บท 5: Chapter 4: The Test Part 2
"Good, now fetch me the ingots that my master left for me to choose from and place them on the workbench for me." The ingots in question were sitting on a shelf directly behind Dennis. "Master Dennis, the ingots are on the shelf directly behind you." Tect is a slave, no matter how much he is disliking Dennis right now he must remain respectful or the overseer will punish him. Even though Tect is working for the smith he is nothing but a hireling, the overseer still owns him and collects payment for his labor. The overseer will also administer punishment if anyone in town makes a complaint about Tect, though no one ever has.
"I didn't ask you where the ingots were, Slave, I said bring them to the workbench. Now!" Dennis loved to remind Tect he was a slave. Tect knew he had no choice so he walked around the room, gathered the ingots, and placed them on the workbench. "Good, master thought he could trick me but i can tell this ingot is the best quality." The master had prepared five ingots to forge the pick from, they all varied in quality and the first part of Dennis' test was to select the proper ingot. Unfortunately he chose the third best. Two ingots had obvious flaws, the one Dennis chose was of decent quality but if he looked a little bit closer he would see that it has a slightly uneven color compared to the two higher quality ingots. If he had looked closer the ingot to the right of his was the best quality. It had a light blue iridescence that shows the ore contained manatite, normally manatite is used in magical constructs but sometimes even common ores would contain minute amounts, with this small inclusion the pick would last much longer and would cut the stone much easier.
Having chosen his metal Dennis arranges the tools he will need and the mould he prepared the few days prior to the test. The first thing that they must do is melt the ingot and pour the molten metal into the mould. This is a fairly easy part so long as the mould was properly prepared and pre heated. Dennis places the ingot in a crucible and places it in the center of the fire while the mould is placed at the edge where it can slowly warm. The crucible is made from pure manatite and is covered in runes, it is the most valuable item in the entire shop, without it iron could not be worked in this manner using only a simple forge. As the crucible gets hot the runes activate and begin glowing blue. Tect has always been fascinated by this process. As the runes begin to glow the heat from the forge seems to disappear as it becomes concentrated in the crucible. Within seconds of the runes activation the metal turns to liquid. Dennis grabs the tongs for lifting the crucible and gently lifts it from the forge. Sweat drips from Dennis' face not from the heat, but from his nerves. Gently he begins to pour the liquid metal into the mould, the stain on his face is visible as he concentrates on pouring as smoothly as possible. Steam and acrid smoke rises from the mould as he pours, but the mould holds until he finishes pouring.
"First parts done, I'm going to get a drink, keep an eye on the mould." Dennis steps outside, His nerves are clearly getting the best of him. Tect takes a seat in the chair near the bellows, "Watch the mould?" He thinks to himself. "Whats it going to do run off? If it didn't crack by now it's not going to." Tect had to be polite and subservient at all times or he'd face the whip but having to listen to Dennis' nonsense was really a test of his resolve. After a few minutes Dennis returned and moves over to the mould, seemingly pleased with the results he looks to the wash basin to quench the mould only to find it empty. "Why didn't you fill the wash basin while I was gone? Are you trying to mess this up?" Tect bows slightly, "Apologies sir, you instructed me to keep an eye on the mould." Dennis' face turns red in frustration, "I don't want to hear your excuses. Go get the water now!" Tect grabs two buckets and immediately hurries out side to get the water. It takes two trips but tect has filled the basin. When he does Dennis grabs the hot mould with his tongs and dunks it in the water. The mould is made of clay and sand and as it hits the cold water it begins to break apart, only the parts in direct contact with the metal have fused together and a small pick quickly removes all of the ceramic that has formed. Dennis pulls the completed pick blank out of the basin. The blank looks nothing like a pick at the moment, more like a two sided hammer, it is now up to Dennis to shape the pick and draw the metal out to a point.
"I hope you're ready to work Slave, cause the hard part is just starting." Dennis sneers as he looks over at Tect. Tect remains silent, with Dennis already on a power trip it's best if Tect just nods. "Good, lets get started. Pump those bellows and don't slack, I want this done before dinner, my father is anxious to celebrate my promotion to Journeyman Smith." Tect Immediately begins pumping the bellows of the forge while Dennis buries the pick blank in the hot coals. Tect pumps away for a while before Dennis checks the metal. Tect can see the metal is almost hot enough, just a bit longer and it will be perfect. Dennis eyes the metal for a time. "It's too cold, pump faster." Tect begins to pump the bellows alittle faster. "I said faster, are you trying to mess this up for me." Tect begins pumping even faster. "Thats better, next time don't make me say it twice." Dennis puts the blank back into the coals. Tect says nothing and continues pumping the bellows but he can see the forge getting hotter and hotter. If Dennis isn't careful he'll melt the blank. After a few moments Dennis pulls out the blank. It is glowing a vibrant orange color. Tect sees It and shakes his head, it's gotten too hot. "Finally, I could have finished by now if you weren't so lazy." Dennis takes the blank to the anvil and begins to hammer the metal. He repeats this process of heating and hammering all day, finally the pick has taken shape. It looks exactly like a pick the master would have made, but Tect knows it's junk. Dennis looks at his creation with a sense of pride, only two steps left, sharpening, and affixing the handle.
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