Manipulating the size and shapes of the segments he removed, he placed them in the smelting pots, while offering a mischievous wink in Daniel's direction as he stood awestruck. “Did you really not see the fire in my soul?” The blacksmith laughed heartily. “This is what I was born to do, what all those of my line were born for. We are metal workers, blacksmiths, and the ore is ours to command.”
“I assumed it was a metaphor,” Daniel gaped, blinking as the forge somehow appeared larger than just moments before.
“Speak of this to no one, you are the first outsider to see our blood magic. Now, the latest molds will be fired, go set them in the other pit. The casting will save us time, but there's still much to do.”
* * *
Alana hesitated. Hanging back within the shadows she listened to her p
