The ribbons of light surrounding the moonstone blade swelled in power. The soul stuff released did not automatically flow into the blade. It took the will of the enchanter to force the power into the item awaiting enchantment. Each rank of enchantment was harder to coax into an item. A palpable tension built into the air as the item’s resistance to the swirling soul stuff built exponentially as each successive rank of enchantment was reached.
After enchanting for weeks, Richter could almost call out as the enchantment reached a new rank. The first rank created a pressure in the air that felt like a storm that might break in the next few hours. It was barely noticeable. Rank four was like being in an airplane that quickly changed in elevation. After that, the changes grew more pronounced. Rank six was like free diving down to thirty feet. Rank eight, the highest rank Richter had reached so far, felt like your head was being slowly squeezed in a vice. Thankfully each rank only lasted a few seconds, so any actual discomfort was minimal and fleeting.
Despite the short amount of time it took for an enchantment to take effect, to Richter it felt like ages. He could not help but think about the fact that increasing the ranks of an enchantment increased the chance of the enchantment not taking hold. While the loss of the soul stones without any tangible yield would suck, he also dwelled on what Gloran had told him. Every once in a while, the magic released from soul stones could cause unexpected effects if the enchantment failed. The soul power released from the gems needed to find an outlet. If it didn’t enter the blade, it would go elsewhere. The energy might bleed harmlessly away into the ether… or it might blow shit up.
Richter knew from personal experience that failing to complete an enchantment once started could have dangerously explosive consequences. Krom hadn’t talked to Richter for a whole day after the chaos seed’s attention had slipped while they were working together. He still thought the dwarf had been overreacting. While it was true the axe head they’d been working on had exploded, only a small portion of the dwarf’s beard had been singed off. Still, the flesh wounds they had received had been enough to make Richter a bit gun shy every time he attempted a strong enchantment these days.
This time, his luck held. Richter smiled to himself and thought about how no one appreciated his genius. He felt the intangible pop that occurred when the last of the soul stuff overcame the blade’s resistance to being enchanted. The power had found a home!
You have enchanted:
Dense Moonstone Short Sword of Goblin Slaying.
Damage: 25-30
Durability: 153/153
Item Class: Unusual.
Quality: Exquisite.
Weight: 4.1 kg.
Traits: +10% damage vs. spell barriers. +78% damage against goblins.
Richter smiled at his new blade. The only way it could have turned out better is if a heavenly ability of the forge had activated. That only occurred in conjunction with certain celestial convergences though. Though as of yet, they couldn’t be predicted, once the village’s current research was done, he could expect more weapons made in the forge to have an extra trait. Thinking about what that might mean for his enemies brought a warm, fuzzy feeling to his heart.
Bowdin congratulated him on a successful enchantment. He promised that he would set the blade and have it ready for the morning. He also told Richter that a type of water lizard had recently been discovered and slain by the hunters. With a smile on his face, the smith promised that the leather used for the hilt would never slip from his grasp or grow slick. Richter clapped the man on the back and thanked him for his hard work. Then, he remembered what his next duty was. With a grim set to his face, he left the forge and marched towards the northern meadow. Terrod was waiting for him at the top of the hill.
“My lord,” the captain greeted him solemnly.
“Terrod,” Richter replied, stopping. He searched the man’s face. Despite that fact that he and Terrod were Companions, his relationship with the innkeeper-turned-guard was very different from his relationship with Sion. Now that he was thinking of it, he realized that his relationship with Elora was different as well. They were all his Companions, but while Sion was a brother, and the pixie queen was half-little sister and half-vassal, Terrod was like a well-trusted employee. Someone who had been through hard times with him. It had bred respect, trust and a calm friendship. “I’m glad you came,” Richter finished.
“How could I not? They were my men,” Terrod said with a trace of bitterness.
Richter took the man’s tone hard. With a slight crack in his voice, he said, “I promise that I did everything I could to save them.”
Terrod’s face took on a look of surprise, “My lord…” He stepped closer and looked the chaos seed in the eye. “Richter. I do not blame you for the deaths of my men. Gregane, Nitol and Amara all believed in what we are creating here. A home for our families and a place where we can all coexist. Where they could become whatever they wanted, no matter their race. Just seeing dwarves, elves, sprites and humans working together every day is amazing. No, my lord, I do not blame you. After I have had a few hours to digest the news, I do not even blame myself. Respost tine.”
Congratulations! You have learned a new language: Old Common.
“Look to yourself?” Richter asked, translating.
“Your ability to do that always astounds me,” Terrod said, shaking his head. “The phrase is in old common. I didn’t know it translated exactly to that phrase. It’s something all soldiers learn to say. Not before a battle, but upon coming home. It is spoken to remind us of an immutable truth that all fighting men and women learn. After every successful battle, we would say repost tine to remember that, in The Land, ‘Death comes swiftly.’ I don’t blame you, my lord, but we need to prepare better. Our guards need more potions and better weapons. Most importantly however, they need better training. I must formally request that the next building erected be a barracks.”
You have received a Quest: Battle Prep I. The Captain of the Guard, Terrod, is requesting for you to have a barracks built. Yes or No? Reward: Settlement bonus from building a barracks. Penalty for Failure: Decreased relationship with the village guards.
Richter easily accepted the quest, “I think you’re right. We have been building up the village’s infrastructure, but it means nothing if we can’t defend ourselves. Roswan will be gone until he returns from his Trial, but that is the very next thing on the agenda.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Terrod said with a bow of his head. When he straightened, he turned his gaze towards the Quickening and the families that waited there.
Richter sighed and said, “Now let's go thank the loved ones of the men and women that died for us today.”
With heavy hearts, but straight backs, the two men went to share sorrow and remember the dead.
CHAPTER 11 – Day 140 – Kuborn 30, 15,386 EBG