The forge roared to life, embers curling lazily into the rafters. Hunnt stood at his bench, the faint scent of heated steel and oil thick in the air. He adjusted the gauntlet prototype, eyes narrowing as he carefully layered reinforced bone along the forearm plate. Each piece had to fit perfectly, each sinew binding tight yet flexible. Sparks flickered with each precise strike of his hammer.
Across the room, Elara arranged her tools, watching the motions with keen interest. Her own hammer tapped against tempered steel in measured beats, a rhythmic precision honed through practice but still lacking the instinctive finesse she saw in Hunnt's movements.
Her eyes inevitably drifted to the gauntlet. Its intricate design, bone and steel fused into a seamless shape, gleamed under the forge light. She tilted her head, curiosity mixed with puzzlement. "Is… that some kind of armor?" she murmured under her breath. Protective plates seemed to cover every contour of the forearm, as if designed to shield more than strike. Her brow furrowed. Why was he concentrating so intensely on it? She didn't realize this was a weapon—an extension of Hunnt's fists designed for both defense and devastating attack.
Hunnt, absorbed in his work, didn't notice her observation. Sparks flew with every measured strike, the sound echoing in the warm, heavy air. He was lost in calculations—weight, balance, flexibility, impact force—his mind running through how each reinforcement would behave during combat.
Coerl stepped between the two benches, his eyes scanning their work. "Lad, Elara… remember, forging is as much about patience as power. Control your strikes, feel the material, anticipate its behavior."
Hunnt nodded, fingers tightening slightly around the hammer handle. Today, he would test how the bone and sinew integrated under repeated stress, layering them carefully to maintain the gauntlet's strength without sacrificing mobility.
Elara glanced at his work again. Her curiosity mingled with frustration. He had the secret lesson, the one she didn't know yet. Sparks flew off his gauntlet with each strike, illuminating its sharp lines and intricate curves. She muttered under her breath, "He gets the special lessons… I don't." Her hammer lifted again, strikes precise yet sharper than before, her tension translating into a few errant sparks. I'll show I can be just as capable.
Hunnt caught a glimpse of her glance, but he didn't look up. Concentrate… one step at a time. This has to be perfect.
Hours passed in tense silence, broken only by the rhythmic clang of steel and the hiss of sparks against cooled surfaces. Hunnt carefully secured the bone reinforcement to the forearm plate, sinew binding flexing just enough to allow full movement while retaining structural integrity. Coerl hovered nearby, murmuring guidance and corrections.
Meanwhile, Elara worked on her own prototype blade. The steel bent in subtle curves, tempered for flexibility and sharpness. She stole glances at Hunnt, eyes narrowing. He's learning faster… even with that strange monster material. I have to push harder. Her frustration bubbled, and in a sudden flurry of strikes, she forced the steel too aggressively, causing a minor warp and scattering sparks.
"Elara! Control! Do not let your mind run ahead of your hands!" Coerl's voice cut through the din.
Elara froze, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Yes… Grandfather," she murmured, swallowing hard.
Hunnt finally looked up briefly, worry flickering in his eyes. "Are you okay?"
She forced a short nod and a weak smile. "I'm fine. Just… trying to keep up."
Coerl shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "You'll get there. Strength alone doesn't make a blacksmith. Understanding the material, anticipating its reaction—that is the true art. Hunnt, continue layering carefully. Elara, observe before you strike next time."
By late afternoon, Hunnt's gauntlet had taken shape. Bone reinforcement traced the natural contours of the forearm, steel plates layered for impact and mobility, sinew binding flexible yet unbreakable. Sparks glimmered off polished edges; the weapon was slowly becoming an extension of his arm.
Elara paused, taking a long look. "It's… amazing," she whispered, almost to herself, still thinking it was some kind of armor. A pang of envy lingered, but she also felt a spark of inspiration.
Hunnt glanced at her, offering a small smile. "You'll make yours just as incredible. We'll both get there."
Her gaze softened slightly. Maybe… we can learn from each other.
Coerl chuckled quietly, stepping back. "That's enough for today. Both of you are learning more than you realize. Hunnt, your mastery of monster materials grows. Elara… patience will be your greatest strength. Remember that."
As they cleaned their benches, an unspoken bond began forming between the two apprentices—a rivalry tempered with mutual respect. Tomorrow, the forge would once again roar, sparks flying as new weapons and ideas took shape. And somewhere in the quiet glow, the promise of innovation lingered: the gauntlet, the layered blade, and the untapped potential waiting to be forged.
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