Ice Crystal: Chaos Storm (book 2) Finished

Chapter 17

"Your friend that protected us throughout the war left you these scales of his." Callus, the man who's smithing abilities are unmatched, uncovers Irin's pitch black scales, "And a phial of his blood. He gave us clear instructions to not drink it and that it was to be used for someone important."

If I drink this, I could become part Dragon, but if I do, then Artenagon wouldn't be able to be reforged into the new blade I have in mind. With my breath shaky, I nervously grab the phial and think of my options. I'll have to put my faith in Irin and hope that I can go through the ritual he was talking about. I'd rather have access to my powers quickly than over time. I sigh and lay the phial next to the scales.

"Now, for the hilt of the blade, what material would you rather use?" Callus looks around his workshop, "I have many metals perfect for a new blade for one such as yourself, but I want you, the customer, to pick one out."

"What about the old hilt?" I take the damaged hilt and lay it in front of him, "What's this made of?"

He takes out a small eye glass and presses it to his eye and studies the metal, "Well I'll be damned, it's made out of a very rare metal. Despite how malleable the metal is, Malistium is very durable and rarely obtained."

"Can we use this hilt?" I press him.

"Well, I'm sorry to say that this blade is completely finished and we're not gonna be able to recycle this." He hands it back to me, "The metal is extremely old and I'm not sure if it could be remolded."

"What if we reinforce it with some scales and I infuse it with magic?" I ask looking at the scales. Dragon scales are as strong as any metal and if I use some of my magic, I wonder if the hilt can be saved.

"That's a long process, but it might work. I was wanting to save some scales for some of the warriors, but you're our priority right now." He opens a stone door that leads further into the workshop, "Welcome to my work area. It's not much, but I make it work."

Strewn about the room is an ode to his countless years of hard work. Most of the blades for the kings and those that become the champions of the kings came from this man. Pictures taken with magic are hung about the room documenting all those he's worked for over the years. Right before I was to lead my own regiment, I was supposed to get a blade from Steiner, but the war caught up with Icelia before I could. At least now, I can get a blade.

"If you want to help, get started by starting a fire for me. Once you get one strong enough, I'll take care of the rest." He walks over to his workbench and begins to draw on a parchment. As curious as I am, I'll have to wait to see what he comes up with.

After ensuring that the fire for the forge won't go out, I walk over to the bench and am surprised to see how many parchments he's already gone through, "I can't quite envision the way you want the blade. Getting the curvature just right is difficult enough, but you want one side sharp and the other dull."

"One for my enemies and the other for punishment." I was hoping to be able to use the sword magic I was taught by Clia, but the old Artenagon couldn't perform attacks like that. With one side dull and the other sharp, I can use sword magic to change the way the blade acts by switching the sharpness of the blade to cover my defenseless areas. The dull part is to knock people unconscious that aren't my true enemies...if I couldn't knock them out with hand to hand combat.

"Whenever you need my blood for the blade, let me know." I take the parchment from him and begin drawing the way I want the blade. The curvature of the blade will allow for a quick change from offense to defense and since it's a new type of blade in this land, it'll be hard to combat. I want the blade to feel alive in my hands, so it needs my blood in order to do that. It's a dangerous thing to do, but with it, I'll be the only person capable of wielding the sword. As curse as my blood is, I wouldn't want anyone touching a cursed blade without my supervision.