Kobi is sitting at the table near the fruit trees when the Skymen fly in, three of them. He wasn’t prepared for this. Being in the presence of one of them is intimidating enough, but three brings his anxiety about this meeting to an entirely new level.
The men land near the edge of the cliff where Kobi first seen one of them.
He can’t help but stare, the word majestic really is the best word to describe them. Tall and sleek, they look like they were created for speed in the air.
“Greetings, I am Ayepex. We briefly met the other day. I brought my compatriots, Betta and Zyno.”
“Welcome to the Great Forge. I am Kobi. I would have brought my own compatriots, but I am the only person here.”
“I know, I have been watching you since the day I first saw you.” Ayepex responds.
“How? I have looked for you ever since that day.”
Ayepex looks over the cliff toward the ocean.
“There, see those two sea dragons sparing on the horizon?” Ayepex asks.
“No.”
“They are fighting for mating supremacy. The one with the red scales appears to have the upper hand. Do you not see them?”
“No.”
“I can watch you from miles away and you would never know it.”
“Fair enough.” Kobi responds. “Would you like to sit down?”
The Skymen agree and seat themselves across from where Kobi is sitting.
“How did you come to the forge? The mountain top has been cut off from the world for a long time.” Ayepex asks.
“I climbed the mountain by cutting into it as I climbed. Took a long time. When I finally got to the mountain top, it was frozen and barren. Until I started the forge anyway.”
“Yes, you’ve activated the ancient magic. All my life, when I looked back east, all that I ever saw was the haze and snow from the mountain. Until you started the forge; then I could see the entire northern coast.”
“I didn’t realize that the forge changed the coastline so much.”
“Not just the coast, but I am sure the entire region has changed. Surely the people down the mountain have taken notice by now.”
“I hope not, I came up here to get away from that world below.”
“I will check that out for you. We will see if they notice anything and report back.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you aware that our old home is on the cliffs overlooking the ocean?”
“I am. My father, who is a blacksmith, told me all the stories when I was a child. I’ve read so much about the place from the libraries in the forge as well.”
“What are your intentions with the forge? Do you see us possibly being a part of it?” Ayepex asks.
“I really didn’t have a plan when I came up here. I was forced to be a squire for a murderous knight, I fled to save my life. I knew I couldn’t return to my father, so I fled here. I don’t know why, the place just seemed to pull me…” Kobi responds. “If you want to return to your home, you are welcome here.”
“We will see what our elders say. We need more information before we make that decision.”
“I will tell you anything you want to know.”
“How did you restore the magic in our armor if there are no magi here?”
“I read a few books from the magic library.”
“That’s it?”
“It is.”
“Do you think you can create new magic if you read enough of these books?”
“Perhaps, but I’ve been very careful after I made a huge mistake when I first arrived.”
“Which was?”
“This sword here.” Kobi says pointing to the green sword setting at the end of the table. “I made it with the material that was on the forge when I arrived. I later found out through the library that the green iron was dedicated to be for farming and harvesting. It is forbidden to be made into a weapon according to the old ways.”
“I see, we may have someone who may have a solution to that issue. We will also check on that.”
“Thank you.”
“Since I have first came here, our elders have been eager to learn more about the mainland as it stands today. Is magic still forbidden?”
“Yes.”
“Does the old magic still remain in the land?”
“Yes.”
“How so?”
“The old weapons of legend remain, well some of them. Most of the crop magic remains, blood magic blessings and curses remain within regions and families. Things like that.”
“Does the Hanging Gardens of the Pensa Ridge remain?”
“Yes, so I’ve heard. I’ve never been there.”
“What about the Tree City above the Shadow Meadow?”
“Yes. The wine from the meadow is legendary among the ruling class.”
The Skymen step away and begin discussing things quietly amongst themselves. They do so while Kobi waits patiently. After several minutes, they return to him.
“We would like to attempt to see these places. Our elders want to know the condition they are in and if they would be open for us to begin trading with them again. Should we decide to return to the cliffs.”
“How will you do that without being seen?”
Ayepex smiles.
“We have our ways. It’s amazing how most people never look up. But on clear days, we will shelter out of sight. On cloudy days, we can travel in the clouds. I assure you, we can hide in plain sight.”
“What would trading with these places include? How would the forge fit into your plan?”
“Right now, we do not know. My great-grandfather was the last generation to work the mountain. He died trying to save the forge workers during the purge. We will see discreetly what this new world needs.”
“Understood. How long will it take to know? Both places are a long way from here.”
“It will take a couple months. But it will be worth it if we can begin a new life here on the mainland, instead of being exiled on the island.”
“I welcome the good news.”
“Is there anything we need to know about the Pensa region before we go that is important?”
“Not that I know of, It’s a fairly remote part of the country from all the ruling class drama.”
“And Tree City?”
“The Meego Light will be disappearing soon. There may be extra people there. Just be careful.”
“Then Zyno will travel to Pensa, and Betta will go to the Trees. While they are away, I will watch over the forge and the region below. I will check in with you ever few days and bring more of our old armor for you to freshen. We will provide meat and rations in return.”
“That sounds good. I look forward hearing good news.” Kobi says. “How will you find these places? Do I need to see if there is a map in the forge?”
“No, we have old maps scrolls. Each of them will be fine out there in the skys.”
“It seems that you have put more thought into the forge then I have.”
“It’s our home, our elders have been talking about this for a thousand years.”
Kobi accepts the answer and without hesitation the Skymen depart.
The meeting happened so fast, all business. Kobi gets the idea that they may just be a seriousness to them. But living in exile has probably done it to them. They clearly want to return to the cliffs. They want to thrive where they have just survived all these years.
Now is the first time that he has considered how monumental restarting the forge could be to not only him and the Skymen, but to the region and beyond. Now he is glad Ayepex is looking out, scouting the area. Someone out there will not be happy the forge has been restarted.
Relics of the Old Age 