Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Authors note: In case it hasnt been mentioned before, this planet is much larger than Earth, and obviously has a thicker crust than our own planet. I wouldve liked to spend more time on crafting, but in the end I know jack when it comes to smithing, and there are better stories for that aspect of things. I suppose I could do research, but then I think youd all rather I just write more plot.

As a side note, Ill be away from home next weekend, and cant thus write. I might manage a chapter before then, but that depends. For example, I had some trouble imagining this chapter, for reason that become obvious when you read it.

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Elluin spent the next few hours studying the instructions her daughter had left him. This would definitely be a challenge. Most of the work he was supposed to do would stretch his skills to the limit and especially the enchantments were theoretical at best. How had Neleh figured out some of these enchantments? And there was at least one enchantment that was something he had no idea how to make, but he guessed this was one of the parts where Neleh had anticipated her help to be required. The biggest problem was that the materials she had provided needed stupendously high temperatures to smelt. There was absolutely no way for his forge to produce the kind of temperatures mentioned in the instructions. He doubted even the breath of a dragon would have trouble reaching appropriate temperatures.

On the other hand, if they did manage to make the two weapons according to the specifications, they would be without a doubt his finest works. The girl was clearly insane with her demands, but Elluin couldnt help but get excited at the prospect of the finished work. They would be the most monstrous weapons ever created by the elves, and since the elves were the best craftsmen of the different races it would mean the most monstrous weapons in the world. These two weapons would make sure his name would be remembered in the future. Even if his legacy also included the secrets being passed outside the House, that would be a minor footnote when compared to this achievement.

Elluin saw Neleh return to the workshop. The girl had gone to get herself and Asheara settled before they started working, but according to the look on her face she had gotten some bad news.

Is everything alright? Elluin asked a little worried. He hoped it wasnt anything that would prevent them from starting the work. He was anxious about getting his place in history.

No, not really. Its not something that you should worry about, and theres nothing I can do about it at the moment. Neleh replied in a serious tone.

Something happened. It wasnt really a question. Elluin had not spent much time with his daughter, but even he could glean this much from her expression.

Something with consequences that will be felt for a long time. But like I said, its not something you need to worry about. It has more to do with my role as a Chosen, and just makes our work here more important. Did you get a good look at the plans? Neleh said trying to change the subject.

Elluin could take a hint, and knew Neleh would not want to talk about whatever was bothering her. Her words made him worried. Chosen business that increased the importance of weapons usually meant at least battles, but more likely meant war. Especially when you consider the long reaching consequences that she mentioned.

I did. There are some problematic parts, but I assume you knew that and have prepared accordingly. The biggest problem is smelting this material you provided, and keeping it heated enough to be malleable. You spent enough time in my workshop, before you went gallivanting in the capital, to know my forge cant produce heat like this. You still havent told me what this is or where you found it. Elluin said somewhat impatiently.

The material is called Heart of Winter and I found it buried near the borders of my new duchy. Its a wonder how many different new and weird materials you can find, when you have a spell that can search inside the earth over a hundred kilometers deep. With the enchantments I have planned the material will become, for all intents and purposes, indestructible. Neleh said with a small smile.

Wait, your new duchy? And about those enchantments, I hope you were planning on helping me with the last one, because I have no idea how to achieve that effect. Also, your new duchy? What? Elluin asked confused.

Yes, the new empress in her infinite annoyance decided to make me the new duchess of JaoeTinukai. The last duke met with a rather unfortunate end. My official appointment has been deferred until I graduate from the academy. As a matter of fact, I have some plans including you and the new duchy. There are some changes that Im planning on implementing, and you are a part of one of them. Neleh replied calmly.

JaoeTinukai? Isnt that one of the biggest and most important duchies? How did this happen? And what do you mean plans for me? Elluin was getting even more confused.

Aah, how to explain? Ok, did you hear about the changes to the way the current and future emperors are decided? Neleh asked, getting a nod in reply. Well what you might not be aware of, is that the whole system was my idea, and that Im one of the electors due to my position as the Chosen of Elune. Also, you might not have heard that I basically forced the current empress into her position against her will. Part of her retaliation was to make me the new duchess of JaoeTinukai.

Elluin thought for a while. Alright, I think I have a pretty good idea on how this would work. We would need to hone some details, but the basic premise is sound. Good job daughter. Im proud. Give me until we have finished crafting these weapons, and Ill give my answer then. I think it will be much easier to get over some of my hang-ups, once Ive managed to leave my mark in the history by crafting the best weapons ever made.

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Neleh was surprised how easily she had managed to convince her father, considering how much his identity had been tied to the position of master crafter. He had even cheated on her mother to pass on his knowledge and continue his legacy. The lure of the weapons they had planned had worked. The prospect of releasing his burden, and simply becoming a respected teacher might have appealed to him also. She suspected her father had never been completely satisfied with the idea of passing the knowledge on to her.

After the lengthy discussion, they finally got back to the main topic. So you never did explain to me how you intend to smelt that damn white stuff. Elluin brought up the previous topic.

Before I explain, I need you to swear to me that nothing that happens next will leave this room. I havent shown the next part to anyone, and I would be very disappointed if I heard about it next week from some random noble, because you couldnt keep a secret. Neleh replied, giving Elluin a stern look.

Elluin gave a wry grimace. You know Im pretty good with secrets.

Neleh gave a small sigh. This was the part she had been worried about. She had felt some of her old power coming back. She still wasnt sure why this was happening, but assumed the blessing from Satai had something to do with her powers returning. Earlier she had gained back the form of the Flame Seraph, which was a form of a higher end on the power scale of a medium class fire elemental spirit. Not long ago she had felt the possibility of taking another of her old forms, a form that was that of a high end of the power scale of a high class spirit. It had been another of her favorites, and would serve them well in smelting the Heart of Winter. It was also a good form to use in battle if that became necessary. She hadnt tried to take that form before this though.

She cast a quick spell that transferred them and the contents of Elluins workshop to a dimensional pocket similar to the storage rings she used. She had spent most of the time on the trip to their old home to form the dimensional pocket. The entrance to the pocket remained in the workshop, while the pocket itself was empty. Later on she would create something proper inside the pocket dimension, but for now she just needed space. Elluin of course looked bewildered, but by now he was almost expecting surprises like this, so he held himself together.

A large white flame surrounded Neleh, and soon the elf was gone, and a creature made of that white flame stood in her place. Elluin could only describe the creature as a dragon, but this was not any dragon he had seen before. The pure white being looked more like a hundred meters long serpent with four powerful legs. Instead of muscle and war, this dragon seemed to embody grace and magic.

Neleh noticed her fathers wondering look. Theres more than one basic type of dragon. I think I once heard someone describe this form as an eastern dragon, but I still dont know what the cardinal direction has to do with it. She gave a small laugh, which sounded odd coming from the large being. We should get to it; I can only maintain this form for a short time. Once we manage to smelt the materials, I can use my fire magic to keep it soft enough to forge.

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It took them a week to form the pair of weapons, most of the time spent forming the enchantments. While Elluin supplied his power, experience and life force, Neleh added her own to the mix and actually controlled the power to form most of the enchantments, simply because Elluin didnt have the required precision control. A surprising result was that Neleh ended up learning most of the secrets of Elluins trade, and with time could extrapolate the rest from what she had learned already. She would not have too many chances to use the skills, but at least she would have them if necessary.

The end result of their efforts was a pair of pure white swords with silvery lines of enchantment running along the curved blade and the white handguard and hilt. Neleh had never explained to Elluin where she got the white sheaths that looked like some shiny lacquered wood. The end result was simple and elegant. Both the sheaths and the swords carried small silver insignia of both the House Khalidor and the flaming phoenix that Neleh was taking as her symbol. One of the swords was a very long no-dachi, while the other was a rather short katana more suited for use in narrow spaces. Although they had planned on making only those two weapons, they had ended up making Neleh a small dagger from the leftover materials, small enough to hide in a sleeve, although it was currently behind her back, hidden by her long hair.

Neleh would give a more precise explanation about the weapons abilities to Asheara when she got used to them, and once she was able to utilize them properly. But she did mention two of the main features they had worked so hard on. Firstly there was no power besides Nelehs powers as a Destroyer that could damage the weapons. Some extreme phenomenon like a black hole or a supernova might be able to do the trick, but at that point the condition of the weapons would not really matter anymore.

The second feature and one of the main reasons for the weapons durable nature was that the weapons treated magic as if it didnt exist. This was the most complex enchantment that Elluin had not been able to create. If striking a mages protective shield, the blade would go through like the shield didnt exist, and the blade treated magical armor as if the armor was made of normal metal. Combine that with enchantments that improved the cutting power of the weapons, and there was no armor capable of standing against the weapons. Of course, you would still need a lot of Ki to cut through something extreme like the scales of a dragon, but even then the scales would be less effective, since dragons were magical beings as well. Now to make sure the silly woman didnt cut her own foot with the swords

Neleh, Azrael and Asheara set their sights on JaoeTinukai next. Before they returned to the academy, Neleh had to visit her future duchy. Her plans required a lot of resources and money. It was all well and good to detect some chunks of metal all the way from Rhianon, but she would need to actually go to the duchy to do a proper survey. Her magic didnt come with a convenience like infinite range after all. Besides, there were other riches besides metals and gems that could be found with a proper use of spells. She was hoping to find some plants that were otherwise rarely used, but which her alchemical skills from other worlds could put to good use.

She would also have good use for the boring lessons at the academy, because she had plans to make and ideas to hone and she might as well do it during those lessons. There were plenty of other fields she planned of changing drastically with her knowledge, like farming, banking and administration, smelting metals and creating fabrics and much more. There wasnt even a proper printing press on this world, because much of the books were copied with magic. So much to plan, so little time