| 20th, Fall 513 A man of what humans might think a considerable height walks solidly down the street, his pale blue eyes a startling contrast to his dark green skin. His features on his face seem rather emotionless, though his step is lively enough. His clothing was completely functional though today he has an added piece of clothing, a leather apron draped over his arm. Stopping, he looks up and for a while stares up at the smithy, a smile creasing his features slightly.
The Arma'Drex Smithy loomed over him, but it was just his taste level as far as decor and what he considered unnecessary features. It was functional, rational, and did not overwhelm the senses with needless stimulation. Stepping into the darkened interior, darkened only due to being inside, it was in no way dark or closed in, another thing the Akalak Male enjoyed.
His muscled body stops, his thick neck swiveling his head first to the left, and then to the right before he spots the weapon smith Haiduk. "Good evening to you my friend." Fulchean greets the famed smith with a respectful nod of the head, his white teeth flashing starkly against his dark skin.
Haiduk did not look up immediately, instead he carefully finished inspecting a blade he was holding before looking up and returning the smile to the customer. "And to you too as well..." For a moment it was as if Haiduk grappled with his memory, "Fulchean Hronis. You crafted your Lakan just a few years ago did you not?" This was an exchange in Tukant, for which Fulchean was ever thankful for. While he was fluent in Common, and even knew a few kontinese phrases thanks to C'hea his mother, there was a beauty in his native tongue that he loved.
"Yes I did Master Haiduk, and that is the reason I am back." The green skinned Akalak moved closer to the smith, his head tilting gently to the side. "I was hoping you would take me on as an Apprentice dagger smith. I have been practicing a little since crafting my Lakan."
Haiduk straightens and lets his thick arms cross over his chest and for a long moment he simply stares at the younger Akalak. Then he speaks, it is a command more then a request. "Show your Lakan." All vestiges of civility and small talk is gone from his voice, and it is down to business. "You know that weapons can be the difference between a life or a death. Between a Nakivak's life or death? If you craft a blade and it has weak spots, it breaks. If it is too brittle it breaks. If a potter's vase breaks, it is no big thing. But if a warriors dagger breaks, someone dies." Haiduk's eyes speak of his seriousness in this matter, boring hard into the other Akalak's pale eyes.
Fulchean's eyes do not blink nor back down, instead he meets the master weapon smith's stare evenly as he answers. "That I do. That is why I wish to learn the craft." There was a little more then that of course, and he shifts on his feet, but otherwise shows no other signs of the brief struggle with his dual nature. The seriousness of the conversation always stirs the other, dark, side of him that wants to lighten the topics. Normally he might not be so stringent about keeping one side or the other in tight control, having learned to balance one with the other but now would not be the time. Instead he shifts and from a tiny leather strap that holds his special Lakan to his side, he draws the twisted blade out to show, though he never lays it down. Instead he holds it up, the silver-colored metal gleaming gently. The spiral decoration on the hilt the only decoration, spartan but elegant.
"Yes. I suppose you do know.." Haiduk spoke once more, "Tell me the correct steps to forging a dagger."
Briefly a smile flits across Fulchean's strong lips before once more he composes himself and begins to recite from memory the thirteen basic steps to forging a blade. "The first step is to light the fire in the forge. It must be hot enough to bring most metals to a straw color signifying it is ready for refining. The second step is to check for that color, preferably using scrap metal. The third step would be to..." For a moment he could not remember if he was suppose to measure the two inches for the tang part of the handle or if that was after he forged the shape of the blade. He must have hesitated a little too long because Haiduk prompts him with "Something about ..a point?" This gentle prod helped set Fulchean back on track and with a quick sigh he continues.
"The third step is to forge the blade to a point. The fourth is to measure for two inches on the butt of the blade for the hilt...Then you would pound the edge flat...let it cool....then..fashion the hilt?" The last bit of the steps were asked more then told, as if he had studied this but he was not sure if that was all there was to it. Haiduk grunted, looks closely at Fulchean's Lakan and sighs. "Very well. It was not perfect, there are several steps that must be taken to make the best edges. But that is why your an apprentice. And not a Master." Standing up once more, Haiduk waves to the door. "Off you go, I will be closing up soon. I expect to see you here by the seventh bell in the morning."
Thanking the weapon smith, Fulchean hurries out the door, a smile of satisfaction on his face. |
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by Favchean Hronis on September 11th, 2013, 3:43 am 