Element. Flame of Elisar. Marie K. JETH

you have a closer look at the piece now.”

      I looked down and saw the same two blades on the floor, yet this time I could see iron chains connecting the blades and the handles I was still holding pressed tightly in my hands. The chains were thin, thinner than my little finger.

      “Well… And this is…?” I was still puzzled.

      “Look here,” Truvle got up, came closer and took the handles. “You turn the ring to the right and the chains come out; turn left – they get in…”

      Next moment I could hear a click and the chains, like two snakes, rushed back into the handle.

      “Makes it some kind of a claw-tipped whip,” Truvle said turning one of the blades between his fingers.

      “Well, it does look like something… er… sophisticated,” but how would I ever manage all this? The moment I try to use it I will kill myself, so the enemy won’t even have to attack,” I still had doubt whether I would ever learn how to use the weapon.

      “Don’t worry. I have talked to Yoos. He will teach you. By the way, we designed these together. Yoos told me that you are no good in a close fight, not strong enough… So you will need a weapon to keep the enemy at bay. One of the advantages these blades offer is the surprise effect. The enemy will never even imagine you get him before he comes close enough. This is first. And second… Take the blade,” Truvle ordered quitting hold of one the chains. “What do you say now?”

      I bent down and took the blade carefully. It was cold and smooth, with the pattern playing at the intersection of the two metals. As I was moving it in my hand, I could feel the gravity center change…

      “Mercury inside?” I asked knowing already I hit the bull’s eye.

      “Yes, a little cavity with mercury,” he smiled. “It will bring more precision to your attack.”

      And then he struck the other blade into a wooden shield on the wall. The chain shot, and the claw gave a bang as it stuck into the wood. Given the way his face changed, he had definitely targeted a different part of the shield.

      “Wow! Yeah! That’s what you call precision, huh?” I was sarcastic.

      “Well, my hands are good for a different type of craft, but Yoos was really great with this stunt,” the blacksmith tried to explain even though very much confused. And then, as he gained more confidence, he added, “I think you will learn quickly!”

      I couldn’t fully share his optimism, but of course, I was happy to get the gift.

      “Who knows… Ok, we’ll see what we’ll see…”

      When about to go back, I cast another glance at the bracelet with the blue topaz in the center again and asked, “And what happens to those who take it with no permission?”

      “The effect is like that from the bite of a deep-bottom cobra,” Truvle’s voice reached me from the closet – he was producing something out of it.

      I had a look full of respect at the seemingly innocent thing. Yes, that was a real protection

      against a thief or an enemy. The deep-bottom cobra poison means a slow and painful death. It never kills the prey immediately but makes its flesh go rotten slowly. A Vernor is a vengeful weapon…

      “What’s the name you put to it?” I could not get why but for some reason the gem stirred a lot of interest inside me. Just one glance was enough to send me burning with a desire to touch it… Even though I did not realize the reason behind it.

      “I can’t say, Ricka,” Truvle apologized. “Not this time, please. It’s only the future owner and myself who can know the name. This is not a conventional Vernor. It has a magic artifact in it,” he pointed to the gem, “anyone who gets to know the name can take it and control the gem’s power. When the customer comes to pick it, I’ll have to drink the oblivion elixir to forget the name forever. That’s part of the client’s terms.”

      I whistled in surprise. “Not a common order, I see.”

      “Yes, I got quite a fee for it,” he said thoughtfully. “’I’m going to start a new shop somewhere closer to Karun. This one is too old, falling apart…”

      I smiled here – this shop was built once as a little fortress and pulling it down would prove no easy job. Of course, he wanted to get closer to us to have more visitors than just customers. Besides, Truvle was a stubborn guy, so he still hoped to conquer the witch’s heart.

      “Well, and I won’t have to run long ways then, so we’ll be here, just a stone’s throw away! I guess Nargara will love the idea,” I chuckled as I shoved the blades into the sheath, which I had on my belt, and which I had taken from the same box I got from Truvle.

      He was a bit embarrassed and gave me a broad smile. “It’s a deal, then. I’ll get the shop somewhere close to your home and move there around fall. Ready to give me a hand choosing the place?”

      “Sure! Any time you need”.

      “Great!” he drew a sigh and rubbed his hands with relief.

      “Truvle, I got to be going now. Want to get home before nightfall”.

      “Of course, it’s time, yes… And this is for Elcha. I don’t want her to have her lips pursed seeing your blades and left with no treat from me.”

      I took the boxes and put them into my worn-to-the-thread bag.

      Coming out of the forge, I had a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, which was especially sweet after the smith’s heated workshop. Saying another Goodbye to Truvle and kissing him in his scrubby unshaven cheek, I moved back, gaining a decent speed as soon as a few seconds later. The world around was floating by, as usual, just zipping past me. When I

      heard the blacksmith’s fading voice from behind “Take care, Ricka!” I once again waved my hand and speeded up.

      The Bird with a Sting

      Already at sunset I was at a fork, where one of the roads led to Karun. Further there, beyond the hill, a beautiful view of a mountain gorge opened up, which I had always admired for its unbelievable beauty, and my expectations were not upset again. Just as soon as I climbed the pass, I could see that unique landscape.

      The entire gorge was filled with the rays of the Sun that was already leaving. The crimson light played all of its shades on the cliffs. The valley below was carpeted with young spring greens. The entire right side was fields, and left, as if climbing a cliff, was Karun. The city resembled a large cluster of mushrooms clinging closely to a mountain ledge next to the roaring monster – Karhus Fall. Karhus in the Ancient language meant Thunderous, but the locals, who had long been accustomed to its frightening view, nicknamed it The Noiser.

      The fall poured out in a powerful stream right behind the city, with an impressive lake under itself, which further let out a silver snake – a river stretching around the local rock and running far to the western part of the valley.

      That might seem quite a questionable settlement. However, the people of water could never stay away from their own element, which was a vital feeder for the sorcerers. And in case there was no magic, then no crop could be grown, no Temple could be built, and even running common life would be much tougher. Generally speaking, there were more pros than cons, so to say.

      I went down the hill to the main gate, and the sound of wind in my ears gave way to the blurred sounds of the urban rush. Conversations, laughter, creaking carts, mooing cattle returning from pastures…

      There, from the turret above the gate, a voice came, “Hey, Ricka!”

      Judging by the voice, it was Prit. And right behind him I could hear more young male voices shouting their Hallos to me. The guard must have just made a shift change, because it was Yoos’s squad who were on duty in the morning. Not even looking back, I waved a hand to them and hurried on. Darting through the square, the bazaar and another half of the place, I ended up

      in the upper neighborhood, where we lived.

      Our