Wish away

[Iron Dragoon]

"Not yet. Stress is getting to me. Jumpy and a bit panicky. Getting some air and checking on things."

[Anastasia]

At this Jarem frowns a bit, "Combat stress," he says, "I suppose it's inevitable because..." he murmurs and stops. "There's magic that can help if you aren't strong enough to manage it yourself."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Mmmm... While magic can fix lots of things, there are some things that are done better in the old fashioned way. I think it'll be better if I work it out, in the long run. My father always said doing things step by step with the proper preparation makes stronger steel in the end."

[Anastasia]

"He's right," Jarem says, "If you can solve it yourself, that's best. It's best used for steel that would otherwise be lost and ruined." With a look as he reaches out and clasps your shoulder, "Most have problems after blooding themselves with their first kill. Others have more and more as they go on and see more things, suffer more pressure. But the ability to be stronger than it and overcome is a warrior's hallmark. There's horrifying things out there, and if you aren't strong enough to deal with this, those things will shatter you."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I've seen death and blood aplenty. I'm an adventurer, after all. Dungeon teams rarely come out unscathed. This is just the first time it's been personal targeting. The fact that it was Shar doing it is only worse. I'll talk it over when I have things sorted. I'll be seeing my family soon anyway. Once I get a few things settled and figured out."

[Anastasia]

"Do that," Jarem says, "Be forged, don't break." He looks up at the sunrise, "I can watch things if you're away for a little while."

[Iron Dragoon]

"It won't be long. I'll be moving them here, I think. After we get some more space. It'll be nice to have them close by. Might make my old man my personal smith. Put him to work. Or finally get around to learning from him. Wizard Smith Alyssa Songsteel. Oddly interesting ring to it."

[Anastasia]

"Your old man's a blacksmith?" Jarem asks, falling in step with you. "How is he? Armies always need more skilled blacksmiths."

[Iron Dragoon]

"He's a local lord's personal smith. He makes the lord's armor and weapons, but that's a small and specialized part of what he does. He does mostly tools for the servants, repairs, and ornamental work. I'd like to think he's earned his master's title quite solidly."

[Anastasia]

"He'd be useful to have around, besides the more important point of emotional support," Jarem says, "Why'd you have them away from here in the first place? Family's important."

[Iron Dragoon]

"He's sworn to his lord. He takes it seriously. There wasn't any real danger before, and going home is just a teleport away. But now with Shar..."

[Anastasia]

"Of course, his lord would have to release him from his vows," Jarem says, nodding. "What sort of man is his lord?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Not a bad one. My birth was not easy on my mother. Her health took a turn for the worse. The Lord took her in as a seamstress. Low impact work that kept her inside..."

She trails off for a moment.

"I had an older brother. Thoben. He was killed by another Lord who was visiting. For speaking up. They nearly went to war over it, if that tells you anything. They eventually settled on a sum of money as recompense. My parents got most of it and released from servitude. They decided to stay and keep working for him."

[Anastasia]

"Killed him?" Jarem's voice is cooler now, "What happened? For that matter, is your mother still alive?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"They all are. I was too young to really remember it, but apparently, the Lord made an insulting comment about my brother reshoeing one of his horses. He asked him what was wrong and the Lord killed him with a spell."