Hand of the Master - Part 1a: Wild Geese and Red Herrings
Alsef led Calactyte the lizard-like ss’ressen, Bijoux the cat-like fihali, and Vlad the human-like human down the streets of the dwarven city. One example of superb stonework after another appeared before them, blurring together into a single magnificent tapestry. Such was Solanos Mor.
“For little hairy people,” Cal looked up at the looming structures around them, “they build everything big.”
“They used to be big,” said Vlad. “Dwarves were giants once.”
Soon, a large structure bellowing gouts of smoke and soot came into view.
“The Legendary Blades forge,” said Vlad, a hint of awe in his voice. “Master Elabac’s home.”
Alsef waited patiently outside the building for a few moments until Beldin came out of the shop.
“Beldin!” said Vlad with a smile. “Good to see you.”
Beldin nodded but did not return the smile. He and Alsef began murmuring in eerie synchronization as they led them down a side street just before the shop. They were ushered inside to a humble abode.
Sebastian, the dark-kin, rose to his feet at their arrival. Kham remained seated. The two dwarves stopped chanting.
They exchanged pleasantries. Kham greeted them sullenly.
“This is my home,” said Alsef. “While you stay here, it is yours as well.” He nodded to Beldin. “You already know Beldin. I have duties with my master, but Beldin shall serve as your escort within Solanos Mor. He knows of my suspicions and can answer all your questions. Good day, my friends, and may Illiirr illuminate the truth.”
Alsef bowed and left the house. Beldin stepped forward to address them.
“So what’s the problem?” asked Vlad. “You think someone’s going to harm Elabac?”
“Alsef is a good dwarf and a master smith,” said Beldin. “Elabac has trusted him to be his chief apprentice, and most feel he will succeed Elabac when the Master…passes on.”
“It’s amazing the old coot hasn’t passed on already,” muttered Kham.
Sebastian shot him a glare. Beldin continued. “However, Alsef’s skill is in the forge, not the mind. He seems so certain that Elabac is in danger, but I have seen little to indicate this.”
“Indeed,” said Sebastian, “since Elabac’s return from Ventaka, he is under tighter guard than ever.”
“The only dwarves who could assault Elabac are his apprentices and Jarel, and they are all beyond reproach. I fear Alsef’s hatred of the Reavers colors his thoughts.”
“He’s not the only one who hates Reavers,” said Vlad, rubbing his side. “I remember Jarel. He should be able to help Elabac considerably.”
“Not as much as he might have in the past,” said Beldin. “Jarel recently suffered a terrible accident; his hands were crushed. The cruel dwarves of Encali shunned him, as he was no longer of any use to them. Jarel made his way through the tunnels to Solanos Mor, where he found redemption among the penitent. He now faithfully worships Illiir, and although his hands are crushed, his mind still functions.”
“Jarel’s been assisting Elabac,” said Kham. “He’s been giving some of his enchanted jewels to be set in Elabac’s weapons.”
“Thanks to Jarel’s gems, Elabac’s blades seem to have improved even further,” said Sebastian.
“Wow,” said Vlad.
“Try to pick your jaw up off the ground,” snapped Kham. “Sheesh, you don’t even get that excited about women.”
Vlad closed his mouth. “I already have a blade crafted by Master Elabac.” The big Milandisian’s hand patted the hilt of his longsword. “There’s no finer weapons in the world.”
Beldin nodded. “We hope that Jarel and Master Elabac’s united efforts will be the key to unlocking the curse.”
“Curse?” asked Bijoux.
“That’s right, you’re not from Onara,” said Sebastian. “Briefly, the dwarves you see before you were once giants among men, literally. Illiir cursed the dwarves for their hubris, encasing them into their current forms. But there is hope: the first enclave to craft the perfect item will be released from the curse. Master Elabac is Solanos Mor’s best hope at achieving the perfect item.”
“But only one enclave is released from the curse?” asked Cal.
“Correct,” said Beldin. “This is why the Encali enclave wars with us. They are heretics, refusing to be penitent before Illiir and instead holding Sarish as the salvation of the dwarves.”
“That kind of thinking also created the Reaver enclave,” said Kham. “They permanently encase themselves in armor, so that if the curse were ever to be lifted they would be crushed by the transformation from dwarf to giant.”
“Reavers are no friend to Alsef,” said Beldin. “They killed his parents and destroyed their soul shards. It is the one bitterness that mars Alsef’s kindness. It is that shared hatred that unites Alsef with Jarel.”
“I want to see Jarel,” said Kham. “He and I have some business to discuss.”
Then he walked out of Alsef’s home.
After a moment, Vlad said, “So why exactly is Kham here again?”
