Thread: Another Life (Cheshire Smirk & darkangel76)

They are fine weapons. Hephast forged several steel-sisters, but none as fine as the spear you now hold. Speaking of weapons, where were his? Arzale looked around, feeling quite naked until the chain-garbed woman made her tentative way over. She offered Arzale his strange bladed gauntlets, which Arzale took with a nod of appreciation. Arzale tied the chains carefully around his waist, layering them in away that prevented the barbs from harming him. The blades sat close to his hips, hanging at a measured angle that ensured he would not be hurt by them while he walked. No similar blades had ever been forged by a Sunderfang smith, they'd been designed to suit Arzale's strange fighting style. From birth it was believed that Arzale was born with the heart of a beast, preferring his own two hands above any weapon offered. For years Arzale trained unarmed against his peers, fighting with fists bound in studded leather and chain to keep him from sustaining serious hurts. Then, in a dream the idea came to Hephast and the blades were forged. Arzale now wore them like a second skin, and learned to move easily with the outlandish weapons with no need for sheath or holster. Weapons were of great value to the Sunderfang. Each weapon was forged with a blood-toll from the warrior they were being forged for. Arzale's eyes lingered on Larethia's spear for a moment, thinking of the blood that had been forged into the weapon. When the ship made port Amarylis would begin her training, and Arzale was sure her Harrowing would be unusually rough. Though the Harrowing was only the start of Amarylis' troubles. She was not being taken as some uncultured pleasure-slave or labor stock, she was expected to become a Shield-Maiden. Shield-Maidens held equal footing to Warriors in terms of respect and revere amongst the Sunderfangs, it was considered impossible to have one without the other. This meant Amarylis would need to learn how to hold herself with a warrior's countenance, how to respond honorably to sleights and stand her ground regardless of situation. In short, the girl needed a spine! Once she had a spine she could be sculpted into a Shield-Maiden. Once that was done Hephast would break down Larethia's shield and spear and repurpose them into a form that better suited Amarylis' talents, whatever they may come to be. A chill gust of wind buffeted the ship, it's frigid touch confirming that they were drawing closer to the Northern Wastes. Arzale took some solace in that chill, found the way it cut to the very bone quite bracing. Then again he'd been born on the tundra and had spent his youth on the Steppes, learning to climb, track, hunt and wage war. Did Amarylis know of the Great Wilds or the Golden Halls? Probably not, those born in the Lands of Plenty were not but naive babes who'd long forgotten the true struggle of life. The Sunderfang tribe lived off of land that would not be cultivated or tamed, a land that claimed all but the strongest lives. Amarylis had so much to learn and so little time to do it...Arzale decided he should start her lessons now. While teaching Amaralyis the arts of war was Malya's responsibility, Arzale could at least prep her mind for the task. What is courage? Arzale asked, looking down to Amarylis expecting a quick and firm answer.