Fantatic Waltz

[Bjorn]

Bjorn snarls.  "He's not falling for it!" he barks.  Tugging on Breke's chain as he breaks into sprint, he snaps, "Quick!  After him!"

He lets go of the chain as he weaves his way through Lammermore's men -- the main obstacle being bodies, he trusts Breke to follow in his footsteps.  The sudden charge and the sight of the Dreadmarch awakens, to his vague discomfort, yet another memory of his new body, and without conscious thought, he finds himself roaring out a challenge whose words he does not remember.

OOC: Using Battle Cry on the Dreadmarch General to get his attention.

[Brian]

Code Select Expand

<Faceless> roll 3d6 for Making The Big Ugly Mad At Me
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Faceless ... : 3d6 --> {11}
<Brian> Now, roll 5d6 for your presence attack.
<Faceless> roll 5d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Faceless ... : 5d6 --> {26}

Your battle cry resounds, seeming to physically fling the Dreamarch away from your viscinity.  A few of Lammermore's men break formation to follow you, and then all of them, Lammermore himself just behind you, Breke just ahead, trailing his chains like an unleashed and snarling beast, both swords drawn.

The only one who ignores your battle cry is the ogre, who launches a projectile -- sparking and red, with a trail like a tiny comet -- at the keep before dropping his sling, and unlimbering the massive axe from behind him.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn has time only to think, Goddamn, I hope he missed, as he charges into combat range.

[Brian]

<Brian> Here is the scenario.  The wall of fire is behind you, the archers on the wall, seeing the charge, begin peeling their shots away from the center, and focusing on the sides of the charge, trying to do as much damage as possible to the rest of the army.  Directly in front of you is Breke, bounding along with both swords drawn, and the cleared space where you frightened back everyone except for the general.
<Brian> Lammermore and his pikemen are directly behind you.  The general has an axe ready, and is standing its ground letting you come to it.  That axe is curved like a crescent moon, and looks like it's got enough steel in it to outmass you.
Bjorn veers to the side slightly, curving around to come in from the general's left flank as Breke goes straight in.
<Brian> We'll start on phase zero, then, you and Breke leading in.  Everyone is considered to have a held action, so we go in dex order.
<Brian> First is the general, who continues to holds its action.
<Brian> Second is Breke, who attacks straight on, just like you expected.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> His sword seems to be deflected off of the general's armor without effect.
<Brian> Bjorn: Your turn.
<Bjorn> 'First things first.  If we can't kill him quick, make sure we'll survive a while.'  With that thought in mind, Bjorn strikes out at the general's hands on his weapon.
<Bjorn> I am going to attempt a Martial Disarm.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your roll.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> For every five points of strength you have, roll 1#1d6, and since this is a martial maneuver, add 10 to your STR for calculating that.
<Brian> This should give you 5#1d6.
<Bjorn> roll 5#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 5#1d6 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Okay.  And he attempts to resist.
<Brian> roll 6#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 6#1d6 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}
<Brian> You failed to exceed his body, and disarm him, but you certainly got his attention.
<Brian> He's now using his held action to attack you with the axe.
<Bjorn> I will abort to block.
<Brian> Good move.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> He will hit you, unless you make your block roll successfully.
<Bjorn> My OCV for this is 16.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> You actually manage to deflect his axe to one side, causing him some surprise as it thuds into the earth at your side harmlessly.
<Brian> So.  Now, phase 2, speed sixes (and those who managed to block speed sixes) can act.
<Brian> Since you blocked him, you act first, Bjorn.
Bjorn seizes on the opportunity, and tries once more to seperate the general from his axe.
<Bjorn> Same bonus allocation.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> A good disarm roll.
<Bjorn> roll 5#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 5#1d6 --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> roll 6#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 6#1d6 --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}
<Brian> You almost manage to force the weapon from his hands, but he keeps a tenacious grip on it.
<Brian> Phase three, speed fours.
<Brian> Breke yells very loudly, and attacks with both blades.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> Hmm.  No extra strength.
<Brian> roll 2#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}, [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 2#2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#2d6 --> [ 2d6=3 ]{3}, [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=3 ]{3}
<Brian> Breke knocks the general's helmet clean off, and leaves it looking annoyed, ugly, and otherwise unhurt.
<Brian> But, Breke now has attracted the General's attention.
<Brian> Phase four, speed sixes, speed threes.
<Brian> The general attempts to hit Breke.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> Breke makes his perception check.
<Brian> Attempts to block.
<Brian> roll 3d6 to attack
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 to attack --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 3d6 to block
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 to block --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Which he does -- barely.
<Brian> Lammermore acts, and closes the remaining distance -- now you, Lammermore, and Breke are flanking the general.
<Brian> Lammermore makes a called shot to the head.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> Misses.
<Brian> Segment six, speed fours, sixes, and twos.
<Brian> Bjorn, you recover from the block/parry.
<Brian> Breke goes first, since he blocked the general, but chooses to hold his action.
<Brian> The general attacks Breke.
<Brian> Breke will block.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for attack
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for attack --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for block
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for block --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> Lammermore attacks.  Another called shot to the head.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Lammermore hits the ogre's head three times.
<Brian> roll 3#2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=10 1d3=2 ]{12}, [ 2d6=4 1d3=1 ]{5}, [ 2d6=9 1d3=1 ]{10}
<Brian> Improbably, this does not actually kill the ogre, though it is most certainly stunned.
<Brian> Breke uses his held action at this point.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> roll 4d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 4d6 --> [ 4d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> His sword does not strike the ogre's head, but seems to ignore its armor anyway, and sweeps through the ogre, leaving black smoke to boil out through the collar of his armor, as the ogre drops the the ground, bleeding from the massive head-wound.  It's still not dead, but is now Knocked Out.
<Brian> The pikemen act now, and rush past the general, keeping its reinforcements at bay from backing it up.
<Brian> Segment eight, speed sixes.  The ogre takes a recovery, but does not regain consciousness.
<Brian> Segment nine, speed fours.  Breke takes another whack at the ogre.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location.
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location. --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> This attack does knock the axe from the ogre's hands, though it's probably down for the count at this point.
<Brian> Segment 12, everyone acts, the general first.
<Brian> He takes a recovery, and is no longer stunned, but cannot act in this phase.
<Brian> In DEX order, Breke, who is holding his action.
<Brian> Then Lammermore, who's trying to hit the thing in the head again.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 3#2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=11 1d3=3 ]{14}, [ 2d6=5 1d3=1 ]{6}, [ 2d6=6 1d3=3 ]{9}
<Brian> Lammermore's sword actually leaves shining trails behind it, like shadows of the same sword at slightly different angles.  Each seems to have an actual effect, though, and this does sever the general's neck.
<Brian> Silence spreads across the battlefield.
<Brian> Breke cracks his neck.
<Brian> We'll declare combat over at this point, as the moon rises (strange, since it set less than ten minutes ago), and its light turns all the Dreadmarch on the field to dust.
<Brian> roll 8#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 8#1d6 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}
Bjorn looks down at his sword, and grimaces, unaware.
<Brian> Lammermore grunts, and staggers a bit; everyone feels dizzy.
Bjorn broadens his stance slightly, and shakes his head.
<Brian> "Well," Lammermore says in his Archon voice.  "That went better than I could have expected."
<Brian> Waving at the Dreadmarch encampment, he makes a rude gesture.  "Let's go back in," he says, surveying his spearmen.
<Bjorn> "It didn't go well enough," Bjorn says, flatly.
<Brian> Breke grunts, holding both swords in one hand and wiping at them with a cloth before he sheaths them.
<Bjorn> "One second, if you please," Bjorn says, and bends down to study the axe of the fallen general carefully.
<Brian> It's black, flawless steel.  When you look closely, it appears to have runes or something etched in the surface, though if they spell anything, you don't know what it is.  The general's body is melting into dust as you watch, leaving an empty, black suit of armor behind.
<Bjorn> Specifically, studying it for general quality, and to see if I recognize it as being of, say, Storm-rider manufacture.
<Brian> You've never actually seen a Storm-rider axeman, only swordsmen ... though, the runes DO look a little bit like the lineage markings that they use.
<Bjorn> Thoughtfully, Bjorn tries to see if he can lift the axe.
<Brian> You need to sheathe your sword, and it's murderously heavy.  You doubt you could wield the thing, but you can move it.
<Brian> It doesn't burn you or shock you, at any rate.
<Brian> Lammermore looks at it.  "Storm-rider make?" he asks.
<Bjorn> "I'd like to know that for certain," Bjorn replies.  "If someone is providing the Dreadmarch with reliable weapons..."
<Brian> "Not all of them," Lammermore replies, looking at the assortment of weapons that the orcs were wielding.  "But it is a grim possibility.  That armor looks beyond their normal quality."
<Brian> "Have your wizard look at it," Breke opines.
<Brian> "You've got one, right?"
Bjorn grunts. "It's bad enough if the generals are well-equipped. This one's armor was damn good. And both the armor and the axe *fit* him. Maybe storm-rider manufacture would be as good, but... I worry."
<Brian> Lammermore just grunts at him.  "Let's get back inside," he says.  "We'll look at it under proper light."
<Bjorn> "Nobody owns a wizard," Bjorn snorts.  "Who would want to, at that?  But yes, I know a few."
<Bjorn> "I think I have my hands full with the axe," Bjorn says, slightly apologetically.  "Can someone grab a piece or two of the armor?"
<Brian> The men gather up to haul the armor in -- it's pretty heavy stuff, a good half-inch thick.
<Bjorn> Bjorn nods his thanks, and then follows Lammermore back to the Keep.
<Brian> They're also pretty eager to be headed back into the keep, once you do so.
<Brian> Once you're through the doors, along with all of your men, the fires in the trenches dwindle and vanish, and the great doors are closed with a resounding 'thud'.
<Bjorn> 'We'll be back soon enough,' Bjorn thinks with dark humour.
<Brian> Lord Kevin looks, if not elated, quite pleased.  "Excelent work," he says, nodding at you, Breke (who followed you), and Lammermore, whose illusion fades just after the doors shut.  "If it's not too forward of me, Bjorn, methinks you need a better weapon, though."
<Bjorn> "A longer one, at least, would not go amiss, my Lord," Bjorn replies, with just a touch of irony.
<Brian> He nods.  "Ask Lord Ekim to make one for you.  If he wants compensation, I'll take care of it.  There will be a meeting in an hour of all the officers, and senior lorekeepers to discuss the battle today, and then we'll want to get some rest before tomorrow.  I'd like it if you could attend."
<Brian> Breke raises an eyebrow.
<Bjorn> Bjorn bows slightly.  "Certainly, my Lord.  I and Sir Breke will attend."
<Brian> "Good," he says, nodding.  "What are you carrying that axe for?"
<Bjorn> "It has merit as a trophy, for the morale of the men," Bjorn says, taking the opportunity to drop it and rest his arms.  "But it is also a very good weapon, and I want to know how the general of an army so supposedly ragtag came to be this well equipped."
<Brian> Kevin nods slowly.  "Something to consider.  Radagast may be able to glean something from it, as well.  Could you bring it to the meeting?"
<Bjorn> Bjorn looks down at it.  'Fuck.'  "Certainly, my Lord."  'Jesus.  Stupid shit.'
<Brian> "Thank you," he says, nodding.  "Lord Ekim is usually in the forge, behind the keep.  Until the meeting, I'll leave you to your own devices then."  He and Lammermore move to enter the keep.
<Bjorn> Bjorn bows after them.  "So," he says to Breke, "you want to come along while I visit the smith?"
<Brian> "He's that huge thing that feels like a rock?" Breke asks quietly, looking at you quizically.
<Bjorn> "I assume so," Bjorn replies.
<Brian> Breke ponders, and then nods.  "Yeah.  I'll carry that axe so you can handle the chains like you're supposed to.  I'd like to know what kind of weapon you're better at handling, anyway.  You treat that sword like a toy, when your reflexes say you know a better weapon."
<Bjorn> Bjorn grunts.  "My teacher'd kill me if he heard you say that," he mutters without thinking.  Passing the axe to Breke, he takes up the chains, and leads the way to Master Ekim.
<Brian> "Your teacher at the temple?" Breke says, grunting as he accepts the axe.  "Hammar, this thing is heavier than sin.  And I should know."
<Bjorn> "At least you didn't have to carry it in off the battlefield," Bjorn counters, and then grins.  "You have to carry it farther than that."
<Brian> You skirt around the keep, since you seem to remember the main hall being used as a site of revelry, and Breke would like to converse.  Most likely, you'd have to worry about people overhearing you if you went that route.
<Brian> "We've all got our rods to bear," Breke says solemnly.  "My own sin is the deceit I immerse myself in so freely.  My death will not be kind when it comes."
<Bjorn> "Then stop lying," Bjorn growls.  "Frankly, you were a fool for taking up the lie in the first place, and more fool for continuing it."
<Brian> "As is ever the way of pride," he replies indifferently.  "I've no doubt I'll deserve what happens."
<Bjorn> "I'm beginning to see why you had to cut a deal with a god to become a master swordsman," Bjorn half-snarls.
<Brian> You round the corner of the keep, and come across a large courtyard.  There's a good number of chickens digging through the dirt and straw lying around, and you can hear the occasional 'tink' of metal on metal from a building with smoke pouring out of its chimney.
<Brian> Breke grins.  "Maybe," he says.
<Bjorn> "And what would you do," Bjorn says, stopping dead, "if I told everyone about your secret?"
<Brian> Breke considers this, and frowns.  "Be angry," he said.  "It'd be difficult to deny.  I imagine people would think very little of me.  Maybe I'd leave."  He shrugs.
<Bjorn> "And if I told them that you were blind, not mad, but too proud to admit it?
<Bjorn> "
<Bjorn> *
<Brian> "I'd tell them the truth.  I'm no master swordsman at all.  I've just got swords that Aestock made for Hammar.  I can tell you've got skill ... and I envy that.  I used to be able to learn, before I gave my sight to Hammar."
<Brian> "Now?" he asks, shrugging again.  "I can't.  I took a shortcut, and am barred from true learning."
<Bjorn> "Barred?" Bjorn raises an eyebrow.  "Just because you're blind?"
<Brian> "I've been told my eyes still work," he clarifies.  "They react to light.  But some part of me that allows me to use them was taken away and replaced with the skill Hammar left in me ... or maybe it was the swords.  The part of me that could learn skill on my own went with it.  I can learn facts.  I can remember things.  But I cannot learn how to do new things.  I tried to learn weaving, once.
<Brian> "It seemed simple enough ... but each morning when I awoke, I'd forgotten how I'd done what I did the day before.  It was gone.  I remembered doing it, but the how ... was stolen from me.  And the blame?  My own pride."
<Bjorn> Bjorn grunts thoughtfully, studying Breke.
<Brian> "I've become a vessel of vengeance, of death.  I become trapped in my ways.  I feel that this is justice done to me for my sin."
<Brian> "Unfortunately," he says, smiling sardonically, "I'm good at what I do.  I don't foresee my own death any time soon."
<Bjorn> "Your sin?"  Bjorn asks.  "The 'sin' of asking Hammar to make you a master swordsman?"
<Brian> "The sin of pride, and sloth," he says.  "I had a teacher.  I could have learned myself.  But I was lazy, and felt I deserved better than to suffer.  I deserved merely to know.  So I bargained with Hammar.  A swordsman of insurmountable skill, even blind?  It seemed a good trade.  But my pride poisoned the bargain.  I wish I could have struggled, and suffered ... and looked at a sunrise every morning when I trained.
<Brian> "Instead, I woke one day, unable to see, and bested my teacher.  We declared my learning over at that point."
<Brian> He grins again, though his voice is a bit thicker.  "Ah, irony."
<Bjorn> Bjorn grimaces.  "Sloth and pride are sins, true.  But indulging them, tempting people into them...." He shakes his head, and sighs.  "I won't tell your secrets," he says, quietly, "but think carefully about them.  You've been taught the price of pride a hundred times over.  Don't pay it any more than you have to."
<Brian> Shaking his head, he says, "You're very wise, church man.  Thank you for indulging me in my confession.  Shall we meet this 'Ekim', now?"
<Bjorn> "I don't know," Bjorn says.  "Are you that eager to get the axe out of your hands?"
<Brian> "It is as heavy as sin," he repeats.
<Bjorn> "And you're eager to get rid of the one, but not the other?" Bjorn grins.  "Constancy is an important attribute, I'm told."  Taking up the chains, though, Bjorn leads the way to Ekim's forge without further ado.
<Brian> "I hope to retire when this is over," he muses quietly, just before you enter the doorway.
<Bjorn> "When it's over?" Bjorn says, choking down a hollow laugh.  "I could only hope."  Shaking his head, he steps to the door, and knocks upon the frame.
<Brian> Ekim is crouched next to the forge, as huge and hulking as before, though you've never been this close to him before.  He's got to be three meters tall, almost as wide, and looks like he's made out of stone with rusted steel wool for hair.  The forge fire is reflected uncannily in his eyes when he looks up from the weapon he's forging.  It looks like the blade for a halberd.
<Brian> "Hmmmm?" he grunts, his voice low and grating, like huge slabs of stone rubbing against one another.
<Bjorn> "My Lord Ekim?" Bjorn bows, respectfully.  "My name is Bjorn, and I am a vassal of Hammar.  Lord Kevin respectfully wonders if you could provide me with a weapon."
<Brian> "A man of Hammar," he says thoughtfully.  "And what's wrong with your sword?" he asks.
<Bjorn> "It is a bit short for my tastes," Bjorn says, "and the hilt is also a bit short.  I prefer a sword meant for the draw-cut, rather than for thrusting or chopping."
<Brian> "A long sword?" Ekim asks, his features drooping slightly.
<Bjorn> "A..." Bjorn hesitates, suddenly wondering how the word will come out.  "A katana, if you please."
<Brian> Ekim blinks, and Breke cocks his head to one side.  "What?" they ask together.
<Brian> "Eh, sorry," Breke says, shaking his head.
<Brian> "What kind of weapon is that?" Ekim asks.
Bjorn sighs inwardly. 'Worried about that.'
<Bjorn> Bjorn does his best to explain a katana -- the shape, its feel, and as much as what he knows of the smithing procedure as he can manage, with all due warning as to his level of knowledge in that regard.
<Brian> Ekim asks for a bit of clarification, specifically, for you to demonstrate with your hands what the length, curvature, and such would be.  Other than those few questions, he feels confident he can actually make the weapon you're describing.
<Brian> "I will have it ready for you before the moon sets again," he promises.
<Bjorn> "Thank you, my Lord."  Bjorn bows quickly, and then pauses.  "Actually, my Lord, if you could humor me for a moment by taking a look at this axe?"
<Brian> Ekim grunts, and takes the axe from Breke with one hand, handing it easily.  Then again, given that his hammer looks like a massive stone block on a stick, it probably weighs almost nothing to him....  "Hmm," he muses, in his low, rumbling voice.  "Sturdy make, at least.  Not made for human hands.  Hmmm....  This was not made over a forge fire.  It was crafted deep within the earth, over a vent of the earth's hot, boiling blood."
<Brian> He frowns very darkly, then.  "It bears a dwarven master crafter's seal on it," he adds.  "Where did you find it?"
<Bjorn> "I was afraid of that," Bjorn says.  "This axe was wielded by the general of this night's battle, my Lord."
<Brian> He grits his teeth, the fire in his eyes flaring brightly.  "Too small to be made for a dwarf, and we've never fought with such," he growls, barely even comprehensible, now.  "I am filled with shame and fury that my brethren could be seduced so.  I ask your leave to study this, and find who of my kind is responsible."
<Bjorn> "As you wish, my Lord.  Lord Kevin, also, wishes to know the answers to the same question.  If it will not bother you, might I wait here while you work?"
<Brian> He shakes his head, and the fire in his eyes dims, changing shade from an angry red to a calmer yellow, nearly orange.  "I do not mind," he says, setting the axe aside.  "I must speak with Lord Kevin and the others later.  Now, I will ready the metal to be crafted into your weapon.  We will finish after speaking to Lord Kevin."
<Bjorn> "Thank you, my Lord," Bjorn says, and moves out of Ekim's way.
<Brian> You see at this point that the anvil he's been using is actually a boxy, dwarf-sized, tower shield.  The base has thick spikes that look like it could be planted into earth or (if driven hard enough) stone.
Bjorn cocks an eyebrow at that, but says nothing.
<Brian> From a bucket to one side, he produces a few handfuls of steel, separating out what he perceives as the better material carefully, and then heating it.  Over the course of about a half-hour, he takes untempered steel, and turns it into raw stock, though he doesn't use his hammer for this; he puts it in the forge fire, then kneads it together like dough.

[Brian]

Once the tempered steel is set aside, Ekim nods sagely, and says, "Now, I must meet with Lord Kevin."  Rising, he frowns at the axe.  "May I carry that?" he asks, turning to look at you with a hopeful expression.

[Bjorn]

"Please feel free," Bjorn replies courteously.  Taking up Breke's chains, he waits for Ekim to be ready, and then leads the way to the council chambers.

[Brian]

Ekim trundles out of the forge, taking up his shield and hammer before doing so.  Once he's outside, and able to stand up straight, he rolls his shoulders, working kinks out of his stony muscles.  After a minute of this, he nods, and lumbers towards the keep.  The back door of the keep is not as great as the main doors in front, but they are still pretty big, so he doesn't need to hunker down.

Even though it would be faster to take the servants passages to the top of the Keep, they have a lower cieling, so he crosses the entire length of the keep, then ascends to the top, and THEN crosses again to reach Lord Kevin's door.  The guards (and there are about ten of them before Lord Kevin's office) look awed at him, and give him a wide berth, opening the doors as he approaches.

Bjorn now leaves this thread, and goes to Successful Mission.