Saviour of Neither

8 - Error

TW: some violence (not bloody)

I spend about an hour in total on the blade, shaping, spell-casting, engraving patterns. Seeing as his previous affinity laid in telekinesis, I decided to create a simple charm that would generate stone at will (which would be fairly useful for a telekinetic, as infinite ammunition).

After some deliberation I also grant the blade the ability to generate fire - a technique I have seen gold-eyed people with a fire affinity use before. After generating a field of flammable plants (say, tumbleweed), they then send the entire field up in flames. I wonder if Michael'd ever heard of the technique.

It's almost finished now, just the scabbard left to create. He wanted a simple design, just some straight edging and squares, which are easy enough for me to execute. At least until I accidentally cut through the entire scabbard and have to restart, though the second attempt went absolutely fine.

Now, for a power source...

The main proportion of my outgoings when I was a swordsmith only known to Hilsbury went out on gemstones - they're considered special amongst Adroites, because they don't follow the typical laws of manipulation. You cannot create or duplicate them; they are just as indestructible; and unlike all other inorganic and many organic materials, they absorb and recharge certain types of magic.

Which type usually depends on the gemstone; for stone creation and fire generation, I want Hematite and Amber respectively.

But where would I find gemstones?

"We're not allowed te use that workshop. There's other workshops that we 'ave te use instead."

But if I am to create a blade of my best ability, I must use gemstones for the charms to regenerate...

I weigh up the possibilities. Either I am caught, or I'm not caught. I can sense people coming from quite far off so I can simply make myself invisible, so it appears that the place is untouched. This small risk will result in a better quality sword that actually lasts, and even if I am caught...

The most I'll be is disgraced and sent straight back to Hilsbury. And that is fine for my personal plans.

After checking that there isn't a soul in sight, I enter Rackrail's former workshop.

You can tell it's not been in use for nearly a month: everything has a fine coating of dust in it. Even the servants were told to leave it alone? And yet you can tell that everything in here was of the highest quality: a blast furnace holding steel in one corner, and another holding bronze; elaborate decorations; and

just what I was looking for. A drawer of every type of gemstone I might possibly need. I've heard that Rackrail would grind these up to be used as part of the core blade, so that they would be rendered practically indestructible; I use them to maintain their enchantment strength.

Ouch. Another of these headaches that strike from nowhere, without forewarning. I shove it aside and look for what I need.

Hematite... and Amber... Fire Opal would work as well, though its affinity lies in magma rather than fire, so it won't be as effective...

"Who's there!?" I hear a voice suddenly shout out. I whip around and see a servant, who must've noticed something suspicious, standing at the doorway.

"I was looking for resources for my blade." I say matter-of-factly.

The headache's getting worse.

"All the workshops save the one furthest down the corridor are fully stocked with everything you need." she retorts. "Now get out before I call the Chief of the Guard!"