Author: Keldar
Title: A New Blacksmith
Scene: Freiwald
Time: October 7th, 2498




"Well Ironhelm, looks like were here," muttered Keldar as he came within site of the city gates. "Freiwald, I can't believe its still standing after all these years. Shows you the King did right by hiring some of our kinsmen in building these walls eh Ironhelm?" He said to himself as he walked down the path towards the city. As he approached two guards came out of the guardhouse pulling their cloaks tight about themselves. "Halt Dwarf what is your business?" said one of the guards. Keldar looked at the guard and said gruffly "I'm here to see an old friend, is there a problem with that?" "No Dwarf, we do have a problem with folks who show up at the gate at this time of night though." "Ah, is that your problem. Well maybe I can do something about that." Keldar then digs into his bag and pulls out a flask of some liquid. "Have yourselves a sip off this and the night shall pass more smoothly and I can get inside." Taking a big drink of the flask then handing it to the guard. The two guards look at each other and shrug, "Thank you sir, you have a pleasant stay in Freiwald." Keldar watches as the two guards go back into their guardhouse then looks around and walks into the city. "Well Ironhelm, it seems much has changed and much hasn't, now where was it that FireForge said his house was again? Ah yes down this way."


It was a small stone house, set off to the side of the main street. There was much about this that would cause it any notice but the small hammer hanging by its front gate. "Well Ironhelm I suppose this is the place." said Keldar as he walked towards the front door. "I hope old FireForge doesn't mind this late visit," as he slowly began to pound on the door. "FireForge, wake up old man." shouted Keldar as he waited at the door. "Hmmm no answer Ironhelm, something must be wrong, FireForge has never slept through this much noise before. Well I guess the only thing to do is see how our friend is." Slowly opening the door Keldar enters the main room to the house, "Hrmf I always told him he should lock his doors, now where is the old man, FIREFORGE!" There was no answer, strange thought Keldar, why would he send for me and then not be here. Strange indeed. As Keldar began to wander around the small house he noticed a light coming from the back room, moving carefully he goes to investigate.


"So you finally made it did you, I feared I would die before you arrived," whispered and old man sitting near the fire. "I would have come to great you at the door as a host should but alas I am too weak with age my friend, much to weak. Now don't have that stunned look on your face, you knew this would happen some day, we humans only live so long you know." "Aye," said the dwarf as he moved closer to the old man, "but that doesn't mean we expect it to end so soon." Chuckling the old man whisper "To soon to you my friend not to others. Now to why I have summoned you here, I don't have much time for anything else. I am old, older then any I know, you yourself should know this, it was you who taught me the way of the forge decades ago. You who showed me its secrets. Alas my bones weep with age it is long past the time I should pass to forge in the sky." "Old age doesn't mean much old man, look at me some say I should have died years ago but I am still here am I not?" said the Dwarf. "Yes, you are still here which is why I sent for you, he's stirring again... His minions are about, I can almost feel him in my bones." "Well we knew that would happen one day still doesn't answer my question old man, why did you send for me? What can I do?" said the dwarf slowing stirring to angry for being called from his solitude in the mountains. "Always straight to the answer, no moving you to another oath is there? No I suppose not, you're to set in your ways for that to change now. Well then to why you are here. Freiwald will need a new Smith once I pass away, and not just any ordinary smith will do. They need the best my friend the best. If those that gather here are to face what is coming they will need that which only you can provide. That is why I called you here now that said I can rest." The old man slowly closed his eyes not to open them again. "Well Ironhelm, do you have any idea what this fool was talking about, well neither do I, but I suppose I can stay on as a smith for awhile, what can it hurt?" With that thought he slowly backs out of the room and goes out back to the yard. Finding a shovel he slowly begins to dig a grave near the old mans forge. "Well Ironhelm, I suppose it was bound to happen. He shall be happy here don't you think? Always to be near his forge?" Slowly Keldar dug the grave all the time thinking, all the time hoping what the old man said wasn't true, because if it was many more graves would be dug before it was all over.


By Keldar



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The Chronicles of Varholm by Ian FitzPatrick (Bulldog)

The Battle of Freiwald by Arjan de Jong

Artwork by Arjen Pilon

No part of these stories may be used without the author's prior authorisation.