrance. Though the bandits had been chased from town, many of the town’s citizenry chose to avoid venturing into the mine’s vicinity for the time being, be it from bad memories or just general caution given the mountain’s unstable nature just days prior. In place of the hustle and bustle of the crowd sat a silence that managed to be both uncomfortable and peaceful at the same time, broken only by the steady ringing of hammers from a building that sat just in front of the mine’s entrance.

Unlike the rest of Goldshire, this building’s construction was made entirely of stone, but kept the rigid and rudimentary architecture of the rest of the city.. It was also only a story tall, but made up for its lack of height with the width of three buildings. Hanging from the wall was a metal sign in the shape of a muscled arm wielding a hammer along with the words “Strongarm Smithy” under it. A red glow emanated out from the building and onto the street, and Helbram could feel heat smothering the Autumn chill the closer that they drew to the building.

“I am surprised that you decided to come along,” Helbram said to Leaf, “last I recall your gear was the least damaged out of all of us, aside from your drawers of course.”

Leaf frowned, “Yes well if we’re going to be dealing with Ruhian ruins then it’d be better to broaden my arms a bit,” the half elf explained, “I doubt simple arrows are going to do much against whatever they have in store for us.”

Helbram brought a hand to his chin, “You are correct, I was having a similar idea myself actually.”

They entered the smithy, its heat washing over them as they opened the door and were greeted by a perfume of sweat and oils that perspired into the air. Compared to the rest of Goldshire, the smithy seemed to hold the town’s most advanced technology aside from the mines themselves. Numerous magitech furnaces lined the back of the shop, emanating heat and red light but emitting no fire from within their depths. Just across from them lined numerous power hammers, also of magitech make. A smith was in the middle of operating one of them, producing a steady cadence of thumps as he drew out the elongated spiked head of a pickaxe. Anvils and quench buckets stood close to the furnaces where other smiths produced a chorus of clangs as they worked the heated metals with their hammers. Helbram was no stranger to smithies, but the sights of such craftsmanship never failed to mesmerize him.

His attention was only drawn away by the nearest side of the shop, which held most of the smithy’s wares. The majority of items on display were of rudimentary tools, stacked in bundles that formed crude aisles between them. Only a few swords and spears lined the display at the back behind the counter, and from their dull shine Helbram could tell that they’d been untouched for many moons. A burly man with scraggly brown hair stood behind the counter, a tired expression on his face as he rubbed the whiskers on his chin. He was speaking to another man, one that Helbram recognized from his graying hair, beard and wrinkled, yet energetic, eyes.

“Garuf!” Helbram said, “Good to see you.”

The older man turned to Helbram, a grin stretching across his face, “Helbram! Glad to see you up and about.”

“The Healers did great work, I feel good as new.”

“Aye, enough to get back out there I reckon. Tis why you’re here, correct?”

Helbram nodded, “Indeed,” he turned to the man at the counter, “Bertrand, is my armor ready?”

The rough looking man scratched his head, “Well… most of it is.”

Helbram frowned, “The breastplate was beyond hope, I imagine?”

Bertrand nodded, “Aye, we’ve managed to salvage the rest but the breastplate had taken too much of a beating to be of much use. Damn thing looked like a lump of scrap by the time we got it off of you, Like someone had beaten the piss out of it with their hands, and rocks.”

Leaf coughed, “You don’t say?”

Helbram sighed, “The fight with Vol’kesh certainly did a number on it that’s for sure… I just didn’t want to believe it was that bad…”

“Along with your sword and shield, I’m afraid those were in even worse shape.”

Helbram winced. More expected news but still unpleasant to hear. He drummed the counter for a moment, “It is a long shot, but do you have any other pieces of armor that could serve as a substitute for the time being? I’ll pay whatever you need of course.”

Bertrand shook his head, “I’m afraid I’ve nothing for you. Repairing the rest of the armor was already well outside my usual work.”

Helbram sighed, “That is fair… I suppose we’ll have to make due for now…”

“I do have another idea,” Garuf said, “Do you mind if I go to the back Bertrand? I think it’s time I’ve made my decision.”

Helbram gave him a quizzical look, but said nothing as Betrand allowed Garuf to enter the door behind the burly man. A moment later Garuf emerged, carrying with him the chest piece covered in a maroon cloth and metal studs. It was the chest piece of his brigandine.

“Garuf, I -”

“There is not going to be a debate about this,” the older man said in a curt tone, “You saved our hides Helbram, and while you and your companions have been vehemently denying gifts outside of the mayor’s hospitality you’ll find that this old man is not so fond of rejection.”

Garuf thrust the chest piece into Helbram’s hands before the younger man could respond and stepped back. It rattled slightly, the metal plates lining the inside shifting as Helbram adjusted his grip around it. Its cloth was weathered, marked by spots of fading fabric and numerous cuts, revealing the steel underneath. It was heavy.

“Thank you…” Helbram said in a quiet tone.

Garuf grinned, “Don’t mention it. Besides, after all of that excitement I do think it’s about time I set up some roots.”

Helbram tilted his head.

“It’s all hush hush, but it appears Goldshire is in need of a new captain of the guard, and Gorond’s asked me to fill the position,” the older man explained, “I’ve no family elsewhere and honestly after what we’ve been through I don’t think these old bones could take anymore traveling,” he grinned, “Whipping greenhorns into shape though? That is something I could do even as I turned to dust.”

Helbram laughed at that, “I have no trouble imagining that.”

“You still owe me an ale though,” Garuf said, “I aim to make sure that you’re leaving these parts with a hangover that’ll split you from head to toe.”

Helbram held his hand out, “That can be arranged.”

Garuf shook his hand and clasped his arm, “Now we’ll have to get the armor fitted for you. You’re a bit bigger than I was even in my youth.”

“I don’t suppose you have anything for me then?” Leaf said in a coy tone.

Garuf pondered for a moment and then retreated back into the door.

“Old man, I was joking,” Leaf called out. When Garuf didn’t respond the half elf grumbled and unclasped his coin purse from his belt, “He’s bloody gonna take my money if he’s handing out equipment like this…” he grumbled to himself.

“I’ll do nothing of the sort. Besides, the townsfolk decided it was better to give these to you anyhow,” Garuf said as he re-emerged from the back room. A bundle wrapped in a thick cloth was in his arms, along with four swords that were all sheathed in their scabbards. The older man laid the bundle on the counter and spread out its contents with the help of Bertrand. By the time they were done Helbram counted 4 similarly sized swords, a shield made mostly of wood, a leather bracer with a gem placed at its center, and a clear crystal that was attached to a chain. Garuf picked up the bracer and tossed it at Leaf.

“That one belonged to the Quetali,” the older man explained, “I can only guess what the gem is for but the leather itself is high quality, especially since it survived the blast while the rest of him didn’t.”

“I suspect that it might be from some magical beast,” surmised Bertrand, “Chimera or Manticore, given it’s resilience.”

Leaf’s eyes widened, “And you’re just giving this away? If you’re certain, then I’ll just have to oblige,” He strapped the bracer to his wrist and shifted it around experimentally, “But it is gonna need a bit of adjusting, and you’ll accept payment for that, I won’t be having it any other way.”

Bertrand smiled and shrugged, “If you insist.”

Leaf smiled, “Good. Besides we’re gonna need all this done by tomorrow, the least we can do is pay for a speedy job.”

Garuf paused as he picked up the shield, “You lot are off on another adventure? How nice it must be to have your youth.”

Helbram took the shield and examined it. It was weaker than his previous steel one, but it would do for the time being. “Call it inquisitiveness more than youth in this case. A couple of scholars from Orelia have requested our help with investigating the mines.”

“Really? Who’d be crazy enough to step foot in those mines so soon?” Bertrand said in a concerned tone.

“Those that are just a bit too curious for their own good,” Helbram said.

“You’d best be counting yourself among them,” Leaf said with a dry tone, “I half suspect you’d have gone into the mines yourself even had they not shown up.”

Helbram scratched his head, “I admit to nothing.”

“Well, I’m terrified and relieved that something is going to be done about it so soon,” Bertrand said, “The Golden Peak could come crashing on us at any time but if no mining is being done this town will bleed out its remaining marks just trying to stay afloat.”

Garuf nodded, “Yes, while Gorond has the smith’s making new equipment it’s not going to be of much use if people are too scared to walk in. If they know the situation is under control things could finally start to return back to normal.”

Helbram tried on the shield and shifted his arm around. Despite its more wooden make, it weighed as much as his previous steel one. It was also bigger, but not to the point that it hindered his arm’s range of motion.

“This is nicely made,” Helbram remarked.

“It was taken from the bandit’s,” Bertrand said, “bastards must have stolen it off of some poor adventurer… but if you believe that is well made then look at these,” there was admiration in the smith’s voice.

He reached for one of the swords on the counter and pulled the blade from its sheath. Bright steel was revealed, almost white from the light that refracted off of its profile. Bertrand tilted the weapon, revealing faint lines that traveled across the blade in an interlocking pattern.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Scaled Steel. Honestly not sure how they manage to forge the stuff but it should be able to take quite the beating.” Bertrand said. He turned the handle to Helbram. Unlike the brilliance of the blade, it was of a more humble design, with a simple leather wrapped grip, weighty circular pommel and wide crossguard.

Helbram shifted the blade into a number of guard positions, noting that the weapon was heavier than his previous one, but remained balanced as he gave it a few practice swings and spun the weapon around. He looked over the length of the blade, noting that it was the same length as his previous sword, but a finger wider.

“A fierce weapon,” Helbram remarked, “just like the one who wielded it.”

Garuf nodded, “Aye, I can’t imagine how Vol’kesh managed to get his hands on them.”

“Odds are it's from his own people,” Leaf said, “From what I heard the Quetali have smiths that could put most dwarves to shame.”

“Regardless, it will definitely come in handy,” Helbram said, “Who are you planning to give them to?”

Garuf frowned, “You’re either as dense as rock or far too humble for your own good, boy. Who do you think we’re giving these to?”

Helbram paused, “What, me?”

“Aye, you were the one to slay Vol’kesh so it’s only fair you be given his weapons,” Garuf said.

“Well I will not say no to one… but do you not think four is excessive?”

“I wouldn’t mind one,” Leaf said with a grin, “I’m more partial to the shorter sort myself, but I’d bet it’d fetch a decent handful of marks.”

Helbram frowned at his companion, “He does have a point, but if you want my recommendation then I suggest you take one for yourself and save the others for either selling or to grant to whomever you deem fit enough to wield them.”

Garuf nodded, “I’ll take that into consideration, let's just say the first batch of recruits are…” he sighed, “I don’t suppose you’d be in the market for a more stable income after you’ve taken care of things in the mine?”

Helbram grinned, “Never.”

Garuf laughed, “It was worth a shot.”

Helbram sheathed the sword and tied it to his side, “I thank you again for the gifts, but I do have another request. I will be paying for this one, no matter how much you protest.”

Bertrand shrugged, “It’s your wallet. What do you need?”

“A hammer.”

___

Jahora hung the clear crystal from its chain in front of her. The moon was distorted behind it, a puddle of light amidst the spots of stars that surround it in the night’s sky. She stared at it, then sighed.

“I’m not sure how I feel about this…”

Helbram took a few practice swings with the sledgehammer in his hands, the sound of it ripping through the air audible in the silence that sat over the work area in front of the mine. It was heavy, dragging its arcs a little too long with each swing and threatening to pull Helbram off balance with each strike. It was no warhammer, but given that it was designed to crush rock and drive spikes he could not fault it for that.

“What’s the issue?” He asked as he shifted his grip, trying to find a better balance point on the two hander’s haft.

“Well… it was his focus you know? The man did such evil that it feels wrong to use this.”

Helbram took another swing, feeling the drag in his back and shoulders this time. He frowned at the sensation, “But you are not Marlin. A tool is just a tool, it is the person behind it that matters.”

“Unless it’s one of those cursed weapons,” Leaf chimed in, “that shite will screw your head harder than an Auroc in heat.”

Jahora frowned, “I could really do without such colorful imagery,” She gripped the crystal in her hands, “But you are right, I was in need of a replacement anyhow after my little… episode.”

“It was very explosive, and painful.”

“Yes yes I’m sorry, now get back to meditating.”

“Only after the hammerman here gives me some guidance.”

Helbram swung the hammer again, moving with the momentum rather than trying to restrain it. He didn’t feel as much of a tug this time, but it was still too awkward of a motion to follow with another strike. He clicked his teeth and put the hammer down, using a cloth to wipe the sweat from his face.”

“I have given you all the guidance needed to get started. It is poor form to overwhelm sprouts with too much information.”

“Don’t know if I appreciate being called a sprout… but give me a reminder so I know I’m doing this right.”

Helbram nodded, “Fair enough. I shall demonstrate the process again,” He sat down in front of Leaf, “first, you need to find something within yourself to focus on. I recommend either your breaths or, if your hearing is especially keen, your heartbeat.

He closed his eyes and started to breathe deeply, his rhythm slow, “As you are doing this, tune out all distractions. The noise around you, what you see, what you’re feeling, focus fully inward, and search.”

He continued to breathe, feeling the sound around him grow more muted, the chill over his skin less pronounced with each intake of air. He reached inwards, feeling his heart beating in his chest, his chest rising and falling. Amidst the rhythm of his own body he felt it, the core of Ether that sat just below the center of his chest. Its size was as small as always, but he found that he was able to locate it much easier than before.

“You will feel it within, a dormant power just ready to be used… all you have to do is reach out with your mind.”

He followed his own words and directed his attention to his Core. He felt his Ether pulse from within.

“The moment that you feel it resonate with you, you should have control of it, all you have to do is imagine a pathway from your Core to where you need it…” he followed his words and imagined a circuit from his Core to his hand and held it out, producing a puff of white light from his palm, “and there you have it, channeling Ether.”

Leaf’s eyes remained fixed on him as he rested his chin on his hand, “It just sounds too simple if I’m honest. I thought the whole thing would be a bit more… complicated.”

“It is best to keep the process simple,” Helbram explained, “the complicated part comes after you are able to channel Ether as easily as breathing.”

“Right… I supposed I should get back to it then,” Leaf said, “Maybe I’ll find the bloody Core this time.”

“The first time is always the hardest. After that it will get easier the more you practice.”

He closed his eyes and mimicked Helbram’s slow breathing. As he did, Helbram motioned for Jahora to follow him, leaving the half elf to his meditation. A breeze passed over them as they walked, bringing shiver’s to Jahora’s shoulders as the gnome looked back towards Leaf with curiosity.

“So, what do you think? Is our Archer friend on his way to becoming an Awoken?” she asked when they were out of ear shot.

“Given that he is half elf I imagine it is just a matter of time,” Helbram said, “Elves tend to be born with more Ether than most.”

“I see… still, I didn’t think he’d ask you for guidance on the matter.”

Helbram shrugged, “Having an Awoken Quetali bearing down on you will tend to change your perspective fairly quickly.”

“True, if I didn’t have my magic I’d be smeared across the walls by now,” Jahora said with shudder

Helbram grimaced, “That is not a pleasant image to think about. Let’s just count ourselves lucky that Vol’kesh was just a Journeyman.”

Jahora tilted her head, “Journeyman?”

“Once you cultivate your Core to a certain size you’re considered a Journeyman,” Helbram explained, “Consider it the start of being an Awoken.”

“The start? Vol’kesh was so powerful though. You mean to tell me that’s what an Awoken is capable of at just the start?”

“I would consider that a special case,” Helbram said as he sat on an overturned minecart, “Quetali alone are stronger than most, and if you compound that with the normal benefits that Ether grants you then it creates a foe that most men should fear.”

“You managed to handle him well.”

Helbram snorted, “Only with equipment that cost a month’s worth of marks… I may not have broken but the bastard certainly broke my wallet. I was just lucky that he wasn’t a second level Journeyman.”

“Second level?”

“I should explain,” Helbram said as he held up three fingers, “There are three different stages of an Awoken: Journeyman, Expert, and Master. Each of these stages possess five Layers. The first layer indicates that you’ve just broken into that stage. As your proficiency increases you begin to break into new layers until the fifth, which indicates that you have reached the absolute limit within that stage. When you break into a new stage, you are always the first layer of that stage unless you just happen to have a large intake of Ether that boosts you to a higher degree of proficiency.”

“Oh I see, so it’s much like Mages and the amount of Circles they possess.”

Helbram nodded, “Exactly; if we were to draw parallels then a second layer Journeyman would be the equivalent of a second circle mage, and a first layer Expert would be similar to a sixth circle mage. Though rather than Circles of Aether it is your Core that is indicative of your rank. In the case of a Journeyman, it is the size of the Core that indicates which layer you have achieved.”

Jahora had produced a notebook at some point and was quickly jotting down notes, “I see I see… pardon me, you don’t tend to learn about Awoken in your youth when learning to craft magical trinkets.”

Helbram chuckled, “It is no trouble, I may possess a paltry amount of Ether but I have done my fair share of reading on the subject.”

Jahora frowned, “Now now, don’t go selling yourself short. Ether is much like a muscle right? I’m sure the more you practice it the stronger it’ll get.”

Helbram shrugged, “For most, yes. I, on the other hand, have never felt any growth to my Ether.”

Jahora stopped writing, “Nothing at all? How long have you been practicing?”

“How long have I been practicing magic again?”

The gnome sputtered, “Fifteen years?!”

He gave a small smile, “Consider it just another item on the list of things I’= amm terrible at.”

“That cannot be natural,” she winced, “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to bring up-”

“Jahora, you are fine,” Helbram patted her shoulder, “I have come to terms with it long ago. Ether Stagnation, that’s what they call it. It is not a disease; as you can see I am perfectly healthy, but it does mean that no matter how long or how much I cultivate my Ether it will never grow. Any other Ether I may possess will remain dormant till my last breath, always out of reach. Much like my magic, however, that does not stop me from reaching out to it from time to time.”

“Is there no cure for it?”

Helbram shrugged, “Not that I have found. I’am sure there is some Ether infused herb or Elixir out there that may be able to do something about it, but such items are so far out of my means that I might as well think them fiction.”

Jahora fell silent for a moment.

“Like I said, there is no need to pity me. Though I will admit, recent events have given me an itch to see if I can shake such shackles,” He held out his fist, “If you will have a cripple like me accompany you, of course.”

Jahora smiled at him and bumped his fist, “Of course. Though if our travels are anything like our last adventure you’d be following me into an early retirement.”

Helbram chuckled, “I can only hope not. I could go a few years before dancing with a Quetali again.”

“Years? Try decades.”

Their conversation was interrupted by an irritated growl.

“Bloody reveal yourself!” Leaf yelled.

“Looks like our friend has reached his limit for tonight,” Helbram said with a smirk, “We should turn in early anyways. I suspect that tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

He stood up from the minecart and Jahora followed him back to Leaf, who was now laying spread out against the ground.

“Everything going alright?” Jahora asked in a coy voice.

Leaf looked up at her, irritation settled over his eyes, “Laugh it up, I’ll prove you wrong just you wait.”

“You do have another week,” Jahora said, “Best be able to pay up when the time comes.”

The half elf grumbled to himself as he stood up, but made no further complaints.

“You’ve got everything prepared for tomorrow then?”

Jahora nodded, “Indeed, the Alchemist was kind enough to give us a few potions as well.”

Leaf whistles, “Really? That will definitely come in handy.” He peered towards the mines, “Gods, that is dark. Kind of ominous really.”

“Indeed,” Helbram said, “all we can do is hope that whatever lies inside is more of the intriguing sort rather than the cleaving us in two kind.”

“Our luck couldn’t possibly be worse than our last adventure.”

“Oh don’t say that,” Jahora whined, “you’ve gone and jinxed us now.”

Leaf shrugged.

Helbram laughed, “We will just have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. For now, let us just get some sleep.”

Leaf and Jahora nodded at him and made their way toward the town. Helbram stayed behind for a moment, peering in the mouth of the mine before him. It was dark, as Leaf noted before, but rather than any ill feelings his companion may have felt Helbram felt something stirring within. A restlessness was building in his chest as he stared into the darkness, the desire to delve the mine’s depths growing ever more present in his mind the longer his eyes lingered upon it. He took in a deep breath and looked away, smiling to himself.

When was the last time he’d felt such excitement?

How long would it last?

He shook his head, “Now is not the time for doubt,” he muttered to himself. He stared back at the cave and held a fist towards it, “We will conquer you yet, just you wait.”

Helbram turned and walked towards town, a spring in his step.