บท 32: Jolly Smith (2)

"Now, yer name is Paci, correct? C'mere. I need yer measurements to fine tune a spear for ye. That is what yer here for right? A weapon? Or did ya want some armor?"

The grey haired woman fixed those silver eyes on Paci and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her towards a small table beside the forge that was littered with various tools, the Dwarf opening up one of the many notepads with her soot stained hands and using the edge of her pinkie to write some things down.

"Spear, please. I'll buy some armor with my own coin though, but not now... I want you to have your attention solely on my weapon, after all~!"

Snorting, the Dwarf woman rolled her eyes and said "Alright... Stand still. Lemme get yer measurements. Hold yer arms out... like that, yeah..."

Watching the woman work from afar, I glanced at Alessia as the golden haired Dogkin asked "So what are you planning on getting Kira? Weapon? Armor? You do kinda need both..."

I nodded, my interest remaining on the Dwarf woman at work as I appraised what she was doing, appreciating the skill and experience on display as she swiftly measured Paci out, the Dwarf's mind likely already thinking up a weapon that would fit the red head perfectly.

"A weapon, probably. I rely on speed and magic to remain uninjured during fights; evading attacks and if necessary, using a defensive spell to protect myself. I do need better armor, but I can just buy that myself, like Paci said. I'll just get an upgrade to prepare for this upcoming raid, and use this week to train some more, hone my skills and get accustomed to my new weapon."

My words made Alessia purse her lips, the Talonmaster staring at the Dwarf for a moment before she let out a sigh as she said "You don't need to go on that raid if you don't want to, Kira. You're not a soldier, not beholden to Qingrad. There's no reason to risk your life for a city that doesn't care for you..."

"I know that, Alessia. I'll be honest; I'm not doing this for the same reason you are. You're right; this city doesn't care about me, and besides Qingrad being a place to improve myself, I don't care about it either. I've only been inside the city for what, barely 24 hours total? No, I'm going on the raid because its a good way for me to get more experience, for me to make some more coin, and for me to make connections. That's why I'm going."

The Talonmaster's lips thinned for a moment as she glanced at me this time, before she sighed once more and nodded, her eyes returning to the grinning red head.

"Honesty is a rarity these days. It... does hurt a little to hear that you're motivated by the coin primarily, but... I can't really blame you. Everyone needs coin, and you're not from Qingrad; not to its Lord, not to its people. Alright. Well, it'll be nice to have you there."

We shared a small smile as the Dogkin placed her hand on my waist, the older, playful woman reminding me about the dynamic we have going on as she shuffled closer, sharing her warmth even in a place as hot and stuffy as a blacksmiths.

"Oi! No gettin' handsy in me store! Got that?"

But, the silver glare of the Dwarf made Alessia take a step away, the Dogkin chuckling and raising her hands in a show of good faith, which made the Dwarf huff as she looked between us a few more times.

She finished up with Paci not long after, calling me over and saying "I see the falchion on yer waist, but is that what ya want? Yer build is a bit small for a heavy blade like that, though I dunno what kinda muscle yer packing under that shirt. So tell me, what do ya want? A new falchion? Saber? Katana? Straight sword? What?"

Rapid firing questions at me, the Dwarf did the same as she did with Paci, having me raise my arms as she measured me out, writing it all down in her notebook so that she could forge something completely custom for me.

"Let me answer your question with a question of my own. Do you have mana attuned materials on hand? Specifically Nature Mana attuned materials?"

Snorting, the Dwarf's silver eyes narrowed slightly as she half glared at me, the woman muttering "Damn Elves..." before turning towards the table again, opening a new notebook.

Skimming it, she tapped her finger against pages and asked me "I'll do ya the same; when ya fight with that falchion, do ya stab a lot, or cut a lot?"

"Both."

She clicked her tongue and turned the page again, nodding this time and asking "Ya say ye use magic often, correct? Lemme see some. I got somethin' in stock that I could use, but I don't like making weapons for those not worthy of 'em."

It was my turn to nod as I lifted my hand, guiding my mana from my Core into my palm and letting it seep through, getting a complicated reaction from the Dwarf; she had to nod at the power radiating from my palm, which was a bit stronger than I expected, but I could tell she was a bit disdainful for it due to its element.

"Alright... Alright. Tell ya what, half blood. I got some Vis Oak in stock; rich in Nature Mana, a beautiful color, but rather tough to work with. Strong wood, good looking wood, but still wood. Y'know? Not worth using in handles or poles, least of all with conflicting mana types, but..."

Looking back at me, the Dwarf raised her hand and pointed at my hand before pointing at me, enunciating her words as she said "If I were to use it to make a solid wooden blade, and give it to someone using Nature Mana, it'd be as strong as metal, as durable as metal... but far lighter, and far blunter. Yer magics might 'sharpen' it some, but I wouldn't count on it. That sound like something ye'd be interested in? A wooden sword, rich with Nature Mana and highly conductive in it?"

I pursed my lips, grabbing my falchion and staring at the weapon in my hand for a few moments before looking towards the Dwarf, contemplating the choice.

Obviously I could always carry a second, metal blade to supplement wooden blade, so that wasn't entirely an issue; the problem lay in how worth it that wooden weapon would be.

It could be as strong as metal, and it could deal some serious damage, but would it fit my fighting style?

A glorified club instead of a blade?

Though, it was a club that would react to my mana type really well, and I could probably wrap thorny vines around it for some additional damage...

Taking a deep breath, I answered "That sounds like something I would be interested in, yes. Keep it a curved sword, and relatively the same weight as this, if possible?"

"Alright then. I might not like ye, nor that wood, but I'll keep me word and make ye a damn fine blade, half blood. Now get outta my store, unless yer buying something else."