Drink With Me

[Rezantis]

"Very briefly, but . . ." Rez trails off and blinks as something occurs to him, "Alex, can you show your new axe to Bjorn?"

[Bjorn]

The minute Bjorn sees the axe, he frowns.  "That looks like the axe the General was using," he says slowly.  "If it is -- you picked it up off the battlefield? -- then it's part of the second question I was going to ask, Lord Ekim.  The general used the axe to create the barrier that sealed off the area around him.  Ogres aren't generally known for such powers, and I was wondering how much of that ability might have come from the axe itself."

[Rezantis]

"Really? Very interesting," Rez looks to Ekim to see what he has to say.

[Brian]

Ekim grunts, and reaches towards Alec.  Alec, to his credit, stands his ground, then seems to realize what Ekim wants.  "Oh, right," he says, handing over the axe somewhat reluctantly.

Ekim takes it in his hands -- at its scale, even this weapon seems small for him -- and studies it closely.

"These markings were made by no dwarf," he says slowly.  "Or, perhaps, by a dwarf at the instruction of another.  I do not recognize them -- that would be the domain of your lorekeepers, I think."

[Rezantis]

Rez nods, consideringly.

"Alec? You should probably avoid using the axe until you've had the chance to speak to Loremaster Radagast, or possibly Lorekeeper Parthipan.  The general was always going to fall, so they may have worked something in there as a trap to anyone on our side who might take it up.  It should be checked, anyway, and you'll have the chance before tomorrow's battle."

[Brian]

Alec looks dissapointed.  "I was so looking forward to giving it back to the Dreadmarch," he sighs.  "Can I leave it here until someone can check it for me, then?"

Ekim nods, placing it to one side of the forge, leaning against the wall.  "I can watch over a weapon," he says.  "I've hidden yesterday's away.  Radagast said it was fine."

[Rezantis]

"You'll get your shot," Nathan nods emphatically, "we'll ask Lord Kevin to have some lorekeepers examine it, so if all goes well we'll pick it up when we're done. Hm."

There's a pause, and Rez looks back at Ekim.

"Oh. Ahm . . . I was wondering . . ." Rez looks quite sheepish at this, "I made the mistake of sheathing my sword while it was still, er, wanting to break things . . . so I was wondering if you had any spare scabbards of about the right size, or if the keep's armory is likely to have any."

[Brian]

Ekim's face splits into a wide grin.  "She's a bloodthirsty one," he agrees, eyeing your sword with the proud beaming joy of an uncle.  "I'll craft a new one ... but you must promise to care for it.  The sword must be calmed before it will rest."

[Rezantis]

"Oh yes," Rez nods, "And she's very, very good at what she does.  I'll be more careful next time . . . I wasn't thinking when I did that."

[Brian]

Edward smirks, but says nothing.  Arthur looks confused, and Alec and Eric nod to themselves, as though it were to be expected.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn raises an eyebrow at this discussion, but says nothing.  "I have only a quick question left, Lord Ekim, if you can spare the time?"

[Rezantis]

"Well, we must be going . . . we apparently have things to do," Rez raises a questioning eyebrow at Bjorn at this, "you and I must speak to each other later, Bjorn, when we both have more time."

He turns back to Ekim, "My thanks, friend Ekim . . . I wish we could stay longer, but duty calls." He bows, then makes to leave.

If there's nothing else, to Lord Kevin's They Shall Go!

[Brian]

"Certainly," Ekim replies.  "What question do you have?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn pauses for a long second, trying to think how best to phrase this question.  "There are legends," he says finally, "that anything struck by a Dwarf's hammer, be it metal or man, becomes stronger than it was before.  Is that true?"

[Brian]

Ekim stands up straight (as much as he can in the small forge), and turns his head skyward.  "It is true," he says after a moment, in a deep, rumbling voice.  "And this is why I do not fight, for I am not willing to craft better foes than we already face in this battle."