Master Of None

Grey saw Walker's gaze fixed on the chalk and the golems. "Interested in how I made them work this way?" 

"Was it too obvious?" Walker knew that it must have been written all over his face. "Believe it or not, I do try and hide my curiosity a little at times." 

Gil gave Walker a quizzical look, "When have you ever hid your curiosity? You would need a master level skill to hide it and even then I am pretty sure we would all catch on." There was a short pause, "But I am also a little curious as to how the mice golems know not to fall off the table." 

Gil tried to hide his words by saying them quieter but it just made it more obvious that he wanted to know. Grey could only smirk a little before he gave them an answer, "I like those with a thirst for knowledge. Usually, you would need the golem control skill if a golem isn't made with a core that bonds to a master with mana or blood. There are also other orbs that are designed to control them. These are different though." 

Grey pointed out a series of small mana gems, "Those mana gems are inscribed with runes and enchanted with a magic skill. The layers given to them make them act a certain way when disturbed. Specifically, they let out a high pitched squeaking that will alert a few other golems I keep on patrol nearby." This made it sound like there were more golems that Grey had made waiting in the shades. However, Walker could not doubt this thought as it entered his head. 

"The crystals also allow it to roam free since it acts on its' own. The only restriction it has is when it encountered the white lines of mana chalk. Mana chalk is just chalk infused with mana. We mine a lot of it and it is ideal for measuring and marking since it washes away with water." 

" Huh, I knew that most of the chalk sold to the kingdoms was from the dwarves but if you also use it I am surprised there is enough to go around." Walker was sure that the dwarves must use a substantial amount of chalk every single day. However, they still managed to sell a great deal to other kingdoms. 

"Crafters always need it and there is a lot of ash from our forges. We mix that with a few other minerals that we mine and the natural chalk that would fall to brittle pieces is mixed and becomes this. It's very simple but takes time." They were amazed that this wasn't the exact chalk mined from the earth but instead, a mixture to create useable chalk. 

"Hmm, maybe I should send out another apprentice to gather more materials. But do I really need them?" Grey began t ponder out loud while Walker and Gil thought on their own. "Well in any case, what else are you two after here in the high forge? Looking to have weapons of armors made? We can have that done in a short time. You don't need to beat around the bush. I can introduce you to the best smiths we have." 

Walker and Gil wanted to keep exploring the golems, but they had already spent too much time with them and needed to focus on their main point. Spirit forging. 

"We would like to meet the best spirit forger in the high forge. We have to learn the process and try a few things with them to see if there is a way to meld the elven ways and the dwarven ways. If possible that would solve any disputes between the two races and help the alliance grow stronger together. That is if the dwarves join after the summit." Walker said this casually. He and Gil were used to this now since they had been trying for the same things so often. 

With Midnight giving Grey a side glance and turning her head a bit, she huffed to get Walker and Gil's attention. Grey had frozen slightly while looking at them. "Are...you serious? You have permission from the kings to see the methods and even influence them?" Grey's voice was close to a whisper. He couldn't believe this would ever happen. 

"Trust me, it took us a lot of effort to get here. We needed to meet each of the kings and help with the slimes. Not to mention the fact that we just came from the forest el;f city where we helped beat the purple slimes. They even threw us in jail for a bot thinking we were breaking their laws." Gil threw his arms up while recounting this fact. He was still a little annoyed with this but was mostly just saying it to show that they had been through a lot lately. 

Grey was even more slack jawed now that Gil had spoken. The look on his face made Midnight worry even more that her party members were going to shock the dwarf in to an early grave. "Midnight, what's that look for? We are just telling the truth. It's a very important thing to do for a hero." Walker thought that Midnight was worried that Grey thought they were lying. However, it was the opposite, Grey was shocked because he believed them. 

"I can't say that I will be allowed to join you as you speak to one of the oldest dwarves left alive. But I will guide you to him and the mithril forge." Walker and Gil watched as Grey turned away and walked forward. They could tell his movements were stiff and he was still grappling with their words. Walker knew that he was taking them somewhere important, but just how important was it to make Grey act this way?

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