Raemos woke early, practically leaping out of bed in his eagerness to work on enchantments. He'd had so many ideas for how to put the enchantments into action on the throwing axes, and he wanted to try them out for science's sake. It would be difficult to do on such rough hewn items. Bound weapons, regardless of make, would take ink and magic easily, but these were mundane weapons without the advantage of smooth steel and precise craftsmanship. He would have a challenge enchanting them to Celieda's level of quality, but Raemos loved a challenge.

He started with creating the ink, dissolving just the right balance of fur tufts and other ingredients in a solvent before adding ground particles of natural glass and mixing it with the blood ink that was the base for all damaging enchantments. He tested it with his magic, modifying it until he was satisfied, before ensorcelling it with the usual spells of binding and flowing. As the spells soaked into the ink, he cleaned the axes carefully to give himself a good working surface. Or, rather, he tried – they were filthy, caked with old blood and dirt. Raemos wondered if the barbarian girl ever cleaned her weapons.

Eventually, the axe's filth defeated him: he had to slap a preservation spell on the ink and bring the damn things in to a more professional cleaner who could better deal with the grime. As he paid them the money, he regretted handing the girl back her coins.

It took the rest of the morning and early afternoon, time he spent on other enchantments and relaxing in the warmth of the Tukyerean day. Finally, the axes returned from the cleaner, and he was awed by their transformation. They shone and shimmered, their carved and chipped edges glittering like gems in the light. The wood of the shaft and the leather that bound them together were of very good quality, and it was clear that these were well used and reliable bringers of death.

Raemos doubted that the impatient barbarian could have done it herself. He didn't work on them any more that day, though – the other projects were in a critical stage – but the next day saw the axes on his worktable and the ink beside him. Carefully, expecting an interruption at any moment (because he was well aware that she was not a patient customer), he began to ink in the runes of thunder and lightning into the axes...

~~~

Red was not patient, but she tried. She was aware these things took time, though she wished they wouldn't. She managed to wait a day successfully on her own, alternately stalking around the city and moping in her room at a run-down inn. Sparring with Yirho and trying out the new and strange foods of Tukyere took up the second day, and a good bit of the next. By day four, however, Red could hardly help herself. She stomped into the enchanters tent, Darvithri in tow. “Hey!” she called, rudely, at the dark shape laboring over a worktable, “You done with my stuff yet?”

“Ah, Zamanavyi.”

“Don't call me that!”

Raemos ingored her outburst and stood up and stretched, his wings extending, creakingly, to their full length. “I'm surprised,” he drawled, “That you waited a whole three days before harassing me. Surprised and impressed – such admirable restraint.”

Red stomped and glared – he used a lot of big words, but it was clear that he was insulting her. “Yeah? Well... well...” her face puffed up, reddening under her white tattoos, “You're...” She had nothing, “Are you done or not?!”

“I am not done.” Raemos said, “Two more days, however, and I will be. Do you wish to see them?” he stood aside from the table, revealing the axes on top of it.

Two more days?! Red turned and walked away, grumbling acidly to her companion.

“I guess not.” Raemos said, returning to his work.

~~~

He finished the runes and let the ink dry on the weapons. Soon, it would not be ink, but magic itself, etched into the very fabric of the weapon. Cast the spell that would bind lightning magic to the ink, and the ink to the weapon. He summoned magic into the weapons, rune by rune, until bright amber sigils glowed where the ink had once been. He was fatigued from the spell, but had a few more of his projects to ensorcel that day. So, he sat back and closed his eyes to rest...

Rest was short lived, however. Fists slammed a table near him, and he awoke with a start. “Hey... Hey! You! Are you done with my stuff now?!”

Raemos looked over at the Aiskala barbarian and smiled. “Hello, Zamanavyi.” he said cordially.

“I told you! Don't call me that. I'm Red. RED.” she insisted, “My stuff. Is it ready.”

Raemos took his time brushing off some dust and magical residue from his hands and shirt. He stood up, as slowly as possible, enjoying the dovaa's reddening features as she somehow restrained herself from leaping at him and trying to claw out his throat. Admirable restraint on her part, he was sure.

Finally, he picked up the cloth wrapped package and set it on the counter, unfurling the wrappings to reveal two stone throwing axes, inscribed with shimmering, almost sparking, designs. “Yes.” he said.

“Ooo!” Red picked one up, testing it's weight, “Oh, hey, it's all clean!” she turned to her companion, “Look, Yir! It's all clean and glowy!”

“And highly shocking.” Raemos said, amused.

“Shocking, 'cause of the lightning right?” she said, taking the other one in her other hand and hefting it experimentally, “Nice.” She tied them into their holders at her belt. “Very nice... hang on.” She turned to the Darvithri and spoke with him in a low voice. She gestured and pointed at him until understanding dawned on the beast's face. It took an amulet from around it's neck and handed it to Red. “Got more stuff for you.” she said happily, brandishing the object at Raemos, I want you to enchant it for my buddy.”

Raemos stared at her, incredulous. “I don't believe that...” he stopped himself as she put the amulet on the counter along with another pile of coins down. “Hmm...” Celieda did need the money for her family, and it would be an interesting opportunity to look at what passed for craftsmanship among the lesser beings. “No guarantees.” he said, moving the items towards him, “But I shall try. A week, perhaps, for these.”

She grumbled, but nodded. “Fine.” she said, a lot more patient, Raemos realized, than before. “I want the amulet to be uh... protective.” She eyed him suspiciously. “Can ya do that?”

“I can.” Rae said, nodding, already thinking about how he would do it.

“Good. See you later, Rhamidon-stink.”

Raemos raised an eyebrow at her parting words, but let her and her friend go, turning the amulet around in his hands. It seemed he was not done with young Red yet...

Raemos Crafting
Rank 9 -> Rank 10 Enchanter
Created: Sparking Throwing Axe (+20 lightning damage)