▪?▪ A day after the Sentencing ▪?▪

Stepping into the forge she watched the blacksmith press into the bellows one final time before turning to look at her. Bowing his head he took his exit but only after pointing out the materials left for her on the nearby long table.

Moving to the table she stretched out a hand to the beautiful metal. There was even some pure mythril. She didn't ask for that but she was thankful for it all the same. Reaching into her vest she pulled out a small pouch that held the blood jewel she had forged. There were many rare names for the stone but in the end it was still the same thing; A piece of her soul in gemstone form. To create the jewel had been both painful and emptying but she found it somewhat satisfying to know that a piece of her would be there to protect.. him.

Sighing the placed with the rest of the items before the precious amethyst slab was collected. Turning she moved to the back of the building. She had planned on doing this right. The metal was set into the bowl that sat on top of some heavily heated coals. She would sit twenty-four hours, prodding and shifting the coals to make sure the temperature remained high. She would make this..perfect.

The metal was a beautiful melted splendor. Pearly sheen of a lovely purple with veins of a deeper shade swirled the mix as the mystical metal was prepared. It would make a beautiful, powerful weapon.

Every four hours, almost on the dot, she would hear the heavy door from the outer room open. It sort of annoyed her, really. The change in temperature wasn't a good thing. Thankfully the shifts were brief and wouldn't disturb the swirling melted metal that much. Aren was checking up on her. Bringing her food and drink. Even brought her a blanket in case she needed to sleep.

Aren was a beautiful young man. Not that she ever noticed. Young, angelic features of a boy just entering manhood. Like all Altians he grew into his height early. Just over fourteen years old and he was already towering over her. It was funny. She was soon to be six years over his age and he hovered over her like some guardian. His hair was feathery about his young face. What always made it eerie for her was his eyes. Solid black. There was no whites nor any pupils. So it was always hard to see where he was looking. His smile was always warm and kind to her..

She knew why..

He wouldn't stay for long, leaving her to her task. The tedious waiting left her mind to wander. So many things have been happening. Back to back. Never without rest. She hated it. Why couldn't things be the way they use to be? Why couldn't things be..happy..

She found it unfair. So many people could find their happiness but she seemed to have very little. Muscles coiled as she stared at the metal. She felt her eyes water and would dismiss it as to blame the dry air. She knew better..

Hope..

There was no hope. At least not in her heart.

Hours into the procedure she moved to start on the molding for what she hoped would be a marvelous piece. The molding itself was a painful process that would leave her hands aching. Softening a blank she started pressing in with dagger then started to press a more curve into the mold.

The weapon would be unique. Strong. Just..like he was. It would be a piece that she hoped would....protect him when she could not.

The mold finished she flinched and flexed her hands. Food and drink were consumed before some rest was taken in. It was not complete rest. Almost every fifteen minutes she was up and stirring the coals to keep the temperature just right. Dedicated.

When the time came she set into work. The long handles of the mold was taken and the mold itself filled with the metal. She traveled quickly through the building and shoved a smaller forge of heated coals that had been prepared for this part. Waiting for ticks of seconds she turned and shoved the mold into a vat of water. The water hissed as the mold and the liquid metal quickly cooled. She didn't allow it to cool completely before the mold was pulled out and set onto the anvil nearby. Carefully the upper fold of the mold was peeled away and dropped to the side. A keen eye swept over the metal for any imperfections as she reached for the forging tongs.

Gripping the end of the soft blade the bottom mold was carefully removed. The blade was an angry shade of red and she grinned. For some reason it made her think of him. Shaking her head she quickly took up her hammer and set into folding the blade into design. The process was just as long and took all her strength but she would bend it to the design in her mind. When the blade grew too hard it was shoved back into the coals before taken out and pounded into the metal again.

Exhausting work but the blade was finally in the desired shape. Holding it up she smiled at it. It was a representation of her feelings. Strong and true. A final shove into the coals before it was pulled out and she started to carve in deep groves of a design throughout the blade to give it more of a elegant appeal. She had to be careful to go just the right depth or when she took the blade to the grind and shiner then the design would not be seen!

It would be a few more hours before the blade was finished. Before she started in the finishing touches she placed the mythril to melt in a mold for the hilt. A specialized hilt that would cradle the blade, not just hold it.

As she finished shining the blade and connecting the hilt to the blade she hammered the two pieces tightly together. They would not come apart even if the gods attempted to pull them apart. Holding the blade up to inspect it she found her eyes drifting past it to the pouch on the table.

The last piece to add..

Moving to the table she opened the pouch and pulled out the beautiful jewel. It was warm to the touch, pulsing with her life. A glorious shade of crimson. There was brief pause in her actions. Should she really do this? Should she really place it in the weapon that he might not even keep? What if the weapon was sold instead? Some stranger with a piece of her soul..It wasn't a pleasing thought..But...

But she would take that chance! The gemstone was shoved into the opening and with a little work from a carving tool the blood stone was set. Set eternally within the mythril hilt.

An oil cloth was taken to the masterpiece with a smile.

It was finished.

Still there was metal left over. She had thought what to do with it. Would be a waste to just toss it away. And she still needed to get Ixora her Christmas gifts.

Crafting gifts was much more special then buying them.

A bright smile as the dagger was laid to rest in the comfort of soft velvet.

First the rest of the left over mythril was prepared and stringed. Twisted and hammered into several shapes. Twin bracelets, earrings, and even with careful twists, a lovely necklace. The rest of the amethyst metal was shaped to be placed in the groves of the metal awaiting the purple glory. Jewelry was so much more easier then weapons but that didn't mean she didn't place any less care into the jewelry that would be given to the one named Ixora.

The process for the jewelry took a matter of five hours but by the time she was completely finished she felt her entire being completely exhausted. Muscles acted horribly but it was a satisfying feeling.

She didn't know Ixora as much as she would like to think but in hopes she would like the pieces they were tucked away into a box.

Swallowing she took up everything and left the forge. She would place the dagger with some of the nice clothing she had gotten for him. Place both gifts in some nice boxes.

And deliver them before her leave...