The Twilight War
Cilia
Chapter Two: The Forge at Larken
During the time of peace, great dwarven forges had been built throughout the Realm, here the dwarves had applied their craft, arming the Alliance army and making artifacts and merchandise for the vast markets that had opened up after the Alliance had been formed, after all it had been a deciding factorin the dwarves participation in the original Alliance to retake Necris.
The forge in Larken was huge and a dull hum could be heard almost everywhere in the city, though few that were not of dwarven kin dared to venture into the forge, for it was a hot and soot filled place, and the noise of hammers on mythril and steel was almost overwhelming once inside the forges massive ironbound doors.
Still amongst the soot and the grime and dirt of the forge an almost ethereal figure made her way through the forge, stopping in various work rooms to bless the weapons being forged, and as she passed the noise died down as the smiths looked up and nodded to the passing woman. She was short and lithe, no more than five feet, her long black hair flowing freely around her, she wore simple white robes and her bare feet touched gently down on the bare stone floor of the forge. Still there was not a spot on the white robes and her feet were porcelain white and unmarred, for she was Ziel Gray, High Priestess of the God of Fire, the forge and war, a half-elf taken in by the dwarves of clan Thunderfoot many years ago and raised by Gymli Greybeard who now strode beside.
Although Ziel was not tall by human or elf standards she stood taller than any dwarf and her adopted father who walked beside her barely reached onto her chest. The dwarf himself a veteran of many battles, wore his armor despite the heat and his many notched axe rested securely in his belt, a long red beard that would, as his name indicated, become grey as the years advanced was tucked into his belt. Like most dwarves he was four feet of muscle and bone, with skin as hard as the rock of mountains, it had been him who?d found Ziel in an overturned carriage almost thirty years ago, from underneath a heavy brow, green eyes were ever alert.
?Yer takin? some chances lass,? he said in a gruff voice as he looked up at the priestess that to his eyes was still just his little girl.
?She?s our friend, father,? Ziel imploredwith her large grey eyes firmly set on the door ahead. ?We owe it to her to help, in anyway we can,? she explained as they came to a stop in front of the ironbound doorthat lead into the private forge of King Einar Thunderfoot, king of the Hall and master forger. The guards, armored and ready, seemingly unaffected by the heat, swung the doors open when they saw who had come, they saluted as Ziel passed and then the door closed behind the odd matched pair as they entered the private forge.
?Yer late? he said, as he stood up and tested the heat of the forge by running his hand over the burning coal, hovering just above them. ?Not hot enough,? he muttered to himself.
?Do not concern yerself with the fires my King,? Ziel said. ?Iwill take
care of that,? she explained.
?Yer request was unusual,? the King said as he studied the lump of
mythril.
?She needs a powerful weapon,? Gymli explained. ?And the dwarven kin owe her much,? he added.
?Aye,? King Einar nodded. ?That she does and great is our debt,? he stated.
?Then let us begin, for time is short,? Ziel said, opening up a small bag and pouring its contents into the fire, it flared brightly. ?Father the bellows?? she asked and Gymli nodded firmly. Ziel removed two pouches from underneath her robes; one contained the diamond dust she needed for the enchantment and the other a fairly large emerald and a deep blue sapphire, but they would become the pommel jewels of the sword.
?We?ve done good,? he said. ?Although the enchantment was beyond me,? he admitted.
?It was a minor one,? Ziel said with a secretive smile. ?Just something to add to it?s sharpness and perhaps a bit more,? she explained with a sly smile.
?Bah! Yer as tricky as ever,? Gymli stated. ?The damn thing will probably flare up in battle and start talking,? he said and the mirth was rich in his voice.
?I?ll give it to her,? King Einar said. ?As per your instructions she will never know that you added in the forging,? he added as he wrapped the sword in a plain wrapping and tied it up into a neat bundle.
?Why can?t the elf know?? Gymli asked with a raised eyebrow.
?I have my reason,? Ziel said. ?I might not have the sight that Willow has, but?? she trailed off. ?Theris will need this and it will symbolize something for her,? she explained after a moments thought. ?So you haveto just trust me,? she said with a gleeful smile and kissed both dwarves on the forehead, before skipping back out of the forge.
?Sometimes I wonder about that one,? King Einar admitted as he watched the priestess skip away.
?Aye!? Gymli added firmly as he lead the king to the nearest tavern, they?d worked hard this day and deserved their mead.
* * * * *
June carefully opened her eyes and was greeted by the concerned faces of her mothers. Willow was applying a wet cloth to her forehead while Elisabeth held her hand gently. She was in the mage tower that much she could sense and she also knew that the time for leaving was drawing ever closer. She tried to sit, but Elisabeth?s strong hand gently pushed her back down onto the pillow.
?Why didn?t you tell us that you had overstayed your time?? Willow asked gently as she tipped the cloth in a small silver bowl.
?I?? June tried to speak, but her voice was too weak.
?She didn?t want to leave,? a deep male voice said from a corner of the
room and June could picture Spike standing there leaning against the wall with
his arms crossed over his chest. ?Loves mommy and mom,? he added with a
chuckle.
?You were unaffected,? Elisabeth stated without taking her eyes from her daughter.
?I?m undying, the rules don?t apply,? he explained. ?But June is a mortal being with a soul, she doesn?t belong on this plane,? he went on.
?But we?re?? Elisabeth started in protest.
?She comes from the future,? Willow explained quietly. ?It puts a strain on the magic,? she went on as she carefully wiped June?s forehead. ?Her coming is a feat of great magic,? she added.
?I? wanted to help,? June explained. ?Didn?t want to go back until? I was sure things would go? right,? she added.
?You can never be sure of that,? Elisabeth said, ?and I think you?ve done your duty,? she added as June?s eyes went wide. ?Yes we know about the letter you gave to you?re grandmother,? she stated in a matter of fact tone. ?Soyou?re mission is done,? she said.
?But?? June started.
?No buts young lady,? Willow said firmly. ?The mages are already working on the portal to send you home,? she said and held up her hand to stop the protest that was soon to come. ?I know you're afraid for us she explained, but we will make it through,? she said firmly. ?You are proof of that,? she said.
?She?s right Kiddo,? Spike said from the corner. ?We?ve overstayed our time??
?If I go, Spike stays?? June whispered with tear swelling in her eyes.
?We know dear,? Elisabeth said gently. ?But that can?t be helped, he?s needed here as a part of something greater than both you and he,? she explained. ?And I promise you,? she went on as she wiped away the tears that were now flowing down June?s cheeks. ?That he?ll be back,? she finished witha sad smile.
?I?? June started but Willow gently hushed her.
?Sleep,? she whispered and June felt her eyelids grow heavy as the command spell took over and soon she was floating into the realm of dreams. Willow stood up and turned to face both Spike and Elisabeth.
?She?ll be gone soon,? she said. ?I weaved a transport spellinto the sleep spell,? she went on. ?Had to do it, since she wouldn?t survive another? tug,? she explained and then cast her eyes downward.
?You knew,? Spike stated. ?Of course you always know,? he said before walking over to look down at June. Elisabeth just looked at them with a strange _expression_ as he took the girls hand in his. ?You?re going home luv,?he said in a low voice as June?s form began to fade and the spell Willow had placed on her took hold.
?She?ll wake up in her bed back on Earth,? she explained. ?I?ve already contacted those who need to know,? she added as she turned and walked outof the room. Leaving Spike and Elisabeth to watch as June Xare Summers form shimmered and then vanished. Thus ended June?s journey into the Old Realm, in a shimmer of light the daughter of Elisabeth and Willow Summers was gone back home, awayfrom the war that was sure to come and for that Spike was glad. Willow?s emotions were mixed as she sank into her chair, blocking out the pang of guilt for doing what she?d just done, she took heart in the fact that at least one soul would be spared the horrors of the on coming war, if only she could do the same for the rest of the innocents of the Realm.