If you're new to this story start here.
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Hanna had 10 more years experience since forging Elderfine and was confident she could complete Armaros' commission within the year without sacrificing it's quality. The spoils of war must be good, he'd paid enough to cover the sword upfront and promised at least the same again when he returned the next year to collect it. He had even provided the carbon source for the steel in the form of onyx wolf bones, a rare and potent resource which with the right rune spell should imbue the resulting weapon with both the power of the wolf and protect the wielder through the spirit of the pack.
She'd gotten on to preparing the crucible to make the steel the very next day and even surprised herself a little with the resulting quality. Then came the folding process; heating, cooling, quenching and repeating. She found the methodical process therapeutic and a respite between churning out simpler items for the local townsfolk and those from neighbouring villages.
Rauri would be in town today. It was still early in the process, but she should be able to give some advice on which runes would resonate best with the finished sword. When it came to magic craft she was the most skilled person Hanna knew and she'd been pivotal in bonding the magic rite to Elderfine.
However, it wasn't Rauri's gentle, bubbly voice she heard next from the doorway but a deep, booming greeting from a voice she had heard once before and wasn't expecting to hear again for several more months. The Frigarian's bulk momentarily blocked out most of the afternoon sunlight even with her large doorway. He was followed in by a striking looking Scornian, both obviously travel worn...and was that blood on their clothes?
Armaros followed Hanna's gaze and quickly apologised for their state, saying that they'd wanted to see her before she shut up shop for the day. He introduced Igfred who stated what an honour it was to meet the forger of the magnificent Elderfine.
Hanna's mind was working overtime trying to guess what had brought Armaros back so soon and why he'd brought a Scorhnian with him who seemed to be the new owner of Elderfine, judging by the fact that it now hung at his hip. Igfred could see that Armaros was getting distracted by the piece they'd interrupted Hanna working on, so he took it upon himself to enlighten the confused blacksmith as to why they were there.
"We were hoping you could tell us a bit about Elderfine" he explained. When she still looked puzzled he said, "it's probably easiest to show you."
He stepped further into the shop where he would be less visible from the street and removed Elderfine from her scabbard. The runes glowed a gentle green, just like when he'd first held her. Hanna's expression changed to awe. She stepped over and cautiously touched the runes. She felt no heat and no animosity. If anything it seemed to be reflecting what its new master was feeling which was a touch of amusment and pride. She gestured with her hands to pick it up and asked 'may I?' He nodded. As she suspected, as soon as the sword left Igfred's hands it became an inert, runic sword. No more glow and none of the sensations she'd felt just moments ago. Then realising her expected visitor was watching from the doorway she placed the sword back in Igfred's hands and gestured for her to come in and close the shop door behind her.
"Perfect timing as always, Rauri," Hanna grinned. Then to Igfred, "this is probably the best person to shed light on things."
Rauri closed the door. Despite not being noticed initially, she'd actually arrived just moments after Armaros and Igfred and had already heard the introductions.
"I see Elderfine has found her master," she smiled.
The men showed mild surprise, not so much at the arrival of this woman, but at her appearance. It was rare to see Wennin outside of their country and even rarer to be able to enter it, so they were not a common sight. They were a striking race to behold, almost ethereal in appearance. Her hair was a silver blonde that practically glowed in the sunlight, her skin was alabaster and her eyes were the palest blue. Her appearance was the polar opposite of Igfred's. The borders of Wennaul were heavily guarded with good reason, because Wennin were highly valued as slaves, particularly the women.
Scorhnian magic craft abilities were said to pale in comparison to that of the Wennin and indeed it was the honing and development of those skills that was their greatest defence. No one in town knew where Rauri lived, only that it wasn't in town. The few people who had been to her home would not be able to even tell you roughly where it was, nevermind details on how to get there. That was for their safety just as much as hers. Whenever she was needed for her skills, which included healing, nobody was sent to fetch her she would just turn up with impecable timing. If she didn't make an appearance it was usually because she wasn't really needed. People knew she would be in town on certain days, but they were never quite sure how.
"Is this your doing?" Hanna asked, nodding towards Elderfine.
"More your doing than mine," Rauri chuckled.
Still smiling she walked over to Igfred and touched the sword in his hands while gazing into his eyes. He began to blush so much it was visible despite his dark skin. Rauri's silvery laugh rang out and Elderfine responded pulsing like she was laughing too. Then she looked down at their hands on the sword with a more serious expression, nodded thoughtfully then stepped back to address them all.
"There are multiple things that need to come together for a sword to form a link with someone. The bond they've formed here is actually unusually strong. He has an affinity with the runes you chose and a deep connection to the elder used in the steel," she looked at Igfred, "does your clan come from the forests?"
He nodded.
"The sword has to have gained what you might call the seed of a soul when the magic rite is bonded to it," Rauri continued. "That came from you, Hanna. During the forging process I'm guessing you were hoping that your creation would become one of these legendary swords. That hope and the care put into its creation were what created the seed. The bonding the rite fertilised the seed then when it sensed Igfred's presence the seed would have sprouted with the soul awakening and bonding with him when he came into physical contact with the sword. Of course fate will have also played her part in finding such a highly compatible match."
"So there are others who could have awakened Elderfine?" Hanna asked.
"Absolutely, and she will likely still resonate with others who have compatibility, to varying degrees." Rauri turned to Igfred and held out her hands, "may I?" she asked.
Igfred nodded and placed Elderfine in her hands. This time the runes didn't completely loose their light, the glow just became subdued.
"I am also of the forest, but feel no connection to the runes and only a tenuous one to the magic rite and that's probably just because I did the the bonding ritual. It was never enough to sprout the seed and awaken the soul. I daresay you need to connect to at least two of the aspects to even be able to form any kind of bond," she looked at Igfred, "you can probably override my connection even without contact."
He looked at the sword and concentrated. Slowly the runes lost their light. Rauri nodded thoughtfully then handed Igfred his sword back.
"Does having magical ability play a part in being able to awaken or bond with a sword?" Armaros asked.
"Very little. Had I not done the bonding rite I would likely have no connection, but no one else would have had that opportunity. One could still have an affinity to all of the aspects even with no magical aptitude."
"So is it posdible to forge a sword to bond with a specific person?" Armaros looked hopeful.
"My theory is that it's not only possible it's the ideal way to attain the best bond between the weapon and its wielder."
Armaros' expression immediately brightened only to look crestfallen moments later as a realisation occured to him.
"What if onyx wolf isn't the right match for Eyliff?"
"What made you choose it for her?" Rauri gave a knowing smile.
"We revere them for their strength, intelligence and fierce loyalty to the pack. I found the remains of that wolf at sunrise on the edge of where I'd camped for the night. It was the most peaceful night I'd had in a long time and I dreamt of my wife and daughter. Eyliff was assuring me that she was looking after her little brother and keeping him safe. I felt the urge to take some of the bones for protection."
Rauri nodded, "fate will lead you to what you need if you pay attention. Do you still have any of the bones? I might be able to see if you have an affinity which could also translate to a blood bond affinity."
"I have a fang."
He pulled out a pouch on a leather string around his neck and tipped the tooth into the palm of his hand. Rauri placed her hand on top and almost immediately confirmed that she sensed a strong bond between him and the wolf. Then she asked him to think of his daughter. Her head bowed for a few moments before she asked him if he could describe Eyliff's character.
"She was only a year and a half old when I left to fight, my son was still growing in his mother's belly," he sounded melancholy, "I remember her being curious about everything, but aren't all children? I thought she was intelligent too. Igfred has seen her more recently than I."
Rauri held out her other hand to Igfred and he stammered as he took it.
"You don't have to describe her out loud, just think about her." Rauri reassured him.
As Armaros focussed on his memories of Eyliff he realised he was looking at Rauri's face. Her eyes were closed and she looked like she was considering internal thoughts. Slowly a smile crept across his face and she opened her eyes to look at him questioningly.
"So, don't you need to gaze into our eyes?" he asked facetiously.
"Why would I need to do that?" she responded.
"Well that seemed to be how you assessed Igfred and Elderfine's bond."
"Oh I was just messing with him," she chuckled and winked at Igfred getting him blushing again.
Armaros guffawed.
"And you call yourself my friend," Igfred sighed, looking at Armaros. In reality he was glad for the opportunity to redirect his embarrassment into banter with his friend.
Rauri released their hands looking thoughtful.
"What are you thinking?" Hanna queried.
"It's hard to be sure because she is her mother's as well as her father's daughter, but from what I picked up from Igfred she has many of Armaros' traits and characteriatics. Ideally it would be good to meet her in person before the runes and rite are added. I do, however, have some ideas of which runes might be more likely to be compatable. For the time being things will be in your hands to create the seed as you forge the blade," Rauri turned to Armaros, "do you think you can bring your daughter to Hanna before completion of the sword?"
"I'm not certain, but I shall endeaver to."
"Failing that something like a lock of her hair might help."
With questions answered and new plans of action to be made Armaros and Igfred departed to find lodgings and get cleaned up leaving Hanna and Rauri to discuss rune options.
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