14th of Frost, 119th Year of Steel
The chilled air of the morning skies of Karnor were pleasing to Talon as he soared above the trees of the Wildking’s Forge and toward the Astralar Mountains. Feeling the wind rush through the feathers of his wings, the way the air currents threaded through his hair. It brought peace to his otherwise troubled mind. It had only been two days since the bombshell of Taelian’s news had struck a blow to his heart. He still didn’t think he was quite recovered from the shock of it. He didn’t think he would be for some time. It hurt. He couldn’t pretend it didn’t and he knew that Riven wasn’t entirely happy either. How could he not? The two of them shared a bond so deep that it was impossible to hide completely what each other was feeling from the other. He could feel how integral Taelian had become to his best friend. While Talon still struggled with the reality that it was not he who would be with Riven, he was determined to make peace with that.
He had to. What other choice was there?
Talon shook those thoughts from his head as he laid his sights upon his destination. The mining operations owned by his family were as expansive as they were impressive. Novalys Mining Co. was one of the foremost guilds that harvested raw minerals, gems and dragonshards in the entire northern region. It was a reason his family was so wealthy. He was thankful for the ties that his family had to such operations as it made what he was seeking that much easier. He glided down an air current, following the natural tug he felt when soaring through the winds. Within little more than a few minutes, the heir to House Novalys landed at the edge of the mining operation.
“Hail!” Two guards were stepping forward in order to meet him. There was no gate or wall around the grounds of the mine but there were a few watchtowers. Talon blinked so that the inner eyelid that shielded his eyes from the winds retracted. He raised a hand to the guards as he stepped forward. The Avialae was dressed simply in what he considered his working clothes. A pair of worn leather pants tucked into thick boots. A faded black shirt over which he wore his travel cloak. On his back was his travel pack that was decidedly empty for practical purposes.
“Hail!” With a smile he approached them. As soon as the guards recognized him, they bowed low to which he simply nodded.
“Lord Talon. To what do we owe the honor?” Talon came to a stop just a foot or so from the guards. He was a head and a half taller than both of them but he did his best not to loom.
“I am in need of some raw ore. I was hoping to speak to one of the foremen in order to purchase some.” The guard looked at each other with raised eyebrows. One of them spoke almost haltingly.
“My lord, you do realize who you are, yes?” Talon shook his head.
“I will not rob honest men of their hard day’s work. I will pay just like any other citizen of Kalzasi.” The guards both looked uncomfortable. Talon looked both of them over carefully. “I insist.”
“As you wish, my lord.” Talon followed them to one of the few standing structures on the grounds. They did not enter the structure but approached an open tent with a table set up, around which were three men. As he drew nearer, the three men straightened. Talon waved them off before they could start engaging in any formalities. He thanked the guards as they departed.
“Lord Talon, have you come to inspect the operations? We weren’t expecting you. I am happy to report we’re making excellent progress on the new mining shaft. Quotas are being well met and we are ahead of schedule on shipments to Tedezar.” Talon did not interrupt the foreman as he spoke, allowing the man to get out what he had to say. He inclined his head.
“I will be certain to inform my father. However, I did not come here to day for an inspection. I came here as a customer.” The foreman and the other two gentlemen looked at each other in confusion.
“Um...not to be rude, my lord, but…” Talon chuckled and shook his head.
“I know. I insist on paying what is the right and fair amount. I will not rob our workers of the value of their hard work simply because of who I am.” Talon watched as the foreman’s eyes softened for a moment. A smile and a nod was what he received in return.
“How can I help you, Lord Talon?” He turned to a short but stout man with a bald head and thick beard. Talon was almost certain that the man was either a Dwarf or had such lineage. He was assessing Talon with keen, intelligent eyes.
“I am in need of two things. Firstly, at least ten pounds of steel bars, three illumite shards and one silver bar.” The stout man gave a nod. He looked for a moment to be doing a few calculations in his head. Reaching onto the table he grabbed an inkwell and a piece of paper scribbling down the list of Talon’s request. He whistled then handed it to a man who took the paper and darted off.
“May I ask what you require these materials for?” Talon returned his attention to the lead foreman.
“I am forging a sword. One that I intend to enchant for…” Talon hesitated. He felt a coldness well up inside him but he swallowed it down. “...someone important.”
The foreman nodded. Whether it was because he saw Talon’s posture or simply because he did not care to inquire further, he asked no more questions. With his request made, Talon stepped away from the tent so that he could stand out in the open air. He stretched his wings and rolled his shoulders. He was glad for the exercise that flying had given him. It was good to get out of the confines of both the palace and his shop for a time. While he spent as much time outdoors as he could, the days of late had required him to be inside. He was still recovering from the battle that had taken place not but a few days prior. But, he had no time to rest overly much. There was much for him to do and he had a limited timeframe in which to do it.
“My lord!” The foreman called back to him. Talon returned on the table were the materials that he’d requested. Reaching out with his runic magic, Talon picked up one of the bars of steel. He peered into its depths examining the layers of metal as deeply as he could. He noticed immediately the resolute strength and unyielding nature of the iron woven into the metal. It was sturdy and from what he could tell, well refined. The presence of other minerals didn’t stand out to Talon as conflicting in the weave of the steel’s make but seemed to compliment it seamlessly. Carefully, Talon inspected the steel for any breaks in its seam. He wanted no weakness to be present in the material that he would be using. Even the smallest flaw could lead to a deficiency in what his overall goal was. One by one he picked up the steel bars and inspected each one. Into the weave of the bars he explored, getting a feel for as much as he could.
When that was complete he picked up the silver bar as well. When Talon was satisfied with each bar and the illumite dragonshards that had been presented to him, he gave a firm nod.
“These will do perfectly. Thank you gentlemen.” The stout man produced an invoice for the materials that were arrayed before Talon. He looked at the price. It was more than fair for what they had brought before him. He deposited each of the bars into his pack. The shards he placed into a pouch on his hip so that they would not be smashed. Talon took one of the quill pens on the table, dipped it in the inkwell and signed the invoice. He grabbed a bar of wax, heated it properly then pressed his signet ring into the wax until it cooled.
“Thank you once more, gentlemen.” With that, Talon carefully strapped on the now much heavier pack. He made certain it was properly secured before turning and leaving the grounds of the mining complex. When he was a fair distance away from the border, Talon blinked, sliding his inner eyelid into place. He extended his wings and after a few flaps, ascended into the sky. Now that he had the beginnings of the materials that he needed, he only required a few more things before he could properly begin the process of forging the sword. His heart may struggle to face the reality of a life without Riven’s love, but he would pour every ounce of skill he possessed into forging a blade for the man who had won it. He did not know Taelian but he knew a warrior when he saw one and there was a fire inside that elf beneath whatever veil had been cast over him. Though he was hurt, Talon had no desire to see that fire put out.
Talon turned toward the direction of Kalzasi. He had to get back to his shop. He had much planning to do.
