Pathfinder: 180 BN

Gregor insisted that Richard be here with him, but his words fell on death's ear. Richard was unknown, therefore he was not allowed to enter. It was hard enough to convince them to let him in with the swords. Security at Lord Kirk's place was tight, more so than usual. Gregor took note of that, but he did not wonder why.

He was a blacksmith, not a nobleman or a landowner. Being caught up in politics and the like never suited him. Too much deceit, and not enough honest men.

"Tsk." Gregor clicked his tongue as he plopped down on the ground.

It's already been an hour, he should have been seen by now. His showing up here was unexpected, but his reputation should have been enough to make the lord give him some time. That is what Gregor was counting on.

Seeing as to how he was allowed entry, it worked, but now he was playing the waiting game. And Gregor was not a big fan of that kind of game.

Moments after he sat down the door to the hall opened up. Lord Kirk walked in, his one good eye glancing at Gregor who was seated on the ground. Behind him was another dwarf, but not the same type as Gregor. No, this dwarf had raven black hair that was a tangled mess, with dark circles under his golden eyes.

A Ground dwarf, the weakest of their race. So weak that they hid themselves underground and rarely ever went above ground. The sun never shined where they lived, and this type of dwarf had the worst grooming habits. Gregor disliked them. Mostly because they refused him entry into their underground caverns so he could mine ore.

As for this particular dwarf, he was Gregor's biggest rival. Bojack Irontooth. The master blacksmith in Evergreen, and the one that handled all of the military equipment.

He earned the nickname Irontooth because the dwarf was able to crush iron with his teeth. A feat that should only be told in legends, but was in fact a reality.

As Bojack walked by Gregor he gave Gregor a smirk. As if he were better than him.

Gregor couldn't wait to see the look on Bojack's face when he showed him what Richard did. That smug look would vanish and be replaced by horror. He could picture it now.

Lord Kirk took a seat at the tallest seat made of white stone while Bojack stood in front of him.

"Gregor, what brings you here?" Kirk asked but he was already informed why Gregor was here.

Gregor looked over at the guard holding both swords. "I've discovered something I believe will be useful to you. See for yourself." Gregor said.

Lord Kirk motioned for the guard to approach him, and the guard held out both swords. He himself could not find a difference in them, but he also was not looking either. His role was to protect Lord Kirk and stay silent. Nothing more.

"A new sword? I thought you said it wouldn't be finished for a few months?" Lord Kirk asked as he examined the first sword.

It was good, the weight and feel of it felt fine. Nothing out of the ordinary to make it special.

He passed it to Bojack who also examined the weapon.

Gregor smiled. If only Lord Kirk knew of the truth, but he was bound to feel the difference shortly. Gregor was sure of it as he watched the man grab hold of the sword that Richard forged.

As soon as his hand touched it, Gregor sensed a change in Lord Kirk's expression. It was a slight change, but he noticed it because he was searching for any change. Good, this was what he wanted.

"Yes, a new sword. Finely crafted and the best work in all of Evergreen, a sword made for only the best. I'm sure you can tell the difference between the two of them, right?"

Lord Kirk would be a fool not to. After having held various blades of different types, sizes, and made of various materials he could tell what a good sword was after a few swings. As for the one he was currently holding, he didn't need to swing it. His instinct just told him it was superior to the trash he was just holding.

"Best in all of Evergreen? Big words coming from you Gregor." Bojack finally spoke mostly to protect his own pride.

Everyone knew that his weapons were the best in Evergreen because he was the best blacksmith in Evergreen. Which was shown by his title as master blacksmith. Lord Kirk allotted him a special room in the estate and gave him materials free of charge. What other blacksmith in the city had the same privileges as him?

Bojack was handed the sword Richard made after Lord Kirk was satisfied with it. He examined it once, then again.

"What is this? Surely you haven't stolen someone else's work have you Gregor?" Bojack asked as he was positive Gregor could not have made such a fine sword. It was impossible for that red-headed bastard to. Because Bojack himself was incapable of crafting such a weapon.

Meaning that Gregor was taking credit for someone else's handy work. Bojack wouldn't let this slide, and the entire blacksmithing world should know about it.

"Pish-posh! You think I'd have the gulls to sully my name? Think again!" Gregor quickly said.

"Then what dwarf made this? Sully? Skull? Gravenwish?" Bojack asked as he began recalling the master blacksmiths who would have the talent to produce such a piece. But even as he was saying those names, he thought about it. Why would they give their weapon to Gregor? They wouldn't!

Hearing this Gregor couldn't help but laugh.

"What's funny? Hmm?" Bojack asked.

"No dwarf made this, it was forged by the human Richard."

"Richard?" Bojack tried to recall if there was some human blacksmith with that name. No, there was none that he could remember. If there was some human with talent like this, he was sure he'd have known of them by now. But it was impossible for a human to forge a weapon better than a dwarf.

Dwarves lived for over two centuries, and humans barely lived for eight decades. The amount of time they had to learn to smith and master it was short in comparison. Not to mention all dwarves had an innate feel for ores and their properties, something humans could only dream of having. Them forging was already a feat worthy of going down in history, but being better than a dwarf? Impossible.

Gregor nodded. "Yes, Richard." Gregor said before he looked at Lord Kirk who was listening to the two dwarves talk to one another.

"I tried to bring him in, but he wasn't allowed entry. Richard is new to Evergreen, but I have to say his talents and skill far exceed my own. Test his sword against your best, I'm positive it will hold up even against your black blade." Gregor said. This was what he wanted to say because he knew it would gain Lord Kirk's interest.

Bojack's face contorted. Now Gregor was saying complete nonsense.

The blade he was holding was iron, there was no way it could match something made of obsidian. The sword was bound to dull and eventually shatter after a few blows. That's how strong obsidian was. It was just that the material was so difficult to work with that more weapons and armor were not made out of it.

"Lord, don't listen to this fool. I'll admit that this sword is good, but you can't imagine a world where iron could match or even beat obsidian could you?" Bojack said but quickly regretted it. He was speaking as a blacksmith and forgot to mind his words as he was speaking to the person who ruled over all of Evergreen. One word from him and Bojack's life could go from being on the top of the world to being a slave sold to the savages in the southern land.

"What makes you speak such bold words, Gregor? You've never been one of many words, what's changed?" Lord Kirk asked as he was curious about the change in behavior from the fireblood dwarf.

"I thought that my skills were exceptional, and could only be refined. That I knew everything there was to know, but then I met Richard. His techniques are old and some strange, but they gave me a different perspective that I never had before. There is more to learn about blacksmithing, and I don't want to be held back by our old ways. That is all. You know I seek to create a masterpiece, one that can carry a legacy long after I am gone. And I think Richard will be key to achieving that." Gregor stated.

Gregor stood for the first time. "If I'm right, and this blade is as capable as your own personal weapon. You can field an army with them. Imagine it is as if each person was carrying a black blade, the same as yours. Your enemies would surely cower in fear, would they not?"

Lord Kirk had to admit, that did interest him. Having an edge in military strength was always wanted, and if it is as Gregor says, then he must at least give this man Richard a little of his time. If he turned him down and away only to find out later on that the man was a genius smith, then that would be a major loss on his part.

Even better if this did turn out to be true. His campaign against Thornhill would go smoothly, and he wouldn't have to be satisfied with a few villages. No, he might even be able to take the entire city.

"Go get me my sword." Lord Kirk said to Bojack.

Bojack nodded and moved out of the hall.

Lord Kirk snapped his finger. "Bring me the man named Richard. I would like to see this man for myself."