Pondering by Cindy England Title: Pondering
Author: Cindy England
Disclaimers: Brace is of my own creation and played in Stormrise Holt. ElfQuest is copyright Warp Graphics Inc..

The soft scratch of metal on metal encompassed the weaponsmith's attention for the time being as he began to engrave the newest blade he had been working on. He paused for a moment to relax his fingers and review his work with a critical eye.

This particular piece was a strongly curved blade similar in shape to a griffin's sharp beak. In fact, he had decided to etch the face of one of the magestic beasts onto either side of the blade for that very reason. It would take much more time and skill to do so and even after the artistry was completed, he would need to shape the blade to the metal rod hilt he had in mind and then spend the time consuming, although relaxing, practice of honing and shining the blade to just right perfection before he would claim it truly finished. His profession was truly an artform in itself, aided by his metalshaping magic only enough to make the metal plyable - his hands would do the rest.

Pleased with the current progress of the blade, Brace looked up from his seat at the base of his den. Although early eve, he could easily see the beginnings of thunderhead clouds rolling towards the holt and he smiled inwardly. He loved rainy days, they sparked the best inspirations in him. But tonight there was an almost forebodding hint to them.

His thoughts immediately turned to Wildlight. His chief had left the holt a few nights ago after Wren returned from the sea shore with the word 'humans' on her lips and her eyes wild in a manner that didn't become her. Brace's ears had perked at the outburst, he had always had a curiosity towards the humans and had quietly sought all knowledge he could of them either from elders or the remains of their village from Crimson's time.

He understood the concern; humans, just like any other intelligent creature, had to be watched and treated carefully. But for the most part, Brace felt there were more similarities than differences among their two peoples and as keeper of the human lore among the tribe, he was patiently awaiting the return of his chief. That Wildlight hadn't yet returned most certainly meant that Wren had been correct, he judged.

Brace sighed. Return of the humans would mean either of his tribal skills would be called on. He sincerely hoped it would not be for his weaponry.