Chapter 25 – I Finally Get to Meet Some Dwarves

The next day quickly arrived. Prince James spent most of his time practicing his metallurgy, smelting, and smithing. There was something very soothing in crafting. He found he loved to create and be creative and this was just another outlet for such things.

After his traditional bath which he grew more and more to enjoy, Prince James exited his realm and quickly left his bedroom. He knew he would someday have to deal with the ladies growing yandere behavior but today would be kept to a minimum.

“Good morning, Lieutenant. First and foremost, how is Cooper?” Prince James asked as soon as he saw the Lieutenant.

“He is well your Majesty. Kira really did do a good job healing him, after a fashion.” LT Simmons said the last part under his breath, but Prince James still heard him.

“With Cooper resting, I will be accompanying Sergeant Thorn today. I have also arranged for Leonard Phillips to be our resident healer for the day.” LT Simmons stated.

“Where are the ladies? Other than Taka I don’t see the other female knights.” Prince James said.

“I had to discipline the ones who acted last night. Taka went to bed early, so she was not present last night. I have most of the other squads helping with the morning exercises or other such activities.” LT Simmons replied.

“Very good lieutenant.” Prince James said before turning to the sergeant. “Callus let us get a move on. My father asked that I join them for breakfast this morning before I do anything else so that is what I intend to do.” Prince James stated.

After arriving at the royal family’s private dining room, Prince James found his mother, father, and uncle already seated. His sister walked in just about the same time he did.

“Good morning, everyone.” Prince James said.

“Good morning son.” King Gerald said.

“Good morning, dear.” Queen Sophia said.

“Good morning brother.” Princess Aurora said in a yawn.

“Good morning my favorite nephew.” Uncle Marcus said all loud.

“I am your only nephew Uncle.” Prince James quipped back while taking his seat.

“Hahaha, quite right you are my boy. Here I thought you’d be nursing a hangover after your visit with the Feuhari ambassador and his men. You father and I made that mistake the first time we met with their delegation.” Uncle Marcus laughed.

“No hangover uncle. I find the poison purification spell I know does wonders.” Prince James replied.

“Poison purification spell? Hahaha, it appears our son was smarter than you two.” Queen Sophia said while laughing at her husband and brother-in-law.

“How was I to know the Feuhari could hold their liquor like a dwarf?!” King Gerald mock replied.

“Biggest headache I ever had. Almost started a war when they asked if I wanted more sake the next day.” Uncle Marcus said while chuckling.

Marcus then said giving Prince James a knowing look, “My men tell me Mikko, the ambassador’s daughter was asking about you and your availability. She seemed quite enthusiastic to find you.”

“What evil, vile woman is after my brother?” Princess Aurora asked, seeming to get upset that someone was daring to chase after her big brother.

“It’s fine dear sister. She is merely interested in...” Prince James paused as he looked at his uncle’s lifted eyebrows, the expression on his face saying, ‘how are you going to explain this one to your innocent little sister?’

“She just wanted a tour of the city. Speaking of which, I would like to go the Military and Smithing quarter. I’d like to work with a master smith to craft a weapon for school. I am supposed to have one before class starts, right?” Prince James finished and tried to change the subject.

His Uncle elbowed him in the ribs and said, “Good deflection.”

“Why not take one of the weapons from the royal treasury? It is your birthright son.” King Gerald replied.

“I appreciate that father, but I also wish to learn more about crafting and smithing. The best way to do that is learn from the dwarves and master smiths in the quarter.” Prince James answered.

“Very well. It is your right to choose your weapon for school. I will arrange for funds to be made available for you.” King Gerald replied before going back to his breakfast.

“Thank you, father. Uncle, who would you suggest I visit?” Prince James said.

“Hmmm. Good question.” Marcus stroked his beard in thought, “There are several master smiths in the quarter but if it be a sword, you’re after, then there is no better smith than Master Smith Galdren. He has made some legendary blades. However, be warned nephew, the old dwarf doesn’t care about your status, he only cares about the craft. You will have to entice him to help you on your own, your father or I will not be able to help.”

“I understand Uncle. Thank you for the information and advice.” Prince James replied before scarfing down his breakfast.

“Breathe dear, you act like you’re starving.” Queen Sophia said with concern.

Prince James slowed down his eating and answered, “Sorry mother. I’m just excited to get started. May I be excused?”

“Of course. Come give your mom a hug before you go.” Queen Sophia said.

It was clear she was still having struggles with her separation anxiety. She would not let Prince James go at first, but she did finally relent when King Gerald spoke up. “Let him go honey. He’s not going anywhere. Come we must start our day as well.”

Queen Sophia released her bear hug hold on her son, “Very well. I know you are right husband; it is still so hard to not hold him tight for fear of losing him again.”

King Gerald took his wife’s hand in his. “I know my love, but we have our family back now, we will not let anything change that.”

Nodding and squeezing her husband’s hand back, Queen Sophia turned to her son. “Be safe in the Smithing quarter dear.”

“Yes mother. Thank you.” Was all Prince James said before quickly heading towards the exit of the palace. He couldn’t wait to get started.

Prince James and the Bulwark squad exited the palace and took a carriage to the Smithing quarter. As they traveled, Prince James decided to strike up a conversation with the sergeant. “Have you heard of Galdren, Sergeant Callus?”

“Of course, your Majesty. His swords are legendary. Your father and Uncle both have one of his blades. He’s one of the few Master Smiths who can work with Adamantine, Orichalcum, as well as other super rare metals. It is part of what makes him so sought out.” Sergeant Callus answered.

“That is good to know.” Prince James commented.

“What I’ve heard is he will only take a job if there is a chance to work with rare metals or something to challenge him to new heights.” Sergeant Callus replied.

They arrived in the Smithing area and decided to exit the carriage a few blocks from Galdren’s forge. Prince James wanted to take it all in. The smell of the metal and the forges going mixed with the clanging of hammers to anvils, Prince James loved it. For him, it was like he was witnessing the very act of creation itself as they passed the various smithies and saw the blacksmiths working their trade.

The excitement was clear on the prince’s face and his men found it fascinating. Usually the prince was calm, controlled, genuinely warm or kind to those he cared about, but never excited in the way they saw him now.

‘Seeing our prince like this, I get a glimpse of how young he truly is. Usually, he is so refined and controlled, he comes off far older and we forget how young he really is.’ Sergeant Callus Thorn thought as he observed his liege.

They arrived at Galdren’s forge and Prince James took no time to enter.

“Welcome to Galdren’s Forge. How can I help you, young sir?” A younger clerk behind the counter greeted them as they walked in.

The first room of the forge was clearly the face of the shop. As they looked around, they could see various weapons on the walls and racks. Some more ornate than others but all looked exceptionally well-crafted.

As he looked closer, Prince James could see subtle quality differences, so he decided to ask, “Are all of these weapons crafted by Galdren or did some of his apprentices do these?”

“Ah, the young sir has a good eye, yes several of these pieces have been made by the Master’s apprentices under the Master’s watchful eye.” The young clerk replied.

“Is young sir looking...” the clerk began before being interrupted by Sergeant Thorn. “If you call him young sir one more time, I might wallop you for disrespect. You are addressing your royal highness Crown Prince James Drake!”

The clerk looked like a combination of shock and horror. It was clear he did not know what to do before his delay led to more fear as he dropped to his knees. “Please your Majesty, please forgive me. I did not know. Had I known...”

Prince James interrupted the young clerk. “It’s fine, don’t worry. I am not offended. Please get up.” Prince James turned to Sergeant Thorn. “Stop scaring the poor man, he is just doing his job.”

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Noticing a smirk on the sergeant’s face and LT Simmons giving Callus an approving nod, Prince James commented, “Here I thought the lieutenant was the one that liked to mess with people. Looks like I will have to keep an eye on you as well.”

Turning back to the clerk he continued. “Is Galdren in by chance. I would like to discuss a special job with him.”

The clerk jumped to action. “One second, your highness. Let me go get him, I’ll be right back.” The clerk spoke quickly before disappearing through a curtain in the back of the room.

After the clerk disappeared, Prince James turned to his men. “Do not respond to any perceived disrespect. My Uncle warned me that Galdren does not care about rank or station, only his work. I will not have him throw us out due to such misunderstandings.”

“Understood your highness.” The squad replied in unison.

It only took a few moments, but they could hear Galdren before he showed up. “Calm down boy! I don’t care who he is. I’ll get there when I get there. These legs only move so fast. If you do not stop jumping around all nervous, I’ll knock ye out so I can have some peace. Maybe get a drink after work, a good stout. It’ll calm your nerves and put hair on your chest, so you stop acting like a wee lass!”

Galdren walked out of the back. The dwarf had a long grey beard that went down to his stomach. He was broad-shouldered and covered in muscles from the years of swinging the hammer. He wore a blacksmith’s apron with a belt that held many tools, including a rather impressive mithril hammer.

Seeing the prince and his entourage, the dwarf frowned. He hated dealing with nobles, they tended to be self-important and full of themselves and that irked him. “Now what’s the point of scaring’ my help and makin them interrupt me?!”

Ignoring the frustration in the man’s voice Prince James decided to get right to the reason he came. “I am James. I came here because I heard Galdren was the best swordsmith in the entire city.”

Seeing the frown on Galdren’s face deepen, Prince James quickly continued. “It was not my intention to scare your assistant. My men were a little zealous in their duties, which anyone can appreciate. Seeing how you’re here Galdren, I am hoping you can talk business. I’m looking to craft a master blade.”

Prince James pointed to the room “This is great work but I’m guessing you keep the really amazing stuff in the back.” He said the last bit while staring at Galdren, refusing to back down from their impromptu staring contest.

Finally, Galdren broke the silence. “Hahaha. You got stones boy. I’ll give you credit, you gave me your name without any titles even though this one” Galdren pointed to his clerk, “already told me who you are. I could take your comment as talking down about my work, but I am also guessing you realized most of what is upfront was done by my apprentices.”

Galdren kept talking as he turned around and walked back through the curtain. “Come in the back. I’ll hear ye out but there’s not enough room for all yer men, so you figure that out.”

“Lieutenant with me. Rest of you stay here.”

“Yes, your majesty!” the rest of the squad replied in unison.

As they walked through the curtain, they saw Galdren turn down a corridor and head to what passed as his office and seating area.

“Clearly a busy man.” LT Simmons commented.

Prince James and LT Simmons followed Galdren to his office. The office had a large drafting desk and a few stools, a huge chalkboard on one wall, a cabinet filled with various liquors, and a few chairs throughout the room.

Galdren took out a bottle, pulled the cork out with his teeth, spat the cork to the side, and took a long swing. “Ah, good stuff. Now what ye want?”

“I want to work with you to craft a master blade made of Adamantine, Orichalcum, inlaid with Mithril and Elementium. The combination of which to be used as a magical focus, possibly storing some spells or mana.” Prince James jumped right to the point.

Both LT Simmons and Galdren looked shocked. They both stared at the prince for a moment.

Then Galdren slapped his knees and let out a good hearty belly laugh. “Hahaha! That’s a good one boy! I never even heard of anyone using that combination of metals, some but not all. Mithril sure, Adamantine, maybe, though getting that much is the biggest challenge. Inlaid with Elementium, hell ye can’t even get that much! Maybe if yer lucky and extremely wealthy ye can acquire some but then to be able to work all those metals into one weapon! I am not sure if even I have the skill to do it!”

Galdren’s eyes seemed to grow distant for a few moments as he stared off lost in thought, “Something like that would be my masterpiece.” He then seemed to come back to himself.

“It can’t be done boy. Here I thought ye wanted somethin’ reasonable.”

“If we had the materials? Could I work with you to make it?” Prince James asked.

Galdren shook his head.

‘This fool royal, & I thought his father and Uncle were crazy with their weapons.’ Galdren thought before answering. “Look kid, I tell you what, you gather several bars of each metal, and not only will I work with you to craft it, but I’ll also teach you all my secrets!”

“Do you agree under oath?” Prince James asked.

“Are ye daft boy?! There isn’t enough material in the continent let alone the kingdom!”

“That’s not what I asked. If I had the materials, would you do as you said under oath?” Prince James asked.

“Look boy, yer starting to annoy me. I’ll make it simple; you produce several bars of each metal and I swear under oath that I will help you craft the blade, teach you all my secrets, pledge absolute loyalty to you as my king, and serve the best I am able. Heck and work for you craftin anything you desire! So, say I under oath and bonds of Power!”

The feeling in the air seemed to shift. All three men felt it, as if the Universe or the very powers that be began watching this moment as if something important was about to happen that would change all three men’s fate.

That is when Prince James began pulling stuff out of his pocket dimension, making it look as if he was pulling everything from his bag as he slammed the items on the drafting desk.

THUD!

THUD

CHING

CLANG

.....

When Prince James was done, he had placed four stacks of bars. One stack of mithril, one stack of Orichalcum, one stack of Adamantine, and finally one bar of Elementium!

“That meet the requirements of the oath?” Prince James asked with a shit-eating-grin on his face.

Galdren fell off his stool in shock.

LT Simmons too sat there in silence but kept thinking, ‘when did he get these? How? There is enough wealth with these bars to fund a rather decent sized army. He must have gotten them from John and Susan. It is the only thing that makes sense.’

“Well, Galdren? Does this meet the requirements of the oath?” Prince James asked still with a huge smile on his face.

‘This man is not like his father and Uncle. This man, no, not man, this king, by rights he is my king!’ Galdren thought.

“What do you know about dwarven history?” Galdren asked.

“Not much, please enlighten me.” Prince James answered.

Letting out a breath Galdren told a story. “Long ago, when the world was new the dwarves fought in a great war. We are told this war spanned the cosmos. Our people fought alongside dragons and angels against the forces of the fae, demons, and all sorts of foul creatures. I will not bore you with the details but when the war was over one of the angels came to us and the dragons. Many of our people were lost in the great conflict. The dragons suffered even greater losses. The angel told us that for our efforts and sacrifices in fighting back the dark we are promised a king. Though it is not clear if the angel was speaking to the dragons or dwarves or both, since that day there has never been a dwarven king, only lords and thanes.”

“Fascinating story, I had not heard that before. Is that way the dwarves have no kingdom of their own?”

“Aye. A kingdom needs a king. We have some settlements and great cities in some of the mountains, but it is not the same. Several of my people believe we have wasted enough time on some random promise, but our love of crafting has held our focus. That and drinking. Sure, we are skilled warriors but that is not where our hearts belong. Since that day we have pledged fealty to no king, nor sovereign. Many of us are followers of the light, but our faith has waned over the years in some of our younger generations who think we are fools. I wanted you to understand our history, so you understand the gravity of what I do…my liege.” Galdren stated.

Galdren got up off the floor and bent down on one knee and bowed his head. “Yer majesty, you have proven this old dwarf the fool but more importantly ye taught me a lesson, which is very valuable at my age. I give you my oath of Loyalty and oath of Fealty! From this day forth until my last breath, I will serve you your Majesty. Should I die in yer service I shall find a way to return and keep serving. I am a dwarf of his Word. You have fulfilled a lifelong dream to be able to work with such precious metals in such quantities.”

“I accept your oath of loyalty and fealty with the same gravity in which it was given. You shall always have a place by my side as long as you remain loyal and will have my protection should you need!” Prince James answered as he clasped wrists with Galdren and helped the dwarf to his feet.

“Now let’s talk design and function!” Prince James said while clapping his hands together excitedly.

LT Simmons still sat there stunned as he thought, ‘What just happened? Did he just get a dwarf to pledge fealty? What is the king going to do when he finds out?’

THRONE ROOM IN THE ROYAL PALACE

The soldier bowed before his king and the general of the army, “My King, General.”

“Report” General Marcus commanded.

“As ordered, I and a few others watched the crown prince from the shadows while he went to the Military and Smithing quarter.”

“And?” General Marcus asked impatiently.

“He went to Galdren’s shop as you said he would. I was able to sneak into the back of the shop and listened in to his conversation with Galdren. As you told us he wanted a special sword made. He told the master smith he wanted one made of mithril, orichalcum, Adamantine, and Elementium.”

“Adamantine? Orichalcum? Elementium?” King Gerald asked.

“Yes, your majesty.” The soldier reported.

“Galdren must’ve told him such materials are super scarce. He must’ve laughed him out of his shop.” General Marcus said.

“How was my son to know? Brother, if Galdren treated my son with disrespect I want action. Galdren maybe a master smith but he is my only son!” King Gerald exclaimed.

“Calm yourself my brother. I do agree with you. We knew this could be a possible outcome when it came to dealing with that stubborn dwarf. He cares about one thing only, his craft.” General Marcus said.

Looking at the nervous soldier who seemed like he wanted to speak up but did not dare interrupt his king or general, Marcus exclaimed, “Out with it man! What happened?”

“As you both said general, Galdren began laughing and told the prince such materials are super rare, and no one has ever attempted such a combination before. But the prince pressed the issue.” The soldier answered.

“I bet Galdren didn’t like that.” General Marcus said.

“No General, he did not. He said if the prince could provide the materials, he would not only work with him to craft the sword but also share with him his smithing secrets.” The soldier said with some hesitation before he continued. “He also promised that he would bend the knee and declare the prince his king and serve him from that moment on. He said all of this under an oath. One with such weight to it I could feel the energy in the forge completely shift as the very air felt heavier.”

“Could we do it brother? Could we acquire all those metals?” King Gerald asked.

“Mithril and even orichalcum is possible. Getting enough adamantine, however, would be very difficult. That metal is so rare it would cost us a fortune and I am still not sure if we could obtain enough. However, the biggest problem is the Elementium. It typically can only be found in extremely dense areas of energy like very old and powerful dungeons or other planes of existence. Even then there is hardly anything out there available that we could purchase.” General Marcus replied thoughtfully.

“Tragic really. The number of powerful spells that could be cast from a sword like that would be unheard of. Not to mention having a Master Blacksmith of such renown pledged to and working for the royal family.” King Gerald said sadly.

“Your majesty and my General.” The soldier said meekly, again not wanting to interrupt.

“Finish your report so we can determine our next actions.” King Gerald said.

“Out of nowhere the prince began pulling out bars of metal. First several bars of mithril, then several bars of orichalcum. Then a few bars of adamantine, and lastly a bar of Elementium. Needless for me to say, Galdren was shocked, but he stayed true to his word and bent the knee giving his fealty to Crown Prince James.”

“What?!” King Gerald said.

“How did he pull that off?” General Marcus said.

King Gerald and General Marcus looked at each other for a moment before they both replied, “John and Susan!”

“It must be! They were top end adventurers for a couple decades. It’s possible they amassed that much wealth.” King Gerald said excitedly.

“If that’s true then my nephew is even smarter than I thought. First Duke Spears, then the High Priest Cendrin, and now a Master Blacksmith who crafts unrivaled blades. You and Sophia may be able to retire sooner than you thought brother!” General Marcus said while clapping the king on the back with a smile on his face.

“You just might be right brother! Though let’s see him get through a year or two of the Royal Academy before I had over the crown. I do look forward to when that day comes.” King Gerald said in good spirits thinking of the future.

General Marcus turned to the soldier and his squad. “Tell no one of this, understood?”

“Yes General!” They all said in unison.

They dismissed the soldier and his squad before they went to tell Queen Sophia the good news.