Chapter 8: Rowan

The faint Chapter 8: Rowanlight of dawn filtered through the cracks in the curtains, nudging Arthur awake. For the past two weeks, he had thrown himself into a grueling routine of forging, briefly studying his rune book whenever he had a free moment. Each day blended into the next, marked only by the rhythmic sound of hammer strikes and the scratch of his etching tools. Fatigue had started to wear on him, but he had pushed through. The work had become his primary focus, an almost obsessive need to prepare because soon it would be tested.

He groaned and rubbed his eyes, reluctantly peeling himself from the bed. His body ached in places he hadn't even known existed, the result of his relentless schedule. The room felt colder than it should, even though the sunlight was beginning to spill through the window. It wasn't winter yet, but the air in the village had an early bite to it, a reminder that the seasons were shifting. He hated that it would be cold again right after leaving the freezing north.

Arthur stretched, feeling his joints creak, then paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He slipped on his boots, the worn leather creaking in protest, and pulled on his coat, the weight of exhaustion still hanging heavy on his shoulders. The thought of food—of a good meal—was the only thing that managed to shake him out of his stupor.

He made his way down the narrow stairs into the common room. The inn was unusually quiet this morning. The usual sounds of breakfast preparations and chatter were missing, replaced by an unsettling stillness. The innkeeper, a wiry man in his forties, stood near the hearth, stirring the large pot of porridge over the fire. His face looked drawn, more tired than usual.

"Morning," Arthur greeted, his voice rough with sleep. He rubbed the back of his neck and reached for the kettle, letting the steam warm his hands as he poured himself a drink.

"Morning, Arthur," the innkeeper replied without looking up, his voice carrying a weariness that matched his appearance. "Mayor left a message for you. Wants to see you at the town hall, right away."

Arthur froze mid-sip, his frown pulling at the corners of his lips. "The mayor? Did he say why?"

"Something about the mystery monster. Sounds serious."

Arthur's frown deepened. The monster rumors had everyone on edge even before he arrived in town. Strange noises at night, livestock disappearing. It had been the talk of the town for the past few weeks, but no one had been sure what was behind it. The mayor's sudden summons, though, couldn't mean anything good. Something had escalated.

"Thanks," Arthur muttered, grabbing a piece of bread as he left. The cold air hit him immediately, but he barely noticed. His mind was already spinning, trying to make sense of what was happening.

The town was quiet this early, save for a few merchants setting up their stalls in the market square. Most of the villagers were likely still holed up inside.

Arthur's boots clicked against the cobbled streets as he made his way toward the town hall, the heavy weight of his various weapons clinking softly with each step. His belt was lined with throwing knives, their sleek blades etched with faint symbols of light and sharpness. A long sword hung at his side, blade covered in runes, and the heavy greatsword rested across his back, its size and weight a stark contrast to the smaller weapons he carried. The intricate runes on his gear, particularly the sharpness runes and those of impact and wind, made him look like what he was—a seasoned mercenary. A man who had seen battle, who had honed his craft.

Arthur figured he had been called here not because he was just any blacksmith's apprentice, but because of what he carried and what he could do.

The town hall loomed ahead, a simple but sturdy structure at the heart of the square. Inside, the air smelled of parchment and ink, with a heavier scent that Arthur couldn't quite place. The mayor stood near a long table, his attention focused on a large map spread out before him. His face was tight with worry, his lips pressed into a thin line. When Arthur entered, the mayor didn't immediately look up, but his shoulders relaxed as he acknowledged the young man's presence.

"Arthur," The Mayor greeted, his voice strained but firm. He motioned for Arthur to come closer. "I'm Mayor Cullen, good timing. We've got a problem, and I think you're the man for the job."

Arthur clasped the mayor's hand firmly, his grip steady and sure. "What kind of problem?"

Before Callen could respond, the door opened, and another man probably around Arthur's age stepped inside. Broad-shouldered, with a quiet confidence in his step, the newcomer had a bow slung over his back and a quiver of arrows at his hip. His dark brown hair was tied back, and his sharp green eyes flicked over Arthur briefly before shifting back to Callen.

"Rowan," Callen greeted with a nod. "Glad you could make it."

Rowan offered a small nod in return, his gaze landing on Arthur once more, then glancing back at the mayor. "Of course. What's this about, Mayor?"

Callen gestured to the map spread out before him. He was silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "This morning, a farmer's blood was found near the edge of the woods, along with some scattered remains of his livestock. There were no signs of struggle, just blood, and some torn-up earth. The man himself is missing."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Any signs of struggle? Tracks? Footprints?"

"Nothing," Callen replied, his voice thick with frustration. "Not a single track. As if the man and the livestock were just... lifted. The field's been torn up, but no sign of what did it."

Rowan frowned, his arms crossing over his chest. "So the creature's smart enough to cover its tracks. That's not something you see every day."

Callen nodded grimly. "Same thing that's been stealing livestock for the past few weeks. It's becoming bolder, and now it's taken a person. I don't know what's going on, but we need to stop it before it gets worse."

Arthur glanced from the mayor to Rowan, then back to the map. The woods had always been a source of mystery and fear in the village, but this? It was something else entirely. None of the normal animals nearby would be able to move without leaving traces. Whatever was taking the livestock, and now a person, was most likely a monster.

"I'll need some time to get ready," Arthur said, leaning back in his chair. "There are a few things I need to check before I head out."

Rowan, who had been quietly listening, gave a quick nod. "Same here. My gear needs a little work too."

Callen glanced between them both, his eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion. "Take whatever time you need, but the longer you wait the more likely someone else gets hurt. I'm paying you both well for this, and I trust you'll get the job done."

Arthur stood, his chair scraping against the wooden floor. "We'll handle it, Mayor. You can count on that."

Outside the town hall, the two men stood in silence for a moment, the cold air biting at their faces. Rowan turned toward Arthur, his eyes studying the young man's appearance carefully.

"Guess that makes us partners," Rowan said, his tone measured but carrying a trace of curiosity.

Arthur gave a small nod, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Looks like it. You ready for this?"

Rowan's lips twitched upward. "You look like you've been preparing for weeks. I assume you're more than just a traveler?"

Arthur shrugged, his voice casual but his gaze firm. "Better to be overprepared than under. I'll be ready by tomorrow morning."

Rowan raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. They walked in silence for a moment, their boots echoing against the cobblestones as they made their way down the street.

"I'll need to stop by my shop," Arthur said, breaking the silence. "Got some work to finish."

Rowan's curiosity piqued, and he raised an eyebrow. "Finishing touches on your gear?"

Arthur grinned, the expression almost predatory. "Something like that."

Without waiting for Rowan's response, Arthur turned onto a side street that led to the smithy. His footsteps quickened as he neared the building, the forge's smokestack rising high above the town. The warm glow of the fire flickered faintly through the cracks in the door.

Rowan followed at a distance, his boots crunching softly in the frost as he stayed a few paces behind. He didn't speak, but his gaze never left Arthur, studying all the runes on his weapons. 

Inside the smithy, Arthur moved with purpose, his hands steady as he carefully worked on his gauntlet. The forge's heat washed over him, a familiar and comforting presence as he focused on carving the runes. Rowan stood nearby, watching with a quiet interest, his eyes flicking over the tools, the workbench, and the intricate designs that Arthur was creating.

Arthur's etching knife hovered over the gauntlet, the etched lines on the metal shimmering faintly in the forge light. He dipped the knife into a small vial, the dark blood of the Behemoth dripping onto the blade before he set it back to the task of carving. It was slow work, but the blood made the runes more effective.

 The gauntlet's sharp and menacing claws were already etched with the Virelith runes, but Arthur added more detail. He focused on the Aegis rune embedded in the sleeve, ensuring the protection it offered was flawless. This was where his magic met craftsmanship, where every rune needed to serve its purpose.

Rowan stepped closer, unable to contain his curiosity any longer. "So, you're putting all those runes into your gear?" He asked, his gaze flicking from the gauntlet to the other weapons and tools that littered the room.

Arthur didn't look up from his work, but the corners of his mouth twitched in a faint smile. "It's not just for show," he said quietly. "These runes are meant to make me more effective—more protected, more dangerous. You can't afford to be unprepared, not out there."

Rowan nodded slowly, clearly impressed. "I've never seen anything like it. I knew magic was used in weapons, but nothing like this."

Arthur finally lifted his eyes, meeting Rowan's gaze. "Most people don't. Mages keep their magic to themselves, and runes? Apparently, they're even rarer. I learned this on my own." He paused, his focus shifting back to the gauntlet. "You won't find many people willing to teach it."

Rowan's green eyes brightened slightly. "I hope the Ithica Academy teaches something like this."

Arthur's expression lit up, a small glint of understanding in his eyes. "I plan to go there myself. But I have no idea if they teach about runes there."

"Is that how you make them work?" Rowan asked, his voice filled with intrigue. "Dipping the knife in blood?"

Arthur didn't look up, focused on the rune he was finishing. "The blood makes the runes stronger, more potent. It's a trick I picked up... necessary for weapons this serious."

Rowan's eyes narrowed, curiosity still piqued. "What exactly are these runes supposed to do?"

Arthur paused for a moment, wiping the blood off the knife before setting it down. He gave Rowan a quick glance, noting the genuine interest in his eyes. "The Aegis rune here will reinforce the gauntlet. The shield attached to it has one of those too. It also has a rune called Terrak, which sends out a pulse, good for knocking foes off balance or parrying. And these claws," he motioned to the sharp extensions, "have Virelith runes. They're sharper than steel. But I've added Igni runes that shoot fire to the middle three fingers for extra heat—combine that with the Zephyros runes that shoot wind on the thumb and pinky, and I can shoot flames pretty far."

Rowan looked impressed, though Arthur could tell he didn't fully understand all of it. "Rowan raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to wrap his mind around what Arthur had just said. "Wait, so this thing shoots flames? Aegis, Terrak... Zephyros?" He tried to repeat the names as if tasting them, clearly unfamiliar with their meanings. "Sounds like spells."

Arthur smirked, but the expression was brief and serious. "They do, and they have similar effects, but it's not the same kind you're used to hearing about. These runes aren't casting spells, even someone who's not a mage like us can use them. They activate off willpower after absorbing mana from the air."

Rowan shifted his weight, clearly still taking in the sight of the equipment scattered around the room. "This gear... it's definitely not normal animal material, is it? Looks like something made from a monster." His eyes narrowed, a mix of curiosity and intrigue in his voice. "Which monster?"

Arthur's hands paused, his gaze flicking toward Rowan. There was no point in hiding the truth. He gave a small, knowing smile, though his tone remained serious. "That's from an Ironclaw Behemoth. It's got claws, bones, and skin tough enough to stop a blade. Makes for good armor, and these claws", he gestured to the gauntlet, "they'll rip through pretty much anything."

Rowan's eyes widened slightly at the name. "An Ironclaw Behemoth? I've heard of them. They're... massive, right?"

Arthur's expression hardened a little as he returned to his carving. "They are, but they are also very slow." He looked up briefly, his eyes meeting Rowan's. "You wouldn't want to face one unprepared."

Rowan seemed taken aback, clearly impressed. "I don't think I'd want to face one, prepared or not," he said with a dry chuckle. "But I get the point. You've got some serious skills if you're working with stuff like this."

Arthur's lips twitched upward, the briefest hint of a smile before he turned his attention back to the gauntlet. "Maybe. But for now, I've got a few more runes to finish. You're welcome to wait, or you can get ready for the contract. I'll carve a couple for you before we leave."

Rowan didn't hesitate. "I'll wait." He took a step back, giving Arthur space as he went back to his work, running his fingers along the gauntlet's surface, admiring the craftsmanship.

A while later Arthur finished up the last rune with the same careful precision, then wiped his hands clean. "You're sure you want this? I can carve a couple of simple runes on your gear, but that's all I'll be able to do in the time we have."

Rowan nodded eagerly. "Absolutely. I could use anything that'll give me an edge out there."

Arthur grinned slightly. "Alright then. Let's get started."