Heat of Labor [solo]

[Zeek]

11th of Spring 511AV Zeek walked into the Arms Gallery, yet again. The heat of the furnaces and natural warmth of the volcano washed over his body, causing an instant sweat. He walked over to his work station, where the fires had yet to be stirred to life. The areas of practice were wisely placed far enough apart so the apprentices rarely had harmful accidents. Though it did happen on occasion. He nodded politely to everyone he passed, Zeek had a nack for making friends. It was keeping themthat he found difficult, most did not agree with his outspoken, hot headed, over the top attitude. “how is everyone today?” He voiced the question openly. He received a few nods and grunts. Few words were spoken during work. Keeping on track was almost everyone main priority. Zeek approached his area. His strong arms reached for a nearby iron poker. The poker and a few somewhat skilled maneuvers of his hands brought the nearly dead fire to life. It roared up, intensifying the heat. “Now to let the blazes settle into hot coals.” Zeek had a habit of speaking to himself out loud. It had earned him a few looks over his lifetime. After he watched and toyed with the fire for a few more minutes, he walked away. He walked over to a barrel holding raw steel. The rough pieces of material were designated for becoming swords, Talon’s specifically. He hefted a few of the heavy pieces onto his shoulder and carefully made his way back toward his particular area. Zeek carefully slip a single slip of metal into the fire, the flames engulfing the blade almost welcomingly. They others he placed into a hole he had worked into the stone. It kept the metal warm barely malleable. Not warming enough to work into a final shape. It only helped in keeping the steel hot enough to make heating it to a workable temp faster. Zeek reached down into yet another nook he had carved out of the stone. This one was wide and narrow. He had cut this into the stone for his tools. It was a place to store equipment without cramping his work space. He retrieved his hammer from the hide away. Setting it roughly onto an anvil that was a hands length lower than his waist, the perfect height for him to work long hour hammering away at steel. “Now, just have to wait for the steel to heat up” Zeek looked around embarrassed, no one seemed to be paying him any mind. [i] I don’t see how anyone can hear over this constant noise any how[i/] He though silently to himself as leaned back against a barrel full of water. The water he would use to cool the hot metal.