Chapter 3 – The other teacher

The sun hung high over the former mining town of Alfgrid. Once, when the mines were rich with mythril, miners and blacksmiths came from all over the country, to learn and experience working with mythril. Over time, merchants started to appear in Alfgrid, trying to sell equipment to the workers. When the mines yield started to drop, however, the miners and blacksmiths left, but the merchants remained. Turning Alfgrid from a mining town, to a merchant town. There were more shops than accommodation, as most people only ever passed through to buy and sell items or as a resting place on their way to some of the bigger settlements. Merchants were trying to appeal to the individual passers-by, albeit unsuccessfully.

“Fresh meat! Fresh meat! Only a Gold coin for a pound!”
“Genuine Dwarven shields! Available sizes for men and women!”

Dagfari didn’t spare them a second glance. Hale, who was wearing a robe to hide her wings, was being directed by Dagfari, who had a firm grip on her arm. Turning down a side road, between a tavern and general store – Dagfari looked over his shoulder and, apparently happy, released Hale. Rubbing her arm, she looked at Dagfari with an angry look on her face.

“Was that really necessary?”
“Yes. Yes it was. The place was too crowded – I didn’t want to waste time by searching for you if you got lost,”
“I wouldn’t get...”
“Shh! Quiet!”

Hale was about to voice her disapproval at being told to shush, but Dagfari raised a hand. He went over to an ordinary looking part of the wall than ran along the tavern. Looking around once more to check he hadn’t missed anything, he knocked on the wall 4 times. Hale was puzzled for a second, until a large part of the wall, just big enough for Dagfari to fit into, seemed to open up – just like a door. A rather stout, bearded man, who barely reached Dagfari’s waist peered his head out, and smiled when he recognized the warrior.

“Dagfari! I have nae seen ya since ye were a wee lad! Well, wee’r...”
“Nice to see you too, Hreidmar. How did you recognise me?,”
“Lad. How many bairns dae ye ken at yer size?”

Hreidmar stood just less than 4 foot. Wearing a mining helmet, goggles and working gear. The only physical feature you could see was his beard, which was black with soot – although flashes of red were visible here and there. He peered through the dirt-streaked goggles at Hale for a moment before realising who she was.

“Aye, so this will be the slave lass ye rescued, eh?”
“How did you know about that?”
“Thor was ‘ere a couple o’ days ago. Got me tae work on yer order before ye arrived,”
“Thor was here?”
“Yes,  I was there. How else did you think I got your request to Hreidmar?”
“Anyway, Hriedmar, this is Hale. Hale, this is Hreidmar. He gave me my first armour and weaponry, and taught me on the history of this world,”
“Nice tae meet ya, lass!”
“Er...Nice to meet you, too...”

Hriedmar ushered them in through the secret door, and then closed it behind them. They had entered a dark passageway, hot air greeting them as the door closed. Their voices gained a slight echo. Hriedmar looked at Hale and asked “Hale, lass. Could ye gie us some light? It gets darker than this, and I fergot tae bring a torch. Ye dinnae mind, dae ye?” Hale shook her head and obliged. She closed her eyes and held out a hand. Slowly, an orb of fire materialised in her palm. Hreidmar led the way, with Hale in the middle, and a crouching Dagfari bringing up the rear.

They walked for a couple of  minutes through the twisting tunnels before coming to an intricate marble archway, that had a large chunk missing at the top. Hriedmar called over to Dagfari “Tell yer mentor tha’ he still needs ta pay fer tha’,”

Hale dispelled the fire orb and stepped into the room, followed by Dagfari, mumbling about low ceilings, stretching out his back. They had walked into an industrial sized workshop. Two other dwarves were working on a weapon which was uncertain from the distance that they were. Two large furnaces sat at the back, anvils scattered around the floor, and three seperate workbenches, each scattered with various smithing tools. Hreidmar called over to the other two dwarves to come over. It was then that Dagfari could see what they had been working on. Both of them had to carry the weapon. “This is yer new toy, Dagfari,”

Dagfari lifted the weapon, saying thank you to the other dwarves. “Tha’ hammer is a 90% Dwarven Steel/10% Mythril alloy. Thor’s boosted it fer ya so you can use yer Lightning easier!,”
“Thank you, Hreidmar. Have you finished Hale’s equipment?”
“Sorry, lad. It’s a wee bit complicated what with her...extras. It’ll be done fer t’morrow mornin’”
“That’s good, did Amgrim reply?”
“Aye, he’ll be here, dinnae ye worry lad. Ye should get some rest; it’ll be a long day.”

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Meanwhile, in Dagfari’s old village, Thor was sat alone in the Village Hall. Kvasir walked in, looking slightly flustered and relieved at the same time.

“Thor! Where have you been? You’ve been gone for a while,”
“I went to see the Norns...”
“The...Norns? But why?”
“I had a bad feeling and hoped I was wrong, but they confirmed it,”
“What gave you a feeling as bad as so to consult the Norns?”
“One thing. Ragnarok is coming,”