Solo War Fan Blade

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

15th of Summer 517 A.V.

Aliana walked to the forge popping her knuckles preparing for a very challenging weapon. It was not often that someone came in looking for a fan blade. Though the Isur was more than happy to take on the challenge. There was a new metal that she wanted to use to make the blades. Entering the building, Ailana walked over to the office and put Larissa in her crib. Letting the baby get settled in, the mother told Ink to watch the door and Larissa. Once the two were settled she moved to the main area of the forge. Grabbing the bucket and small spade, the weaponsmith knelt down and scooped out the ashes from the day before. One scoop after the next became harder and harder, the young woman's shoulders were beginning to ache. Stopping for a moment, she put the shovel down and stood up taking the filled bucket out back throwing it out. Sighing gently the girl walked back inside and knelt down looking at the embers that were still inside.

Checking on the coals, she wiped her brow. There was much to do before able to get the over sized oven turned on. Sighing the young mother grabbed some straw and got it layered within, before turning and getting the wood. As soon as everything was in place the girl used her flint and steel to light the fire. It took some time for the sparks to catch into a small flame, but as it began to slowly grow the woman bent down and blew on it. The little bit of oxygen helped to raise the flames higher and higher until it was a full inferno. Kneeling back, she wiped her forehead watching the fire blaze as the heat got hotter and hotter. Finally able to get up from the floor, Aliana walked over to the storage area with her keys to choose what metal to use. She already knew that the project would leave her with many stray pieces left. Most if small enough may be turned into jewelry and sold at the front desk. The Isur was not in the habit of leaving random pieces of metal lying around to be thrown away.

“What to choose? What to choose?” Aliana said almost silently while looking at the metals.

She was careful when handling it knowing that too much skin to metal contact would rust the weapon material faster. That is why most smiths used gloves the entire time they worked. But the Isur liked being able to run her fingers over the blade to make sure there was no cracks. Most of the time the imperfections were able to be seen, but small hairline fractures were much much harder to see with the naked eye. Knowing that she was wasting precious time; the woman decided on the steel. It was a much more reliable metal that was beautiful to look at. It would also be much easier for the woman to keep clean. Though she would advise against polishing or sharpening unless with a professional. One wrong move during either process could damage the blade or even cause the handler serious injury.

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

Going into her office, the woman grabbed the sketch and charcoal from the day before. Using a small dagger, she cut out the sketch before walking to the metal. Making a basic outline not worrying about small details, the girl put the metal as far into the heat as it would go. That was her first time making a war fan, so she was nervous as to how many times the process would start over and over. It was never easy to work a new blade under a time crunch. Though it was more self imposed than from her client. Aliana did not want to take so long that Kamilla went somewhere else to get her weapon. The young woman prided herself on being fast and efficient. Trying a new style of cutting the form out would prove to be interesting. On the longer, bigger blades, it was simple to heat the entire piece of metal and bang out the outline. But with having to make four smaller blades at least would be more difficult. Instead the woman heated up the first sketch and her made sure her chisel and hammer were ready.

Walking back over to the furnace, she peeked in and saw the beautiful orange glow of the metal. Taking it out, the woman put it on the anvil and got the chisel. Looking up the girl welcomed her workers and got the young blacksmith to hold the metal in place. Nodding gently, the woman grabbed her smaller chisel. Placing it on the metal, the woman raised her hammer and landed one powerful hit after the next. The red hot material gave into each hit till finally the chisel hit the anvil. Pulling the two apart the girl tried to see if any kind of cracks had been formed. Not able to see any she moved up and made a square around the rest of the outline. She had her assistant move the rest of the metal away as he went to work with the other orders that were in. Popping her neck, the woman used the tongs to insert the steel back into the flames. With the form in a much smaller piece, the shaping of the blade would prove to be much much easier. Pulling the once more heated blade from the fire, the Isur began to bang out correct shape.

Once it was the correct shape and length, the woman began to quenching process after that. If there was any imperfections from the way she had cut a smaller piece out; the oil dip would produce it. Taking a deep breath, the woman plunged the blade straight into the oil. Keeping her head back the girl watched the smoke billow out of the barrel. After a large majority had cleared from the top, the woman put it on the anvil and went to get her file off the wall. Walking back over, she scraped it against the file and cursed. The blade was soft as a babies butt causing the blade to hang up in every groove. Putting down the file, the woman walked back over to the forge and returned it to the heat. If the heat treat did not work, she was not sure what else could be done.

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

Thinking back her father had spoken many times of one particular blade that gave him so much trouble. Concentrating the weaponsmith tried to remember what he had said did to get the treat right. Finally it dawned on her, he had said that the only way the blade would hold a sharp edge was to heat treat just the edge. There was not many times the elder smith had trouble with his blades. But sometimes when the spine was hard, but not the edge all there was to do was get the edge red hot then quench it. She had seen the technique work, but that had been someone who had the mastery to do it. The thought of having to do it herself made her nervous. Looking up at one the torches, the woman wondered if she had enough in her to get it done. Taking a deep breath, the girl made up her mind that she would not lose a client just because of an unused technique.

No matter how unproven it was; father had told her of smiths who did not have experience with certain ways trying them and something terrible happening to their blades as a result. Breathing deeply once more the woman was determined that the second heat treat would be enough to get it done. Pulling the blade out while it was almost golden hot, the girl instantly had it in the oil. A large tick sound made the woman's heart stop; every bladesmith knows that sound. Pulling the blade from the barrel, her worst fears was confirmed. A large crack sat directly in the middle of the steel. Cursing the girl chucked it over to the scrap pile. With no time to spare, she grabbed the next piece of metal and began the process all over again. Taking a deep breath, she did the first quench and pulled it out. Using the file, the woman was relieved to hear the long drag and feel the smooth glide. Letting out a huge sigh of relief, the girl was so happy not to have another set back.

Having to recraft the beginning blade had put her behind where, she was looking to be. Aliana took a deep breath and worked on getting another crafted before going to check on Larissa. Looking in the child smiled up at her mother as she walked over. Grabbing a rag, she cleaned off her arms before picking up the baby. Giggling the little one patted on her arms cooing, the mother took the time to change her diaper and throw the old one away before getting her settled with a toy. Happy that she would be okay, the woman returned to her craft as Ink took up post again.

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

Taking a deep breath, she walked into the forge and looked at the two roughly shaped blades. Two more were needed to finish off what would go on the fabric. From there the woman was going to put the Taking a deep breath, she walked into the forge and looked at the two roughly shaped blades. Two more were needed to finish off what would go on the fabric. From there the woman was going to sharpen the tips before attaching them to the material. She hoped that it would not cause the thin, soft item to rip in half. The woman was not used to working with a delicate material when building a blade. Sighing, the girl wipped her brow feeling the heat coming off the forge. Walking closer the Isur looked in on her apprentice as he drew out the design first. Aliana had forgotten that her client had wanted the intricate look on each of the blades.

"That looks good. I am going to finish the last two blades; when they are ready will you shape out the design again?" Aliana asked looking at him.

"Of course, I love doing this," Rehim said with a smile looking back at her.

“Good, I will let you finish. Holley has worked with the design on the fabric yes?” Aliana inquired looking over at him.

“I believe so, but do not quote me on that,” Rehim said looking back at the Isur.

The woman thanked him and went to see how the beatiful woman was doing with her task. Not speaking to her at first, the Isur watched pleased with what she was seeing. Smirking she nodded and walked to where the last two blades were waiting. It took several more bells before they were finally done and ready to be designed out. Using a wet rag, the woman wiped away the sweat on her brow and off the back of her neck. She was not normally bothered by the heat, but ever since the birth it was harder on her.

Though like most things, the woman powered past the uncomfortable feeling. Giving the two blades to the young Akalak, and she took the other two using a few special tools. The woman worked the design into the metal with a concentration like nothing the pair had seen. She was confident in making the blades and even in attaching them to the fabric. It was the metalic designs that made her nervous. Even one mark off would mean the weapon was useless to her client. Looking up the woman was shocked when the young man told her it was time to close up shop for the day. Shaking her head the dark haired woman told the pair good night and promised not to stay long.

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

The business owner took note of how much work was still left to do. Taking a moment, the mother tended to her daughter and put her down for the night before going back to the forge. Ink whined and laid down putting his head on his crossed paws as he watched the woman. The young girl promised they would not be long. She had to finish the blade before the next day. Grabbing the four unsharpened blades, the girl began the slow arduious process of sharpening them. It took about half a bell for each of the four blades. It was difficult to sharpen without cutting down the design on the metal. Pulling them away, the woman cut through a few pieces of paper. She was happy to see that they cut cleanly through the paper. Excited about the sharpness, the woman began the slow process of attaching the blades to the fabric. Yawning, she finally pulled out for the night when it was clear; the woman still had a full days work with the handles to be done and attached.

“Come Ink, let's go home for the night,” Aliana said and left locking up.

It took about a bell of walking before the mother, child, and dog made it back to their home. Locking the front door behind her, the woman put Larissa down in her crib before stripping down and climbing into bed. It did not take long for the girl to pass out after laying down. Groaning some when Ink growled to wake the woman; the girl turned over and rubbed her eyes sitting up. Sighing gently the girl's eyes burned a little from staying up so late the night before. Getting up, she got dressed and got Larissa ready as well. It was not long before the three were walking into the business once again still exhausted.

Rubbing her eyes, the mother got the child situated in her crib as Ink posted up and laid down falling asleep. She was happy that the two would be able to get some much needed rest.Walking into the forge the owner felt a smile spread across her face seeing the finished wood work. There was nothing left for her to do but sit down and attach it to the weapon. Once attached it would need to be tested for durability and ready to be sent home. Taking the first piece, she pinned it into place and used a special type of resign to keep it in place. Using just the tiniest bit of heat, the woman made sure that the glue would hold before doing the same to the other side. Soon enough, Aliana had the weapon finished and put together. Standing up the girl was happy with the look, but it had to do more than look good. Walking to where a test dummy was, the woman used slow practiced moves with the fan open wide. Suddenly she shot her arm across the chest of the dummy. Stopping as her arm extended straight out to the other side; the woman walked over while closing the fan and saw the deep cut in the straw. Happy it would kill, she sent a message to the woman to let her know the blade was ready.