Fawn BW XXXIII

BWXXXIII - Fawn’s Vision

The forge sprang to life as the great bellows were brought to bear and pumped by the iron and leather-clad giant. Bright yellow sparks leapt out of the enormous pile of burning embers piercing the darkness that had threatened to engulf the pit as the fire slowly died. Huge flames sprung up fed by the renewed flow of air and the invisible gasses that floated above the hearth’s deep crimson core. A huge shovel, wielded by a second giant, poured on the black fuel which hissed and cracked on impact with the super-hot embers. The sound of another vast sigh rose above the hissing and spitting as the bellows were squeezed again. Like the morning stirrings of an ancient dragon, the vast fire gasped into life once again; no longer old, waiting patiently to be extinguished, it began to push upwards and outwards growing by the second, banishing the darkness to the edges of the cavern. The unearthly hearth glowed orange, emphasising the confused, twisted imagery of all manner of beings in the final throws of existence.

Watching the effort to rekindle the fire was an old half-gnome, a dwarf, an elf and a half-elf. They stood, illuminated in blood-red by the growing furnace. It was the half-elf who spoke first, “How long will this take Orodruin?”

“Not long my Lord,” answered the half-gnome still staring into the fire, “once the fire is at full power, Grobolg will wield the Hammer and Braulg the rod on which the Ring will be renewed.”

“Renewed you say,” challenged the elf, “in what way, renewed? Both parts exist now and need no…”

“We have discussed this, Gelmir, I will ensure that the elven folk are well compensated for their generosity and I am certain that the Dwarves will use their enhanced powers wisely. Isn’t that right, Hamar?”

“Of course my Lord, you have seen how we defended Hama’Las in the face of the Arch Devil’s fury. We will always work to defeat evil and for the good of all free folk.”

“Well said!” the half-elf beamed, “Come now Gelmir, let us pass on these gifts to Orodruin so that, together, we can make items of truly great power – sufficient to expel all evil from our lands forever.”

“As you wish Lastar; I can think of no better among the second born than you, Hamar, to wield such power and your wise words offer us comfort. We know that you will honour the treaties and bonds that exist between our folk. I just hope that others – of all races – will do the same.”

“They will, Gelmir;” the Mage answered soothingly before the dwarf could respond, “you know that it is my hope to bring together the leaders of all free folk into a council that will ensure that we act for the common good.”

“The White Council you spoke of?” the elf looked into the mage’s eyes and saw the affirmation he sought. “Good, then here, Orodruin, is Ambar, the Gem of the Prime, source of the Sylvan influence over the earth.”

“And here is Felakgundu, Earth Mover, the maker and destroyer.”

“Together the Ring will have power of the earth element on the Prime and, importantly, on the Inner Plane of that name. Hamar, you will wield its power on behalf of the Council – again, on the Prime and the Inner Plane.”

“I understand my Lord,” Hamar nodded, “but one thing still troubles me…”

“Yes, my friend, what might that be?”

“Well there are seven rings of power amongst the second born and four elven gems which contain elemental power. What do you intend to do with the other Dwarven Rings?”

“A good question Hamar,” Gelmir agreed and all looked at the Mage questioningly.

“A good question indeed, my friend, they shall keep them for their powers affect the (shall we say) less predictable domains that come into contact with the Prime.”

“And the elves will be compensated as we agree, Lastar?” asked the elf.

“Yes, yes, Orodruin and I have begun to plan the creation of something fitting.”

“We have indeed, my friend – look gentlefolk, you may wish to observe the joining.”

The giant’s hammer struck a long metal staff that was laid across the Hearth, glowing bright red. The ring was clearly visible on the rod, bright yellow against the red background. Another strike stretched the golden band before the gem was inserted carefully by Orodruin himself, using tongs and incanting strange words quietly. After an hour of turning the new ring in the fire and spells being cast upon it by Lastar, Orodruin instructed that it be lifted from the hearth and laid in the bath of ice that which set forth a jet of steam.

“From fire and ice, as the earth was made, here is the ring of that element,” pronounced Orodruin holding the now cool staff, on which was the over-sized ring. “Take it my dear Hamar, it is quite cool and will need to shrink to the size of your finger.”

“Thank you,” Hamar said softly, staring at the gem-encrusted circlet as he took it and settled it on the ring finger of his right hand. The ring, slowly shrank to approximately half its original size. None could take their eyes off the newly forged artefact.

“Hamar, you must spend time with the Gnomes to understand this new magic. We will make them more powerful when they are brought together, so that all dwarven races will be bound in a similar fashion.

“Thank you,” Hamar said, “you all honour us. I will not let you down.”

“You know what we expect, Hamar, and I have no doubt that the dwarves of Hama’Las will not fail,” Lastar said placing his arm across the dwarf’s shoulders.

As they gathered around the dwarf, Lastar asked, “Orodruin, let me see that staff you used, it presents a strong magical presence.”

“As does the hammer my Lord, some energies seem to have been subsumed within them; in truth we knew that might happen.”

“Hold onto them both, once all the crafting has happened, we need to understand better the energies used in this process, it might be of value.”