Ch 84: Special Preparation

Kalem sat on the edge of a workbench in the Ironworks forge, the remains of the enchanted axe that Tavian had once entrusted to him laid out before him. The blade, once a masterpiece of craftsmanship and magic, was now a fractured relic, its intricate runes dim and lifeless.

He ran a hand over the shattered weapon, feeling a pang of guilt. Tavian's axe had been a gift, a symbol of trust, and Kalem had pushed it beyond its limits in his relentless experimentation with rune-crafting. Yet, he couldn't ignore the thrill of discovery that had come with those experiments. The axe's destruction was a loss, but it had also been a gateway to new understanding.

Kalem's dive into rune-crafting had been a laborious and often frustrating process. With no formal training, he had relied on reverse-engineering the intricate engravings on Tavian's axe and the halberd he had studied earlier. Every step was a gamble, but over the past weeks, he had begun to grasp the basics of how runes interacted with weaponry.

His forge was cluttered with prototypes—half-finished blades, warped chunks of metal, and scraps of parchment covered in hastily drawn symbols. But among the chaos were two completed creations, each a testament to his growing skill and determination.

The first was a straight sword, its blade gleaming with a faint, pulsing light. Unlike standard weapons, this one carried a unique enchantment: when wielded correctly, it could channel energy into a devastating straight-line attack. Kalem had etched runes along the blade's fuller, carefully calibrating their placement to direct the flow of magical energy.

During a test in the training yard, he had activated the blade's enchantment for the first time. A burst of energy erupted from the sword's tip, carving a searing line across the stone wall at the far end of the yard. The other smiths and warriors had stopped their work to watch, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.

Tharic had been the first to break the silence. "You're telling me you made that?"

Kalem had shrugged, trying to hide his pride. "It's just the runes. They do most of the work."

The second creation was a large axe, its design blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. The axe featured a long, lightweight shaft reinforced with runes for increased durability, while the blade was honed to an edge sharp enough to cut through stone.

The runes on the axe's head were simpler than those on the sword, focusing on enhancing its physical properties rather than channeling energy. The result was a weapon that felt light in the hands but struck with devastating force.

Kalem had tested the axe on a massive chunk of volcanic rock left over from the eruption. With a single swing, the blade cleaved through the stone, splitting it cleanly in two. The onlookers had erupted into cheers, and even Vornar had nodded in approval.

As Kalem studied his creations, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The process had been grueling, filled with trial and error, but the results spoke for themselves. These weapons were more than tools—they were extensions of his growth, a testament to the knowledge he had gained since arriving in the valley.

Still, he knew that his journey into rune-crafting was far from over. There were layers of complexity he had yet to uncover, and the Season of Fire was proving to be an unpredictable teacher.

Kalem carefully sheathed the straight sword and secured the axe to his back. He glanced at the remains of Tavian's axe one last time before tucking them into a leather pouch. The weapon might have been broken, but its legacy lived on in his work.

As he stepped out of the forge, the Ironworks was alive with activity. Smiths hammered away at new creations, warriors tested their mettle in sparring matches, and scouts prepared for their next expeditions. The air was thick with tension, but also with purpose.

Vornar spotted Kalem and strode over, his expression unreadable. "You've been busy," he said, nodding toward the weapons on Kalem's back.

"Had to make up for breaking Tavian's axe," Kalem replied, his tone half-joking.

Vornar's eyes lingered on the sword for a moment before he grunted. "Let's hope they work as well in the field as they do in the yard. We'll need every edge we can get."

Kalem nodded. "They will."

With that, he joined the others in their preparations, his heart steady with determination. The valley's challenges were far from over, but for the first time, Kalem felt truly equipped to face them.