Nothing out of the Ordinary

[Rezantis]

"That settles that, then. This whole mess is starting to get to me."

Rez finishes up stew and bread.

[Brian]

Alec hesitates, then bolts what's left of his meal to follow you.  "I gotta pick up that axe," he explains.

Arthur and Edward snort, and Edward says, "Well, I'm going to get some rest.  You can call upon me if you need anything else, Sir Shuker."  With that he bows politely, and walks away, Arthur following a few steps behind.

[Rezantis]

"Thanks for coming, both of you," Rez returns their bow and grins at Alec, "Shall we go, then, so you can go retrieve your shiny new toy?"

[Brian]

"It's not a toy," Alec says, sniffing.  "It's a gift, one I intend to return as often and swiftly as possible."

[Rezantis]

Rez snickers, and starts walking out towards the forge..

"I'm sure they'll be awed by your . . . courtesy.  It's always polite to return favors, after all."

[Brian]

Alec just grins at that.

In due course, you reach Ekim's forge.  There's no sound of metal-on-metal from within, though you can see Ekim sitting on a stone bench out front, staring skyward moodily and puffing on a large pipe.

[Rezantis]

"Ho, Friend Ekim," Rez bows respectfully, then pauses.

"Something bothering you?"

[Brian]

He raises an eyebrow at that, turning ponderously to face you before looking back up at the sky.  "No," he answers after a moment.  "But I thought to look at the stars, and remember a bit."

[Dracos]

Dracos steps in, as humbly and quietly as a fellow like he can.  "Ah, here you are, Nathan.  Greetings, Lord Ekim.  It is good to see that you are in good health."

Dracos

[Brian]

Ekim grunts.  "I've never been in any other health," he says neutrally.  "What brings you here, my fine lords and sirs?"  He frowns then, and adds, "Ah, yes.  The scabbard for your blade.  I'll fetch it in a moment."  He takes one last pull on the pipe, some thick, impossibly harsh-looking smoke escaping from his mouth before he exhales it out in a perfect ring.

Lumbering upright, he taps the pipe out, pockets it, and ducks into the forge.  After a moment, he returns, bearing a heavy (but sturdy) looking scabbard.  "Here," he says, proffering it to Nathan.

[Rezantis]

Rez blinks at the mention of 'Lord' Ekim, and realizes he's been perpetuating a fairly massive faux pas.

Whoops.

Taking the scabbard, he bows to Ekim. "Many thanks - I promise to take better care of it than my last one, too.  Ah . . . Alec was also hoping to pick up the axe he left here, now that the loremasters have examined it."

[Brian]

Alec smiles helpfully, and Ekim grunts, reaching into the forge and producing the large axe again.  "Here," he repeats, offering the weapon to Alec, who happily accepts it.

[Rezantis]

Rez holds back a snicker, then sobers.

"May I ask, friend Ekim - I mean no offense by this, I'm simply curious - why do you, yourself, come north to Stormwall to face the dreadmarch?"

[Brian]

Ekim's face scrunches up in concentration for a moment -- all hard planes of stone -- but relaxes into his normal expression.  "I remember the original war," he says slowly.  "I never cared for the Archonae, but I cared for the elder gods even less.  Loremaster Radagast asked that I come, and said he wanted to build things that no human smith had the ability to forge.

"I do menial and uninspiring work, as well.  Arrowheads, swords," he adds with a grimace.  "But I got to work on tools and weapons this world has not seen in ages.  I'll tell no lie; I've no desire for the elder gods or the Dreadmarch to win.  But my people do not fight, for that is not our role.  We have faith in humans, and the gods they created, to ensure that all is safe.

"But is it, perhaps, arrogant to assume we deserve this protection?  It was curiosity that drew me here ... but seeing a fallen brother join the foe, that and your determination in fighting to protect yourselves, and my kind ... I would be a fool to leave.  I do what I can, though my ability is limited.  What services I can render, however, are yours."  He shrugs at that.

[Rezantis]

Nathan is quiet for a moment after he hears this.

"Our determination is a funny thing, it is.  I was told, by a friend, that I truly had no idea what I was getting into when I came to fight here . . . she was right, I think.  But like you, I can't just up and leave.  None of us here can.  If we don't fight, or do whatever we can to help in our own ways . . ."

He nods.

"Don't diminish what you do here, Lord Ekim.  Not just for your skills, but your presence here boosts the spirits of the people, to realize that we aren't alone. Your presence is more appreciated than you know."