âIâve never seen something so amazing,â Brian muttered as he looked at the weapon in Maxâs hand. âI mean, Iâve seen a lot in the half year Iâve been here, but thatâs a totally different quality.â
The dwarf cleared his throat, and the young teen almost lept out of his boots, surprised that the shop's owner was so close.
âIâll agree,â Zach said. âYou told me you were traveling and wanted to practice, not show off. I have lots of questions, but I somehow doubt Iâll get answers to any of them.â
Shrugging, Max put the dagger into his storage and smiled.
âYou would be right about that,â Max said. âI want to try a few more things, and then Iâll be gone for a few days. Maybe even a week.â
Stroking his beard, Zach stared at the boy before him, knowing that his appearance of youth, combined with a skill like his, wasnât very common. Lots of questions came to his mind, but none of them had answers he really wanted to ask, knowing the danger in those truths.
âI donât suppose you want to keep using the materials in the back with my daughter. Do you want better quality items or what?â
âYou and I both know some of those ingots need a little more time to get all the impurities out,â Max said quietly, not worrying about being heard over the building's noise. âThe wood handles have some flaws, too, but most should be able to learn that by now.â
Zach smirked and nodded. âSo what are you wanting? Better bars? Higher quality metal? More expensive wood or tusks for a handle?â
Glancing at the boy waiting off to the side, occasionally giving the coals a breath of air to keep them warm if needed, Max scratched the hair on his face.
I know it's not there, but it itches like it is.
âThat Brian kid, is he really going to be a weaponsmith?
Zach glanced at the red-headed teen and then nodded. âHeâs been here almost every day almost since he could. The kidâs got dreams of being something famous, but I try to warn him this life isnât like that.â
Max couldnât help but chuckle and nod. The time it would take for a human to reach the level of renown as a weaponsmith was almost impossible. He would have to be leveled his entire life and have someone willing to invest in him.
âWhat kind of metal do you have that would make a good hammer for smithing? Something special for that boy?â
Zach studied Max for a moment and then cocked his head.
âAre you offering to make him a smithing hammer?â
âMaybe, would that bother you?â
Snorting, Zach shook his head in disbelief. âI just watched you make something I know I canât make, and youâre offering to make a kid with no future outside of this profession a hammer. Weâll ignore my jealousy, and even if you make him one, are you sure it's worth the cost of items?â
Max nodded. âSomething tells me that boy will be forever bound to you if you keep doing what youâre doing. He needs focus and a place. Youâre giving him those things, even if he has to work by the sweat of his brow for it. Besides, I want to make sure the next generation of weaponsmiths has a good start if I can help.â
Roaring in laughter, Zach held his stomach and belly laughed for a bit. After wiping a tear away, the dwarf shook his head.
âNext generation⊠come on now son, youâre barely old enough to be off your mother's teat, let alone talking like that.â
âSo tell me then,â Max said, ignoring the dwarf's joke or the fact that he was right about Maxâs age. âWhat metal do you have I can purchase to make him something?â
Frowning, Zach rubbed his face for a moment as he thought.
âI got something, but it would cost you ten gold for the amount you need, and thatâs just for the metal. Youâd need something stronger than standard wood for the handle.â
Max nodded. âI got that taken care of. Iâll take the metal.â
The dwarfâs head snapped back so fast that Max was afraid heâd break it. âYou want it?â
âI do.â
Reaching into his storage, Max began collecting coins, keeping them hidden in his hand till he motioned toward the bench.
With the two of them huddled together, Max showed Zach the coins and saw the dwarf start to sputter.
âMah⊠why⊠uh⊠blast you fool. Youâre serious!â
âCompletly,â Max replied. âDo you have the metal on you?â
Nodding, the dwarf pulled from his inventory a pack and set it on the bench with a thud. He pulled out two large ingots, a blue glint to the metal, and set them down on the table. âListen, if this doesnât work out, donât blame me, but please donât tell that boy youâre doing anything until you hand him that hammer.â
Handing the money to Zach, Max picked up one of the ingots, his mind and skill already knowing what it was.
[ Blue Dwarf Steel ]
âMemories of your homeland?â
Zach was putting the coins away when he froze, turning his head to look at Max in surprise. âYou know what that is⊠I⊠Can I trouble you by making me something down the road? No cost for ingredients?â
Stolen novel; please report.
Running his hands through his hair, Max nodded.
âOnly if you donât tell a soul who I am and why Iâm here. Keep that a secret, and after I make your newest apprentice something, Iâll make you one, too.â
Faster than Max could blink, Zac spit on his hand and held it out for Max.
Repeating the gesture, they shook, and the dwarf appeared giddy as a kid for a moment.
âAnything you need, even my help, you ask,â Zach said. âIâll keep the rest away.â
Nodding, Max watched as the dwarf took his sack and stored it.
Brian stood there watching Max, enthralled by how he and the dwarf that often made his life difficult had seemed so chummy.
âBrian, come here.â
The teen was standing by the bench in a moment.
âYou see this? Itâs not normal metal, and weâre going to do something different than usual. Are you up for that?â
Brian glanced at Zach, who was gone, checking in on the other forges. Looking at Max, who was smiling, he couldnât help but stammer.
âWhy do I have a weird feeling about that question?â
Putting a hand on the boy's shoulder, Max gave it a squeeze. âYou want to be a weaponsmith, right?â
The boy nodded immediately. âAll I ever wanted!â
âGood. Iâll help you as much as I can. Together, weâre going to make something, but in order for what I want to happen, youâll have to trust me. Do you think you can do that?â
âWhatever you say, Mr. Joshua!â exclaimed Brian.
Laughing, Max pulled out the blade he had just made and smiled.
âOk then. Let me see your hand. I need to make a cut.â
As the night wore on, the sun set, and the shop was empty except for Brian and Zach. The two worked side by side with Max, watching in awe as every time the hammer struck, it seemed to form the head of the hammer perfectly.
Zach had actually given Max more metal than he needed, obviously expecting Max to waste most of it. Instead, it would be just enough for two hammers, but first, Brian would get his.
Maxâs skill told him how to hammer and where to hold it. He had already punched the spot for the handle, smiling to himself for keeping a branch from the drops in the tower. What he was creating would be something of legend one day.
With the hammerhead just hot enough on the side, Max smiled.
âZach, hold this for me, I need to etch it. Brian, watch what Iâm doing.â
The dwarf gasped for a moment, but he didnât hesitate when Max handed the tongs off, returning to the table for a chisel and hammer.
With the head on the anvil, Max began working on the lines, carving a rune he knew in his mind. Somehow, knowledge he hadnât known before was there, ready for him to draw upon.
Multiple trips into the coals were required before it was finished, and then Max took over, holding the piece once more and watching it.
It took a while, and Brian fell asleep while Max and Zach continued tempering before hardening the hammer. When it rested, Max got to work on the wood he was going to use for the handle. The knife he had just created worked perfectly for trimming the wood, whittling it down. In his mind, he saw how to prepare the last piece, taking the pin he had already created and preparing for the last part.
âWake him up,â Max said, his eyes red, surprised at how well Zach was doing. It was hours past midnight, and yet the moment was almost done.
âCome here, Brian, I need one last thing. I have to cut you once more.â
The boy didnât wince as Max cut his finger and drew on the rune and shaft of the handle. Like a sponge, the blood was absorbed by both, and Max took a cloth and wiped everything else off.
The hammer looked rough, like one that wasnât designed for battle, but it was never intended to look like a work of art. Instead, it would pound metal into something better than itself.
[ 10 Experience Gained ]
[ Epic Hammer Created ]
[ Bonded ]
[ + 5 STR/DEX/CON ]
[ 20% Chance to create a weapon a grade higher ]
[ Indestructible ]
Max couldnât help but smile as he held the hammer for a moment, feeling it pull itself toward the young man next to him.
âThis is yours. Do not share it with anyone or ever sell it.â
Holding the hammer out toward Brian, Max waited.
The red-headed teen stood there in the light of the dying forge, seeing Max smile and Zach standing with his mouth open. His hands trembled as he tried to reach for it.
âYouâre certain?â he asked.
Nodding, Max held it closer. This time, the boy didnât hesitate, instead grabbing the hammer, and Max felt his hand almost blown off of the weapon.
He swung it around a few times, amazed at how balanced it was.
âBrian, listen to me,â Max said in a firm tone.
The teen turned his attention off of the item in his hand and to the man who had made it for him.
âNo matter what, never share its stats. Do not tell a soul. Not even to Zach. Do you understand?â
The boy nodded, and Max couldnât help but smile, realizing he still hadnât checked the stats.
âGods⊠that hammer looks plain, but I know itâs not⊠and that runeâŠâ Zach said, shaking his head from side to side. âYouâre far more talented than you told me.â
Chuckling, Max gave a wink and moved to the table, starting to put away his tools and items.
âIâll be back. Maybe tomorrow or in a week, but just know when I return, Iâll make sure you get yours.â Looking over his shoulder, Max gave Zach a hard stare. âRemember what we agreed upon.â
âAbsolutely!â Zach exclaimed. He moved to where Brian was, staring at the hammer as if in a dream. âSon, listen to me. How would you like to be my apprentice?â
Brianâs red locks of hair shook from the force of the boy's head snapping toward the dwarf. âMr. Zach, youâre serious?! Iâm not even been giftedââ
Holding his hand up, Zach smiled and nodded. âListen, son. Something tells me that come choosing day, youâre going to find yourself given the weaponsmith skill. When that happens, youâll have a place here for as long as you want.â
Grinning from ear to ear the boy forgot where he was and rushed forward, hugging the sweaty and soot-covered dwarven man, jumping up and down excitedly.
The older dwarf patted the boy on the back a few times and laughed.
âGo ahead and turn in, Iâll clean up the shop.â
Max smiled and moved toward the door that was still open, allowing a gentle breeze into the shop. âYou two get some rest. Iâll see you soon enough.â
After Max was gone, both men stood there for a moment, staring at the one who had been there all day.
âWho was that man?â Brian asked.
Zach chuckled and scratched his beard a few times, shaking his head slightly. âSon, I have no idea, but something tells me a god was in our midstâŠâ He turned to Brian and pointed a stubby finger at him, poking him softly in the chest. âYou do what he said now. Never tell anyone where you got that other than it was a gift, and never tell them its stats. Not even me. Understand?â
Bobbing his head, Brian realized he felt amazing as he held his hammer.