Drink With Me

[Brian]

All three guards look uncomfortable at this.  "We will do our best," Eron finally says.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods.  "I know you will," he says simply, and then turns to leave, heading towards Ekim's forge.

[Brian]

It doesn't take you long to get there -- you're starting to learn your way around the keep.  In short order, you reach the courtyard where Ekim's forge is located.  Five guards are standing casually around the area, probably to protect Ekim, though you're not sure what exactly they would be able to do if something able of hurting Ekim actually came around.

Either way, the sound of metal-on-metal rings from the force, as it almost always does when Ekim is there.

[Bjorn]

Nodding to the guards, Bjorn makes his way over to the forge, where he stands in the doorway and waits for Ekim to notice him.

[Brian]

When you look into the forge, Ekim is working on reforging your katana.  He glances up when you enter, and nods at you, but continues working at it.  The sword Lammermore wielded is nowhere in sight.

[Bjorn]

"Lord Ekim," Bjorn says, by way of lead-in, "I have some questions that I hoped you might be able to answer."

[Brian]

He grunts, setting the still-glowing katana in the coals of the forge before turning around to give you his full attention.  "What would you like to know?" he asks in his grating, rumbling voice.

[Bjorn]

"To start with, I find myself carrying Sir Breke's blades," Bjorn says slowly.  "But beyond the fact that they were gift to him by Hammar, I know little of them."  Taking them from his belt, he holds them out.  "I wondered if, perhaps, you could tell me more."

[Brian]

Ekim obligingly takes the blades into his hands, and studies them closely.  "No metal, this," he says after a moment, appraisingly.  "The legends say ... the legends you should recall ... that the swords are made from woven light and shadow.  No grain, no seam, only the will of Aestock, and the fury of Hammar."  He nods at them, and hands them back.  "They will, I think, serve you better than my own.  But it intrigues me, so I will craft that one anew for you anyway."

At about this point, Ekim looks up at a noise in the courtyard.  The five lounging guards have all managed to wander before the forge in what could be considered a loosely protective formation, ready to repel invaders trying to break through their line.  Beyond them, you can see a group of Storm-riders led by Nathan.

[Rezantis]

"Well, there have been some changes since I was last here," Rez blinks in surprise, then waves to Ekim, "Ho, Master Ekim!"

[Brian]

Ekim's face splits into a wide grin, showing off his teeth to full effect.  The guards waver, and lower their weapons.  "Friend Shuker!" Ekim calls, his rumbling voice resonating through the ground beneath your feet.  "Your ancestors must smile upon the care you show their work," he adds, bowing formally.

[Rezantis]

"Thank you, Friend Ekim - and your craftsmanship, might I say, is truly unparallelled in all I have seen," Nathan returns Ekim's bow as he says this, then bows to Bjorn, "And it is good to see you still well, Bjorn."

[Bjorn]

"And you as well, Sir Shuker," Bjorn says, with a slight bow, putting away the swords of Hammar.

[Rezantis]

Rez blinks in mild surprise.

"New swords?"

[Bjorn]

"So to speak," he replies, quietly.  "I had some questions for Lord Ekim, but if you need his help, I can easily come back later."