The visit

Author’s note: The poll I posted in my main branch was broken, and didn’t include the girls from other branches. Here’s a new poll, that I’ll also add to the next main branch chapter I write. It includes all three active branches, and you can choose as many as you like. https://strawpoll.com/dq4w62kdz

As you work on assembling the prototype, Helja rushes in. “He’s here! Everyone, just behave yourselves, please.”

Marin chuckles. “Calm down. We’re not crazy, we want the Forgefather to approve of this as much as you do.”

Helja nods nervously. “Sorry…I’m just a little nervous.”

Hayley laughs. “We can tell. Don’t worry, we got it under control.”

You smile. “I’m sure it’s fine.”

Helja takes a deep, calming breath, and heads back to the front office. Sanni comes back out and joins the three of you. “It’s not like we’re ready for a test fire yet anyway. She’s just excited because the Daughter of the Forge is with him.”

You look at her curiously. “Who is that.”

Hayley giggles, and you can see she’s excited. “She’s a very special dwarf! The Forgefather fused her essence with the power of the forge. She’s destined to be the companion of the golden magus! I’ve only ever seen her from the distance. Her name is Clarissa.”

You nod. “And the Forgefather is a god of some kind?”

Sanni smiles. “Essentially the god of metal and stone, yes. Theoretically he advises the dwarven council, but the reality is that he’s in charge. The council would never go against his will, but that’s not really a big deal. He is a very kind and just being.”

You have many questions, of course, but you’re interrupted by the door opening. Helja walks out, followed by an older male dwarf with a very impressive beard. He scans the room, and you get an impression of intelligence and understanding from his eyes. Behind him is a dwarf-like woman in heavy armor. You say dwarf-like because she appears to be made of metal!

Her skin is iron grey, and her eyes glow orange with inner light. Most impressively, her hair appears to be made of semi-molten copper, metallic near her head and glowing more and more as it falls over her armored shoulders. She looks around, face neutral, and you get the impression that she’s only here as a guardian.

The Forgefather steps forward, eyes roaming over the partially built crystal ballista. “So, this is the prototype?”

Helja nods. “Yes sir! We’re working on it right now.”

He smiles. “No need for formality, dear. Just Unir is fine.”

Helja smiles. “Of course, Unir it is.”

Unir looks at the contraption again. “So, how soon can it be ready for a demonstration?”

Hayley looks at your progress. “Well Forgefath…er, I mean Unir, we can have the assembly done by tomorrow.”

Sanni nods. “And another day for the enchanting work, with Greg’s assistance.”

The Forgefather looks at you. “Ahh yes, our new immigrant with the metal shaping power. How are you settling in?”

You smile. “Quite well.”

He laughs, and surprises you with a wink. “Understatement of the week right there. ‘Quite well’, he says. I’ll just say to treat them well, then.”

Before you can respond, he turns back to Helja. “I will return in a few days then. Good work, all of you. Hopefully this one will not blow up quite so spectacularly.”

With a chuckle he smiles at each of you, before leaving with the metallic dwarf in tow. Helja smiles after he leaves. “That was perfect! Now we get to work. We can’t miss this deadline!”

Marin laughs. “This time with less explosions!”

You chuckle.