The man, John, seems normal enough. His clean-shaven face and short hair hint at a military background, as does the tan rucksack close by his guitar case. Miren also notes that woven within his tattoo sleeves are a number of arcane siguls from various cultures
"Nice to meet you John, I'm Miyuku." she says stepping forward and shaking his hand with a solid grip of her own. "I'd say your father was referring to a different king, who ironically needed something fixed as well."
'Follow the bard to find the blacksmith'
John smiles sadly.
“My Pappy was my grandfather. They called him Silver John back in the hills where we lived. My daddy, well, that’s a story for a campfire and a bottle of bonded bourbon“
He looks at Miyuku
“My Pappy was a fixer in his day. He was a busker of some renown, well known up and down the Southern Appalachians. A student of the hills, and a strong man of faith. This is his guitar”
John gestures to the guitar in the case
“You might say it’s the reason I’m so far out of my territory “
”What are you looking to fix?” Nace asks with interest.
John smiles
“My Pappy had certain .... powers. I’m sure you folks understand my meaning”
He glances at an approaching happily-chatting group of older folks walking by, staying quiet until the leafers had passed out of earshot
“He used this guitar to help him. He was called Silver John because of his silver voice, and because his guitar had special silver strings. During a certain incident, the strings were broken, and he never was able to find anyone to fix them.”
John pats a small leather pouch attached to his belt
“I’m on a sort of quest to get this old girl restrung with her proper strings”
"They can fix guitar strings?" Miren asks softly, with some wonder, also slightly embarrassed in case she's misunderstanding the stranger.
Miyuku considers for a moment. "I guess metal strings can be reconnected or reforged, sort of like anything metal I suppose...never thought of that," she says giving Miren a shrug, showing that wasn't the only one surprised. "If we find someone who can do that, they just might have the skill to fix my sword."
John nods
“These strings aren’t any old strings. The silver is from ancient times, once part of Constantine’s Helmet. “
He looks at Miyuku
“You have a blade to mend? Well, that’s Fate for you. I’ve traveled a thousand miles walking and hitching rides, and soon as I get near to my destination I’m called to help another. God’s plan is cunning”
He stretches
“If you’re interested, I’m about to go see a Smith I’ve been recommended. He’s hard to find if’n you don’t know where to look. I was going to walk, but if you folks will give me a ride, we should find him by the afternoon “
”I thought blacksmithing was something of a lost art,” Nace says. ”What sort of Smith lives here?”
John picks up the money in his case and replaces his guitar inside, fastening it
“There are smiths all up and down these mountains. Mostly artists, these days, few practical metalworkers. But Old Heph is rumored to be good with items of a more ... spiritual nature”
Miren smiles at Nace. "There's loads of horses up north. Wherever there are horses, you'll find farriers, at least. And with old barns and such around here, probably specialty smiths that make replacement copies for old fittings for restorationists and the like. There are passionate craftsmen everywhere if you know where to look. Not necessarily ones that can reforge Narsil, but good ones," she says softly.
She nods at John. "Nace and I both have cars. Miyuku has a bike. You can pick your poison. We can put your stuff in a car, wherever you might want to ride."
Nace nods. "Happy to drive."
Miren looks uneasily at Miyaku. "What do you think? This is pretty much your thing. I'm just going to back you up. And of course, see the sights."
They all walk to Nace’s car. John sits shotgun so he can navigate. The group drives off into the sunny cool October noon. John leads them southeast of Halifax, heading into the White Mountains. He chats easy enough as they drive on , talking a bit freer now that they are in a car. He talks of his time walking the back roads of the Appalachians, from northern Georgia up to here. How he’s seen things that his grandfather once told him about when he was tiny
“My Pappy was a tale spinner, and he kept me up many a night talking about the creatures and haints he’d run across. I didn’t think too much of all of that when I got older, he just seemed a man who liked spinning a tale. Plenty of them in the hills.
“Thing was, I ... saw some things. My shine came upon me as a young man and I didn’t deal well. I’m sure y’all understand that. I joined the Marines, thinking that maybe I could leave the ... things behind in the hills”
He sighs
“I should have guessed that the things living in the hills would be the sleepy old things. Visiting a dozen foreign ports and doing tours in Afghanistan and Iraq introduced me to a whole new menagerie. America’s monsters are tame in comparison “
They drive for about an hour, getting into steeper hills. They are off the main roads now, and Nace has to dodge a few bad potholes. The tall spire of Mt Washington looms above them as they finally arrive at a driveway/dirt road leading up a treacherous hillside. A sign reading ‘Heph’ in welded iron rusts quietly at its beginning.
“I think if you park your car here in that spot we’ll be better off walking up yonder trail,” John says
"Wait, 'Heph?' Noooo, surely not." Miren eyes the sign askance.
"While I'm with you in thinking, it can't possibly stand for what we're both thinking it's supposed to stand for...there's a saying that the old gods didn't die, they just found new ways to interact." Miyuku says, clearly a mix of perturbed and intrigued.
"Tell you what, I promise if it gets too bizarre we'll leave, okay?"
Miren shakes her head stoutly. "I told you: I'm with you on this. Lead on, Aragorn. I guess I'll be... Legolas." She turns to Nace. "That makes you Gimli."
After gathering hserself for a moment, she exits the car and breathes the spicy autumn air deeply.
With a little amused smile, Miyuku gets off of her bike, beside Miren's car, bringing along the bag in which she carried the shards of her sword, along with its scabbard.
Miren shakes her head stoutly. "I told you: I'm with you on this. Lead on, Aragorn. I guess I'll be... Legolas." She turns to Nace. "That makes you Gimli."
After gathering hserself for a moment, she exits the car and breathes the spicy autumn air deeply.
John grins
“I guess I’ll be Pippin then.”
He gets out and stretches, grabbing his guitar and taking it out of the case. He begins a song
“ Home is behind
The world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow
To the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
Mist and shadow
Cloud and shape
All shall fade
All shall fade ”
The light guitar sound bounces off the flame-colored foliage as the group exits the vehicle and begins walking. John changes up to a more bouncy song as they walk up the narrow path
“ Down in old Kentucky
Where horseshoes are lucky
There's a village smithy standin' under a chestnut tree
Hear the hammer knockin'
See the hammer rockin'
He sings the boogie blues while he's hammerin' on the shoes
See the hot sparks a-flyin'
Like Fourth of July-in'
He's even got the horses cloppin', pop! down the avenue
Folks love the rhythm
The clang-bangin' rhythm
You'll get a lot o' kicks out of the Blacksmith Blues ”
They climb a good mile up the mountain, winding their way up the side of one of Mt. Washington’s stubbier sisters. The views are spectacular, and the day is cool and clear. Finally, they arrive at a house made of dressed stone.
The house is a beautiful ranch dwelling, long and low, tucked up against a cliff. The stones are New Hampshire granite, but several statues of marble are on pedestals in front of the door. A large mastiff lies before the door. He bounds up, his massive head swiveling to the group. A low burbling growl emanates from him.
”Well, I’m glad to see this isn’t the Playboy Mansion after all. That’s... uh... not really my speed. I was worried when you said we would be meeting Heff.” Nace gives a small smirk.
He stops short when he sees the mastiff. ”Uh, is this the place?” He looks to John. ”That dog does not look friendly.”
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"He's doing his job, Nace. Don't mean he's not friendly." Miren takes a step forward and touches her hat to the mastiff.
"Mornin'. Is your master home?" she asks the dog.
* Can I pet the doggie? *
NO!
The large dog still looks wary, but Miren’s approach doesn’t enrage him. He growls, but it is more of a “stay there “ type of growl. He barks three times, the basso sound actually causing an echo.
A figure stands in the doorway. He’s a very odd-looking fellow. At first glance he seems of African decent. He has a dark brown skin tone and an impressive head of dreadlocks tied behind his back in a netted bag. His face is craggy and scarred. Although he seems young, his eyes seem old. One eye is brown, but the other is golden. His face is not handsome. He reminds the group of old statues of saytrs, with the exaggerated features, but this man seems solemn. He limps out of the doorway, leaning on an elaborate walking stick. He is a thin man, but his shoulders and arms are immense
“Greetings. May I ask why you’ve come to visit?”
The man’s accent is familiar-sounding, but fairly faint
John replies
“Mr Heph, you once crafted some guitar strings for my grandfather. I was hoping you’d do some for me. This woman here”
He gestures to Miyuku
“She got a busted sword that needs reforging “
The man looks at Miyuku
“What type of sword, child?”
"A wakizashi," Miyuku says stepping forward. "I'm not exactly sure how old, but centuries."
The smith looks interested
“That would be a challenge”
He looks at John
“I remember your grandfather. He could give Orpheus a run for his money”
He pets the massive hound’s head.
“OK, Kirby. Good boy. “
The dog ambles off to a spot by the door and lies down.
“Come in”
The group enters a pleasant room that is stacked out like an artist’s shop. Various steel items line shelves : lamps, dishes, candlesticks, and the like. Heph motions them to a back room, its entrance obscured by a bead curtain. Heph gestures to the doorway.
“Beyond is my forge. I think you understand that it is not ... a normal place, yes?”
Miren looks at the beaded curtain warily. "Is it... safe? I mean, for everyone?"
"I wouldn't expect it to be." Miyuku answers moving toward the curtain. "Don't worry Miren, I think we can handle anything that would come up."
"Ah, no... I meant for my, um, little friend. Maybe I should stay here with Kirby. I can sketch. This is a lovely place." Miren pulls out her sketch pad and pencil.
Nace listens to Miren’s concerns. He turns to Heph, ”I hope you can understand... We’ve recently been through some very trying experiences. There is so much I don’t understand. I think that is where Miren is coming from as well.”
Heph nods
“I can tell you my workshop is safe, but might be unsettling for those unprepared. If you feel uncomfortable you may stay back, but all means”
The smith moves towards the door way and vanishes behind the beaded curtain
"You go ahead," Miren urges the others, especially Miyuku. "Get your weapon reforged. It's important. I'll just wait here and not get into trouble, promise. This is probably a really safe place."
Heph smiles
“It should be. Kirby will watch the door”
The large dogs huffs from his spot on the floor
Nace nods and steps through the curtain.
Nace feels an odd shiver pass along his skin as he passes through the beads. He felt a similar odd shiver when he passed into that nightmare lair of Dark Santa. He travels down a dim corridor of dressed stone, emerging into a wide cavern.
Cavern might not be the best way to describe it, for although it is large and has a feeling of being underground, the area itself is more of a large workroom. Racks of gleaming weapons, shelves of artworks, and walls covered in tools surround Nace.
He notices several large ... beings? In the room, hard at work cleaning or polishing. They are gold colored, seven-feet-tall humanoids. Their movements are graceful, and their bodies look like golden green statues. There is a frozen quality to their faces, although their eyes move there is no breath or movement of their lips. In the center of the cavern is a huge forge. Flames come from a central well, heating the room the a very dry hot temperature.
Nace feels John behind him. The man let’s put a low whistle
Impulsively giving Miren a quick hug, Miyuku smiles. "How much trouble could you possibly get in?"
Taking a deep breath, she turns and after a second's pause, makes her way through the curtain.
Nace shivers briefly as he enters the cavern, but his brief discomfort gives way to awe as he takes in the scene before him. "What is this place?" he asks after a time.
Heph turns and regards Nace
“It is my workshop. At one point it was under Mr. Etna, when I was more involved in the world. Now, I am retired, and I brought it here, to these quiet old mountains where I can work in peace, far from my ex-wife and my scheming relatives”
Heph limps over to the huge forge. One of the golden entities hands him a large smith hammer in an almost reverent fashion.
“As for where physically this place is? It sits beyond the world of reality, just past the shadow realms some name Ethereal. It doesn’t have the same properties as your mundane world. It is a construct of mind and belief, much as I am, in my own way”
Heph’s eyes glow golden as he looks at the young policeman
“I can see your ties to the secret worlds, my friend. You have taken a few steps along the heroes journey. You have been ripped from your normal life, and soon you will hear your call to action. I am a waypoint on your path “
He gestures at John and Miyuku
“I know their needs, but what are yours? Have you a broken weapon you wish mended to help you along your journey?”
Heph gestures to John and Miyuku
“Bring your items here”
John walks over and reaches into his pouch, extracting a wound batch of silver strings. Heph takes them and unfurls them. They chime sweetly as they rub against each other. He talks to John in a low voice and John nods, face grim. He rolls up a sleeve and Heph takes a small knife and nicks his wrist. Blood drips into a small bowl set by the forge. After a few moments, Heph gives John a cloth to press against the wound. He puts down the large hammer and picks up some delicate tools. He heats and stretches the strings, working over them with deft hands. He quenches them in John’s blood. A smell of burnt iron and meat fills the forge.
“As you grandfather before you, you are now one with the strings” Heph says simply, handing them to John. He looks to Miyuku
Miyuku steps forward, drawing out the shards of her broken sword and handing them over to the supernatural blacksmith with a bow of deep respecct.
Nace looks with wonder upon the workshop. He produces the pieces of his shattered Beretta. ”This might need more than blacksmithing, I’m afraid,” he says.
Heph examines the weapons
“I relish a challenge. Let me see what I can do. “
He begins to work, directing his golden minions to stoke the forge and bring him various tools. He binds his dreads into a net bag and gets to work
The three are amazed as the dance around the forge commences. Heph seems to be everywhere, hammering Miyuku’s blade, recasting the components of Nace’s gun, and drawing out the silver strings for John. After a time, Heph quenches Miyuku’s blade in oil one last time. Wiping it clean, he hands it back to her. The damascene patterns in the blade seem to swirl in the light of the forge
“The blade has whispered its new name to me. Kagekiri, the shadow cutter. May it help you slice through many”
Heph works on and hands Nace’s gun back to him. The steel of the weapon shines with a reddish tint, with a delicate niello pattern etched in copper upon it
“This weapon has called itself Soul Shot. May it fire true for you”
He hands John his reforged strings
“May your songs bring peace to troubled spirits “.
Nace takes hold of the gun and admires the repairs. Somehow it is still his gun, but somehow it is something new. The craftsmanship is like nothing he has seen. "Incredible," he mutters to himself.
"Thank you," he says allowed. "I will treasure this. I have to admit, I had no idea that a place like this could exist."
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Miren pulls her sketchbook and pencils from her pack and settles herself to sketch the big dog and the quaintly cluttered shop.
"Come out if you like. You can pet Kirby if you don't upset him," she says to the air.
Yay!
The transparent child appears and slowly approaches the napping hound, introducing herself in a gently, barely audible voice and waiting to see if he wakes or responds before trying to touch him.
Miyuku reverently accepts Kagekiri, immediately feeling the supernatural thrum of power and the thrill of connection as the blade's spirit touches her own, different from the faint, weathered presence of Butterfly's sting, this sensation was much more vivid, full of life and purpose.
"I am truly honored, to wield a blade touched by a master of your skill." she says with a bow.
Nace takes hold of the gun and admires the repairs. Somehow it is still his gun, but somehow it is something new. The craftsmanship is like nothing he has seen. "Incredible," he mutters to himself.
"Thank you," he says allowed. "I will treasure this. I have to admit, I had no idea that a place like this could exist."
Heph smiles. It is a weary smile, but genuine
“You find me at my nadir, young one. Once I lived beneath Aetna, and forged great workings like my friends “
He points to the golden figures within his forge
“But all things come, all things go. I have diminished, but it is a peaceful time for me. It is time for others to take up the running of the world. “
** spoiler omitted **
The large hound’s head raises and he gives a loud sniff as the small child approaches. He licks the small transparent figure with a giant tongue, and the tongue makes contact as if she was solid
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Miyuku reverently accepts Kagekiri, immediately feeling the supernatural thrum of power and the thrill of connection as the blade's spirit touches her own, different from the faint, weathered presence of Butterfly's sting, this sensation was much more vivid, full of life and purpose.
"I am truly honored, to wield a blade touched by a master of your skill." she says with a bow.
Heph bows in return
“It was a pleasure bringing it back. I could feel the kami infused in the steel. Someone of great power and skill forged that blade in the Shogunate “
The large hound’s head raises and he gives a loud sniff as the small child approaches. He licks the small transparent figure with a giant tongue, and the tongue makes contact as if she was solid
At the slurp of acceptance, the girl drops cross-legged to the floor next to Kirby, fondling his ears and scratching his neck while she talks to him very seriously about his important work and what a very excellent dog he is and how happy she would be if she had a dog like him and what happened at Santa's Village and how they were here because the weapons were broken saving her from the Spider Santa and how she knows he would have saved her because he's big and ferocious and and and...
Miren smiles and works to capture the scene with paper and graphite, letting the child vent and listening carefully. She draws the child as if she were solid, hoping it will please her little friend.
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John finishes stringing his guitar and nods to Heph.
“Thank you sir. I will compose a ballad in your honor”
He strums the guitar and a beautiful series of chords issue forth.
“Blacksmith anvil sparking
Heat of forge a blazing
Blackened hammer falling
Ringing out its tune
Hear me son of thunder
Clever chief of wonder
May your works not sunder
Under sun or moon”
Heph smiles and it is almost as if the years fall from his face, making him look more like a young artisan
“Well paid am I with such praise”
At the word “paid”, Nace startles a bit. ”Well, I’m sure other payment’s due. Let me know...” He begins reaching for his wallet, dreading a price tag he cannot afford.
Miyuku arches an eyebrow slightly, turning to Heph and offering him another bow. "Whatever service I can repay you with, if it is within my power, name it."
Heph nods to the two of them
“Your gratitude is payment enough. If you wish, think of me kindly on occasion. If you are by a forge even better”