FIC: The Twilight War (Chapter Two: The Forge at Larken)

["Cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

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 factor
in 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 implored with 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 door that 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.



The forge was lit with magical fairy fire, giving the entire room a strange
bluish hue, in the middle of the room stood a round forge and a simple anvil
on which a lump of mythril metal lay ready for the forging. On the bellows
King Einar made an impressive sight indeed, tall by dwarven standards, his
thick black hair hung in many braids from underneath his crown, which he
rarely took off, he wore a smith's apron over a barreled bare chest and the
thick muscles in his arms bulged as he worked the massive bellows.

?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. ?I
will 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.



The forging of the slim and elegant long sword took the better part of the
day as King Einar hammered it out and folded it together time and time again
and Gymli tirelessly worked the bellows. Ziel merely stood by and watched
over the work, every so often sprinkling shining specks of diamond dust over
the hot metal with each fold that the smith performed, on it went, the metal
was heated and folded and Ziel imparted some of her magic onto the item
every so often, as the sun began to set the work was almost completed, the
plain sword lay on a simple wooden bench, it was a simple unadorned sword,
it?s hilt was of simple oak and wrapped in black leather, the crosspiece was
also simple and plain aside from a single green emerald set into the middle.
There were no runes or markings of any kind on the blade itself, but the
double edge gleamed in the pale blue light of the forge, and the tip was
sharp and could pierce even the toughest hides. The three creators stood
over it and studied it carefully for any sign of imperfections; satisfied
King Einar nodded, huffed and patted his companions on the back.

?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
have to 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.



* * * * *



The first sign that something was wrong was when the lightning started, it
rolled through the sky with an angry rumble and seemingly gathering over
Larken, the second sign, to those who had the gift of magic, was the massive
surge of magical energy that rolled through the city like a whirlwind. In
the great hall of Larken, where many soldiers and generals alike where
gathered for the evening meal they bore witness to an awesome display of
power as June Xare Summers, general Summers daughter, was hurled out of her
seat at the table and crashed against the wall, what followed was a
shattering wail from the girl as she wrestled seemingly with an invisible
foe. Willow understood immediately when she burst into the hall, her white
robes flying around and a spell already flowing from her lips, with a
flicker of her wrist the rumbling ended and the girl slumped to the floor.
Then with great ease the mage gently lifted the girl into her arms and steps
through the small portal that opened before her. The great hall erupted into
chatters and quiet conversations as General Summers who?d watched the
spectacle slipped silently from the hall.



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. ?So you?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 with a 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 spell
into 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 out of 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, away from 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.



To be continued...

In the next chapter of Cilia's Twilight War: The Road to Glory begins as
Theris gets a dwarven makeover and Buffy and Willow get naughty before Buffy
leaves for Necris, oh and Spike's in this one too :) Be there!