Spring Cleaning 5
Armsmaster was watching the HUD in his helmet. He and Dragon were down in the lowest level of the closet, assessing it for hazards before Naurelin and the Wards made it down here in a couple of days. So far, his passive IR imaging system was working flawlessly, allowing him to effectively see in the murky darkness of the passageway.
His companion padded along beside him in her dragon form, her senses easily allowing her to see, hear and smell everything. The passage way was large enough, 6 meters high and wide, for her the be able to walk, and turning around was as simple as resuming her human form, turning around, and taking her dragon form.
"It was nice of those kobolds to provide a map," she said over the comm. "I think they were quite taken with me."
"If the information in the various books is correct," Colin replied, "then they'll hold any dragon in high regard. I wouldn't be surprised if they attempt to ingratiate themselves to you."
"The did, however, seem surprisingly well prepared for combat," Dragon added. "Complete with body armor, various weapons, and they were moving with discipline."
Colin nodded. "Indeed. They were prepared to engage in asymmetric warfare. It wouldn't end well for either side. Fortunately, diplomacy was far more efficient and expedient."
"They even gave us a map, and told us about various hazards down here."
"Indeed, the UV Illuminator was quite effective against that green slime."
"And that gelatinous cube did not like the confoam grenade at all," Dragon chuckled.
"While it stopped it, we still had to cut our way through it to continue. I need to make adjustments to my plasma blade when we return." He stopped, and pulling out the map, he looked at it with a IR lamp. "We should just be at the final room of the closet, a door should be present 3 meters ahead of us."
"I see it," Dragon responded, then sniffed. "That's peculiar. I smell hot metal and oil, sweat and leather on the other side of the door."
"Vibration sensors are detecting rhythmic vibrations from beyond the door." He paused for a moment. "Someone is approaching the door from the other side." He stepped back from the door and assumed a defensive stance. Dragon did the same.
The door opened to reveal a large man on the other side, heavily muscled, with red hair and a matching beard. He was dressed in clothes one would usually see on a blacksmith, a heavy leather apron and gloves. In his left hand, he carried a blacksmith's hammer, a tool that was both lovingly cared for and had seen a lot of use. His face held no malice. "Welcome to my workshop," he greeted them. "It isn't often that Tinkers of such reknown visit my humble establishment! Please come in, and we can discuss what brings you to the workshop of wonders."
With a nod to each other, He let Dragon enter first, and the he followed. The workshop of wonders, as the large man had called it, was a strange amalgam of the medieval and the modern. A blacksmith worked at a traditional forge and anvil, whilst a few steps away, another craftsman was using a modern TIG welder to fabricate something. He saw 3D printers and electronics vying with a few craftsman apparently using 'magic' on some items. They could see areas devoted to specific trades, and all were manned, something being made.
They were led to a chamber off the shop, that had sturdy furniture within. He closed the door, and the sounds of industry faded behind them. "So, what can my humble establishment do for the redoutable Tinkers Armsmaster and Dragon?"
Colin and Theresa looked at each other. "You see," Dragon started, "this all started with a request from Tia Thalatte..."
- - - - - - - - - -
When they had finished, the large man was stroking his beard, and nodding to himself. "It is nice to know that Tiamat has decided to walk a different path," he said quietly. "And while you may not have anything for me, I seem to recall I do have a couple things for you." He got up, unlocked the chest in one corner of the room, and removed a small box. "Someone a few months ago dropped off a flawed blade with a note to correct its shortcomings." He opened the small box, and held out what appeared to be the hilt and gaurd of a Japanese sword. "It was cursed to poison its wielder, which has been taken care of now. It is impossibly sharp, able to cut anything, the blade has a thickness of three of your nanometers."
Armsmaster nodded, keeping his reaction under control. Dragon's jaw had dropped, however.
"It should be quite useful against those foul Endbringers of yours," the man added. "I have modified it so the blade can be seen by all, so they can get out of the way when it is weilded."
"What payment is required?" asked Dragon.
"None," was the reply. "The same Tia Thalatte paid in full for the work. I have also included the plans, which you could use to build another, with some work." He reached into a belt pouch and pulled out a pair of business cards. "My card, in case you should want to commission some work."
Both tinkers took some time to read it.
Bob Smith
Craftsman, Inventor, Tinker
Lantan - Valinor - Moria - Brockton Bay
157-079-9632 ext. 6794
www.wonderbringer.org
When they looked back up from the card, they found that they were standing at the foot of the stair that was the exit. Colin was still carrying the case containing tinkertech sword that had been missing since the end of the Bakuda incident. "Dragon," Colin asked, his voice puzzled, "what just happened?"
"I think, Colin," Dragon replied, "that we have friends, or at least non-enemies, where we need them most. Let's head upstairs and head for the debriefing."
