The Dwarven Smith

"Well?"

The gruff voice belonged to Kaido, Captain of Security—a stout, mid-sized dwarf with a wooden helmet crowned by two bone horns, leather armor covering his torso and shoulders, and gray trousers tucked into worn boots. He stood just outside our cell, holding a stack of papers in one hand.

"Well, since you look like a noble and the other is a goblin," he said, eyeing Gobta beside me, "they probably figured you were easy prey."

"I was merciful," I replied calmly. "If that caused you any trouble, I offer my apologies."

Kaido gave a grunt, nodding as he reviewed the documents. "Matches the witness reports word for word."

With a sigh of relief, he added, "Just this once, I'll let you off the hook—"

"Captain!" A voice interrupted, breathless and panicked. Another dwarf, clad in the same security garb, came sprinting down the corridor.

Kaido turned. "What is it?"

"There's an Armosaurus in the mine!"

Kaido's expression shifted to horror. "Where's the suppression force!?"

"They're already en route—but Garm and his brothers were deep inside, gathering magic ore. They're badly injured!"

Kaido's face darkened. "Do we have potions!?"

"Not enough," the security dwarf answered grimly. "Most of the stock's been redirected for war preparations."

Kaido clenched his fists. "Those boys… they're like family to me."

He turned, staring at the floor, torn between duty and desperation.

"W-We can't waste time!" he barked. "Start searching! Anything we can use—go!"

"Captain," I spoke gently, poking at the iron bars to get his attention.

He glanced back. "What?"

I gestured to the barrel near me. "Look inside."

Kaido frowned. "What is it?"

"A barrel of high-grade healing potion," I said. "The best I've ever brewed."

With barely a moment of hesitation, Kaido fumbled for his keys and unlocked the cell.

"Captain! You're going to trust a stranger?" the other guard asked, eyes wide.

"We don't have the time to doubt!" Kaido snapped.

He quickly sealed the barrel's lid and slung it over his shoulder with a grunt. "Let's go!"

"Yes, sir!" the guard responded, already running.

Kaido paused at the threshold. "You two, stay put. I'll deal with your case when I return."

And then they were gone—leaving the door ajar. Yet I remained seated, calm and patient, Gobta snoring softly beside me.

"He cares deeply for his comrades," I murmured, a gentle smile touching my lips. "A good man."

---

Night fell, the silver glow of the moon slipping through the iron-barred window of our cell. I sat quietly in the center, my legs crossed in meditation, awaiting Kaido's return.

Hours later, footsteps echoed from the corridor.

Kaido entered, accompanied by three dwarves—the very ones he had rushed to save. One was bald, another wore a robe, and the third had donned a black tank top. Their expressions were filled with gratitude.

"You saved them," Kaido said. "Thank you."

"You gave us that potion? Thank you!" said the black-tank-top dwarf, his voice thick with emotion.

"My arm was nearly severed," added the robed one, rubbing his now-healed forearm. "If not for that potion, I'd have lost everything."

The bald dwarf simply nodded, eyes glassy with emotion.

After a moment of shared silence, they exited the dungeon.

Kaido unlocked our cell again. "You're free."

I stood with a faint smile. "Is that so?"

"Naturally," Kaido confirmed. "That potion—I've never seen anything like it."

He led me from the dungeon to his modest home, where a humble table had already been set with freshly baked bread and a steaming bowl of soup.

"This isn't nearly enough to repay you," Kaido said, "but if you ever need anything, just say the word."

"In that case…" I began, pausing as we ate.

By the end of the meal, I had shared my request.

"I see," Kaido nodded, rising from the table. "I know someone who fits the bill. I'll introduce you to one of the best blacksmiths in the kingdom."

---

Morning light bathed the underground city of the dwarves, built into the heart of the mountain. Stone buildings with reinforced walls lined the roads, lit by steam lamps and powered by a hybrid of magic and machinery. The scent of coal and metal filled the air.

"This way," Kaido called, weaving through the bustling crowd.

I followed, marveling at the blend of craftsmanship and engineering.

"Don't fall behind now," he added.

Eventually, we stopped at an open blacksmith shop, filled with meticulously crafted weapons and armor.

"The smith we're looking for works here," Kaido said, gesturing proudly. "Top-notch, I guarantee."

He led me to a smaller building behind the main forge.

"Hey bro? You in?" Kaido called, knocking on the door.

Inside, a broad-shouldered dwarf hammered away at a glowing blade beside a roaring furnace.

"Give me a sec," he said in a gravelly voice, not breaking rhythm.

"That's my brother," Kaido introduced. "Kaijin—the weaponsmith."

"His focus is remarkable," I murmured.

Just then, the three rescued dwarves entered through the back door.

"A noble?" Kaijin glanced up, puzzled. "You know him?"

"This is the man who saved us," said Garm, the one in the black tank top.

"Yeah, the one who gave us that miracle potion," added Dord, the robed elder.

Kaijin's eyes widened. He set down his hammer and approached me, bowing low.

"You have my thanks," he said with sincerity.

"Please, raise your head," I replied gently. "I only did what was necessary."

"So, what brings you here?" he asked.

I explained my request.

"I understand," he said after a moment. "But… I'm afraid I'm buried in work."

Kaijin sighed. "A certain numbskull minister gave me an impossible order."

"Impossible?" I asked.

"We're preparing for war," Kaijin replied. "Minister Vesta ordered twenty long swords—by the end of the week."

"I'm short on materials. So far, I've only managed to make one."

"Couldn't you refuse?" Kaido asked.

"I did! But the bastard said—'What? The great Kaijin, hailed as the kingdom's finest, can't handle a simple order?'" Kaijin growled. "How could I let that slide!?"

"You mentioned materials," I cut in. "Specifically… magic ore?"

Kaijin nodded. "Yes. We tried mining yesterday, but that damned Armosaurus ruined everything. And the mine's all but emptied."

"Even if I had the ore, it takes two weeks to make that many swords. Yet they expect delivery in five days," Kaijin grumbled, resuming his hammering.

"I may have a solution," I said quietly.

Raising my hand, I chanted, "Iris."

Light shimmered around my palm, forming into a solid cluster of brilliant crystal—refined and radiant.

Kaijin froze mid-swing.

"That… that's magic ore!" he gasped. "And it's pure—unbelievably pure!"

"Take off your goggles," I suggested with a faint smile.

He did—and his eyes went wide.

"This isn't just ore… it's magic steel! Already processed!"

He turned to me, trembling. "With this, I can forge blades twice as strong. Are you certain I may use it? I'll pay you handsomely—anything!"

I met his gaze.

"I don't want gold," I said. "I want skilled artisans. People willing to teach their craft to my villagers."

Kaijin blinked—.

"That's all you want?"