Loss and Faith: Koldar's Origins by Marc Beckstrand

Author:Marc Beckstrand [Beckstrand, Marc]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Microsoft
Published: 2023-11-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Sparks flew once again as the familiar sound of Koldar at work filled the elven smithy. Over the past several months, he had been working with the elves. He had enough ore with him to make a dagger, which was perfect to see if he could learn the elven art of making blades. Finally Koldar finished his work and held up the dagger he’d been working on. It was slightly curved after the manner of elves, but it had a saw-tooth feature at the base of the cutting edge and a finger notch below the teeth. The grip was covered with dyed green leather. The bolster and the pommel were roughly hammered silver.

Galendae said, “You know, we could smooth out that silver on the bolster and the pommel.”

“No, I made it that way on purpose. I know elegance and grace are elven traits, but that is not me,” Koldar said with a smirk. “Let’s see how the magic works with my special ore.”

Galendae proceeded to blindfold Koldar. Opposite Koldar was a spinning wheel with a filthy piece of black rag on it. The other two elven smiths who assisted Koldar stood expectantly. The first elf said, “Well, Galendae, let’s see how good your student is!”

The other elf responded with, “Or perhaps we shall see how good a teacher Galendae is instead!” to which they both laughed.

“Very funny Alanthulus,” Galendae shot back.

Galendae then approached Koldar, “Now remember the magic, Koldar. If you truly possess the knowledge, the dagger you made will fly true and strike the goblin cloth. Are you ready?”

Koldar nodded.

The three elves quieted down and watched. Koldar raised his dagger in preparation to throw it. It began to glow a pale green. Galendae’s eyes widened with anticipation. Then Koldar threw the dagger at the spinning wheel, making a loud thud. He quickly took off his blindfold to see that the dagger had struck the dead center of the cloth. After a moment of quiet shock, the elves broke into laughter and congratulated him, then proposed they go celebrate with some wine.

“You go ahead.” Koldar laughed. As everyone else left, he turned and looked at the dagger, and in deep thought, he took it off the wheel.

* * *

Koldar made his way into the ruined Northman village. The snow was starting to melt with spring right around the corner. He made his way to where he had stabbed the dragon. He allowed himself to recall the night, but only guardedly. He did not let the memories control him. He used them to renew his resolve to destroy the dragon. Then he noticed something sticking out of the snow—something shiny. He bent down, picked it up, and studied it. It was black and slightly bigger than Koldar’s outstretched hand.

“Shed a few scales, did we, Blackie?” Koldar said as he picked up another and another of varying size. It’s too bad the new scales are fully formed before the old ones fall off keeping your scale armor impenetrable . . . until now.

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