Elevation of Mana Chapter 61 Shorin

Shorin

I walked down the avenue and into the largest structure in the city by a large margin.  All around me staff and servants moved in waves here and there, each on their assigned tasks.  Of course, I too was here on an assigned task, one that would take me deep into the center of the building.

Most of the places in the city of Atal were some mix of grown and stone architecture, but this one was not.  This building alone was all stone, each of the huge blocks moved into place with care over the course of centuries.  They were massive, and I knew for a fact that it had been done by hand, I'd even been around for the most recent expansion, overseen by the owner of this place himself.

The innermost hall was massive, a room dedicated to business, the business of ruling the city.  For all of that though there were few people here, only singular visitors, a few guards, a handful of advisors, and at the center of it all Atal himself.  He sat in a stone chair covered in furs at the very center of the room, pits filled with fire lined the approach all the way up to the ramp leading to him.

I stopped at the bottom of the dais upon which his throne sat and bowed low.  “Greetings ancestor, I bring news, and a gift.”  I held out the little bowl my grandson had brought me, the first of what I hoped to be many useful items.

The servant on duty took it from me and brought it over to the ruler, who regarded it calmly, with eyes that had seen ages.  After some time he leaned forward a bit, pure white hair spilling over his shoulders as he looked at me more closely.

“A worthy gift, from the newcomer you spoke of?” he inquired.

“Yes ancestor, he sent it to me for evaluation.  My grandson tells me he has made many more, and is experimenting with metal.”

“He has found a new source of it?  I was informed it was made from stones not of this area,” the ancient elf said with a hint of confusion.

“Some other source, and a different metal.  Details are still scant,” I answered not yet having a full picture.

One of the advisors took this time to speak, adding his thoughts.  “Ancient, we could still bring this youngling here, have him work at your order.”  His form of address indicated that he was not a direct descendant of Atal, not an unusual situation, but one that would keep him from rising too high most of the time.

“Hmm, no, a tree raised in captivity bears less sweet fruit.  For the time have him watched, and gain what we can from him.  Shorin, you said your descendant was in contact already, have him continue.  I wish to see what this child can do.  If he can make a weapon capable of withstanding my strength...”  I looked at the small knife my ancestor had put to the side, it was bent and destroyed, but not reduced to the bits most things he held were.

“I still believe...” the advisor didn't get a chance to finish, as our master moved.  There was no blur, no indication he'd stood, he simply disappeared from his place upon his throne and appeared before the advisor, one hand upon the man's shoulder.  An instant later there was a gust of wind and a sound like thunder, the mark of his passing.

“I have spoken, argue no further,” he said, firmly, but not unkindly.

“Yes ancient,” the advisor said, bowing.

Atal was not known to rage, or scream, or show any form of anger.  Never had I so much as heard him raise his voice against another in all my years.  No, those who displeased him were simply ripped apart, be they youth or elder, and in more than one occasion another ancient like himself.  Other than another ancient or some beast of unspeakable power none could stand against him.

I knew though that some things about that potency grated upon him.  Every warrior loved to have a weapon in his hand, but with that much power nothing could withstand him for more than a single use, if that.  Wood splintered into bits and stone broke into sand in his grip.

My eyes fell on the little copper knife he had.  It was nothing special but for one fact, it had survived.  True, it was bent into uselessness and twisted, but it was still mostly in once piece, and this was the work of a youngling.  If he could make such things already, what would be possible as he grew in skill?  A few years to my ancestor was nothing if it gained him such a useful piece, and the advantage it would give over others like him couldn't possibly be overstated.

“Shorin, your work has been done well, now continue it,” with that dismissal I quickly turned and left.

I hurried back to my home, mind racing the entire way.  How did I want to handle this, what method to take, who to use?  Ian had already proven himself capable, and I knew he got along with this Justin, so he of course would continue to be sent out.  A friend like that could help my grandson, in more ways than one.

As I arrived home I found Ian waiting for me, an odd look on his face.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked him.

“Something odd,” he replied.

“Many things in recent days have been odd, what is it now?”

“I told you the newcomer had hired a waif to help him.  I've discovered what he has the boy doing.”

“Well, out with it!” I urged.

“Justin's got the kid spreading designs for things.  The boy's going around selling information on how to make wooden connectors of various types.”

“Why?” I asked.

He could only shrug at me helplessly.  “I don't know.”

“Then... oh, it doesn't matter.  Keep an eye out for new metal, and anything that could be a new weapon.  We'll send someone to look after the boy, try to find out what he's spreading exactly and why.  If it becomes something that needs to be stopped, it will be, but I don't see a reason to right now.  There's not damage he could do like that is there?  It's only wood, and only ways to put it together, not a threat.”

“Should I speak to the child?  See if he knows any more?” Ian asked.

“Do so, but be polite, and see if you can learn these techniques, and anything else he may start to spread.  Now go.”

“Yes grandfather, as you wish.”  Ian turned and marched off into the city, he was a good lad, if a bit naive sometimes.