Padraic Whitehelm’s POV
Ah, the sll of these beans truly is divine. Leave it to the Wood Elves to find these things, then put them in boiling water. Heh…I wonder how that first interaction went down. How did they even figure this out?
“Excuse , sir? Would you like so assistance?” a friendly maid asked .
“No thanks,” I refused politely.
She reached out a hand to help . “Are you—”
I slowly let out an exasperated deep breath as I turned to face the maid. “I think I can handle this much, Ma’am.”
She took a step back from and looked a bit hurt. It was a bit rude at the end, but it was too damn early to bother people, and I had already told her I was okay. What kind of person lives a life where they need their hands held to boil so beans? Just how self-absorbed do you have to be…
Whatever happened to enjoying the fruits of your labor?
The maid left to brood while I sat in content silence. The sweet aroma of these beans wafted into my nose and tickled my nostrils. I personally didn’t mind the bitter taste, but if these beans tasted as good as they slled, the entire world would be drinking this stuff.
While the final drops were reaching my mouth, I slid off my seat and grabbed the bag beside . I gave the damn thing one big swing, and the heavy sack smacked the counter with a loud tallic thud. tal clanked around in the bag, and I sighed.
Damn counters are not being made for Dwarves. Would it at least kill’em to put a step stool or sothing? Or shorter seats?
I didn’t even bother looking into the bag as I started stacking the black tal ingots on top of each other. They had a weird shine to them, and they ignited so kind of primal fire in the pit of my stomach. Just looking at these glorious pieces of material made sweat in anticipation. And I was the one who made these things.
Well…I didn’t make them…Dad did, but I helped…so that pretty much ans I did it…yeah…
After getting approval from Mr. Shadowheart, my father was able to teach the recipe to slt these beautiful ingots. It was an ancient formula passed down by the heads of the Shadow Clan, and at first, I was curious as to why Kaladin’s father knew it…but now I know why. They must have told him the sa night he beca the next chief.
At first glance, one would just assu that these are Mythril bars, but that would be incorrect. The magic is in the mixture, and the bars rely take on the sa black appearance as Mythril. I couldn't be sure if it was done on purpose or as a byproduct.
I would, of course, like nothing more than to test my theories in a forge but ignoring the material cost, I had made a promise. Well, I had more or less been coerced into making a vow. And looking back at it…Kaladin’s father was more than capable of keeping up his…promise. So all I had to do was never make these ingots for anyone other than Kaladin and his future family.
Seems like a fair deal to . But that ans he is going to need a lot of children, or I won’t be able to experint enough…that might not be a good thing. The more Kaladins in this world, the scarier it’s going to get. At least Mila is adorable…I suppose.
What kind of weapon does she want? Maybe a lance? No…a sword…maybe a—
“You’re up early,” a deep voice called out to .
I sucked in so of my drool before I turned my attention to the tall man standing in the doorway. I couldn’t help but let out a snicker, my thoughts of weapons for the future gone in an instant.
“Yeah.” I rubbed my face and felt myself grinning. “You got uh…a little sothing on your face there,” I said while pointing at the spot on my face.
Kaladin rubbed his face and removed a few long strains of snow-white hair. His eyes narrowed at , and I started laughing. “Oh…ahahah…you missed so in your hair.”
He shook his head and ran his fingers through his shoulder-length raven-black hair. His fingers combed out multiple strains of white and orange hair. Kaladin just sighed.
“Long night, huh?”
Kaladin grumbled to himself and took a seat across from . “You could say that.”
Ah…so it was a long night. The man still looks dead tired. He must have slept like crap. He’s changed…he’s changed so damn much. But at the sa ti…he really hasn’t. Why do I feel that way?
He raised his dark eyebrows at , and I felt myself staring at his new Dragon eye. Yeah…he’s changed a whole lot, at least on the outside. What happened to the child that had a permanent scowl on his face? I sort of miss it.
“So, when did you start waking up early? I thought you’d die before rising before the sun,” Kaladin snickered.
Tch. He’s even got jokes now, even if they suck.
“Well, you know how it is. Tits for brains was too focused on her training to nab a morning quest or food, so sobody had to do it. I’m surprised she isn’t awake right now. It might be the first ti she hasn’t woken up early in six years.”
Kaladin’s face morphed into one of pain. A deep sadness seed to sink into him for a mont, but he shook it off. “Tits for brains? That seems a bit much, no?”
Ah, so he still cares about her, huh?
I scoffed at him. “Yeah, any knowledge you think you imparted on her got sucked up by those at sacks dangling from her chest.”
“You don’t actually an that do you?” Kaladin asked softly.
No…I don’t…
“Only partially,” I grumbled.
Kaladin smiled to himself and wrinkled his nose. “You want so?” I asked while hopping back down and fetching another cup.
“Yeah, if you don’t mind sharing. And uh…what’s with these black bars?”
I stopped myself short because I had honestly been expecting him to say no. I was gonna pour him a cup and have him try it regardless so this was unexpected. “Wait? When did you start drinking sothing other than water? Who are you, and what did you do with my friend?!”
Kaladin waved away, but I didn’t miss that smile on the corner of his mouth. “It’s nothing. I just drank it a few tis because I prefer it over tea, and…well…it reminded of ho.”
Oh…that’s not very funny. I guess Jinx Beans are from Syn’nari.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
I slid the cup to him as he grabbed one of the bars. “This right here is your birthday gift. Happy late tenth birthday, Kal,” I said, changing the subject quickly.
Kaladin took a long sip while examining the bar in his other hand. His golden eye seed as if it was trying to discern the authenticity of the product, but the man put it down and shrugged.
“Mythril, huh? I’ve never seen this stuff in its material form before. It’s far lighter than I was expecting. Was this supposed to be what my father wanted for my tenth birthday? Oh, and thank you for taking care of it all this ti. I appreciate it,” he said while looking over at . “Hey…why are you smiling like that?”
“Because it’s not just Mythril. It’s your family’s special little blend. I’ll have you know that making all those ingots busted the family forge even though it was worth it. You should have seen the look on my dad’s face when those bad boys ca out of the cast,” I said with a chuckle.
Kaladin smiled softly. “I can imagine it. It probably looked a lot like yours.”
“Damn smooth talker…”
Kaladin laughed after finishing another sip. “What’s the matter? Why are you turning red there, Padraic?”
“Shut it! You are the one that walked down here all gloom and doom this morning!”
Kaladin’s smile widened. “Yeah, I guess I was. It’s just talking to you like this really brings back mories. I forgot how much I missed this.”
Gah…he’s gonna make cry.
“Do you miss your family? Are you…going to go back to them?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Nah, probably not. I figured wherever I went I could always return ho in a few decades. My folks aren’t that old, after all. Besides, my father would disown if I ca ho without learning sothing. My moms may just kill if I don’t find a wife either…they were really starting to nag …gah…can’t they understand that a man has a dream? Why can’t that co first?”
Kaladin just sat there with a fond smile. It made embarrassed for him to look at like that. Like, I was his damn son growing up and leaving the nest or sothing.
“Anyways…” I groaned, doing my best to suck in the approaching tears. “We clearly decided not to make you the weapon…considering you know…everything that happened. But I do have all the parts now that your father is here.”
“I see…I understand.” A faint smile spread across his lips when he looked at .
“What…what is with that creepy smile there, huh? What are you planning?” I asked cautiously.
Kaladin again picked up the pitch-black tal bar to eye suspiciously, as if the previous look he gave wasn’t enough. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I have a few surprises for you later. Just have to make so moves first. Also, I don’t see any difference between this and Mythril. Just how different is it? And can you start forging now?”
Surprises? From Kal? Ah…man…should I be excited or afraid?
I should probably be afraid.
I suppressed the rising glee in my heart and nodded. “If you want to know how it’s made, that’s a question for your father. I swore to him that I would only make the stuff for you and your family and that I wasn’t allowed to share the exact details with anyone, including you. If I had to guess…he wants to tell you himself,” I told him.
Kal eyed to continue talking. “But…what’s different about it and if I can forge it now?” I said, waving my hands. “Well…that depends on our eting today. And the difference? A whole lot. Honestly, I felt more like a mad doctor making this stuff than a smith. I have no idea how the Shadow Clan went and found out about this stuff. It was down to an exact formula that I’d never seen. It’s almost like they stumbled upon so ancient book or sothing… especially since it’s not like The Shadow Clan have forges to make the stuff, being a nomadic tribe and all.”
“It’s that unbelievable? Well, if it’s coming from you, then it must be. I wonder…does that an the Shadow Clan has been contracting Dwarves to make this alloy for all these years? Would Dwarves really keep a secret—”
“Absolutely,” I interrupted. “Any Dwarf that calls himself a smith would honor the request of your clan not to tell a soul. The honor of making this tal is enough to fill the pride of any Dwarf's heart. And if they were as persuasive as your father…nobody would be foolish enough to scorn your clan. Besides, the bragging rights that must co from working with the famous Shadow Dancers probably last for generations.”
Kaladin grunted. He didn’t seem convinced about our honor. He set the ingot back down. “Care to tell at least one special thing about these?”
“They have dungeon core shards inside them.”
Kaladin stopped himself from taking a sip and slowly lowered his cup. “What?” His purple Dragon eye glowed faintly, then focused as a lizard would. His face morphed into surprise. “What the…what is this?”
“So what happens when your eye gets all glowy like that?” I asked.
His serious eyes bore into . The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I felt as if I was about to be attacked, but then, it vanished. “I believe I can see people’s souls and mana, well I think those two things are connected. Including yours.”
He can see…souls? And what was with that intense gaze? Is that the feeling of sobody looking into your very soul?
“Oh…yeah…that’s totally normal. So uh…what does it look like?” I asked.
“Odd, your soul, that is. For so reason, yours seems to be focused more in your arms and hands…I’ve never seen a soul like this before. And I don’t understand why I see so kind of odd symbol there on your right hand,” Kal said as he squinted. His glowing Dragon eye narrowing like a lizard.
He held the bars to the fresh morning light that was beginning to steam in from the window. “These bars do have a surprising amount of mana in them… more than I would expect from hearing that you put dungeon shards inside. Were they of high quality? Or shards from dungeons with lots of floors?” he asked .
I frantically looked at my hands only to ntally smack myself for thinking I could actually see my damn soul. “Yes, they were, but wait a damn second. What do you an my soul is odd, huh? A symbol? Have you been taking drugs, Kal?”
He shrugged while taking a sip. “I suppose I have, just not recently.”
What? How can he just say that with a straight face? This guy…I think he may be joking, but he’s too damn serious for his own good…I’m gonna ask him about that later.
“Explain. What do you see exactly?”
The glowing around his purple eye ceased, and he sighed. “I have no idea. Most people’s souls appear to manifest in their chests and spread out to their limbs. Indeed, the ‘center’ of your soul is still your chest…but it’s almost like there is a second ‘center’ in your hand. And it’s brighter than even your ‘center’ at your chest. I’ve never seen that symbol, so don’t ask what it ans. I’ve looked at the souls of a few Dwarves, even a half-Dwarf, and none of them have what you have,” Kal explained.
“So…I’m special?” I said, trying to stop myself from grinning too much.
What does this an? Maybe…maybe I am special?
Kal snorted and stood up from his seat. “You could say that.” He let out a great big yawn and looked out the window. “Sun’s up. I suppose I gave them enough ti to get ready, so I should head out.”
“Where ya going?"
“To work out with so friends,” he responded casually.
Friends, huh? I’d like to see that.
“I’ll join you. I missed my morning workout the last few days.”
Kaladin looked surprised at that. “Oh? You work out in the mornings? You truly have beco a morning person.” He walked over to , grabbed my arm, and then poked in the side. His eyes narrowed into sharp daggers. “You haven’t been running much, have you?”
Ah, crap.
—
“S—sl—slow down…damn it…your legs…gah…you should have stayed short, you bastard,” I groaned.
Kaladin was jogging in place, not even a bead of sweat on his body. “What? It’s your fault you neglected your stamina, not mine.”
“D—Dwarves just aren’t ant to run…we go fast…for very short distances…that’s it. Enough to run down a damn tunnel…away from monsters… LIKE YOU! Gah—I an! Look at you! One step for you is like four for you Troll!” I argued between pained breaths.
Kaladin didn’t seem impressed. “Okay. And? How does that stop you from running more?” I tried to catch my breath, only for Kaladin to sigh at like a disappointed parent. “Just keep going. We are almost at the training grounds. From now on, you need to run at least every other day or third day. It’s good for you.”
Bah…good for !? I’ll show you what’s good for !
“Sorry that I’m not like you and Cerila! I’m sure you would be very pleased if you saw just how much she trained...”
He averted his eyes. “She trains that much, huh?”
A bit of ntal payback…but this is also good for him. I’m not sure how he feels about that Vamp, but there is sothing there. I don’t know whether he knows it or not…or whose side I’m even on…but I can at least try.
“She does. She’s practically dedicated her life to you,” I said bluntly.
He stopped jogging in place, and I swore he looked afraid for a mont. “She what?”
I stood up and took in a single deep breath of fresh air. My lungs burned and my feet ached. My damn shoes were too small…
“You heard . She has dedicated her life to you, Kal. Every day she woke up and trained to the bone. She did it for you,” I growled, sounding a bit more aggressive than I intended.
“I…I don't—”
“Understand?” I interrupted. “I know you don’t. And I’m gonna guess she neglected to tell you just what happened after you disappeared. Do you want to know?” I asked him cautiously.
He hesitated for a long while until he furrowed his brows and nodded. “When your parents found her after the attack, she locked herself in your room for days. She didn’t eat or drink anything for three whole days. We tried to get her to co out, even if it was just to drink so water, but she wouldn’t even make a sound. Finally, your father had to kick the door down and force her to drink water. It was terrible. If I could go back, I wish I never saw her like that. She looked worse than when we found her at the bottom of that closet.”
The purple leaves of the trees surrounding us swayed as a cold breeze ran past us. A deep shadow seed to consu Kaladin as he gazed into the ground. “I must have caused you all far more grief than I imagined.”
“You did, but it’s not your fault, Kal,” I told him softly.
This conversation isn’t to make him feel bad. It’s to get him to think. And to realize just how much she cares.
“After all that went down, I saw that Grandpa Jacobs had gone to visit her. The following day, the two of them were training in the yard. Every morning and every night, she trained her body and her magic. She stopped going to school entirely, and whenever I ca over to visit, she looked like she had been abused again.”
“What? Why? What was going on with her? Couldn’t Grandpa just heal her?” he asked .
I shook my head as I rembered the vivid scenes of Cerila, barely able to lift a spoon to her mouth because she had trained her arms so much. Or the ti she got hit so hard in the jaw she couldn’t eat for two days. Then there were…ah…so many incidents.
“She refused to let your grandpa heal her. It was part of her training regin, or so she told . But that’s not the real reason. She was doing it to numb the pain of losing you. At least, that’s what I think. Not even your parents could convince her to slow down. Anyti they reprimanded her, she just trained twice as hard,” I told him.
“I think…I think she blad herself for letting you get captured. She was the older kid…she wanted to protect you, but she thinks she failed,” I said with a sigh. “Of course, this is all just assuming. She never once told any of these things…I sort of just…pieced it all together.”
Of course, she loves him as well…that’s plain as day. If that’s not love, then I don’t know what it is.
Kaladin stared blankly ahead, his eyes closed and his fists balled. Heh…looked just like the old him. “She did that for years until her fifteenth birthday. We had a huge celebration for her the previous night, but when I woke up in my own ho the following morning, she was sitting in my room, in the dark, in complete silence. She told she was leaving to find you, and I had a choice, go with her or stay in the village,” I recounted.
“And you went with her…”
“Obviously.” I sighed at Kaladin and looked up into the clear morning sky. “It wasn’t so bad, being an adventurer and all. We had so, uh…close encounters, but we made it out alright. I can’t say it was the worst experience of my life. It taught a whole bunch of stuff. Besides, we were real close to finding you.”
“You were? Where did Avasta pick you up?” he asked .
“A few days outside Sandervile. We heard rumors of a mixed Dark Elf slave boy with long black hair who wandered through Ostela a few years ago. Most people had already forgotten you, considering it had been five years, but there was one gate guard in the upper city of Ostela that recognized your description. From there, we tracked you down until we heard about an escaped Dark Elf assassin in Sandervile. We figured that it was you and went straight there, but there were no signs of you. We took a gamble and figured you fled to The Barrens. We were wrong. We spent nearly a year there until word of a masked adventurer killing a Wyrm in a dungeon reached us. Sothing in my gut told that was you…”
Kal didn’t comnt on anything this ti, and I shook my head. I gave him a hearty slap on the back and started jogging again. “I didn’t tell you all that so you would feel bad about what happened. Wipe that doom and gloom off your face and co to a decision already. How can you be so decisive in battle to the death, but the second it cos to being social, you lock up? Do I have to tell Cerila to try and kill you for you to understand just how much you an to her?”
“How do you know if you love soone, Padraic?”
I stopped dead in my tracks. I had never heard him speak like that before. Was he worried? Anxious? Sad? Angry? Confused? What was he feeling?
And how do I even begin to answer that…when I don’t even know the answer myself.
“Not sure. I never loved anyone before. I an I love my parents and of course you guys, but we are family as well… it’s just different,” I said with a shrug. “Have you asked anyone else?”
“Yeah…I got a whole bunch of different answers,” he said flatly.
Man…leave it to this guy to need a definition or realistic example. He can create brand new types of magic that nobody has ever seen before, but the man can’t figure out his own feelings. Is love maybe just too abstract for soone like him? He’s always been pretty piss-poor with his emotions. He used to just get angry and sad…now he gets furious and depressed.
Puberty must have smacked him like an anvil from the sky…oh…wait, it did. You know…what if…
“What if you just have to experience it? Put yourself out there and see what happens,” I told him. “Unless you are afraid…” I sneered.
“Afraid, huh?”
“Hey? Wait! I didn’t an it like that! Don’t sound so damn down…gah! Just start running….” I groaned.
This is going to be a long day…
I should have stayed ho.
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