Hell's Protection

Created by: Brianne A.Alcinoos of SCoR
Registration Number: HS088
Enhancer Creation Request

The pouch of gold in one saddle bag and a second pouch on the opposite side of her saddle, she pushed her horse onward towards the village of Erandrad. Not a large town my any means, but the amazing Smith Swistok made his quiet home here, and his skills would be necessary to complete the requested item.

Pulling into the small village, already the three young boys and lone girl that lived there were running out to greet her, the girl hugging Brianne as soon as she slid from the horse, and Bri of course returning the hug and saying a few words of blessing. Removing her saddle bags from the horse, the boys were off and running with it and the girl followed behind. The stallion would be well-cared for here.

She moved right into the village though, passing only to say greetings to Swistok’s wife and ensure he was already at the forge before she pressed on towards the foothills and towards the forge. Blond head ducking inside, the man was already covered in soot and working to get things in place. A messenger had been sent ahead with a detailed sketch of the item requested, so he already knew exactly what was expected of him.

“Greetings, Master Swistok,” came Brianne’s ever-cheerful voice over the natural hum of noises within the forge. The dumply man spun about, a grin coming to his red face as he took in the maiden.

“Brianne! You made it! Excellent! I’ve been up and working, just waiting on you now. The fire is stoked and ready to be put to work!” That bright smile of hers just kept beaming at him, the first pouch that contained the gold was handed over.

“Here is the gold that is to be used, simple enough I think in the design of the item.” A nod of the smith’s head was given, brushing his hands down the front of the thick smock he wore before taking the bag and peering inside, moving back towards his large anvil to where a mold had been crafted already. Amazingly, it was wooden in nature. Two separate pieces, one that formed the top of the mold, while the other the bottom. The bottom had a small hold in it where the liquid metal would need to be poured.

“You said there was a special way we need to go about making this though, eh?” the man turning to look at Brianne once more, the bag of gold held in one hand as he stood before the opening to the forge fires.

“Indeed. A very special way,” stepping further into the forges nearer to Swistok, the other pouch was carefully opened, a small metal plate pulled out, a very detailed and beautiful carving upon it. Holding it in both hands under some light, she showed it to him. “This is a summoning stone for the Vermilion Bird, the fire Phoenix.” She watched his face to see the eyes light up and dance with excitement. “The order calls for this item to aid in the protection and healing of Fire, and what better creature to use to endure that spirit than that of this wondrous creature.” A nod of his head given, knowing better than to touch such a sacred relic but moving with the pouch of gold to the anvil once more, retrieving a melting pot and pouring the gold into it.

Without a word to him, Brianne took the summoning stone towards the forge fire entrance. Selecting a long pair of tongs, she carefully placed the stone between the prongs, sliding it into the very base of the fires. A grin on her face as she leaned in to watch, Swistok coming up behind her and placing a shield in front of them both that allowed them to view the flames and yet not be burned by them.

A small spark flickered first, followed by more within the base of the fire, and then with a loud cry, the bird erupted from the summoning stone, circling in the flames of the forge, its bright red and orange feather flowing as if made of fire itself, but after a few moments, it fluttered into the center of the flames, the reddish-black eyes focusing upon the two observers. Brianne gently pushed the shield down as she spoke.

“It is I, Brianne A. Alcinoos, that has summon you, great Vermilion Bird. I am a servant of the angels and have come before you with a request.” Another loud cry from the beast as it urged her to continue. “We have with us some gold from the realm of Hell and wish to craft a pendant from it and have your blessing and gift of your great protection and healing of the Fire itself to endow it to be a wondrous creation.” A pause in her speaking as she focused upon the bird and its beady eyes rested upon her. Testing her almost to see if she truly was who she said, but then with a great caw, its fiery wings spread wide in the fires, and taking flight once more, it flew around and around the fire, bringing it to burn brighter and hotter while the pendant was to be crafted.

Swistok wasted no time now, the melting pot hung on a long stick and pushed into the flames. The gold melted almost instantly when it grazed the wing of the great bird; flowing like water in the pot and the any impurities removed. Swistok was too entranced to pull the pot out, amazed by what he was seeing. And then, even more amazing was when the bird pulled up directly behind the pot, spreading its wings wide once more and from its beak fell a flaming feather into the melted gold, the greatest blessing given by such an ancient creature. Brianne’s blues were wide when she saw this, hands coming together in a loud clap as she bowed her head to the bird.

“Thank you, Vermilion Bird, for your great blessing. It shall be put to the best of use.”

Another loud cry from the bird as it flew into the heart of the fire once more and dissipated. Swistok pulled from his trance by Brianne’s clap, he removed the pot from the fires and quickly used a smooth funnel to fill the mold with the gold. Once it was sealed within the mold, he fell onto his chair, mouth agape and still in shock. Brianne herself had been digging in her pockets for one more item for the pendant, a violet-hued garnet. Rare to find in such a natural state, it had taken a few of her favors just to get it, but she placed it in the hands of Swistok.

“This needs to be mounted into the pendant as well, to aid in channeling the fury of healing and fire magic that is now endowed in the gold.” Swistok simply nodded, waiting and waiting for the gold to full cool.

A few hours later, still in shock, the smith placed a chisel between the two halves of the mold, striking it with a hammer to separate them and then pulled them off gently to reveal the magnificent golden pendant that had been born. Placing the garnet carefully within the setting, he bent in then prongs that held it in place, wrapping it up in a cloth before giving it back to the smiling Brianne.

“Many thanks, Master Swistok. Your services are greatly appreciated.” With a bow to him and he bowing in return to her, she turned and moved to exit the forge, a third large sack taken and placed upon the small table near the entrance, disappearing quickly out of the area and whistling to her horse lest he try to tell her no. But a swing of her leg onto the stallion and she was on her way back to Rhydin, a great healing pendant with her to pass along to the Healing Administration.

~March 21, 2008~