Chapter 7

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                           A day after the bandit attack the party arrived in the town of Ishma midway to the forest of Wolfthorn. It is a small town of trappers and hunters with a few small farms. The party filled up both of the town's Inns and was drinking all of its Ale up as well. Pyria and Prince Darion where replenishing the party's supplies.

Elmar and Orist were talking to the locals to get a better of an idea where they could find the Oracle. Kalin accompanied Kaston to the local blacksmith to reload with arrows and other weapons they need.

"Kaston, you talk entirely too much." Kalin told Kaston as they walked down the muddy trail leading to the blacksmith's shop.

Kaston, looked over at Kalin and smiled at her. "I believe Prince Darion and Elmar talk enough for the lot of us, don't you agree?"

She laughed. "So true, the two of them can talk everything that has nothing to do with something."

He laughed then. He then looked at her, and asked "What is on your mind Kalin?"

"Nothing really." She replied but then took a deep breath and said "It is just that I feel as though I need a weapon to help protect myself. I did not like how those bandits made me fell on the road yesterday."

"Well, you have a very powerful weapon already. Your problem is that you do not view it as a weapon at all. Once you do, you will never feel powerless again. For that I am certain." Kaston said as they walked up to the blacksmith's workshop.

Kalin paused and looked at Kaston's back and realized while Kaston might be the quietest of them all he might be the wisest as well. She felt in her pocket for the stone and for the first time thought of it as a weapon.

The blacksmith's shop had several weapons which looked as though they belonged to King's or Prince's rather than towns people of this small town. You could tell he really strived for excellence and achieved it with every pieces.

They met the blacksmith back of his shop working on a dagger, beating on it and then dipping the hot metal into the water next to the anvil. The man was dripping with sweat even though the temperature outside was cool with a slight breeze.

"Good Day, Orist sent us." Kaston told the man which was a surprise to Kalin. She did not know Orist had tasked them with coming here.

"Uh, well good timing as I am about complete with this." The man said holding up the dagger. "Just need the stone."

Kaston looked over to Kalin and said, "She has it."

Kalin was taken aback at this. It would appear Orist was a head of Kalin and was ready to make a weapon of the stone even before Kalin had thought of it. She lifted the stone out of her pocket with her left hand and showed it to the blacksmith.

The blacksmith reach out for it but Kalin quickly withdrew it.

Kaston quickly said, "Sorry but she will place the gem herself."

The blacksmith was not sure what to think of this but he placed the hot dagger down on the anvil and said "It is ready, but be quick it is hot and the gem won't stick if the dagger cools down much."

Kalin stepped up and saw the small circle at the top of the grip and below the blade where the stone would fit perfectly. Kalin carefully placed the red stone onto the dagger. The blacksmith used the tongs to move the hot blade into the cool water and quickly dosed it. When he lifted it from the water it was cool to the touch and he handed it to Kalin.

Kalin took the dagger with her left hand. She looked at Kaston and he nodded his approval. She switched the dagger to her right hand. The dagger instantly turned red and fire engulfed the entire length of the blade.


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