Drink With Me

[Rezantis]

Rez pauses a second on hearing this and turns back to Bjorn . . .

Oh, he is not . . .

[Bjorn]

"And if used on allies?" Bjorn persists, as politely as he can.   "Could Estin Stonewright do more than make weapons for the Dreadmarch?"

[Brian]

Ekim ponders this for a long while, the flame in his eyes dimming to a faint spark for so long that you wonder if the dwarf has fallen asleep.  After a while, as the storm-riders begin to look impatient and uncomfortable, Ekim raises his head, and studies the moon.  "It is possible," he says slowly, "but a true master of the craft cannot turn to such a cause and maintain all of his skill.  The true mastery of smithing is more than just a physical construction.  It is an act of will and ... purity.  There is a very severe logic to the mastery of dwarven steel.  It is a requirement that we cast chaos in all forms from our tools.

"That is what our pursuit is.  It is for THAT that we eliminate chaos from that which we strike, and may temper on accident that which we seek to destroy.  One who no longer respects that purity ... one who works willingly with corruption ... I cannot think they would retain such an ability.  It would fade ... their works could be just as strong as any other dwarf's, but the stain and scar on their spirit would mark them ... forever."  Ekim lowers his eyes then, the flames in them brightening enough to threaten to drown out the light of the forge fire.

"And so, it is not something that we knowingly, or willingly, would do," he warns.  "Even dark and corrupted, we put a part of ourselves into what we forge.  We have no wish to make something else that lives a piece of us.  To mingle ourselves is to lose that focus and purity ... to make us ... something else."

[Rezantis]

Nathan grimaces, his eyes staring blankly as he replays the scene once more in his mind, then snapping back to focus on Ekim as he starts to speak.

"The dwarf, the jotun, and the archon were just standing out there - having a merry little chat in the front of the army . . . but I can't possibly see what any dwarf - or any archon, for that matter - could possibly stand to gain from this . . . madness," Nathan spits the last word with pure disgust.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn shrugs, and pitches his voice low, keeping it for the ears of Nathan and Ekim alone.  "The archon is self-evident,  I think.  We've seen that the Archonae are all obsessed with maintaining their power and security, and have been worrying about the prophecy that would spell the end of the rule.  The Dreadmarch Archon likely decided -- or was convinced -- that since 'betrayal' by humanity was an inevitability, he would do best to try and make his peace with his former masters.

"As for Estin... I don't know him, or even Dwarves, begging your pardon, well enough.  I can think of perhaps half a dozen possible motives off the top of my head.  Knowledge -- this axe was forged in a manner different from tradition, yes?  The offer of some new smith-crafting knowledge might have tempted him.  The chance to match his best work against the best weapons of the defenders of Stormwall Keep.  In that same line, perhaps he did not feel that his proper talents were being recognized, or some other slight he felt the need to avenge?  Or perhaps he desired power, pure and simple."  

Bjorn shrugs again, a tiny expressive motion that suggests he's very sorry to have brought up all this unpleasant discussion, and perhaps you'd be better not to think about what he said too much.  "As I said, though, I understand little of the mindset of Dwarves, and never having met Estin, I know nothing of him at all.  These are ideas, but ideas alone.  The matter is complicated by the fact that this is the first time that the Dreadmarch has gone to such efforts to recruit."  He grimaces.  "Either they feel they have something new to offer, or they have a skilled strategist working for them this time.  They may have offered him anything beneath the sun -- and just as likely been lying as telling the truth."

[Rezantis]

Rez just looks at the ground during Bjorn's speech.

"Well . . . if they stand with the orcs, then Gods help me they'll die with the orcs," he looks up to meet Bjorn's eyes, and he looks absolutely furious, "Makes no difference to me."

He bows wordlessly to Ekim and Bjorn once more, turns on his heel, nodding to the four stormriders with him, and set out to find Lord Kevin.

[Brian]

Ekim grunts.  "All will come to light," he says.  "In time."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods.  "As you say, Lord Ekim.  We do what we must.  What we cannot know, we must not worry about."  He sighs.  "Thank you for your time, my Lord.  Unless there is something I can do for you, I think I should speak again with Sir Shuker."  He waits for a sign of acknolwedgement from Ekim, and then, assuming Ekim doesn't show any signs of wanting to talk more, he moves quickly to catch up with Nathan.

[Brian]

Ekim nods at you as you leave, but otherwise goes back to reforging the katana.

You catch up with Nathan quickly.

[Rezantis]

Rez slows down until Bjorn catches up, then keeps walking. "Been having fun while I was gone?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn snorts softly.  "What fun there is to be had, yes.  Where are you off to?"

[Rezantis]

"Lord Kevin apparently wants some stormriders for something, so Drac asked me to take care of it.  I didn't get told any specifics."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn grunts.  "Ah.  That'd be for my idea, then."  He glances over at the storm-riders.  "There's either too many or not enough of you, but it'll do.  All right.  Let's find the library.  With any luck, Radagast and Eske will be there."

[Rezantis]

"The . . . library? What, is it time to accuse Miss Scarlet?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn looks around, reflexively checking to see if the other storm-riders are within ear shot, and then raises an eyebrow.  "Miss... Scarlett?  I'm afraid I don't know the person.  Do you know something that you need to share?"