Free Book - Prequel of The Chronicles of Canes Venatici

Boreas Planet 2 (Part 4.2)

Part 4.2 – The Guardians of the Forge

The Guardians of the Forge are not just blacksmiths—they are the keepers of a sacred tradition, a role passed down through the generations since the earliest settlers of Boreas first harnessed the power of the geothermal vents to survive. While the blacksmiths craft the tools and weapons needed for everyday life, the Guardians are responsible for protecting the forge, the Great Hearth, and ensuring that the balance between Boreas' volatile core and the surface remains stable. Without them, the forge would fall silent, and the city would be left vulnerable to the elements.

As you venture deeper into the chambers beneath Frosthold, past the blacksmiths' workshops and the glowing furnaces, you find yourself in the Hall of the Guardians. The air here is different, cooler and more still, with a sense of reverence that hangs in the stone corridors. The hall is adorned with relics from the city's past: ancient weapons forged in the early days of Frosthold, ceremonial armor worn by the first Guardians, and statues of legendary figures who helped shape the city's destiny. Every piece tells a story of struggle, perseverance, and victory over the relentless cold.

The Guardians of the Forge are an elite order, and their role goes far beyond maintaining the machinery that powers the city. They are warriors, philosophers, and scientists all rolled into one. Their primary duty is to oversee the geothermal vents that feed the Great Hearth, ensuring that the balance between fire and ice is never disrupted. The slightest miscalculation in the geothermal system could cause catastrophic consequences: floods of molten rock or, worse, the collapse of entire sections of Frosthold into the volatile caverns below.

At the heart of the Hall of the Guardians lies the Core Chamber, a vast, circular room that houses the primary geothermal conduit, a towering structure made of reinforced Froststeel. Here, the heat from Boreas' core is carefully channeled through a series of turbines and vents, providing energy not only to the forge but to the entire city. The chamber hums with a low, steady vibration, the ever-present reminder that Frosthold's lifeblood flows directly from the heart of the planet itself.

The Chief Guardian, a tall, imposing woman named Seraya, greets you as you enter the chamber. She is dressed in the traditional armor of the Guardians, a gleaming suit of Froststeel that is as functional as it is symbolic. Her face is lined with the marks of countless years spent overseeing the geothermal systems, and her eyes are sharp and calculating, always watching for the smallest fluctuation in the forge's delicate balance.

Seraya leads you to the edge of the Core Chamber, where you can feel the heat rising from the depths of the planet. The heat is intense, radiating from the floor in waves, but it is controlled, tempered by the systems the Guardians have spent centuries perfecting. As you stand there, gazing down into the glowing heart of Boreas, you realize that without this precise balance, Frosthold would be nothing more than a frozen wasteland, consumed by the ice and snow that surrounds it.

"The forge is our gift," Seraya explains, her voice low and steady. "But it is also our responsibility. We live by the fire, but we are always aware of its potential to destroy. The Guardians ensure that the fire never becomes more than we can control."

The Guardians of the Forge are not just engineers and technicians—they are also warriors. Trained in combat from a young age, they are the first line of defense should anything threaten the geothermal system or the forge itself. Their armor, forged from the same Froststeel they help maintain, is designed to protect them from the extreme conditions they often face in the deeper caverns. It is said that a Guardian can survive for days in the harshest environments of Boreas, venturing into the frozen wastelands or the molten tunnels beneath the city with nothing but their armor and their training.

But combat is not their only skill. The Guardians are also scientists, constantly studying the planet's geothermal activity and developing new techniques to harness its power more efficiently. They are responsible for maintaining the complex network of pipes, vents, and turbines that feed the forge, and they are always looking for ways to improve the system. Innovation is a key part of their role, as they must constantly adapt to the ever-changing conditions beneath the surface of Boreas.

As Seraya shows you around the Core Chamber, she explains the importance of the rituals that the Guardians perform to honor the forge and the planet itself. These rituals have been passed down for generations, a blend of science and spirituality that reflects the delicate relationship between the people of Frosthold and the world they inhabit. Every Guardian must learn these rituals as part of their training, and they are performed regularly to ensure the continued stability of the forge.

One of the most important rituals is the Offering of the Flame, a ceremony in which a small amount of molten Froststeel is cast into the Core Chamber as an offering to the planet. This ritual, performed at the start of every new year, is believed to keep the forge in balance and prevent any catastrophic events from befalling the city. The Guardians believe that by giving back to the planet, they honor the source of their strength and ensure that the forge will continue to burn for generations to come.

As you leave the Core Chamber, the weight of the Guardians' responsibility becomes clear. They are more than just caretakers of the forge—they are the protectors of Frosthold itself, the ones who ensure that the fire continues to burn and that the city remains safe from the dangers that lurk both above and below the surface. Without them, the delicate balance between fire and ice would collapse, and the city would be lost.

The Guardians of the Forge are not only symbols of strength and resilience—they are the living embodiment of the bond between the people of Boreas and the planet they call home. Their work is never done, and their vigilance is the only thing standing between Frosthold and the untamed forces of Boreas.

Future Glimpse!
As Frosthold faces new threats from within and without, the Guardians of the Forge will be called upon to defend more than just the forge. Their role will evolve from mere protectors to leaders, shaping the future of the city and its people.

Olav J. Insight:
"The Guardians are more than protectors of the forge—they are keepers of tradition. Yet, in every society, there comes a time when tradition must evolve, or it risks becoming the very thing that holds us back."