Fiction: Mastering the Craft

[Shameless]

Part One: The Beginning   Occurs several months before the start of the game

Lan smiled as he beheld the modest smithy tucked away on the grounds of the Huo family estate.  It had been unused for some time, to hear his mother tell, at least a century.  It had taken him and Xia several days to restore to usable condition, including a thorough cleaning.   He hadn't asked her, she had simply taken up cleaning supplies and got to work, though when it was done, he thanked her, giving her a rare hug, which she returned.  

 

"Will you be alright alone, Lan?"  Her voice was concerned, but more because this was something new to him.

 

"Yes, I'll be fine Xia.  I'm going to work simply with steel first, before I try my hand working with magical materials."  She nodded, and left him to his new hobby.   Recently something had changed, where he had expressed a desire to make things.  He'd said he'd start simply with smithing, making weapons.  

 

He himself had made a study of various weapons, how they were made, and he admit he just seemed to know sometimes how something was made.  It lead him to desire to try making something himself, but he knew better than to waste magical materials, even with his family's wealth.

 

Thus he stood before the lit forge, working the bellows himself, firing steel for the first time. As he took the first bit of heated metal from the furnace, placed it on the anvil, and raised his hammer, he smiled.  This felt right in a way that few things ever had for him before.

 

Time passed, and the sun was setting.  Lan wiped the sweat from his brow.  He wasn't any stronger physically than a normal man, nor did he have limitless stamina as some Exalted did.  He had pushed himself today, though.  "I'll sleep well tonight, and the bath will feel especially good."  He looked down at the bench, a full dozen throwing knives, the sort that could be easily hidden, perfect holdout weapons lay there.  Each was carefully balanced and uniformly formed and sharpened.  Though only steel, thanks to use of powerful Solar charms, they wouldn't break or dull through normal use.  He had set aside the first two pair, the first to be a gift to his mother, the second pair to Xia.   The remaining pairs would go to his elder brother, two younger sisters, and father.   They were weapons of a last recourse, or, perhaps preemptive strike, but made in such a way that they could be easily hidden, drawn and thrown as needed.

 

He'd made scabbards and cases for them, each one slightly different, and each pair woven with a band of colored fabric, denoting the owner.   With them all packed away, he made his way to the manor.  His mother was in the Library, reading when she looked up and saw him standing in the doorway.

 

"My son."  She smiled at him, moving to hug him, only for him to draw back.  "I'm sweaty and sooty mother, you'll get dirty."   She embraced him even so.  "You are my precious son Lan.  Sweat and Soot are the proof of the work you've done, and it isn't like I cannot simply take a bath and be clean.  Now tell me, how did it go?"

 

Lan smiled as she released him, and brought out the six cases.  "These are the first I've made.  Steel reinforced with Solar charms."  He held her case to her.  "These were the first I forged, I tried to match the fabric in the guard to your hair."  When he revealed the pair of knives to his mother, her eyes narrowed, even as she took them up to feel their weight.  

"In time, once I have improved my skills, I will make something more worthy of a Sorcerer Prince such as you, but since i set out to make a set for the whole family, it seemed best to give you the first set, because without you, none of this would be possible."

 

She placed the knives back in the box and closed it, before pulling Lan into a fierce hug.  "Thank you Lan, I will always treasure them."  She was elated by the simple gift, the first fruit of her son's skills, and the thoughtfulness behind the gift.  "When you are ready, ask, and we will acquire what materials you need."

 

After further small talk, he bid her goodnight, and went to bathe.  Done with that, he would bring his siblings and father their sets.  Each was appreciative, and finally it was down to the last set. 

 

"Xia."   She stepped out from behind the corner.  "You knew."  

 

"Of course, we've played this game for years, haven't we?"  he held out the last pair of knives to her.  "These are for you."  

 

She looked at them, woven with fabric that matched her hair.  "But you will have none from this for yourself Lan if you give me those..."

 

"You have always been with me since we met Xia.  You've never been far, and in truth, you'll probably react faster than me.   Giving these to you, I know you'll use them when you must, that you'll use them well, especially to protect me, and the rest of the family.  In that way they are still mine, because that's what I want to do, to protect my family.   One day, much as I promised Mother, I will make you something stronger, something worthy of being used by a Sorcerer Prince.   It is my hope you will continue to do as you have, and watch over us all."

 

The look on her face changed, from confusion to understanding, and affection as he spoke.  Her cousin had complete faith in her, and she heard the conviction in his voice as he spoke about making something even greater.

 

She took the case, and hugged him smiling up at him.  "Thank you Lan."

 

He smiled back at her.  "You're most welcome Xia.

[Nina]

The rising sun bathed Lan as he stepped out onto the large balcony where breakfast was served on spring and summer days when the weather was superb. Xia was not yet there, but the usual servants were already setting the table, he wondered if his mother would be there or if she had already departed for the Academy. It was only after seating himself that he noticed another person on the balcony.

 

From her attire, it was obvious that she held significance within the household, though Lan could not immediately recall who she was. She stood at an average height, with short hair framing her face. Perched atop her head was a crisp scribe's cap, while a leather satchel and quill hung from her belt. The most striking feature, however, were the spectacles perched on her nose. Clearly, she was a learned scribe of some sort, but what purpose did she serve here?

 

“Who are you?” Lan asked from across the balcony, “And what are you doing here?”

 

The woman stood straighter then gave a bow. “I am called Niisa, Lord Lan, I am a chronicler in your Households service. Lady Huo, thought it time that you should have a chronicler of your own and at your side, to record your deeds in this life, with accuracy.”

 

Her voice was soft, yet carried well across the distance, her speech pattern different than he was used to hearing, The north, Quru, perhaps.

[Shameless]

he studied her for a moment, and then once the table was set, beckoned her to sit to where they'd set a plate for her.  "I see.  Well if she has decreed it so, then it's unwise to say otherwise."   He let out a sigh.   His mother was a powerful warrior, a Sorcerer Prince, though she had stepped back from a life on the battlefield and the glory of her accomplishments to raise a family.  She'd pursued that with vivacious Zeal, and after the twins were born, had ascended to her position as the head of the Academy.   She had many great accomplishments,  and he knew her chronicler, Wen Tze, well.  He'd grown up hearing stories of his mother from him, after all.  All of her children had.

He looked to Niisa.  "When we are alone, you will find I do not stand on ceremony or formality.  Lan is fine.   I know we both have our roles, but between us, you are free to ask what you wish to ask, whatever you need to ask to tell of my deeds accurately and truly."

It was true, he'd gone to the battlefields twice since his Exaltation.  He had slain his foes, and used powerful magic to battle and claim territory.  Still that didn't feel like an accomplishment to boast of to him.   While exceptionally gifted with a sword, he had been feeling there was so much more to life beyond battle.  His experience yesterday, actually making something for his family, that had fulfilled him so much more than battle had.

"If you don't mind, tell me about yourself Niisa."