Chapter 4: The Blacksmith

As we walked through the streets of Catamaran, I couldn't help but stare in awe, seeing how much the place has changed since the last time I visited this town. I remember Rosco's Antique Shop, the local Nomicon Festival, and many other good memories I've made here. I remember living with my parents here when they were still alive. Urkrad snapped in my face! "Hey! Snap out of it, kid." I jumped a little and punched him in the arm. "Geez, don't do that!" I laughed. If I didn't know he was there, he probably would've given me a heart attack. It looked like the village was attacked not too long ago, because some buildings were under reconstruction.

Apparently, the Crystal Blade had a tracking system enchanted to it, because the closer we got to Blacksmiths Forge, the more the blade glowed. I knocked on the door while Urkrad sat down by the forge. "May I help you?" Someone asked from inside. "Yes. I'm looking for Dirk, the blacksmith of this town. "That would be me." The man responded, entering the forge. "And you are?" I laughed, "Oh! Sorry, forgot to introduce myself. I am Dakre Dremmer, last descendant of the Crystal Knight, Dakre of Bardock." He shook my hand, "Nice to meet you." Then he whispered to me, "Is it really true that you found the sword?" "How did you know?" "News spreads quickly, I guess." I unsheathe my sword and he was amazed. I sheathed the blade. "Anyway, (Ahem), Mr. Dirk, I would like to reintroduce you to your old friend, Urkrad Stone."

I brought Dirk outside. "Ha! I can't believe it. Urkrad, old friend! How have you been?" He and Dirk did a secret handshake. Dirk was impressed. "Well, I'll be. Even through all these years since we've separated, you still remember our secret shake." "Well, I wouldn't say we separated. It was more like you left and went missing for several years. But still, it's great to have you back." "You know what? This is a great moment for the team. Let me take you to the local Pub. Drinks are on me."

When we entered the bar, everybody cheered, "Valtak's back! Long live our savior!" We sat down and ordered our drinks. "They never call me by my real name anymore. You might as well call me Valtak from now on." While we waited, Urkrad caught up with Valtak's whereabouts from over the years. "So, this is where you disappeared to. What made you choose here?" "Well, I had a feeling in my gut, telling me to come here. When I first arrived here, the village was constantly ambushed by marauders. I couldn't stand to see innocent people powerless against such attacks, so I stepped in and became the towns' guardian. On the days we weren't attacked, I worked as the local blacksmith. I forged weapons for the people so that one day they can defend themselves as a city. I haven't left this place since." When we got our drinks, Valtak proposed a toast, "To Friends old and new." We raise our glasses, "To friends!"

After we drank, "So what do you need me for? And how did you find me?" "Dakre, your turn to talk." Urkrad and Valtak turned to me. "Well, when I found the Crystal Blade, I had visions of a past life that I now believe to be mine, somehow, and then I saw a bright light. Its voice called to me and told me of my mission. He said that you were an important piece to this puzzle of a journey. I'm not entirely sure what else he said, cuz' the visions faded before he could finish. And it was the glow of the blade that lead us to you." "Huh. I'm going to tag along with you guys, then. It's time to fulfill the prophecy as it was foretold."

Valtak called to the crowd, "Fellow citizens, due to certain matters, I must leave town for a while. But do not fret, my friends, as you are in good hands. The weapons I have forged over the years are for you. Use them to rebel against the marauders and end their reign over us! Train hard, work hard, and you will rise to become one of the greatest cities in the world! Farewell, my good people, and good luck."

We left the tavern, not quite sure where to head next. I remind Urkrad about the glyphs on my sword. "Right. Dakre has found some glyphs on his sword, but we can't translate them. So we decided to stop by Mino's place after picking you up here. Her shack should be about 5 miles north from here." "Well, that's no good," Valtak warned. "Why?" "Go any farther north and you'll have to go through the mountain range." "It shouldn't be too hard, right?" I asked. Valtak shook his head and trudged along, "It's not as easy as you think, kid."

We leave the town of Catamaran, heading towards the northern mountain range. I was afraid that it would take too much time, so we tried out Valtak's latest creation. "What is this strange, mechanical device?" "I call it a car. It's the very first of its kind. This will revolutionize modern transportation as we know it. Instead of a week on foot, or a few days on a horse & buggy, a car can get you places faster and farther within only a few hours." "That's amazing! This will make our journey a whole lot shorter." "Not quite. This is still a prototype, meaning it won't last long at all. After a while, we'll have to travel on foot, anyway. You can't climb mountains with this thing."

We stopped at the base of the mountains, looking for an easy way to climb. I spot a staircase leading all the way to the top, wrapping around the terrain. About a third of the way up, we follow a trail leading to a rather nice cabin in the distance. There was a sign on the door saying, 'Friends, Members & Family Only'. "This must be it." I crack open the door and peek inside. Someone inside was cleaning up the place. "Come on in," she said. "There's no need to sneak a peek." We enter the cabin and stand at the entrance. "Ah, long time no see. Looks like Valtak finally came back, and I see you brought a new member?" "Yes. Mino, this is Dakre Dremmer, last living descendant of the Crystal Knight, Dakre of Bardock."