The Last Stop

Riding on a few more days, the main road showed up. More caravans passed by, giving the party that just came from the mountain path a few looks. Riding on, the party reached the city walls. These walls were taller than Agon's bastion walls. Escaprtments of brick and stone. At the top, you could see massive ballista's. "Here is the defensive wall, Adamant, protecting the city, Sheildspire." Astela informed, "This wall, is still a short ride from the city, so after we get through. It'll be a few more hours."

"How did they build this wall?" Scythe looked up, as they got closer. It seemed to touch the sky, "Why don't they call it The Sky Wall?" Scythe suggested

"It's called Adamant because of no one being able to get through when the Scarvo gets defensive." Astela said, "Even dragons, avoid flying low around here."

A guard walked up, "you know you stuff miss."

"Thank you." Astela greeted the guard

"So how can I help you, fine fellows?" The guard asked

"We are looking for a smith," Astela said

The guard looked, "Basically every Scarvo is a smith, you need to be more specific."

"We are here for..." Astela stopped and looked at Scythe.

"Magitech." the guard assumed, "I noticed the lad was missing an arm."

"Yes. I was hoping just for an arm, nothing special about it." Scythe was honest

"I'll have you know, you humans, always want a weaponized arm or leg. Or even a full machine, you are not going to ask for a weaponized one are you?" The guard created pressure.

"No. I just want another arm, it's rather difficult to forge with only one."

"You forge?" The guard seemed to relax, "you have the shoulders of a smith. I feel I can trust ya kid. Head on in."

"Thank you," Scythe led the group, "Have a good rest of your day."

"Thanks." the guard smiled, then turned forward, and back to a loud voice, "NEXT!"

Riding through the wall, it was noticeably colder. Upon reaching the other side, there was a market sprawling. People calling out their wears, sales, hawkers, and many more parts. "Astela, I thought you said it was a ride to the city, why are there so many market stands?" Scythe asked

"It's like a little town here, protected by Adamant. Besides you can see the city from here." Astela pointed and continued, "A lot of things here are reasonably priced."

"That's good." Scythe asked, "So who are we going to?"

"Ed, Zander and I know him well. He made the coat you are wearing"

"He's skilled," Scythe said

"One of the best," Astela said

Riding onward into the city, you could see more Demi's in the public areas, but Scarvo's filled in more space. "I'll take care of the horses. You few take a look around." Astela said as she dismounted.

"Sure." Scythe slipped a little getting off his horse, Looking around, there were pipes, Steam coming out of a few. Cords connected to lamps, you could smell the coal in the air. There were at least ten smith shops in this main area alone. "So where are we heading?" Ifera asked

"I have no clue." Scythe answered.

Getting back, Astela said, "Come on. I'll lead you to him.

Walking through the city, near countless turns leading into many different alleyways. This city was a maze if you didn't stay on the main path. As they walked they slowly went deeper underground. When they stopped, it was a small little shop, but every part was well maintained. Like it was an art. "Here is his shop." Astela walked up to the door as someone walked out in a huff. "You bastard, You'll regret this." the man said to himself. Scythe entered after Astela, "Hey, Ed you in?"

A smaller woman perked up, "Ed? You looking for my dad?"

"Yeah. Is he in?" Astela asked

"Yep, I can go get him." the woman walked into the back, a moment later an older Scarvo came

walking though, "Astela. It's been a while, keeping up maintenance?" Ed asked

"Of course. I would never let one of your pieces get dull." Astela spoke.

"So what brings you here today?"

"Scythe, why don't you greet Ed." Astela stepped to the side.

Scythe was looking at the swords on the wall, each a work of art. Showing masterful skill. "Huh, oh of course," Scythe walked over, "Nice to meet you, I'm Scythe."

Ed looked Scythe over, "You are wearing a coat I made for Zander. He was young when I made it for him. So you are here for magitech? Yes?"

"I am." Scythe grabbed at his left sleeve, "I lost my arm in battle. Since it's just been weird with only one."

"I know how you feel." Ed rolled up a sleeve, his own hand was magitech, "I lost my hand in a forging accident, it's never the same as the original. But that is the past, magitech is expensive, you need magic-based materials. To properly build it."

Scythe pulled out the horn, "Would this work?"

Ed's eyes widened, "Where did you get a piece like this? Yes, it will work. But you have to tell me where did you get it?"

"Zander gave it to me." Scythe answered

Ed looked at the others, "When I start a business, it's between me and the customer. Lin, take care of Scythe's friends. I'm going to be busy."

"What is it?"

"Dragon horn. and one in brilliant condition. It's an honor working such fine materials." Ed was ecstatic, "Hope your not busy, Scythe, you are going to help."

"I not near your level of skill." Scythe tried to sneak out.

"Proper magitech needs the users magic," Ed grinned, "I'll need you to help with that."

Scythe was stumped, "I'll try my best."

"Well since they are starting, Dad I'm going on break." Lin said, "Let's go friends of Scythe."

Everyone else left, Ed led Scythe into the back. The back room was a great contrast to the front, instead of rustic, everything was clean and level. "Put the horn in that." Ed pointed to a machine, unfamiliar to Scythe.

"What is that?"

"Oh yeah, you humans don't have anything like this." Ed spoke, "that is a magic blast furnace, It'll melt down the horn into ingots. I should do this part, sorry."

"It's fine, just tell me what to do." Scythe was ready to learn.

"Open the main door there," Ed pointed, "Place the horn in the cauldron, and it should start."

"Okay," Scythe followed the directions. A soft glow appeared, seeming to go around the horn.

Getting his own things ready, Ed spoke: "Don't worry about the red glow, it's just scanning it."

"Scanning?"

"Inspecting." Ed said, "Come over here."

"Can do." Scythe sat were Ed pointed. Ed took several measurements, upper and lower arm length, the size of the metacarpal, and each finger length and the distance around. Ed started doing his own work. "It'll just be a minute." Ed said, after a moment of nothing but pencil noises, "You might not have enough horn to make a full arm. I have my own little store of materials, follow me."

Scythe stood up, "Sure."

Walking into basically a closet, there were hundreds of ores, bones and the sort. "Hmm, something that goes well with dragon bone. It'll be a black when finished, Silver, no, ahh that'll be perfect." Ed grabbed a few ingots of white gold material, "this is Sky Mythil. I don't have more dragon bone, but this is the next closest thing I got."

"Isn't Sky Mythil expensive?" Scythe asked

"Yeah. Not as bad as adamantine, though." Ed walked back into the shop. Tossing the Mythril into another furnace. "Now just me doing my work, you go take a look at the swords this will be awhile." Ed suggested

"Sure." Scythe walked into the front looking at all of the blades, now looking closer. There were two distinct styles that the blades were made from.