Chapter 382: A Small Re-Union
The forge they came to wasn’t like any Max had seen or visited before.
He had grown accustomed to open blacksmith areas like the one in Windsor Wheel. Many of the shops and forges in his hometown were like that, allowing the natural wind to sweep through the workspace.
Even in Peltagow, Zach’s weapon crafting place had been somewhat open to the elements.
Only inside the Faction’s crafting area had he witnessed the power of magical exhaust systems and rune-controlled forges, but none of those compared to where he now stood.
The Hammerfall forge, like Batrire’s family’s ale house, was a monument to a family dedicated to one task.
Half a dozen dwarves had been outside, working on a new building, where it was obvious an older one had been at some point.
A whole block was dedicated to this place, and part of the stone wall surrounding the property was newer.
The four stone buildings that he could see only had one large warehouse door on the side facing him, and big windows lined the upper two-thirds of the building.
A collection of stone exhaust systems on each roof gave off small puffs of white smoke that quickly vanished upon escaping the facility.
“How many crafting areas are there?” Max asked as Heldon led them across the open area, occasionally shouting at different dwarves who were either working on the new construction or directing carts with ore in them.
Clearing his throat, the muscle-bound dwarf frowned for a moment.
“There are two main buildings, that one and that one,” he said, pointing at the two in the middle of the four. “The one on the left is for weapons, and the one on the right is for armor. Only those who have passed a certain crafting level can work in them. Anyone else who wishes to become an armor or weapon crafter must create a certain level of quality for a set period of time. Just having the skill isn’t enough, as some depend too much upon what the skill offers. Many don’t bother learning other tricks that help make something truly great.”
“Those other two buildings are where most of the ore is smelted and new smiths get a chance to earn the easy experience before it all dries up,” Fowl stated as his brother motioned for someone to come to where they were standing.
“Lord Hammerfall,” a young dwarf whose beard was only about six inches in length said as he bowed.
“Bah, stop using that title… I’m not my dad, and I don’t get it. Now, are my sister and brothers still working?”
Green eyes darted from Heldon and fell upon Fowl, both of them widening as he glanced back and forth at the pair.
“Mizeran…”
“Forgive me Lo… Heldon. They are still where you left them. Is this—”
“It is. Now stop standing around with your mouth open or flies will find a new home. This is my brother Fowl, and the rumors are true.”
Coughing, the younger dwarf started to choke, his blond braided hair bouncing with each one.
Sighing, Fowl’s brother pointed at the middle building on the right. “Come, let’s go find them and have a family reunion that is long overdue.”
Without waiting for a response, Heldon started to stride toward the open warehouse door, and they all moved to quickly catch up.
“How long has it been since you’ve been home?” Max asked as he walked beside his friend.
“Over a year… almost a year and six months,” Fowl replied. “I… I’ve dreamed of this day, and yet it feels strange having it come so soon.”
“When did you expect it to come?”
“Never? Five years? Maybe ten?”
“Ignore him,” Batrire muttered, holding tightly to her dwarf’s arm. “He’s a bit of a pessimist and often told me that he wasn’t certain he could ever earn enough of a reputation that his parents would have to let him back. With them gone and his brother in charge, things will not be as stressful for now.”
“But if they return?”
Tanila’s hip bumped into him, and she shook her head.
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“Sorry… I don’t mean to pry.”
Fowl sighed and shook his head.
“You’re fine, Max,” he stated and then smiled. “I owe you for this moment no matter what you say. Without you… and your gift and friendship, I’m certain there wouldn’t be a chance of me returning at all.”
The sound of hammers on metal began to reach Max’s ears and Sonar as they followed the oldest brother of the Hammerfall family, and the noise that came from within was not as loud as he expected.
“Silencing runes?”
Grinning, Fowl nodded.
“When your life involves the constant beating of metal, one does what they can to prevent the loss of hearing. In the old days, it wasn’t uncommon for a dwarf who did what my family did to be almost deaf.”
Shapes began to appear as they approached the fifteen-foot open doors, and inside was a world Max couldn’t wait to explore.
Rows of forges with systems he recognized were lined up along one wall, giant exhaust systems carrying anything they gave off up and out of the building.
Black stone lined the floor, and he wasn’t certain whether it had become this color from what had happened or if it had been chosen initially because, eventually, it would turn this shade.
After the forges, rows of perfectly placed anvils were placed a distance away, tables with different clamps were placed, and other stations were set up for working the crafted weapons.
On the opposite side of the building were racks and rows of sections designed to craft the other part of a weapon. Wood, bone, metal, leather, and many other materials his skill recognized were all set up. Dozens of dwarves were working on different shafts, handles, and more. Each of them focused on the tools and objects they were crafting.
Most had not noticed the small group that had just entered the workshop.
However, in the middle were two dwarves, with their hair tied back and wearing beard protection, inspecting a sword.
They looked up as Heldon led everyone to where they were standing, a stone table with a few other weapons lying on top it.
Both looked at each other and then quickly set down the sword, racing around the barrier between them and their brothers.
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“Fowl!”
Max watched as a stout dwarf ran to where their warrior stood, arms spread wide.
“Thanwuna!”
He recognized the name as Fowl’s sister and watched as she jumped into his arms and he hugged her, spinning around a few times before setting her back on her feet, laughing and smiling.
“You’ve grown! Look at the size of your arms!”
“Bah! These puny things?” she replied, holding up both arms and flexing, making Max realize just how small his arms were compared to the dwarves.
“It’s okay, I still love you, small arms and all,” Tanila whispered as she leaned closer.
The other dwarf had slowed down and stood about four feet away, frowning slightly as he nodded at Fowl.
“Motak. It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you as well… is it true?”
“That when I fart I shoot lightning out of my arse?”
Chuckling, the other dwarf shook his head and finally smiled.
“The rumors… they’re true?”
“Aye. Ask Heldon if you need to. He’ll vouch for what I claim.”
Clearing his throat, the oldest brother nodded slowly.
“Only Ockrim knows how, but our brother is a tower climber… and he appears to have passed the 50th floor.”
A whooshing sound came as both siblings breathed out loudly and tried to catch their breath.
“The 50th floor?! Already? How?!”
“How about I tell that story later when it’s just us,” Fowl replied. “Let me introduce to you my other family first.”
He turned and motioned to them all.
“You all know Batrire.”
The pair nodded and waved at her.
“You’ve gotten so tall,” Thanwuna said with a grin. “Easily the same height as our short brother.”
All five dwarves started to laugh, and Max found himself studying their heights. None were that tall, especially compared to Jataic or even most of the other dwarves he had been around.
Motak pointed at him.
“He doesn’t get it. Perhaps you should explain to your human friend what it means.”
“Bah, maybe later,” Fowl muttered. “Still, that is Max… he is known by Seth Pendal, Conqueror of the Colosseum and the one who defeated four tower floors in just a few hours.”
Motak’s smile vanished, and his outstretched finger started to tremble.
“He… he’s in your party?”
“And he’s my half-brother. Unfortunately, he can’t grow a beard, but I still love him.”
Both of the dwarves gave a slight bow, which Max returned.
“Our tallest elf is Cordellia, skilled with a bow, a voice like a dwarf with his nuts in a vise.”
“I’ll stick your balls in a vise,” their ranger replied with a scowl.
Laughter came from the two newest siblings, and Cordellia sighed, giving their dwarven warrior the middle finger.
“Oh, I like her,” Thanwuna stated. “Reminds me of your voice when you were young.”
After her last statement, Fowl’s sister covered her mouth and trembled.
“Your… birthday… we—”
“It’s okay, sis,” he said, moving and touching her shoulder. “Max and the others threw me a party far greater than I could have imagined. Not only did they help me reach level 50 on my birthday, but they also had a warehouse filled with drunk dwarves, a live band, and a donkey!”
All three of his siblings turned and looked at Max. Blinking a few tears away, his sister moved first, holding out her calloused hand to him.
“Thank you… for doing what we couldn’t.”
Shaking it, feeling the roughness of her skin, Max shrugged and motioned to Batrire.
“I can’t get all the credit. She’s the one who found all the dwarves in Peltagow and promised them free alcohol. Batrire also was the one who told me about the donkey.”
Chuckling, she nodded and moved to where Batrire was and hugged her.
“Now tell me, is that a ring I see on your finger?”
Their healer’s cheeks turned red as she smiled, beaming and holding it up for Thanwuna to inspect.
“I think she’s got points in intelligence,” Max muttered.
“I do,” Fowl’s sister stated, taking Batrire’s hand and inspecting the ring. “Gods, this thing must have cost a fortune. Who knew our little brother could afford such nice things.”
“Perks of climbing the tower. Now tell me, when did you get so many other smiths?”
Motak grunted and pointed at the table they had come from.
“After we won the king’s seal, we couldn’t keep up with the demand. Every Hufflenut and Bumbeldor wants a damn weapon! Even if it’s just a fricking knife!”
“What our brother is trying to say,” Heldon said as he motioned around the building, “is that we’re making so much money we had to hire anyone in town willing to work for us. It turns out that upset a few of the other families, but none would pass up the opportunity to be part of something with the king’s seal on it.”
“What quality of weapons are you mainly producing?” Tanila asked.
“Uncommon and rare stuff mostly,” Motak replied. “Only a few in town could afford anything of epic quality, and we’d have to order the materials for something like that.”
“Then how did Mom and Dad win the contest?”
All three frowned at the same time, each of them mimicking the other with a low growl.
“Not a conversation for in here,” Heldon said as he pointed at the table. “Let me see what’s been done, and once all the work is completed, we can return to the family house.”
Motioning for everyone to move, he led the way to the weapons waiting for inspection.
“You’re like a kid in a candy store,” Tanila informed Max. “You’re practically skipping.”
He pretended to giggle and tapped all his fingers together while grinning.
“You know me too well, my love. Now all I need to do is convince them to let me have a turn.”
She grabbed his sleeve and stopped him, letting a little space form between them and the others.
“Don’t do that… this isn’t about you. Fowl’s finally out of your shadow for a moment. Sure, they can figure out we all are as strong as we are because of you, but don’t make this harder by crafting when he can’t.”
Nodding, Max sighed and gave her a quick kiss.
“I love you… thank you for reminding me not to be an idiot.”
Frowning for a moment, she then winked at him.
“Even with all that intelligence… you’re still a man…”