379 days until the Arkon Shield falls

Excellent news, archmage. Identify a few key points in the west and concentrate our efforts there. Before the Shield falls, I want our forces poised and ready to invade. You can expect that both the orcs and elves will vigorously oppose our expansion. Plan for it, and don’t let them succeed. —Supreme Mystic Lionel Biaxal.

The moment I stepped out of the portal, a wave of dizziness passed over me. I staggered and nearly fell. Catching myself in time, I bent over and clutched at the sides of my head.

What’s going on? I wondered. But I knew already. It was the alterations wrought by the Trials that were responsible. My head was bursting with new ideas and concepts, and my body felt alien. It had never been this bad before, though. But the changes I had requested this time were greater than on previous occasions.

Damnit, why didn’t Aurora warn me?

Swearing fervently, I squeezed my eyes shut and gasped for air while I tried to regain my equilibrium. It took a few moments but eventually, the strange sensations assaulting me subsided. Straightening, I exhaled a relieved breath and considered myself anew.

The Trials had carved new channels between the wellspring of mana at my center and my mind. My spells would be stronger, and I could wield even more magic.

My body had changed too. My limbs felt sturdier, my skin was tougher, and my bones had hardened. I was more resilient and that much harder to kill.

I grinned, pleased by my transformation. Hobbling down the temple steps, I finally turned my attention to the Trials alerts hovering for attention.

You have entered Sierra.

Your skills in air, death, dragon, earth, life, water, anatomy, light armor, staffs, and lore have advanced to level 55.

Your spellpower and channeling have increased to level 55 and your constitution to level 36.

Reaching the bottom of the steps, I considered the market square. Where to go next? I would’ve loved to browse the stalls, but I had little to trade, except for the cores, and I was not about to sell them.

I scratched my chin. Now that I’d given away the zelium and settlement core, I doubted I had anything of value to show for my efforts over the last few days. In fact, I thought wryly, I was quite likely poor by the village’s new standards. But I was sure neither the crafters nor the commander would see me go abegging.

Speaking of the crafters, I should go visit them next. Using the temple to get my bearings, I orientated myself in the direction I remembered the old crafting yard to be and headed that way.

✽✽✽

The crafting yard was gone. In its place was a single-story building that reminded me of nothing so much as a warehouse. The new craft hall.

Approaching from the north, I walked around the perimeter while I searched for the nearest entrance. Given the structure’s size, I guessed it had been built over the entire area covered by the old crafting yard. I shook my head in bemusement at the notion. Why hadn’t the masons constructed separate workshops for each crafting Discipline?

Spotting a barn-sized set of open double doors, I hurried towards it. The hall’s inside was one massive wide-open space, brightly lit by the cleverly-crafted lamps slung over the roof’s rafters. A warehouse indeed. But except for the changes to its exterior, little else was different about the crafters’ area. The floors were still hard packed earth, and no new furniture inhabited its interior, at least none that I could see.

Letting memory guide my steps, I slipped past animal hides stretched out on wooden stakes, carpenters sawing boards, and tables of industrious tailors, until I reached the blacksmithy area.

Occupying pride of place was a new furnace, twice the size of the original one. I stepped beyond the smiths hammering at metal strips on their anvils, my eyes fixed on the upgraded structure, and walked a slow circle around it, admiring the craftsmanship. Formed of baked bricks, closely packed and lined with metal layers on the inside, the new furnace was better insulated and burned hotter than the original.

“Lovely, ain’t it?” Anton asked.

I glanced to my left to see the smith pulling off his gloves as he walked up to me. I jerked my chin towards the furnace. “Your work, I presume?”

The smith’s broad grin was answer enough. “It took a dozen of us to build,” he allowed, “but yeah, the design is mine.” Stopping beside me, the larger man clapped me on the back. “How are you, lad?”

“Still alive,” I said, deadpan.

Anton laughed. “And causing more than your fair sure of trouble, I’m sure.” Not waiting for my response, he stepped back and looked me up and down, then frowned. “You need some new gear, I see.” Turning around, he yelled. “Jeremy!”

The smith’s assistant hurried to join us. He glanced my way and nodded. “Jamie, good to have you back.”

“Jeremy,” I greeted, reaching out to shake the brown-haired man’s hand. Physically, Jeremy looked no younger than Anton, but I’d always thought of him as young. If I had to guess, I’d say he’d been in his early twenties before he entered Overworld.

Jeremy turned back to the smith. “Yes, Anton?”

“Inform Melissa, Jamie is here,” he said. “Tell her our mage is in need of some new armor.” His eyes twinkled. “And perhaps a spare set too.”

Jeremy bobbed his head and raced away.

“That isn’t necessary,” I said.

Anton shrugged. “Maybe not. But you’ve more than earned it already.” He paused. “Thank you for the zelium, by the way.”

“You’ve managed to work it already?” I asked, my face lighting up.

Anton snorted. “Not nearly. That will take a few days yet. But—” he rubbed his hands in glee—“the ore itself is fascinating. I’ve never encountered it’s like back on Earth. We’ve only just begun experimenting, but already I can tell it’s no ordinary metal. Do you think you can get more?”

But I was still digesting the first part of what he said and paid his question scant attention. “Days?” I muttered. I couldn’t wait that long.

Anton’s excitement faded as he glimpsed my expression. “Something the matter?”

I shook my head. “Nothing that can be helped.” I sighed. “It was just that I was hoping you could craft me something with the zelium. I have a few experiments of my own that I want to perform,” I said and went on to explain about Regna’s hammer.

“Enchanted weapons,” Anton murmured. “Now, there’s a thought.” He looked at me enviously. “And you’ve met a real live dwarf, how about that?” His expression turned wistful. “I always wanted to meet one. Are they as good blacksmiths as the tales say?”

I smiled. “From what Regna told me, most dwarfs spend most of their lives working the ore they mine. So, yeah, they’re fabulous smiths. I must introduce you two some time.” My smile faded. “Assuming any of them survive long enough for that to happen, of course.”

Anton struck me lightly on the shoulder. “None of that talk now,” he said firmly. He rubbed his face. “But coming back to the weapons, I may not be able to craft you anything in zelium yet, but I do have an aquaine sword if you’re interested.”

“A sword?” I asked, perking up. The only full-bladed weapons available in the village when I’d left had been daggers. “You made one?”

Anton grinned. “More than one, and other things too.” He swung on his heel. “Come take a look.”

The smith led me to a long table. As I stepped up to his side, I saw that an array of weapons had been laid out on display, everything from longswords, warhammers, and maces, to bastard swords, flails, and battleaxes.

“What do you think of these?” Anton asked.

I picked up one of the longswords. It was a handsomely crafted weapon, three-foot of sharpened metal that tapered to a point and bound in a leather hilt.

The target is a plain longsword made from an aquaine steel alloy and will not rust.

“They will do nicely,” I murmured. “Thank you, Anton. How many can I take?”

“As many as you need,” he replied expansively. He paused. “I shouldn’t have said that, should I?”

I grinned. “Don’t worry, I only need ten.”

✽✽✽

I spent a few minutes meticulously inspecting each of the weapons on the table. As usual, I could find no fault with Anton’s works, and I judged them all suitable for my purpose.

In the end, I selected a mixture of blunt and sharp instruments—swords, axes, and hammers—all large and lethal-looking. I was just wondering how to begin my enchanting when Jeremy returned.

“Melissa says she’s on it already,” the smith’s assistant said to Anton before turning to me. “She will have the items delivered to your cabin.” He held out a small bag. “She asked me to give you this too.”

I took the bag and peered inside. It was filled with small round metal disks. “What’s this?”

“Payment for the zelium,” he said.

Frowning, I took out one of the metal disks and inspected it closely. It was made from polished aquaine. Stamped on one side was the letter “F,” and on the other, “S.”

“They’re coins,” Anton said, confirming my suspicion.

“The zelium was a gift,” I protested. “Payment isn’t necessary.”

“Of course, it is,” Anton cut in. “Besides, without coin, you’ll find yourself unable to buy much of anything around the village anymore.” He shook his head. “You won’t believe how quickly everyone has taken to using money again. Hardly anyone is willing to barter for goods anymore.”

I glanced at the pile of weapons I’d picked out. “So how much do I owe you for these? And the armor Melissa is making?”

“Nothing,” Anton said. Before I could open my mouth to object, he added firmly, “Consider both the armor and weapons partial payment for the zelium. Believe me, the ore is worth far more than the token sum Melissa has given you.”

“All right,” I said reluctantly. Closing the pouch, I shoved it into one of my pockets and turned back to the weapons on the table.

“So, how are you going to enchant them?” Anton asked curiously.

“I have a few ideas.” My gaze darted around at the busy hall, realizing belatedly that its noisy environs were perhaps not the best place to attempt my experiments. I turned to Anton’s assistant. “Jeremy, would you mind helping me one more time?”

He bobbed his head. “Of course. What do you need?”

“Can you show me to my cabin?” I smiled wryly. “I have no idea where it is.”

“No problem,” Jeremy replied.

“Thanks,” I said. “Then let’s pack up these weapons and head over there now.” I glanced at Anton. “I suspect it’s going to take me a while to figure this enchanting stuff out. Better if I go at it alone and not disturb you here.”

He nodded. “Whatever you need. And make sure you come back and let me know how it went.”

“I will,” I replied firmly. Hefting the pile of the weapons over my shoulder, I bid him farewell and followed Jeremy out.