New Opportunities (open)

[Quetzal]

Throkk nodded to Trelik and began leading him towards his forge. Strictly speaking, it wasn't his forge, but its true owner allowed him use of it whenever he liked in return for a little coin and a lot of lessons in the dwarven ways of smithing.

The dwarf was glad for the question; there was nothing he liked more than talking about metal and anything made from it. "There are a few options there. Some use special paint, others use coloured enamel for armour. The best results are with magic, but I lack the ability. For me, it's all in the metal," there was no way for him to know how exactly that worked. Science in Alagaesia favoured magic and religion for explanations, so the true reason was not known. The idea of things being made up of small particles had yet to be formed, let alone the notion of the definite quantum energy levels of electrons locked in their dance with the atomic nuclei, leaping between energies and leaving a trail of photons in their wake, nor the changes in such energies between the elements or even how they changes when atoms bound themselves together.

"Different metals have different colours just as they do different properties, and these colours can be changed by adding small amounts of other metals or even something else entirely to them. Heating and cooling in different ways can completely change the whole thing, too," he reached the door of the forge and held it open for the man. Closing it behind them, he quickly checked to make sure there was noone else around. The owner of the forge was out to sell his wares in the market they had just passed through so as expected they were alone. Huge blocks of metals of all different colours, mostly greys, were piled beside a huge smelting oven where a fire still burned low. Throkk took some wood from where it was piled next to a large water bucket, piling it carefully on the fire and poking it to make it grow large. Turning back to Trelik, he smiled through his beard. "So, where shall we begin? Choosing the metal would be a start, I suppose. What are you looking for? Strong, sharp, light, quick, thin, chunky, any specific properties? What style of fighting were you planning to use these swords for?" he asked. People who preferred to hack through an army and stand their ground needed different swords to those who avoided being hit and only struck once to kill, or those who preferred being sneaky, or those who had different methods.

[Brenton]

Konner perused the armors of an elven smith briefly before realizing that none of it was made properly. As he came to that realization, the assassin walked up to a tall and muscular human metalworker and smiled at him before fishing out a handful of gold coins from the satchel. Down payment for you not asking questions about my request. When the smith nodded and pocketed the gold, Konner started his long description of what he needed.

A piece of metal eight inches thick for a shield that is cut into a kite design. Add wool and leather then add another piece two inches thick. On the center, a buckler sized piece of metal two inches thick. Put a spike in the buckler section. Give it three straps for an arm to fit it.

A four inch thick buckler no bigger than a children's hoop for hoop ball. In that put eight steel studs in a circle. Give it a white paint with a red A on the very center.

For a helm make it of white metal that is two inches thick. Put a red visor on the helm and etch an A in the side. Now for the chest and upper torso armor.

Make it of white metal as well but each piece connect with red hero mail. The breast make it four inches in thickness with a red half cape over the right shoulder with a white A stitched on it.

Make the arms only cover halfway down the upper arm with the same thickness. Give the shoulders three spikes each red on both shoulders. Go to the lower body and make the armor the same color. Between torso and waist put hero mail that clips together with a heavy red belt for a sword and other weapons.

Konner finished his description and added in a pair of white boots and white gauntlets. Finally the smith nodded and started measuring Konner for each piece of armor.

[Timmir]

As they walked to the forge, Trelik listened to Throkk explain how one could change the color of metal with complete interest. It pleased him to know that he had guessed a few of the methods correctly, but he did wonder why he never thought about the use of the use of dyes and enamel. In his defense though, his father was never colored any of the weapons and armor he made, at least as far as Trelik was aware.

They had arrived at Throkk's forge, or at least the one he was currently using, soon after he had finished explaining to Trelik how personally he colored his works using the metals themselves. He looked around the forge, old memories of his life before he fled Belatona coming back to him. Back to the days when he would watch his father and brother would craft well made armor, weaponry, and farming tools, and when his father began teaching him. He was slightly curious if he still remembered what his father had taught him, but that was something to worry about on another day.

"Well, I'm looking for something that is quick and light like a rapier, but is also very durable. I want a weapon that I'm able to easily parry attacks with, and is more designed to disarm then actually kill." Trelik replied to the dwarf request, "I also would like the end of the blade curved into a hook like shape so that they may be able to grab hold of something. And if you can, make it into a bronze like color for me." Trelik wasn't sure if this would be enough info to suffice, but was more then willing to be more specific if the dwarf needs him to be.

((Basically, I want something on the lines of the swords Jet uses in Avater: the Last Airbender if you have ever watched the show before. If not, I could probably supply you with a picture.))

[Brenton]

((Twin Hooks design used by Shaolin monks. Jet was based off that.))

[Quetzal]

((I've seen Avatar, so I know who Jet is and what you mean, Timmir))

Throkk listened to the description of the desired swords with interest. Not the average blade, then. A weapon that was quick, light, durable, and it would have to be very tough and hard to avoid scratches or other damage when being hit by parried attacks and when grabbing things. Bronze in colour was definitely possible. Bronze was a natural colour for certain metals, and while bronze itself was not strong enough for a blade, mixing a little with a few other things should give the metal a natural bronze shine to it. Steel was heavy. A less dense material would be needed. To make the hooks the swords would have to be thinner at the ends, to a very strong material was needed. Aluminium was the least dense metal he knew, but it wasn't strong enough. Mixing it with small amounts of steel, iron, carbon, a little bronze... yes, he could manage.

Taking a big lump of metal from the pile on the ground, the dwarf lifted the light material easily and climbed a small stepladder to reach the smelting oven that had been built for use by a human. The metal had already been smelted to make it stronger, but he still added a few other chunks of metal and a little powder. It all softened in two special long dishes over the flames, the metal starting to shimmer as it began melting. It didn't take long for the searing hear to melt the stuff down.

Throkk warmed soft iron for the cores of the swords once the metal started melting. This particular alloy was not very heavy, but softer material on the inside would help the swords absorb impacts and prevent Trelik's arms jarring and help the swords resist breaking. He coated these with the stronger metal, working them together before letting the flame grow weaker, solidifying the metal again.

None of this was done by sticking his hands in the forge, of course, it was all done with tools. What he drew out with thickly gloved hands were two long, thin bars of metal. He brought them over to the anvil and began hammering them into shape while they were still soft and red-hot. "You won't get anything great for stabbing out of this because of the hooks. I could try working some sort of point into the turn, but it would be an awkward shape and might be weaker. They'll still have wickedly sharp edges, though," he informed Trelik as the bronze coloured pieces of metal began to take a more sword-like shape.

[Brenton]

The armor glowed cherry red when the armorer finished hammering away and hung it up to cool down. As he did, Konner thought and then looked at the smith while gathering his thoughts. Slowly he opened his mouth and spoke carefully about his exact request.

I require a pair of swords made of a metal that grants them thin but sturdy movement. They need to be long bladed with a smaller blade curling up from the hilt in a wolf fang shape. Give them sharpness and make them perfectly identical so if need be I can put them together and use them as a dual handed weapon. Also I need a hammer from your collection that you use to shape metal.

The smith agreed and started on the weapons while Konner counted out the gold for all of his purchase. Finally he was done and Konner was able to put on his new armor and weapons as he paid. He walked out and headed toward Throkk's forge, whistling happily.

[Timmir]

Trelik observed carefully as Throkk worked on his blades. He found himself oddly interested by the dwarf's technique, and compared to what he could remember of his father's teachings. The dwarf was obviously the far superior of the two as he took great care in his smithing. Specifically doing all he can to make sure that Trelik's new blades were among the best he had ever made.

When the dwarf asked if he should add a point to the blade so that Trelik would be able to stab with it, Trelik paused for a moment to think it over. He never thought of adding a point to the design really. Actually, he never thought it would be possible with the hooks the way they are, but what would such a modification mean to such a design. While they could prove to be useful, the more he thought about it, the more he saw them becoming much more of a hassle then a boon. The only reason he could see him having use of the points at all is if he ends up facing against a shade, and even then, he would prefer to run away from the shade then to face one head on.

"Thanks for the idea, but no. With the hooks the way they are, stabbing someone with the swords could prove hazardous seeing how the hooks are highly likely to get caught on something when I pull them out again. Much better to get rid of the temptation, then for me to end up doing something stupid." Trelik replied, his head shaking abit as he visualized him trying to pull one of the hook swords out of somebody's body. It wasn't exactly a pretty sight. Besides, he had no intention on using these weapons to kill anyone, only to defend himself when he needs to.

[Quetzal]

Throkk nodded. He would have advised against enabling a stabbing end to the hooks as well, but it was always best to check what the customer wanted. The dwarf went on hammering the strong bronze metal, lengthening it slowly. The edges grew thinner. Both weapons began looking like swords without tips. Throkk would cool them in the water, then heat them up and hammer a little more shape into them before repeating the process. It was best not to shape them too much while warm in his experience.

When the blades were near completion, Throkk only then put the hooks into them. It would have been difficult to shape the weapons once they were hooked because of the shape, so it was far better to put in the hooks right at the end. He heated the ends until they were very soft, then quickly bent them around a pole to form hooked ends. He cooled, heated, and began working on the hilts.

It took hours overall, but finally a sweaty and tired Throkk put down his hammer and smiled in satisfaction. Twin hooked weapons lay on his anvil, gleaming bronze in the light of the tying fire in the furnace. "They're finished," he announced to Trelik, "But don't go using them until tomorrow. They need to cool, and then they'll need to set properly. Use them too early and they'll break or bend," he warned. He needed a bit of a break, but if Trelik was happy he could start work on Konner's weapon. It was complicated but the actual blade itself shouldn't take long to make. The rest would be fiddly, but not so physically exhausting.

[Brenton]

Konner walked into the forge and looked around, blinking to gain full sight again, before he removed the helm and looked at Trelik then Throkk. Quickly he secured the satchel tighter and looked at the schematics for the hidden blades. He would be glad to get out of there so he could return to the edge of the Hadarac and continue his construction of the outpost. He'd been scouting and knew Throkk would need metal to experiment. I can pay you and send frequent shipments of metal ores to you if you also agree to supply weapons of similar design on a later date. Either way I'll pay you double your rate for my weapons.

[Timmir]

Trelik continued to watch as the dwarf worked, unconsciously keeping notes as he did so. Maybe one of these days, several years down the line, he'll be able to retire from his current profession and open a blacksmith somewhere away from the Empire and Varden. Somewhere where he and Neldral wouldn't be recognized, and they can live in peace. Maybe...

After several hours of waiting, Trelik's new weapons were finally finished. "Well, I hope I won't have need for them that soon." Trelik said as went over to the blades and picked one of them up, testing it's weight. After repeating the process with the other sword, he took a small practice swing with them, taking special precaution not to hit anything as he did so. Satisfied, he turned back towards Throkk with a smile on his face.

"These are some of the most well made swords I've ever seen. Thank you. Now how much do I owe you?" Trelik asked right before Konner strode into the forge.

Trelik kept a careful eye on Konner as the man spoke to the dwarf. He didn't trust this man, and it was for good reasons.

((Sorry for the delay))

[Quetzal]

Throkk beamed with pride when Trelik praised his swords. His work was his pride and joy. The immense care and effort he put into each item usually paid off, and when it didn't he would think hard through what he may had done wrong and try again. He was a hard-working dwarf so it was good to be appreciated. As for money, the materials had been of various costs. He did a quick mental calculation for how much he would have paid for those, added a little, then worked through adding more for the time and effort making them had taken. "Hm... I'd say 40 crowns for the pair of them," he declared. That would be enough to cover the costs of materials and let him pay living costs for another week or two. He was prepared to haggle, of course, as most people would try lowering the price they paid.

Konner's proposal left him stunned. Double pay and frequent shipments of metal ores just for making more of this weapon later on? That was an offer he couldn't refuse. It rose some doubts as to how trustworthy Konner was, as no one with normal plans and good intentions would be so desperate for hidden blades they would pay so much, but he didn't care much. "Of course, Derrik. Just give me the word and I'll make a weapon for you, provided you're satisfied with what I make you, of course. If there's anything you want implemented into the blade besides what I've seen on the schematics, just let me know," he accepted the offer.

[Brenton]

Konner nodded and looked at Trelik with a look that said if he repeated information he would die. Then he looked back to Throkk and reached down and uncoupled a belt from his original armor. In the belt was an amulet with the dwarven royal crest on it as well as the assassin insignia. Out of a scabbard he withdrew a sword made for him when he was knighted by Orik. My name isn't Derrik but is actually Sir Konner of the Dwarven Royal Family. My allegiance is owed to Orik, Nasuada, Szven'Xoc, and Brenton. Yet what is most important is my work through the Varden is as an assassin which means you never met Sir Konner. As for the blades, I will help you weave enchantments so they will unsheathe only for me.

[Timmir]

40 crowns. Wow that was alot cheaper the Trelik had imagined especially for blades these fine. He made sure to keep in mind that if he ever needed a blacksmith again, this dwarf was the one to go to.

The other man, however, proved to be only a nuisance as he shot Trelik a strange look one gives to a someone who witnessed them committing murder. Trelik just shrugged, not caring at all about the man's hollow threats. Surely he couldn't be about to reveal some kind of great secret in front of Trelik.

Trelik facepalmed as he listened to the man just admit that not only was he using a fake name, but was, in fact, an assassin. He didn't knew whether this was some kind of complicated joke, or if Konner was just being stupid. Surely he could have waited a couple more seconds after Trelik pay his dues, and take his leave. At least, unless this man specifically wanted Trelik to hear what he had to say, but Trelik had no real idea why. Could it be that Konner was trying to pass some sort of message to Trelik, whether it be a warning or invitation? And, for that matter, where has Trelik remember hearing the name Konner before?

"Here's your pay, good dwarf. There's a little extra for you for the good work you have done. " Trelik said as he handed the dwarf fifty crowns. He then picked up his weapons and wrapped them in a cloth so that he could easily carry them til he is able to get proper sheaths for these weapons. As he approached the door, he stopped and looked over at Konner. "Maybe it's not my place to interject, but if what you say is true, then the Varden must be in a much more desperate situation then I had originally thought if they are now employing assassins. That, or they're not truly the freedom fighters that they say they are. Don't worry, I won't say anything. It's just food for thought." And with that, Trelik left the forge to finish everything else he had to get done before the day is gone.

((And unless anyone has any objections. Trelik has exited the thread.))

[Quetzal]

((OK, Timmir))

Throkk was fairly sure Trelik and Konner knew each other by now. He wasn't going to question it, however. He gratefully accepted Trelik's money, bowing respectfully to the man he knew nothing about. "Thank you, Belock. It's been a pleasure," and really, it had.

Once Trelik had left, Throkk turned his full attention to Konner. It was impossible for him to be in the royal family since he was clearly not a dwarf and Eragon was the only non-dwarf adopted into the royal family. Orik was not the head of Throkk's clan, but could give him orders all the same as the king of the dwarves. What was strange was that assassins were supposed to be subtle, a faceless knife in the dark. Pouring out his name, status, superiors, purpose, all to a simple smith? That was just weird. "Very good, sir, but why did you trust me with all that? Lucky for you I am a dwarf of the Varden, but you didn't know that. Are we really using assassins now?" he asked. He made the weapons and armour. No one had any reason to tell him anything more than how much equipment was needed.

They had work to do, anyway. The blades themselves would be easy to make, but the intricate mechanisms would have to be carefully etched out and fitted together. Magic was an exciting new prospect, too. "I haven't actually worked with magic before," he confessed; dwarves were not typically capable of using magic. "I'll give it my best try, of course," he began melting down strong metal for the blade. It was more dense than Trelik's blades but small enough that it wouldn't be so heavy anyway. Being heavier meant it would be strong and capable of withstanding impacts a normal blade could despite its size. "Any particular colour you want, or is plain metal fine?" he asked.

[Brenton]

Konner listened to what Trelik had to say, smiling because he had his reasons, but feeling apprehension. Most assassins didn't give away their name so easily but he had just given away more than that. Deeply he knew these two were correct in not trusting him now that he had gone and said who he was. The Varden don't use assassins for normal missions like any regular group but for taking down high officials. I'm not the only one who works for Nasuada but I am the only one who will tell a normal person. We live in times of war where trust is rare but you seemed trustworthy and so I told you. Trelik isn't what he says so he is less likely to tell anyone. Oh as for blade color, regular metal works just fine.

[Quetzal]

Throkk nodded as Konner explained. Taking down high officials by assassination wasn't something he exactly approved of. Dwarves were all for the all-out in the open rushing in for attack approach, or perhaps even an angry debate without bloodshed. Sneaking around assassinating people seemed sneaky and less honourable as it didn't give the other person the chance to fight back. Still, it was Nasuada's orders and it was not his place to question them. There was something else he noticed there. Perhaps it was just a slip, but mentioning a man named Trelik out of the blue was strange. Why did it matter to him that this man he'd never heard of wasn't who he said he was and wasn't going to tell anyone? Tell anyone what? Had Konner told this Trelik about the assassin thing too? "Who's Trelik?" he asked, unaware that the man had just left his shop. After all, he thought that had been a normal soldier by the name of Belock. If Konner wanted to protect Trelik's identity, he'd have to make up a quick lie, which wouldn't be hard as Throkk had no idea who he was.

Regular metal it was then, that saved a bit of trouble. Throkk stared at the metal fixedly with total concentration as it softened, waiting for precisely the right moment. When that moment came, he removed the metal with tongs and placed the small sliver on his anvil. The hammer struck it with great force, clangs echoing off the walls as the dagger was slowly forced into shape. "What makes me seem trustworthy, then? Just curious. Most of the soldiers in the Varden don't know a lot about the grand plan, just what they need to know to keep them believing the Varden has good intentions," he wondered.

[Brenton]

Konner realized his slip almost immediately but kept a calm demeanor and waved his hand in the air with mock disapproval. He adopted a slightly airy tone as his gaze slipped to where Trelik had just walked. Belock is the brother of Trelik separated at birth. Trelik is someone I met in my travels but have discovered Belock remet his sibling and they have developed a bond. Really he is trustworthy but sometimes you must learn who is ally and who is foe by liberating. I feared Belock would give me away but Trelik should remember me so I'm safe. He looked at the metal as it melted and then was being shaped. Instantly he began pouring energy into the malleable blades. Most Varden smiths would turn me away unless I paid up front. The ones who don't are normally trustworthy enough in a pinch.

[Quetzal]

Throkk bought Konner's lie, thinking by now that the other man would tell the truth regarding just about anything. The tale fit what he knew as well, so he had no reason not to accept it. It explained why Belock and Konner knew each other, why they seemed a bit tense around one another, and why Trelik was important enough for mention at all. He also seemed to show that he had been worried about being given away earlier, making him seem like a more sensible person.

Magic pouring into the red-hot metal made them glow hotter, the whole thing turning red while some areas reaching white-hot. It was to be expected when using magic, but it still caught Throkk by surprise. Warmer metal meant softer and more malleable metal, so he did not strike it so hard to avoid thinning it too much. He didn't understand the Ancient Language used to weave the complicated spells, but it sounded fair. The common tongue talking of being turned away he did understand. He smiled through his beard. "I suppose you trusting me means I should trust you with payments in return. I expect this doesn't include you, but a fair few people don't have the gold to pay up front. Mostly I like small deposits then repayments over a little while, but I know you're a man with more honour than cheating someone out of their pay. Besides, this thing is so complicated," his smile widened as he glanced at the specification, "How could I resist?" he lifted the blade with tongs and thrust them into a bucket of water. While they steamed, he asked, "Might I ask what it is you're saying? The spell, I mean," he was curious about the Ancient Language.

[Brenton]

Blades of metal found below, know me as your ally and all else your foe. My energy guides your attack while your attack guides my energy. Do not open, secrets within, without first knowing it is I who lives. The words were rather odd to most but he sensed power behind them even as he spoke them in the common tongue. Basically I'm pouring my energy into them and saying that I am a friend. The spell will cause no other person harm but they won't be able to use these blades. Konner watched for signs that he could start the second spell to increase energy capacity.

[Quetzal]

The translation of the Ancient Language was rather poetic, as seemed fit for magic. Throkk had heard the elves still talked to one another in the Ancient Language in day-to-day life. He wondered if all their talk was so flowing. It was doubtful. It must be tiring to try thinking up pretty ways of saying everything. Not to mention they would feel like cursing sometimes. Was their foul language in the Ancient Language. Most likely they were fair as curses went. He'd never heard an elf swear. They seemed like too sophisticated and proper folk for that. No chance of seeing one of them shouting a drunken song in a nice pub.

"Good tactic. It's good not to make a weapon cause a stranger harm for trying to use it, else they might destroy it in frustration or anger. This way they won't be able to try twisting your arm around to make you stab yourself, either," he commented. The blade had more or less taken shape now. After a little more tempering of the steel, he grabbed a tough file and began polishing and wearing down the edges. Once this was done, he began on the mechanism. Each part would have to be done separately to put the most care into it. Despite his thick fingers, Throkk showed great dexterity as he manipulated tiny bits of metal. Softened steel was shaped with hooks no thicker than a needle, held still with tweezers while the hooks poked and drew metal around themselves. "Will you be wanting any gems to set into it to store energy? They'll cost you extra, I'm afraid," he asked. Jewels were expensive but even more valuable to a magic user in dire need of extra energy to save a life in battle.