Forging

Click-Clack 

. . . 

Click-Clack

Dorin was awoken by the noise of something hitting the side of his shed. It was dark, with thin rays of sun shining through cracks around the front door.

"10! Finally. Which means . . . instant death!"

"No ego is that powerful. Stop cheating."

Kneading his brows and pulling back his long dark hair, Dorin threw his mangled blanket to the side. This way of waking up had become his morning routine, but he hoped after today things would change. 

Dorin got dressed and opened the door, only to be pelted by stones. He put his hands over his face, thankful that the two kids were too young to do any real damage.

"Hey you got in the way!"

"That one doesn't count. I can't even tell which ego is mine"

Normally Dorin would chase them off, but with how loud their arguing had gotten someone with far less patience would eventually handle it. 

"Dorin, are you coming? We were all supposed to meet at sunrise." His only friend, Rae, shouted for him from up the street. Today began their journey to reclaim their ancestry and become members of the city that bordered their slum.

Dorin caught up with the group of seven including him, who were looking at him with varying levels of hostility. He had known them all from childhood, a few longer than most. 

On their way to the city of Tur, they followed behind a cart dragged by a man and woman. It carried a red furry beast the size of his shed, poorly wrapped in cloth. The two of them were most likely sparks.

"What a catch." 

"That'll be us one day, Rae." Dorin said, before hearing a chuckle from behind him.

"Get in the back, runt." Dorin felt a hand on his shoulder followed by a push that knocked him to his knees.

"Are you trying to ruin both of your chances, Lonn? Keep your hands off of each other or none of us will ever get out of here." 

"It was his fault, Ara. He doesn't know his place."

"Neither of you belong with us if this is how you act. Think of your duty." Ara often spoke of these things. Duty, honor, and sacrifice.

Rae helped him up while glaring at Lonn. Dorin was glad that it was only a push this time. Lonn was almost a meter taller and fifty pounds heavier than either of them 

"You're nothing but a bully, Lonn." Rae shouted, standing up to face the giant. "That's all they'll see in Tur, and I'll make sure that they know that the moment I have the chance."

"Stop it, Rae-"

"I'll keep that in mind when they choose me as the spark." Lonn said without turning back.

"Halt." They had arrived at the gates of Tur. Two men looked down from above, but with the sun shining just behind them Dorin couldn't see much.

"We're here to be awakened." Ara said.

Laughter boomed from above, before the gates began to open. 

"I'm barely awake as it is."

"Oh to be young." The two men only laughed harder with each joking phrase.

Dorin caught a light frown on Ara's face as they entered Tur. From a young age she had idolized those from the city, even the ordinary citizens.

There were wanted posters all over the gates, but there was a whole side that was devoted to one person. His name was Taol, he was once the greatest hope of their slum. 

"Brother..." Rae had a distant look.

Dorin watched Lonn inspect the face on the posters, and a wicked grin followed. "Guards, I have something for you."

"Shut up," one of the guards from above said with an annoyed tone, "you'll get the chance to speak to someone soon enough."

"Everyone, I have brought Taol's bro-" Before Lonn could finish speaking, Dorin rammed into him at full speed, bringing them both to the ground with a thud.

A whistle blew harsh tones as they tumbled on the ground. Lonn managed to get on top of Dorin, and he felt his bones creak under the giant's weight.

"What in the light do we have here?" A woman spoke with authority. Dorin heard a familiar clacking as a die rolled across the ground. Once still, it turned into four lines of light before solidifying in her hands as a wide silver sword a head taller than herself.

Lonn quickly jumped off of him, "I was defending myself."

"Against him?" The street went silent as Dorin felt everyone's eyes on him. He felt the shame of someone who was pitied at first glance.

"He- He attacked me." Lonn quickly looked back and forth to the others in their group.

"Even so, I have to call the Spire. It's been years since anyone has fought within these walls." 

Dorin felt sweat forming on his brow as they waited. The woman had separated the two of them from the rest of the group, and she had been staring him down the entire time.

A middle aged man in white robes walked towards the group with a rough looking man in furs following directly behind him. "Why have I been summoned, Morah?" 

"There was a fight between two of the spark candidates, Spire." Morah lightly bowed towards the robed man, and she tapped her sword into the ground. The sword then turned into many grains of sand, before returning into a leather satchel she wore at her hip. "I have been in your service long enough to know what happens in these cases."

"Indeed." The Spire of Tur walked in front of Dorin and Lonn. "This is a bit of a mismatch, no?" 

"I know how it looks, but apparently the short one started it." 

"What else is there for a runt to do, I suppose." Dorin looked the man in the eye as he looked straight down at him. He had never liked that moniker. "That being said, I think he'll do just fine."

The Spire brought a hand out of his robe and held out a coin, showing both sides to everyone there. One side was white, with a candle on it, and the other was black with a fang. He flipped it in the air with enough force to make it hover, and it landed on the fang. The coin then expanded into a large checkered square.

"Let the forging commence!" The Spire raised his arms in celebration towards the audience that was now boxing them all in.