Smallest Advantage

Birth and Growing Up Part 1

BANG!

In a shack that stood on top of a grassy knoll of a small hill a loud sound could be heard.

SMACK!

Hissing water and another loud bang rattled the small shack. The shack itself didn't look like much but it was solidly built with fresh wood and metal bolts running in between the beams. Grunts along with loud bangs could be heard coming from inside, as if someone was using a lot of strength to make something.

Inside a raging fire was settled in a deep bowl. Hot coals in bright reds and oranges covered a piece of metal. All around the bowl and on the walls of the shack were tools showing a lifetime worth of knowledge. Tools of every shape and size showed signs of use but also showed that someone took great care in keeping them clean and ready for use at anytime.

In front of the fire stood a towering man with bulging muscles and wild black hair. One hand held a huge one handed hammer aloft in a ready position for a downward strike. The other hand held a pair of tongs holding a deep glowing red piece of metal. With a sharp intake of air the hammer fell like a thunder clap onto the metal.

BANG!

Again and again the hammer fell causing sparks to fly in every direction. After a short while the metal started to lose its glow. The man brought it up to his face, brows furrowing in concentration, he inspected the metal closely. With a sigh the man put it back into the fire. The coals roared to life for a quick second then grew quiet once more.

The man put the hammer and tongs down onto the bowl. Reaching for a well worn leather water skin that hung nearby he drank deeply. When he drank his fill he used one hand to wipe his mouth and face while the other hand he used to put the water skin back. The coals moved ever so slightly shifting the metal to one side.

"Stop moving so much," he said in a deep voice, "I know that you are worried to."

Grabbing the tongs the man put the metal back into place and covered it with a few pieces of coal in certain places.

"We will be done soon I promise."

With a small smile dancing on his face the man grabbed his hammer. Taking a few breaths he prepared to remove the metal when a voice behind him called, "Father!"

Turning around the man saw a small boy with bushy black hair that swung with every step. The boy still had some baby fat on him in places. With deep honey colored eyes and a kind personality his youngest boy so far was very popular in the village.

"Yes Taylin what is it," the man asked?

When the boy got closer the man could see a huge smile on his face, "Mother says its time!"

The man could feel his eyes grow big for a second but quickly threw up his straight face. He didn't want his young boy to see any emotion yet. Quickly he set his tools down and with two sharp strong hits against the bowl the coals died as if some command was spoken.

"Come Slava, its time my old friend."

The dead coals moved and rippled away as if something was swimming or moving under them. After a moment a claw appeared on the edge of the bowl. The claw had smooth ripples where the skin would be. Under the ripples a deep red like glow could be seen gently rising and deeming like the skin itself was breathing. With practiced strength the claw pushed against the bowl showing a short but strong leg, followed by the rest of the creature.

The man was always impressed by how his old friend was able to do his abilities. Looking at his friend like he has many times over the years he felt a close bond with the creature. The creature had a long narrow shaped head like an arrow head but thicker. Spikes lined the creatures back all the way to its tail. The creature was called a Salamander thus why the man named him Slava.