Closed Iron and Stone (Alori)

[Izuldir]

Date: (to be determined) of Fall, 513 AV Time: Early Afternoon Location: The Arms Gallery The sounds of clanging hammers filled this place. It echoed off the walls, was reflected in the rippling muscles of shirtless men. The heat of the forges felt like a thousand suns, burning through Izuldir and bringing sweat to pour down his bare back, but the Isur loved it. He loved the heat, the sounds, the pounding beat. He stood before the fire now, hands on his hips as he watched the metal heat to a blazing red among the flames. When the metal, simple iron with a few other trance metals, was finally ready he reached into the flames with his left arm, onyx black with veins of silver. He plucked the burning metal from the fire and placed it on the Anvil. Using his left hand to brace one end of the metal bar he took up his hammer in his right and slammed it down over and over again, denting the glowing iron until it began to flatten. The muscles of Izuldir's back worked as he drew the hammer back with each strike, rolling his shoulder and making it a single fluid motion, moving from one strike to the next. He moved the bar around on the Anvil, hammering out the other side until it was even, and as it began to cool he thrust it back into the fire. The tongs lay to the side of the anvil, forgotten for the moment as they were useless to Izuldir for the current work. Taking out the metal once more Izuldir went back to his hammering, beginning a steady song under his breath as he worked, singing in time with the hammer beats. "Iron bends and iron bows. Hammer it out, Hammer it out. Make it harder, make it lighter. Hammer it out, Hammer it out. Twist the metal, carve the wood, sharpen the edges as we should. Hammer it out, Hammer it out. Feel the heat, quench the flame, carve the metal with your name. Hammer it out, Hammer it out." And several more verses continued in the same way. It was a practice that Izuldir had picked up from his mother. It focused his mind, sharpened his wit and, in his opinion, created better items that he could without the chant. It was all superstition of course, and Izuldir knew this, but still it gave him a sense of calm while at the forge. The Isur had been curious to note that several of the apprentice had begun to chant over their work as well, perhaps influenced by Izludir's own actions and their own superstition. But then none of that mattered to the Isur, who was content to focus on his work alone. Once more he thrust the metal into the fire, drawing out the now nearly perfectly flat peace and laided it across the anvil. Now he set aside his hammer, taking up his tongs to grasp one end as he used his left hand to bend the sheet over itself once, and then twice, before taking up his heirloom and hammering the metal flat once more.

[Alori Sai]

It was market day again, and like always the little huntress was ready to get out and spend her hard earned pinions. So far it had been a wild and exciting season in the city of Wind Reach. Treks across the mountains looking for cougars, harsh weather, running from vicious bears, more harsh weather, and her ascension to the Endal class. It was still a surprise to the fresh faced, young Endal, and she was still getting all of her affairs resettled.

However taking a break from all that, it was market day, and long awaited down time for the shopaholic. Alori continued on as she normally did, going by the shops one by one to inspect their wares before she decided what she would and wouldn't buy. Most of the time, she could make up her mind, but then other times, the teen was lost over and item depending what it was. Glass wares were a fun favorite, and she knew that she wanted more to place in her new home to spice the place up more. Durveth, her Wind eagle mount had already been complaining that the dek were breaking her wind chimes, so that too was on the list of things to buy.

Looking over the glass wares always made her think about her past, those days long ago when she was a glass blower, and would come out on market day to sell her items just as others were doing now. It also made her miss her old mentor Perith. The strict instructor worked her over many a day, but he was a fair and good man. Alori missed working with him, and often stopped by just to see how he was doing. She never said anything, there was nothing that she could say. A single word about her past, or who she really was could be enough to destroy both their lives. So instead she just watched him from the door way for a bit, until eyes wandered to her, and she decided to take off.

The gallery was always warm, going from the heated hot shop and through the other galleries that also handled medal work, kept the place the warmest in the city no matter how it felt on the outside. Alori continued on her stroll, raven feather Katinu hanging over one shoulder, covering most of the white Vinati that she wore. Tall, cream colored boots lightly clicked against the floor as her navy blue Bryda flowed back and forth against her slender legs. After bonding with Durveth, she realized that she would have to up her game when hunting, and the idea of buying new supplies seemed good. Alori wasn't sure what she wanted just yet, but she was sure that she would find something useful.

The teen now stood in the doorway to the Arms Gallery, as expected it was hot inside, and the scene looked a lot like the one she had just seen in the hotshop. "Can someone help me? I'm in the market for new hunting gear."

[Izuldir]

Izuldir's body rocked with the force of the hammer blows that fell upon the quickly shaping sword in his grasp. It now had the right shape, and the beginnings of edges could be seen starting to form. With one last mighty strike the Isur thrust the iron back into the fire, moving to work the bellows to heat up his sword until it glowed white hot. Grasping the tongs in his right hand he removed the metal, and with his left hand began to run his thumb and forefinger up along each primitive edge, starting at the base and going all the way to the tip. Each time his fingers moved up the blade its bits of metal were shaved free, coming off easily in his crystal hand. He did this several times on one side, periodically returning to heat the metal before continuing, and once one side was finished he flipped it and worked on the other side until both had obvious edges with sharp lines. Grunting Izuldir grasped the still burning blade with his left hand, shoving it into the bucket of water to the side of his anvil, causing a cloud of steam to erupt and block his vision for a bit. The now cool metal he set aside on a wooden table where other identical blades were stacked. With a sigh he took up a dirtied strip of cloth that served as a towel and wiped the sweat from his brow. Moving to a basin nearby he splashed water over his face and shoulders, refreshing the cool relief the droplets brought his heated flesh. Dipping the towel in the basin to soak it, Izuldir then wrapped the soaking clothe around his neck, mopping his face with it as he turned to see to the call of a potential customer. It was a young Inarta woman, dressed as they all did in attire with strange names that the Isur did not quite comprehend. Why was it that they could not simply say they wore clothing? Why must they have names for each article that adorned their bodies? A mystery to Izuldir, as were many things to the man despite having lived here for a little over a season. Pressing the towel to his forehead he stepped up to greet the girl, looking her up and down before finding her eyes. He was just a little more than an inch taller... That was quite interesting to the Isur, and perhaps a bit amusing because he smiled. "What are you looking for in the way of gear? Need a bit more specifics if you want something crafted." Izuldir had not bothered to put on his shirt before greeting the customer. After all, why should he hide what he had worked so hard to so finely tune?

[Alori Sai]

The young Endal took her time to look around. It wasn't often that she visited this place, and in a way it seemed new to look at. Like most places through the hot and dry galleries, it was filled with sweaty people with less clothing on than what was normally wore. She recalled her days there also, days where she had soaked her top completely through and the constant heat had dried out her hair, ruining whatever style she might have applied recently.

Alori waited patiently to be noticed, and as she did, the teen thought over what she wanted. She understood the crafting of bows, the importance of the string, and even the arrows. But to craft one was something different, and she needed more than just an average make. Finally someone came over to help her, a man just a bit taller than she was. Alori smiled at him, it was cute and she could talk with him without having to lift her head up. The huntress was usually the shortest in the room, there were even yasi taller than her, but this guy was right at her level.

"Hey, yea...I was looking for a new bow. A long one. I hunt a lot and the bow I have is really heavy." That was one of the reasons most Endal used short bows, they were easier to carry and to use while riding an eagle. "Oh and, I need a stronger draw, if that's possible." She paused for a moment, her thoughts roaming about inside her mind. "Can you make it more...flexible? And I will need arrows." There were rumors about that the arms gallery had workers who could make special gear that enhanced the users performance, she just hoped she was getting it right.

"I want...something..magical. You know?"

[Izuldir]

Crossing his arms behind his waist and leaning back to stretch his spine, Izuldir considered the request. Straightening he set his fists on his hips, looking thoughtful, "You wanting something newly crafted, or do you want your current geared modified to suit your needs?" Motioning with his hand for Alori to follow the Isur walked back to his anvil. Removing the towel from around his neck he tossed it back onto the table, taking up another square of iron with with his obsidian hand. Turning it over a few times he asked, "If you want newly crafted items you will have to pay the fees for obtaining the materials, as well as the cost for their crafting." Without minding the intense he he thrust his hand and the iron into the forge, setting it upon the burning coals for it to heat. In the mean time he went back to the pile of freshly forged swords-to-be that lay on the table. He took one up, looking down its length to find any mistakes, "Also, if it is something 'magical you want... That will cost extra as well." He looked up at the girl, "Have you the coin to pay?" His words were not meant to be as harsh as they sounded. He was well known for having a gruff personality, being blunt and to the point.

[Alori Sai]

Hazel eyes widen, and her lips parted as if she were about to speak. Alori smiled, a light blush rising into her cheeks as she looked away from him. She hadn't thought of having her bow modified, she was ready and willing to buy a new one. The idea did appeal to the teen, she had being using the same bow for a while and had many memories with it. The thought of parting with it wasn't something she wanted but being an Endal now she needed something stronger.

"So, you can just fix the bow I have, and make it good as new? Would it work as well as a new bow?"

The young woman had to be sure before she put down pinions on anything. Alori wasn't near empty in the pockets, but she knew better than to needlessly those out coin. After all, that very coin could be spent on buying her other stuff. The huntress followed the Isur over to his anvil. She stood beside him, one arm crossed her belly and the other bent, resting against her shoulder with her fingers pinching the fabric of her Katinu.

"I have enough pinions to pay for what I want. That's not a problem. But now I need you to make the sale. I want to be able to fire better, easier while flying. I want a steadier aim for day and night, and yea I need something lighter. Can you do it?"

[Izuldir]

Izuldir chuckled, "Yeah I can do it." Taking up the tongs in his right hand the Isur grasped the glowing hot metal, pulling it free of the fire and setting it on the anvil. With the thumb and forefinger of his left hand he twisted off a bit of metal the size of a small stone, molding it between his fingers until it was a very rough triangular shape before tossing it into the bucket of water, producing a sudden hissing sound and a puff of steam. He continued doing this, pinching off bits of metal and molding it like clay as he spoke, "I can make your bow lighter to carry, and more durable as well. If you want I can make it so that only you can wield it as well. I can also craft you arrows that will flight straighter and pierce deeper than anything you got right now, guaranteed." As the metal began to cool Izuldir thrust it back onto the coals to begin heating up as well. Fetching the bucket he dipped his hand into the water to collect the triangular bits of metal from the bottom. Setting them on the table as well he picked up the towel once more to dry his hands and mop his brow. Sitting on the bench in a relaxed position, one arm resting on his knee the other hanging between his legs he nodded to Alori, "If you want to fix up your old bow I'll only charge for the 'magical' part. 200 pinions will cover the cost of what I need and cover the labor as well." He ran his fingers through his hair, thinking for a moment, "The arrows will be 25 pinions apiece to cover the crafting and the additional work."

[Alori Sai]

Alori smiled as the man chuckled, he reminded her of Perith, another older man who didn't have much of a sense of humor. Of course she imagined that he might gain more if he would stop playing with his tongs long enough to speak face to face with a possible returning customer. The teen listened, fingers gently pulling through her red hair and the streaks of blonde dyed in here and there. "Awesome.." At first she had thought her request too much and figured that she would get a no, but she was very happy to hear that he could help her.

"Yes! I want that too, all of it. The coin won't be a problem."

The little huntress was even more excited now, she hadn't realized just how much he could do with her bow, and she was also surprised at how little it cost. The more she thought about it the more she was sure that she would possibly get her talon sword adjusted next, or maybe her hunting dagger. Shifting her weight from one leg to the other, she drew her Katinu from over her shoulder and cuddled it under her arm.

"Alright, so I want my bow adjusted with what you just said and I'll take 10 of those arrows you mentioned with it. Sound good?"

[Izuldir]

Izuldir nodded twice, scratching his chin as he looked at the strange Inarta riding hood. Once more he wondered at their strange naming of every article of clothing. Why not simply call it as it was, as his people did? He smiled and chuckled at his own joke, though when he looked back up to meet Alori's eyes his voice was business like once more, "Alright girl then we have a deal. You have got two options now. You can either leave your bow with me and come back to pick it up in a couple days with my payment, or you can pay upfront and I will craft it here and now, arrows included. What would you like to do?" He paused for a moment, and then extended his right hand to the Inarta girl, "Forgive my manners, been around nothing but men for so long I tend to forget. My name is Izuldir. What can I call you?" OOCSorry for the short post

[Alori Sai]

Alori smiled weakly and combed her fingers through her hair again. This guy reminded her so much of Perith, all business and he was only a few inches shorter than her former mentor. The teen's hazel eyes wandered to where he looked to her fluffy coat. She figured that he wasn't used to seeing one in such a dark color. It had been a very lucky find and normally the darkest she'd seem was still brown. Alori started to ask him if he liked it, but given that he was already sweating, she imagined that he just saw it as hot.

"I'm Alori." she replied and reached out to shake his hand. The teen had given him a smug look when he called her girl, but she didn't retort just to keep things rolling and to get her the items that she wanted faster. Starting a fight with someone whom was supposed to fix her gear didn't sound smart either. The fiery-haired Endal thought over her options and what might work best for her. Waiting a few days wouldn't kill her, but she wanted this quick, and she could always go out and do more shopping while she waited.

"Alright, I'll just pay you now and I'll be back in a few hours to pick it up?" Alori waited for an answer before she would continue. It was her shopping day so she hadn't brought her bow with her. The teen would have to travel back to her home to pick it up and return with it. If Izuldir was agreeable, she would leave and return a half hour later with her long bow, having left her Katinu outside since it made him so flush.

"Okay, here's my bow. Do I pay you right now, or wait until my bow and arrows are ready?"