chapter 24: New sword
Daemon walked slowly through the streets of Eleanor, heading towards Darius's blacksmith shop. Lyana had left early in the morning to visit her old adventure partner, Diana. As he walked forward, his thoughts wandered to the dream he had had months ago and those red eyes that had looked directly at him, a dream that he strangely had not experienced again. He wondered if the meaning of that dream would one day be revealed.
The city of Eleanor, with its houses of wood and stone, was already awake. The bustle of people filled the air, and Daemon observed with interest the details of the architecture and the daily lives of the inhabitants. The cobblestone streets, the children playing, the vendors offering their wares, all contributed to a sense of normality that he found comforting.
He arrived at the blacksmith's shop and, upon entering, was surprised to see Darius working on a huge sword. Sparks flew in all directions and the rhythmic sound of hammer against metal filled the air. Darius looked up at the sound of the door and smiled widely.
"Daemon, welcome!" Darius exclaimed, setting the hammer aside. "Where is Lyana?"
"She went to visit an old adventure companion," Daemon replied.
"Oh it must be Diana the city's healer, right," Darius said as Daemon nodded. "She is a former companion of Lyana. They separated years ago when Diana fell in love with an adventurer from this city and decided to settle here. She is an excellent healer and a very loved person in the community."
Daemon nodded, absorbing the story. He wondered how many other stories and connections were hidden in Lyana's past.
"Last night I was working on a material that could withstand your fire," Darius said, breaking him out of his thoughts. "I want you to see this." Darius pulled out a small knife, made of shiny, sturdy-looking metal. "This is orichalcum, one of the strongest metals in existence. It is said to come from deep within the earth, where it is formed under extreme pressures and temperatures. It is rare and very expensive."
Daemon took the knife, feeling the weight and solidity of the metal. "It's impressive," he said.
"It's going to cost you a lot, boy," Darius said with a smile. "But since you are known to Lyana, I will give you a discount. First, we need to test if she can really resist your magic."
Daemon nodded and, holding the knife firmly, began to channel fire magic from it. Flames engulfed the knife instantly. He noticed that it was less difficult for him to cast the ability, although he still couldn't recreate the same power as the first time. As he watched the flames, he thought how lucky he was not to have reached that power, since he would have probably destroyed any common weapon in seconds.
Ten minutes passed. The flames continued to crackle around the knife, but it showed no signs of weakness. Finally, it began to melt slightly, and small drops of molten metal fell to the ground.
Darius shook his head. "This is a great advance, but it is not yet perfect. It will still serve you well in emergency situations. Try not to use your magic for long periods."
Daemon nodded, grateful for the advice. "I will use it only when absolutely necessary."
"Good," Darius said, smiling. "Now, let's forge your sword. I need you to help me."
For the next few hours, Daemon worked alongside Darius at the forge. The blacksmith taught him how to handle tools and materials. Daemon loaded metal, passed the tweezers around, and learned to observe changes in the metal's color to determine its proper temperature. It was exhausting work, but rewarding.
"I'm going to add an incantation to this sword," Darius said as they worked. "It is an ancient spell that will increase the metal's resistance to fire. I will need your help to channel your magical energy while I forge it."
Daemon nodded and began to concentrate, channeling his magic into the sword as Darius recited words in an ancient language. The metal glowed with an unearthly light and, under Darius's watchful gaze, the sword began to take shape.
Finally, after several hours of intense work, the sword was ready. It was a masterpiece, a long, elegant blade with runes etched along the edge. The handle was wrapped in sturdy leather, providing a secure grip.
"Try your magic now," Darius said, handing the sword to Daemon.
Daemon took the sword and began to channel fire magic from it. Flames engulfed the blade, but this time, the metal showed no signs of weakness. The runes shone brightly, reflecting magical energy.
"She's perfect," Daemon murmured, marveling.
"Remember, only use it in emergencies," Darius warned. "And take good care of it. It is a unique sword."
Daemon nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Darius. This sword means a lot to me." How much will it cost me? Asked.
Darius smiled. "You're welcome, boy, it will be 10 gold coins," Daemon took out the coins. His parents had given him a fortune for his trip so this did not represent a problem.
Daemon bid farewell to Darius and left the smithy, feeling more prepared than ever for the challenges that lay ahead. As he walked through the streets of Eleanor, the new sword hanging at his side, he thought about how much he had learned and grown since he began his journey with Lyana. He felt that he was ready to face whatever fate threw at him.
Instead of heading straight to Sara's house, Daemon decided to explore the city more. He remembered that Lyana had mentioned that many adventurers gathered at the port to go hunting for sea monsters. The idea of seeing the port and perhaps meeting some of these adventurers seemed interesting until now, he only met 2 of them, one is Priest and the other would be Lyana herself.
He asked several people on the street, and with his directions, he finally arrived at Eleanor's Harbor. It was an impressive place. Large sailing ships were anchored along the docks, and the smell of sea salt filled the air. Adventurers and sailors walked along the docks, loading supplies and preparing their ships to set sail.
Eleanor Harbor was a mix of feverish activity and quiet beauty. The waters reflected the blue sky, and the seagulls circled above the boats. The waves crashed gently against the wooden pillars of the pier, creating a relaxing symphony that contrasted with the bustle of the port workers.
Daemon stopped for a moment to admire the view. The sea breeze caressed his skin and ruffled his hair. He watched as a group of adventurers discussed the details of his upcoming expedition, and felt a surge of excitement at the thought of one day joining one of those missions. The ships, with their sails spread and their flags flying, were a promise of adventures to come.
He walked along the dock, observing the different types of boats with interest. There were everything from small fishing boats to huge galleons prepared for long voyages. Craftsmen worked in their workshops, repairing nets and making specialized equipment. The port community was an intricate network of people, each playing a crucial role in the functioning of this microcosm.
Daemon decided that, on his next voyage, he would do his best to join one of these sea expeditions. The idea of facing sea monsters and discovering unknown lands filled him with renewed energy.