96 Sindri and Brook

In the eastern district, most buildings here were for smithing or the trade of the things made here. The streets were lined by shops manned by grumpy looking dwarves.

Behind the shops, rows of chimneys could be seen as they churned out dark clouds of smoke.

The temperature in this district was sweltering. With all those furnaces being lit day and night the eastern district didn't have liveable conditions and forced the dwarves to build their residences in other districts.

With me being a tree and all, being in an environment where they used stone plates to write because the paper could spontaneously catch on fire wasn't a great experience.

Surely my density and magic power could keep me from catching on fire and burning down but I could feel some scorch marks emerge. Not visible to the naked eye, of course, the illusion that made me look human served well to hide them.

Silently bearing this wasn't really my style but complaining wouldn't change the situation. While most dwarves around seemed to be sweating heavily, the guide before me looked to be completely fine. He couldn't look this unaffected without reason, could he?

'You don't seem to be bothered by the temperature in this. Got any tips to share?'

"Hmm? Oh, I'm just using ice magic to chill the air around me. Learning it was a real bother but it really paid off."

Ice magic! I was always looking down on the magi of this world and yet I was the one forgetting to use magic in such a critical moment! My density may have saved me from burning but it had also prevented me from thinking of such a simple solution.

Quick to fix my initial ignorance I was soon enveloped by a cooling sensation as an invisible formation appeared around me. Coolness is indeed bliss!

"We have reached Sindri's smithy. I fear you must enter on your own, he doesn't welcome attendants from the palace."

'Why, I had the impression that Durin was adored by all his people?'

"In regards to the common people, your impression is quite accurate but Sindri is a special dwarf. He is revered amongst the dwarves as the best blacksmith and this allows for him to show some pride. Some things happened and Durin reacted in a somewhat clumsy manner and provoked Sindri's resentment. Since then things have been tense."

'Then I can only hope he doesn't view me as a guest of the king. Lest I'd be kicked out too.'

Sindri's shop was the most common type you could find and made me doubt if I was in the right place.

"Who are you? Came here with a stinking palace rat and want to enter this place, not so easy pal."

'I'm Eldar, Sindri invited me.'

"My brother invited you? Must be about that damned weapon then. I'm Brook, Sindri's brother. Follow me..."

Brook led me to the backdoor of the shop and into the furnace area. The heat increased, forcing me to put more power into the cooling air around me. Sindri was dripping sweat as he stood before the furnace with a set of tongs.

"Damn those gauntlets, why won't they melt!"

'I see you are still dead set on melting that heavenly steel to improve those gauntlets. Have you followed my advice to find a stronger flame?'

"Eldar! I've indeed tried everything I could to strengthen the flames within my forge but to no avail."

'Then the power of the flames must still be lacking. Why don't you ask Durin to lend you the fire origin in his possession? I'm sure that with your position he wouldn't refuse you.'

"I'd rather drink a bucket of horse piss than exchanging another word with that puny coward!"

'Let's not get carried away now. Durin is your king and you shouldn't talk about him in such a manner. Don't let Odin's machinations drive a wedge between you.'

"So he told you about the matter concerning the hammer."

'No, he didn't. I figured it out myself. After all, few people could afford to meddle with the dwarven kingdom in such a way and get away with it. Let me guess, Durin asked you to make the hammer, saying he would deal with any troubles that arose. When things actually happened, Odin exerted pressure on Durin to ignore everything and that made you mad at him.'

"They ruined my greatest creation and I was denied my vengeance! During should have acted!"

'And now most Aesir are dead while the dwarves are alive. You say your greatest creation was ruined, then demand Durin's help to create something even greater!'