65 Glade 121 Steel
Talon summoned the full manifestation of his nimbus as he channeled the strength of his divine essence into his work. He brought his hammer down upon the cloth that would be adorning the forms of people he loved more than he could put words to. As he worked he kept the thought of them at the forefront of his mind. Over the past several seasons, he had been working steadily to complete one of the largest undertakings of his life. It was a series of artifacts that, together, formed an ensemble the likes of which few crafters could have imagined. It was the most masterful work of his life and he was determined to pour every ounce of strength and skill and power into its creation. Including his divine strength now that he had access to it. As he forged he kept the view of the aetheric structures clearly within his sight. The effort came easier to him than ever before when working the forge. It was as though he had been staring through a fog and now it was as clear as day.
Working to perfect his creations, he had found flaws that never would have stood out to him before. He had found ways of reinforcing and enhancing the enchantments he’d fashioned to even greater heights. Runeforging was a discipline that benefited from time and Talon was determined to make the most of the time that he had been given. Touching upon the well of power within himself, he drew upon the foundations of his divine portfolio. He channeled the burning fire of Justice into his forgeworks. He drew forth the essence of his Emblem and with that power firmly in his hand, he began to work the magic of his divinity into the cloth that would protect his bondmates.
He grasped the concept of Dominion. With it he had come to understand that a bearer of his gift could reinforce their body. Talon pulled that concept to the forefront of his mind and channeled that divine gift into the aether pathways he was reinforcing. With every strike of his hammer, Talon watched as the pathways glowed almost white hot. He pulled back, for fear of destroying his work but found that the power of Eminence was in fact wrapping around the pathways he was building. He moved on to the fortifications put in place early in the creation of the viscerite, Talon excited the aether with several strikes of his hammer. He then continued channeling his power into the material, using his forceps to guide each pathway into alignment so that it all worked harmoniously. They would soon need this armor, more than ever, they would need it. Talon had witnessed the tyranny of the Imperium. He had seen the injustice of it. With careful strikes, he continued to forge the armor that would help him in his quest to understand how to overcome those terrible obstacles.
One by one, Talon picked up each piece of the armor, reinforcing and adding to its makeup in order to incorporate his divine strength into the weave. From the cloth that would cover his partner’s torsos, to the pants that would cover their legs and the bracers that would protect their forearms. Talon continued his work steadily and without interruption. He was not certain how long he worked but ultimately, Talon stepped away from the anvil. His chest was heaving. Sweat was pouring off of his body and it felt as though heat were radiating off of him in waves. He looked upon each piece of the sets that he had fashioned and felt a welling of pride. He had only a moment to reflect when he heard footsteps coming down into his workshop. Aoren appeared, his brow quirking as he beheld a sweaty and heavy breathing Talon. Talon smiled at his bondmate.
“It is done.” Aoren looked to the assembled pieces. He finished coming down the stairs. Picking up a pitcher of water, he poured Talon a glass. Talon accepted it with a shaking hand as he plopped down onto the nearest viable surface in order to catch his breath. He gulped down the water then poured himself another glass. Wiping his brow with the back of his sleeve, he looked over each piece of the entire ensemble. He managed to catch his breath a few moments later.
“When will you present the finished pieces?” Talon set his hammer down onto the surface of his workbench.
“At the summit. It seems fitting that we wear them at the meeting with the Grand Marshal. I do not trust him. No doubt we will be forbidden to bring obvious weaponry into the hall but the clothes on our backs are a different story.” He did not yet know the full protocol of the Zaichaeri summit that he would be attending in just five days. It was to be a diplomatic mission that was intended to bring their nations closer to lasting peace. Talon was not certain such a thing was possible between their nations. There was such a stark difference between how Kalzasi needed to function versus how Zaichaer was at liberty to function. They did not have the threat of the Warrens or the press of the Astralar Mountains to contend with. It was true that the Warrens extended across the whole of the region of Karnor but the bulk of its activity was centered in the Yawning Chasm where Kalzasi was situated.
Aoren walked up to him, gently cupped his face and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“You did it, beloved.” Talon took in a deep breath. He rest his brow against his bondmate’s for a few moments as he simply breathed.
“I would not have finished it without you. Thank you, my raven.” The two of them stared into each others eyes for a stretch of silence before more footsteps drifted to their ears. Talon finished his glass of water and then poured himself another. He was taking a sip from this glass when Velkan stepped into the workshop. His apprentice had come a long ways in his studies and had been instrumental in helping him get the basic steps done in a timely and efficient manner.
“You finished it!?” Velkan looked at the assembled pieces. Talon merely nodded. Immediately, the young man was bringing out his aura lens in order to observe each finished piece. He examined them closely, studying the weave of aether throughout each and making soft sounds of either astonishment of curiosity.
“What will you call them?” Velkan’s question was one that Talon had not considered. He sat there for a moment, thinking on the journey that had led to the creation of this entire set. Talon felt the name as certain as he could breathe when it came to him. It made him smile and he could think of no more perfect way to commemorate their completion.
“Skyforged Raiment.” It seemed fighting to him. He had spent his life building up his shop. It had led to this moment where he was able to fashion such a powerful protective artifact. Rising to his feet, Talon made his way over to his primary workbench. He picked up his journal and flipped to a new page so that he could begin cataloguing each piece of the artifact along with its properties. Smiling to Velkan he nodded to the first set.
“Care to help me catalogue it all?” Velkan nodded eagerly and together the two of them began working their way through each of the pieces. It only made sense given how instrumental his apprentice had been in the creation of the ensemble as a whole. He would have to maintain the armor in his vault until it was ready to be packed up and brought with them to the city of Zaichaer. Talon wanted to be able to present it personally to Rickter and to be able to watch him put it on with pride. His only regret was that he had not been able to get it to his two bondmates sooner.
