Magic_Smithing
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Ch: 63
🕑 Added 2020-11-09 04:10:07 +0000 UTCKervin’s Point of View:
"We finally made it!" I cry out as we enter the inspection line to get into Teeburn. A few people passing by give me odd looks, but I don't care right now.
We traveled light and never stopped moving, and it still took us eight days to reach the city. We did break a record, though; we were attacked by bandits three times this trip. They swarmed us like flies, almost like they could smell the gold I was transporting.
I look over my shoulder at my goods. This is the emptiest my cart has been in a while, yet the few things I'm hauling are worth close to 100 gold coins.
I’m vibrating in my seat in anticipation.
If the general approves of the arrow, Aaliyah and I stand to make a good deal of profit. I bet the girl is probably in her forge right now, prepping to make the next arrow when I arrive with more kaglese.
“What are you thinking about?” I nearly fall off of my cart when Reel whispers in my ear. I never felt him hop into the cart or when he got directly behind me.
“The day I no longer need to deal with you,” I snap back at him.
Reel only smiles and chuckles at my look of anger. “You say that, but you know you need me. Who was the one that spotted the bandits, and who was the one who killed the most of them?" Reel smiles at my displeasure, showing off his teeth.
I don’t acknowledge the man who is a pain in my ass and instead focus on the line in front of me.
He's right, though. Ever since I started hauling stuff for Aaliyah, I’ve seen a subtle change in the bandits that attack us. Usually, a bandit group will ask you to give up a part of your wares and let you be on your way if you comply.
It's always a gamble what a merchant is carrying, and if too many merchants in an area die, there's less money moving around. And merchants who do travel, travel with a small army, not the kind of target a smart bandit group is willing to take on.
I missed the days when it was those types of bandits trying to rob me.
The three groups that attacked us were half the size of standard bandit groups; the largest only had five people. But it wasn't hungry farmers or young men desperate for a few coins, the people that attacked my cart this time didn’t try to negotiate.
Each tried to ambush us, and if it weren't for Reel, they likely would've succeeded. They were professional highwaymen and knew we were carrying expensive goods even though we didn’t look it.
I always thought it was people in the merchant profession held skills related to money. Still, Reel explained to us every decent bandit has a skill dedicated to sniffing out coin on a person, and the better ones can approximate goods as well.
I glance to my left and right at Lurte and Ryiba. They were each only able to handle a single bandit while Reel had to take care of the rest.
I’ll have to ask Aaliyah to forge them some better gear when she has some free time, whenever that is.
When we make it to the front of the line, I show my credentials, and we're quickly let through after they inspect the crates of arrows.
As we make our way down Teeburn’s main road, I try to spot all the differences since we were here last. Many more shops are open, and most of the inns look like they've finally seen a new coat of paint.
There are a lot more people walking around as well. The magic weather from the fighting has only grown stronger, so everyone is wearing thick pants along with a light shirt, along with their coats tied around their waists. They're prepared for the weather to shift at a moment's notice.
Even though spring is coming fast, it feels like the middle of summer because of this magical heatwave. We all had to take our jackets off when we approached the city, but we're still sweating in our heavy trousers.
I see a few restaurants advertising temperature-controlled rooms meant to draw in wealthy merchants and stalls with people offering snow-filled pouches to cool your person. That's quite ingenious; they probably gather the snow when the weather shifts and wait for a heatwave to sell it for a profit.
Focus, Kervin, I berate myself. Cracking the reins, I usher my bivol towards the army’s supply station.
Sadly, we soon hit another line of carts, trying to make it into the army’s clearing. Lurte and Ryiba keep an eye on the area while Reel lays down in the back of the cart.
It takes over an hour before we reach the front of the line, and I can better see the clearing the army is using to receive goods. Gone is the half hazard spots for carts to park, and in their place are marked areas each wagon has to fit into. Many carts are pushed close together, enough so you can’t walk in between them.
"Name and plate?" A male soldier asks me. Despite the hot weather, he's standing tall in full gear and has an emblem designating him a lieutenant.
“Kervin, from Silver Herd,” I tell the man and hand him my plate.
He visually perks up when he hears my name. He takes my plate and scans over it lightning fast. “Mr. Kervin, it’s good to have you back.” The soldier hands me my plate back and sends a few hand signals across the clearing.
Another soldier comes running over. The man who inspected my plate turns to the new arrival. "This is Kervin from Silver Herd; take him to the captain's reception area."
“Sir,” the new soldier salutes his superior officer and gestures for me to follow. I never thought I would ever end up receiving special treatment like this.
We’re escorted back to the area we used for our private meeting last time, and I'm surprised how much they've improved it. One of the old buildings that made up the ally we conducted our business in is torn down, and a tent has taken its place. The area is level and even has a campfire going.
And just like in the central clearing, they have a space set aside for carts to park.
"The captain will be here momentarily," the soldier informs me before walking back to his post.
“Let’s get the crates unloaded and opened before he arrives,” I direct Lurte and Ryiba. Reel gets up to help now that he’s in the army’s camp and needs to look productive.
The six crates holding the arrow shafts and arrowheads are quickly unloaded.
Soon I hear an excited voice behind me, “Kervin, I was waiting for you to return!” I almost activate my merchant skills just from hearing Captain Nathaniel’s voice.
I make sure to put on a polite smile before I turn around.
“Captain Nathaniel, you’re looking well. I see you’re getting busier.” I offer up some small talk.
“That we have,” he tells me. “Did you wait long?”
“It took us an hour just to make it into your clearing,” I off-handily inform him.
"That won't do," he says with a serious look on his face. "Whenever you have a delivery for the general, you can come to the front of the line. My men will take care of it." I try not to look intimidated by how quickly he shifted into business mode upon hearing how long I had to wait.
“I’ll thank you in advance then,” I slightly bow my head.
"Think nothing of it. The general is very pleased with the arrows you've already sold us and is excited to receive her order. Did it turn out as planned?" The captain smiles at me, but his eyes drill into me, looking for any weakness.
This old man is just as tricky to deal with like last time. "Our blacksmith did complete the order but got carried away in the process, I’m afraid."
“Are you trying to raise your price after accepting the job?” The captain questions me with a stern glare.
“I thought we were friends?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "Haven't I stuck to my prices in the past? I believe it was you who asked me if I would go back on my word last time," I point out to him.
The captain blankly stares at me before replacing his frigid look with a happy smile. "I don't remember what I said exactly last time, but friends aren't hold up on trivial details like that."
I curse the crafty swindler while he playfully laughs. He knows as well as I do that the negotiations have already begun even if we aren’t arguing over numbers yet.
I wait for his fake laughter to die down before discussing the general's order. "I am well aware of the budget the general gave me, and I plan to honor it. The price will remain 10 gold coins; you can consider it as Silver Herd's goodwill towards our country's military that's working so hard to protect us."
"I'm sure your generosity will be well received. If the general likes the arrow, how much do you plan on charging for others like it?" The captain casually asks.
Not this time, you old demon, "It's hard to say. Our craftsman is positive; they can further improve the design. Who's to say the next arrow will be worth the same as the one I have right now. I’ll have to wait to negotiate further deals.” Take that; I gloat to myself.
"That sounds quite reasonable," the captain nods his head, but I can see a new crease on his forehead. "Why don't we settle on the price for the other arrows you brought then." When he realizes he can't lock in the future arrows' prices, he smoothly switches targets. "How many did you bring this time?"
“I have 400 of the same arrows I delivered last time, switchable arrowheads and all. It would've been more but fulfilling the general's order took president."
"That's quite all right. Every arrow you can sell us is appreciated. Give me a moment, and I'll write you a form for you to pick up 50 gold coins at our offices.” Captain Nathaniel starts to walk over to his tent.
"Wait just a minute," I call out to him. The captain stops and turns back towards me. "I'm sorry to say, but we need to renegotiate their price as well.”
"I believe I gave you a very generous price the last time you were here." I feel the captain's merchant skills activate.
I grit my teeth as I’m suddenly urged to agree with him. I activate my own skills to reduce the effect of his. “The materials the arrows are made out of are becoming harder to get ahold of. The materials were locally sourced, so a fair price was hard to pinpoint.”
“Does that mean you have a price already in mind?” Captain Nathanael asks.
“25 silver an arrow,” I tell him.
Captain Nathanael's smile straightens out. "We agreed on 10 silver a piece last time; you wish to charge us over double for the same product?" My legs start to tremble under the weight of his stare, but I don't give in.
Aaliyah trusted me to do business on her behalf. “I do. You know as well as I do how much the arrows are worth.”
“And what if I don’t want to pay that price?” The captain walks menacingly over to me.
I gulp down the saliva accumulating in my mouth and stutter out, “Then I’ll sell the arrows to a merchant heading towards the capitol. I’m sure they would pay me more than 10 silver an arrow.”
“You’ll take 12 silver per arrow.” I feel the captain’s skills decimate my own, demanding I take the deal.
“24.5,” I retort through my clenched teeth, refusing to be bullied into submission.
"You are aware of who I represent, don't you? It would be wise not to push my master's generosity; 14 silver an arrow."
I want to say 24.25 an arrow, but the captain's skills keep me from saying it out loud. "21 silver, each," I end up countering.
“Tell me, do you think you can bleed us dry? 15 for an arrow.”
I can feel the sweat forming on my face, and it isn't from the heat. I gather my courage, "Silver Herd would never try to take advantage of the military. I wish I could agree to your prices, but I represent the blacksmith who created the arrows. I've undersold her goods our last two deals, and I won’t let it happen a third time. 17 silver for each arrow, and that’s my final compromise!” I stand my ground against the weight of the captain.
Our eyes lock onto each other, and a silent battle of wills breaks out.
I think I can hold out.
As soon as that thought enters my head, the pressure from Captain Nathanael's skills increases dramatically. Damn, he was still holding back against me!
When my legs start to tremble, and I'm about to fall to my knees, the pressure around me vanishes.
“Alright, 17 silver each.” Captain Nathanael smiles at me. “I haven’t seen a merchant improve as fast as you in a while. Took you long enough to figure out your goods worth, though.”
“What, but what about going against the army?” I ask him slack-jawed.
"I was seeing if you'd fold under a little pressure. I didn't think you would threaten to sell your goods else ware, though. Your arrows are too important to the general, and I'd have to play dirty if you actually tried to leave." The captain may be smiling and congratulating me, but I can see the resolve in his eyes. If it came to it, I’m sure he would detain me and confiscate my wares if he had to.
Our skills finalize the deal, and my body can finally relax as we shake hands.
The captain signals a few nearby soldiers, that move over to grab the crates of arrows. He then precedes to fill out a ticket good for 78 gold coins, 10 for the general's order, and 68 for the other arrows.
Captain Nathanael hands me the ticket, which I quickly stash in my side pouch. "Now that's over, can I see the arrow for my lady?”
“Of course,” I tell him. I move over to my cart and withdraw the long box I placed the arrow in. Flipping the front latch, I carefully open the box and hold it in my arms for the captain to inspect.
He digs through the fabric, I wrapped the arrow in, and when his eyes settle on the arrow itself, I can see a genuine look of shock cross his face. He quickly hides his surprised expression, “My skills are telling me the materials used on this arrow are quite expensive. I know you said you wouldn’t give me a price for the future arrows, but if my master likes the arrow, what is the price range we’re looking at?”
“40 gold coins,” I tell him, trying not to look nervous.
A few nearby soldiers stumble upon hearing the price, but Captain Nathanael nods in understanding. "I'll discuss it with my master. Would you mind waiting here for a little while?”
Like I have a choice. “Are you having the arrow brought to the general now?” I ask.
“I am,” Captain Nathaniel confirms my suspicions and glances at one of his subordinates. “Get Keill over here. Tell him I have an important delivery for the general.” The soldier salutes and scurry’s off.
Nathaniel focuses back on me. “Keill is our best runner. It will only take him 20 minutes to deliver the arrow to the fort. We should find out if my master likes the arrow quite soon.”
The captain's smile sends a shiver down my back, but my job isn't finished yet. "If I may, can I ask you some personal questions regarding the general?”
Captain Nathaniel’s good-natured smile hardens. “Personal information regarding my master does not leave house Pitz. Why are you asking this all of a sudden?”
Everyone around us tenses. I quickly blurt out the questions Aaliyah asked me to find the answers to before he thinks spies approached us for the information. "Our craftsman wanted to know if she was right or left-handed and what her draw length was. It's the length the general has to…”
"Draw her arrow back," Captain Nathaniel interrupts me. "My master is a renowned archer. I know what a person’s draw length is.”
I cringe as Captain Nathaniel leans over and closes the box, and takes it from my arms.
“Keill, reporting for duty, captain. What’s the delivery?” I jump from the sudden voice next to us. I don’t know how much more my heart can take. A soldier dressed from head to toe in a camouflaged suit that resembles the rocky terrain around Teeburn scared me half to death with his sudden appearance out of nowhere.
“Delivery for the general, her hands only.” Captain Nathaniel tells the runner while handing him the box.
"Understood!" The soldier hugs the box close to his chest, and the box seems to take on the same color scheme as his suit, making it difficult to spot. He turns and dashes off at an incredible speed.
"Almost as fast as her." I hear Reel mumble behind me. Who is he talking about? I send him a quick glance, but he pretends like he didn’t say anything.
"Wait here while I talk to my master. It will be up to her if I answer your questions." Captain Nathaniel doesn't so much as spare me a second look before he walks off.
With my head lowered, I walk back over to my cart and climb back onto my seat. Lurte and Ryiba get comfortable on top of a stack of old bricks nearby.
I bury my head into my hands, missing the days I haggled with old ladies in villages over yarn and other simple items.
“Tired already?” I hear Reel mock me off to the side now that we’re alone again.
I don't even take my face out of my hands. "Shut up, Reel."
**********
General Emily Pitz’s Point of View:
“He asked which hand you prefer to shoot with and your draw length. Apparently, the blacksmith thinks they can improve the arrow further.” Nathaniel’s voice echoes out of a ball of magic in the communication mage’s hands.
“Did she now? You’re getting my hopes up Nathaniel, did the arrow appear top-notch to you?" I ask, without hiding the excitement in my voice.
"It did, my lady. I can't judge the magic capabilities, but the materials are definitely tier 3 and 4. The shaft itself looks like it's pure kaglese." I rub my hands together, listening to Nathaniel.
“And you sent it by runner already?” I ask for the third time.
“It should be at your gates any minute now, my lady,” Nathaniel reassures me, unperturbed by me asking the same question again.
"I'll contact you as soon as I inspect the arrow," I inform him.
"I'll be waiting, my lady." The connection cuts out between us, and the mage in front of me wipes the sweat from their face.
"Good job holding the connection," I tell the mage. Messages sent by magic are usually short to save mana, but I talked to Nathaniel for nearly twenty minutes.
“Thank you for the praise, General Pitz. May I…?” the mage looks at a nearby bench.
I nod my head, acknowledging his rest request. I leave the exhausted mage behind and start walking towards the front gate, followed by Cristopher in the shadows.
“Cristopher, send word to Norah to meet me in my office.” I send my steward to have our enchanter ready to inspect the arrow as soon as it arrives. I’ve been checking in with the enchanter regularly these days, enough so that I finally learned her name.
My smile widens when I feel Cristopher’s presence disappear.
Everyone I pass trembles as I walk by and gives me a large berth. I should probably reign in my enthusiasm, but I've been waiting for this order for a while now. And the arrow has to be good, or that sniveling merchant wouldn't dare throw out a 40-gold price tag for the next one.
“Ready to open the gate! Personal delivery arriving!” I call out, causing the people in charge of the massive doors to jump in surprise.
The gate guards steal glances at me as they prepare to crack open the doors to allow the runner through. I rarely come here myself, considering I'm able to leave by hopping over the walls. At least I’ve slowly become used to my men staring at me.
“Runner arriving! Confirmation 712-35v!” We all hear the authentication code coming from beyond the gate. Without being told, the gatekeepers crack the doors for the runner to come in.
The camouflaged runner slips past the gates and buckles over panting.
“Runner through, closing!” The gatekeepers echo to one another as they quickly shut and lock the gates. Scholl hasn't made a push to take the fort in over a week, but we can never be too careful.
I walk over to the winded runner. “You have your delivery?”
"For the general's arms only," he wheezes, facing the ground, not realizing who he's talking to.
“That’s why I’m here, soldier.” It’s hard not to laugh when the runner jumps upon hearing me.
The runner's camouflage isn't strong enough to keep me from seeing his shocked reaction underneath. “Please forgive me, general. I didn’t notice you were waiting for me.” He hesitates between saluting me and dropping to his knees to beg for forgiveness.
I may enjoy giving the men a little scare now and again, but I don't know where their image of me comes from? It's not like I would kill one of our best runners just because he didn't notice I was standing here.
I shake my head in dissatisfaction, which causes the runner to pale. "Just hand me the delivery," I choose to move on rather than taking the time to explain why I'm not mad at the poor man.
He hands me the wooden box with trembling hands.
I put part of my strength into my legs and rocket away from the staring soldiers who were expecting me to punish the frightened runner.
You kill one spy impersonating one of your men, and everyone thinks you're a homicidal general, I complain to myself.
I ignore everyone shouts of surprise as I rust to my office.
My displeasure quickly fades when I open the door to my office and see Cristopher and Norah waiting for me.
“Is that it?” Cristopher points at the box I’m carrying in my arms.
“It is,” I answer him as I step into my room and shut the door behind me.
“Did you look at it yet?” I’m a little surprised by Cristopher’s excitement. I can understand why Norah looks like she’s about to explode with excitement, but I didn't think Cristopher would be this enthusiastic over seeing my delivery as well.
"I haven't had time yet; move out of the way." I brush him aside and set the box on top of my desk. Norah moves closer to me but keeps a respectful distance between us.
I flick the simple latch holding the box shut and open the case. The box must have been used to hold a sword, and it's obvious it was randomly grabbed to hold the arrow.
I frown, seeing the rags and other miscellaneous fabrics packed into the small box so the contents wouldn’t shift in transit. Why the waste of material? Any arrow meant for me wouldn't be damaged even if you set a crate on top of it?
Reaching into the fabric, my fingers brush up against a smooth metallic surface. Like pulling a magic gem out of a mud pit, the beautiful arrow slips out of discarded textiles.
“It looks nice, but is it that good?”
“General?”
“Are you ok?!”
I hear Cristopher's voice, but it’s nothing more than a ringing in my ears. I blankly stare at the arrow in my hands.
The shaft is pure kaglese mixed with mithril, and for the fletching, they used fechin feathers, both good materials but not rare by any standards. However, I've never seen the material used for the arrowhead.
My eyes travel every inch of the arrow, taking in its immaculate form. An appraiser would swear it was cast forged, but I can instinctually tell it wasn't forged in such a cheap way.
As I pour my magic into the arrow, it freely flows through the whole thing and gathers in the arrowhead. I've held pure kaglese swords before, but none of them have channeled my magic this smoothly.
A hand waves in front of my face breaking my concentration. "General! Is it cursed, maybe poisoned?!" Cristopher shouts in my ear.
“What are you yelling for, fool?” I snap at my steward.
"Thank the gods," he shouts. "As soon as the two of you looked at the arrow, you froze. I thought it might have been a trap of some sort from Scholl."
"What?" I glare at the overdramatic man. I look over at my side and see Norah staring wide-eyed at the arrow in my hands.
Is that what I looked like? Maybe Cristopher was right to be worried?
“Norah,” I try calling out to her.
“She’s under the same spell you were,” Cristopher informs me.
"Norah!" I activate Commanding Voice, and the girl finally notices I was calling out to her.
"Y-e-s g-e-n-e-r-a-l!" She stumbles for a response. It takes a minute for her brain to catch up, but when it does, her cheeks turn crimson. "I'm sorry," she hangs her head in shame or embarrassment, I'm not sure which.
"It's fine; I was surprised too." I offer her the arrow.
"May I?" She asks, flustered.
“Would I be offering it to you otherwise?” I raise an eyebrow at the enchanter.
She carefully takes the arrow from my hands and holds it to her eye, focusing on the detailed maker’s mark.
“Is there something wrong with the arrow?” Cristopher asks.
I can’t help but scoff at the idea. “Far from it, the arrow is better than I ever dreamed,” I inform my steward.
“Really?” He asks in disbelief.
I nod my head. “The arrows we bought from Kervin were good for an archer around level 75. That arrow,” I point at the arrow Norah is currently drooling over, “Was made for someone over level 100.”
Cristopher finally realizes why Norah and I were spellbound. I’ve bought plenty of arrows over the years, and I have experience with arrows meant for someone above level 100. Creating something meant to be freely used by someone with high stats is hard to do, even for experienced artisans. I'd dare say the materials she used to forge this arrow have been pushed to their very limits. Even if a Stone kin master smith used the same materials, I doubt they could forge a better arrow.
“Is it as good as the arrows you order from the Stone Kin?” Cristopher hastily asks.
“No, it isn't to that level yet," I inform him. "I don't know what Stone Kin use to forge my arrows, but even when I level, they can still handle my increased stats. Other than using my tier 5 skills, the arrows I buy from the Stone Kin don't break, ever. My specialty arrows are meant for level 125+; this arrow is good for someone between level 100 and level 110."
“So only a difference of fifteen levels, that isn’t so bad,” Cristopher remarks.
He makes it sound so easy. Not even 10% of blacksmiths in our kingdom ever make something like this, and the person who forged it is a young village girl living out in the middle of nowhere.
After level 100, it becomes harder and harder to find materials that can stand up to your stats. Every five levels or so, a person above level 100 need to replace their equipment. Not only did she make something useful for someone above level 100, but it would last them their next ten levels. There are only maybe ten individuals in our kingdom that would have proper use of an arrow like this.
I’ve found a future hegemon of Olebert. Someone who quite possibly will be able to compete with Stone Kin craftsman.
“Norah.”
“Yes, general?” She looks up from the arrow.
"I want you to enchant it, so it's as durable as possible. Can you do it?"
"I'll do my best, but it will take me some time to accomplish. I've never worked on something like this before. If I mess up on the engraving, I can do more harm than good," she honestly tells me.
“I understand. Take your time and inform me when it’s ready.”
"I'll get started on it right away." I nod my head, and Norah practically bursts through my office’s door, heading for her workshop.
“Cristopher, take over command outside for a while. I need some time alone.”
My appointed steward gives me a questioning glance but agrees to my request. He shuts my door behind him as he leaves, and I patiently wait for him to stop hiding outside.
Once I’m sure I can no longer sense Cristopher lurking outside, I reach into a small pocket that's hidden in my belt. I pull out a gold ring that's encrusted with ten different mana gems and slip it on my finger.
I pour mana into the magic item and wait for Nathaniel to pick up. As long as one person is supplying mana to one of the rings, the connection will form even if Nathaniel can't use magic himself.
The two-way communication rings are magic items that have been in the Pitz family for generations. Nobel families don’t advertise that they have things like these, and I only use it when I need to have private conversations with Nicolas without going through a mage.
“My lady, is something the matter?” Nathaniel’s worried voice whispers in my ear.
“Nothing like that, Nathaniel,” I assure him. “Is the merchant still there?”
“Of course, my lady. He’s waiting on your response.”
“Good, tell him I want as many arrows as his blacksmith can craft as soon as possible. You can negotiate the price, but they're worth every coin.”
“If you’re contacting me through our rings, then I’m to assume the arrow was above your expectations?” Nathaniel asks me.
I can't help but laugh, "Someone at level 110 can use the arrow."
A silence falls between us, and I can just imagine the shocked look on Nathaniel's seasoned face.
“Give him the information he wanted,” I communicate through my magic ring.
“By your will, my lady. Is there anything else you require?”
“Yes. Send word back home; I want one of our best representatives to travel to Blaiton and meet with the head of Silver Herd. I want an introduction to the blacksmith after our reinforcements arrive,” I command Nathaniel.
“I’ll see to it immediately, my lady.”
“I’m sure you will. If I need to contact you further, I’ll go through a mage.”
“Happy hunting, Lady Emily.”
"You too, Nathaniel." I stop supplying mana to my ring, and the connection goes out.
I walk behind my desk and sit in the rickety chair that's been in this fort for decades. It will take weeks to send someone from our family estates to Blaiton, but by then, I should be able to turn over the fort to whoever they sent as my replacement.
I’ll have to be sneaky. I don't have the luxury to walk through a city without being noticed. People pay attention, no matter where I go.
It will be worth it, though, if I can get my hands on someone who can craft proper arrows for me. She already believes she can make even better arrows.
The chair groans as I lean back, and I can't help but grin at the idea of meeting someone so talented.
I'm just about to chuckle out loud, but my enhanced senses pick up Cristopher running back towards my office. I quickly sit up and face the door. He isn't wasting time by hiding himself, so it has to be important.
He only knocks twice before flinging the door open, almost ripping the warning-out thing off its hinges. "General! Bad news, we lost contact with our scouts.”
The happy expression on my face slips away. “Which one?” I ask for clarification.
“That’s the thing, all twelve have suddenly gone dark. And not one of them reported anything abnormal during their last check-ins.” Cristopher explains with a worried expression.
I smoothly get up from behind my desk and grab my bow and quiver. “Send word to all personnel that the fort is on emergency notice as of now and recall all our forward units," I command.
“All of them?” Cristopher questions.
“All of them!” I firmly tell him. “I’ll investigate by myself. You’re in charge until I return.”
"Yes, general," Cristopher salutes me, and we split up. While he prepares for the possibility of an attack, I rush to the fort’s walls and vault over.
What is Scholl has up to now?
**********
Author’s Notes:
5,650 words.
Not as long as the previous ones, but I still got it out on time.
I read through many of the comments last two chapters, and I'm thankful for all the feedback. I want to clarify that the two chapters are canon to the story. I actually had that plot point decided on back when I first started writing, and how Aaliyah would find out why she was reincarnated. But I will admit I did a horrible job foreshadowing it. I should've put more clues in the previous chapters, but I guess in my mind, I wanted it to be spontaneous.
I'll do better next time, though I think people are vaguely aware of where the story is heading in the near future.
This is why I’m so thankful for all your comments. Whether you think a chapter is good or bad, the issues you point out help me grow as a writer. Please continue to comment below and tell me what you think.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and as always, stay safe.
Comments
luda305
Finally! Who knew The Arrow Arc would last so long.
Troy Meyers
Not sure if it is intentional or not, but there are many semicolons in the text where I would expect a comma. For example "Take that; I gloat to myself."
Hawk Silverthorn
I ignore everyone shouts of surprise as I rust to my office. - rush to my office. Unless she actually started rusting...which would be rather odd ;-)
Hawk Silverthorn
I didn't think you would threaten to sell your goods else ware, though. - elsewhere
Trevor
Spelling correction: "as I rust (rush) to my office"
Shadowsmage
another good chapter
Hawk Silverthorn
"Nobel families don’t advertise that they have things like these" Spelling - Noble
lenkite
10% of blacksmiths in the nation being able to make this Arrow is a BIG downer. There are usually >1000 blacksmiths in a moderate sized nation. That means over >100 blacksmiths could make this arrow for the General. I think 10% should be reduced to < 1% There was no need for all that pressure on Aliya if the General can source from 10% of the Blacksmiths in a nation.
meatybyte
How? Apprenticeships are extremely common during a medieval setting and would already have a fully developed tradition and commonly accepted social expectations.
Imspinnennetz
I wonder if Aaliyah's dad will pick up an apprentice soon. That would add an interesting small wrinkle to Aaliyah's relationship with her family.
Max Scherer
I kind of like the General and hope the fort doesnt fall. Yesh she is a bit pushy, but she will see the worth in MCs talent and probabaly wont lock her away.
Ninetails
I wonder whether we will see more of the general in the next chapter. It would both make sense to let that be what we hear about her, but the ending is tantelising enough that one would want to read what happens next.
Håvard
Yhey get an profit they just dont get all the profit in the world. The merchant could be paying the armorer 5gold for an load go to the militery and demand 25. Then only get 10. They made an good profit but not as all the profit. If the militery merchants where worse they might jave goten the 25 gold. Also not all the militery people are equally good. So depending on who you are getting you might get 15 or even 20!
Sondadir
It has already been said that the merchants obtained immense profits from the military. In addition, bringing quality goods is to ensure good relations with high-ranking officers.
Joseph
Like the story, but the economics don't make much sense. For instance the army forces the merchants to take absolutely crap deals for their products, yet they have a hour long wait to get in? If they are giving crap prices for the stuff they buy then there should be few merchants with only low quality goods.
Enif
I disagree. All of the ASOIAF chapters are literally titled after the characters pov. I don't like guessing the character personally it makes it difficult to follow what's happening sometimes.
Desurtfawks
Thanks for the chapter! Boy have we been waiting for this one for a while!
Hayden Lux
Idk, the general is level 125+ and can snipe shit from miles away, would hardly be fun for Aaliyah to just stand there. Plus there is a war going on so I doubt we will get to see them team up in that way, though we might get to see Aaliyah work with stuff the general brings her. Or Aaliyah might join (or be forced into) the army, what with the war ongoing and all.
TemporalMite
Thanks for the chapter. I always look forward to them.
Matt S.
Can't wait for the general to team up with Aaliyah to hunt for strong magical beasts together and farm materials! :D
Russell Todd
Agreed, just as long as it's not another katana. Beyond being a little cringe due to the weeb worship, it doesn't fit her needs. Relative to other weapons or other sword designs, the katana requires a ton of training/experience to even use effectively. Maybe her stats and being prodigy could allow her to make it work in spite of that, but she'd get more out of another weapon. Not to mention, she's not cutting down unarmored peasants. Her enemies tend to be well armored. In my unprofessional opinion she'd be better served with a hand-and-a-half battle axe with a spike on the back. This would let her cut, crush, and pierce her enemies. It could also double as a tool for harvesting high end lumber. All without much needed training.
Archit Goel
Love the story, plot and pacing. Only thing I think you can improve - make it more fun. The character dialogues can be more....entertaining?
Chemnerd263
I liked seeing the generals reaction to the arrow, just that hypnotized by how pretty she made the mana conductivity and the level of craftsmanship! On a different note, the arrow crafting is still important, but I would really love to see Aaliyah forge herself a new sword or other self protection device. She's a blacksmith, so her just carrying around a sledgehammer would be cool. Aaliyah Stronghammer. Lol
Carl Mason
Please Ebeon, no romance! She is far too young for that!
Stephen Pearson
Really looking forward to Reel's reaction in < 2 weeks when he notices she's already matched him... or surpassed him. She has another week or 2, after all:-)
Blackmoon11
Pitz has laughably superhuman perception, can see through active camo and shadow magic, hells ! she can spot even the tiniest of details from miles a way. Her sense stat is probably over 200, and she probably has a bunch of perception based skills like "body language" . Contrast that with out poor MC, who has zero situational awareness, is constantly getting surprised by low leveled people and usually stays away from putting any points into mind stats (to be fair, there is a good reason for this as it help with leveling her skills) . My guess is 2 minutes with Aaliyah, and she will probably figure out that she has Tier 5 skills, which is pretty much enough grounds to turn her into a slave of the kingdom. The only saving grace is that if there is one thing Aaliyah is the best at, its making the best of a bad situation, I am sure she will work the outcome in her favor somehow, Kosnik hasn't disappointed me yet !
Kelan
I hope aaliyah is gonna do some power leveling in order to not be one sidedly used by the general. I also hope she stays as an independent blacksmith, but thats just my view!
ClapTrapCL4TP
what's Aaliyah's romantic preference? females? or are you just not doing any romance?
Lesley Douglas
Thanks for the chapter! This chapter is what I wanted since MC went to Drey. I am glad she out did herself and reached a new high. I hope Norah can perfect that arrow with enchantment as it maybe the only thing to save the fort. I hope the 400 arrows can also get there in time. I love, the love, locality and fear her men show her and the fact she found the diamond in the rough. And I hope Kervin, Reel and his men go along for the ride; because when that representative gets to SilverHand, Mr. Grey and Kervin will become VIPs. With everyone wanting a piece of the pie and them.
Mormeg
President, precedent. Nobel, noble, else ware elsewhere and a couple other I cant remember. Using grammarly is an option
Mormeg
Also, Please check spelling mistakes:
Mormeg
Thanks for the chapter, I dont mind no foreshadowing. One think I noticed is that in all multi POV books (ie Game of thrones), the autor doesnt state who the POV is for. I like that as its a little surprise. Some food for thought I guess.
tibbish
Biggest things she could do to the arrows and anything else she makes is improve the materials and designs. Design wise there isn't much to improve with an arrow, other than perhaps doing different heads that specialize on types of targets, it sounds like so its all going to be down to materials. With magic she could whip up stuff like graphene, carbon fiber, or borophene. The raw materials (carbon or boron) are easy to come by. The issue is arranging them into the proper molecular form and magic would let her cheat big time here. She wouldn't be making them out of pure magic, just rearranging the atoms, so they'd stick around too.
It'sATap
I wonder how many ways she can improve the arrows without enchanting. Perhaps if she incorporates spellwork or runetools/enchanted tools into her crafting she could achieve a much higher detail and purity mark. When she used the spell to make the diamond sword it make me think that she should be able to use spells to help alter to form of carbon, making steel with carbon nanotubes would likely make her normal arrows usable to level 75+, then if she alloyed them with spider carapace and kaglese for the heads she'd be on a winner. To make a better arrow for the general she should totally move to metal fletching or polymer fleching if she can use spells to alter carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, and sulfur to make plastics The way forward is obviously using spell forging or spells in the process of crafted. I reckon that's likely how the dwarves cheat, though they like use runic tools to have the same effect.
Jack Trowell
took président. => precedent
ActionKermit
This. I've written short stories for fun before, but I've never done a story as long as kosnik is doing here. Keeping track of all the details and making them come together in a coherent way is serious work.
Kazith
Thanks for the chapter!
Blackmoon11
Because people would rather see the General get a ladyboner from Aaliyah's special arrow for some reason. I don't get it either, we have seen a version of this before, once with the spears and second with the Lv 75 arrows. I much rather see a chapter where she tests out soul manipulation in her soul space, but I guess that will need to wait
D
Ah, nothing as satisfying as reading the other side of a job well done. Its a story a normal crafter will never see. Thats why i like this story, you can see/read the other side when someone gets the final product. About where the story goes... well i have no clue. But i seriously hope it wont end in some other isekai story where she goes out into the world to fight, fight some more and has a harem to fool around with. Ok, jokes aside, i like the story because its a crafter story, having it become some other isekai story would be bad - realy, realy bad.
meatybyte
It is also possible that the per point increase the stats give doesn't increase linearly.
Melting Sky
A word of advice. Readers aren't writers or editors. Although they can tell you when something works or doesn't, don't ever mistakenly believe they know what they are talking about when they start trying to tell you how to fix it. That's up to you as the writer, not a pack of internet "experts" who have never even written so much as a short story.
Solarlancer
now that i read this chapter again I started to get a suspicion. it may be that after you break lvl 100 you start to get more than 10 stat point per level. why would you need new equipment every 5 lvl if its only 50 stats even if you account that a person got at least 10-20 levels in related skills that are already over lvl 50.
tibbish
They're not over lvl100. Del had some commentary on this several chapters back but humans almost never level over 100 due the time + xp requirements. And Pitz is the 6th strongest in her country. Given her comments about her T5 skills being the only thing destroying the dwarven lvl125 arrows it looks like that was the issue and not finding something that she can fire normally.
GuyWhoReadsALot
Haphazard, not half hazard.
Caio Massa
The general waiting for the arrows is just like me waiting for new chapters!
Desurtfawks
Thanks for the chapter!
thkiw
Nice chapter. Up above the comments mentioned it probably would've been better if the guards haven't warned her at all. I think that's true. No foreshadowing at all is much better than bad foreshadowing. Spontenous isn't bad. All in all, I still think the gods were being dickheads as well. It was a slightly annoying chapter because of them. But the purpose of it - acquiring tier 6 skills, makes sense.
Avo
Thanks for the chapter
Ross
It definitely would have felt a little smoother if we had gotten this chapter before the soul eater chapter. We were all waiting to see the general's response to the arrow, but instead got something that felt like a non-canon Halloween special. If the author edits in some foreshadowing into some earlier chapters and moves this chapter to before the creature chapter then it won't feel quite so out of place. Although I'm still a little worried that the new skill could still end up causing power creep issues for the story. We'll have to see how the author handles it.
Mr Ove
THANKS for the chapter it was great. Can’t Wait to see how the story progresses! Like with her learning enchating, what her new skills can do etc and when the general finally meets her and see her lvl and that she only 15 lol
Nick
Yeah, it works well as a spontaneous event rather than a foreshadowed monster in the shadows. Could be she encounters the monster, has her fight etc then wakes up in the healers cabin where the chief starts talking about how he received word from the other villages after she was attacked and is grateful that she's alive. Would make sense that communications delays would be a very real problem in remote communities where they don't have access to magic walkie-talkies.
Carl Mason
Learn mana/enchanted forging so she can enchant an effect into the weapons mana channels and it becomes an innate effect. Rather than 3D enchanting, or in addition to. It would be an interesting direction for the story and an exciting boost to her smithing skills.
Carl Mason
I suspect they cave after a token effort rather than place themselves on the bad side of a general over level 125. I think that was the ever-closer approximation of her level that we got this chapter...
Markus
Because of this, I am supporting 25 stories here on Patreon. Can't stop reading, so I need moaar
Andreas Arne Weiss
A full Kervin, General chapter after such a bombshell? Whyyy
Blood Shade Games
Thanks For The Chapter Keep up The Good Work I Look Forward To The Next One
ShadeByTheSea
Honestly I think the soul creature being spontaneous is fine, heck might have been better if the two hunters hadn't warned her. I also see no reason that monster couldn't travel as fast as rumors about it, making it hard for them to know before hand. If any foreshadowing needed to be done, it would have been when she was younger and learning about myths and legends of the world. My stance is not every event needs foreshadowing.
ZCochraine!%
The chapter: 👌 And good to hear your taking the constructive criticism well. Now onto seeing what happens when 2 over lv100 people fight. Queue mortal combat music, though maybe something with more oomf might be required.
Obsidianking
Good chapter, it felt shorter then others because it was a necessary info dump kind of chapter checking the boxes to move the story to the next part. really looking forward the general using Aaliyah's arrow to blow some stuff up, I speculate the arrows going to soak up all the generals mana and just go tactical nuke incoming on the enemy army. Also looking forward to enchanting montage, but I hope you take some time and create a fun system to explore and see how Aaliyah can bend the rules with her other worldly knowledge and soul powers.
Seth
Thanks for the chapter. I think I’ve said this before, but it is really nice to see the effect Aaliyah has on people she directly or indirectly effect and interact with, I thought this was a good representation of that and really enjoyed the chapter.
Ungrave
This chapter was a long time coming. I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes for the next bits as well when the enemy starts carrying out their plan. Also looking forward to the potential meeting between the general and Aaliyah, if nothing happens to stop that for whatever reason. Thanks for the chapter!
Alteron
Thanks for another great chapter.
J03MAN
I think timing also played a part in people's reactions. The monster showing up and the sudden level gain felt very disjointed from the arrow crafting/war arc that people are invested in.
ZaA
I really enjoyed the last few chapters, and this one too. I really like that the story is free to go where it wants.. where Aaliyah wants, and not some dragged along by some will of the gods.
Dikfor
So debating taking a break from reading this story. Not because I dislike it, but because I want to binge read it. Keep up the good work!
PatronTurtle
Goals list for A to make best arrows: tune arrows to General, learn enchanting, learn 3-d enchanting, and figure out how to create better materials (mana or soul saturate trees or lesser materials maybe)
Robert Mullins
This could also help address my other complaint about the bandits. That being, why didn't she just run past them? You could imo better explain her stopping and preparing for a fight since running past them could just lead to the deaths of more villagers.
Cerber
Depends on the material as well. Maybe she gains new skills and adapts her weapon to synergize with her new combat style better? Think of it like her weapon is growing along with her like her body adapts to stats.
Dikfor
Here here!
Cerber
I hope you keep taking the constructive criticisms as well as you do now further in the future. Regarding the chapter tho, it was fantastic! Ive been waiting for this chapter for quite awhile now and it delivers! Then again I didnt expect trouble to hit the door right away. The runner coming fast in might have caused the enemy to move ahead of schedule. I personally would have like to see some room between the bad news and the good news this time around.
Håkan Friberg
Thanks!
Robert Mullins
A suggestion for the foreshadowing of the monster. At some point before leaving to town, camden tells Aliyah that they've received news that a few high level people have gone missing in villages a ways away and tells her to be careful. The trip to drey and back remains unchanged aside from throwing in a line after the bandit attack where Aaliyah wonders if the bandits are responsible for the disappearances. After finally completing the arrow and in the chapter before the soul devourer attack Aaliyah shares her suspicion with Dell that the bandits are responsible for the disappearances. Dell denies saying that successful bandit groups have treasure sensing skills and normal high level villagers wouldn't be worth their effort to track down compares to merchant caravans and traders. Then you have the scene where Aaliyah notices the patrols and they learn that the closest village to them was hit and they might be next.
Andrew
Thank you!
Cobbly
AND START A FUCKING DISCORD ALREADY
Cobbly
I was too harsh dismissing the soul eater. Sorry dude. You're a new writer and that's one of the scariest things imaginable. This chapter was good though! Over too soon.
Robert Mullins
Remove 'has' from last line.
Imspinnennetz
Now we have an explanation why Aaliyah lost her weapons. If she is going to have to keep remaking her weapons every 20 levels or so, I wonder if she will stay with the same design for each of them.
Kosnik4
Shoot, forgot the corrections. Please post below.
Obran
Banana
Nick
Thanks for the chapter
Tim Maguire
Hell yeah! Thanks for the chapter!
Ani-mam
I wonder how strictly the Silver Herd will try to defend Aliyah's privacy?
Imspinnennetz
Thank you for the story
Milandaanza
Finallllyyyy general!
