Irwin's Journey - The Cardsmith

Irwin stared at Ambraz as the Anvil hovered in the center of the flame. It had been there for a long time now, hours at the least. How much longer, he thought as he took another bite of dried carrot. Staying here was boring, though the benefit was that the banging had stopped a while ago.

"They have left," Daubutim said from the door. "There might be a guard left."

Irwin let out a sigh of relief as he leaned his head against the wall. "Good," he whispered. "The constant slamming was making my head hurt."

"I don't think we can leave that way," Daubutim said.

"Probably not, so let's hope Ambraz knows what he is talking about," Irwin muttered.

"Of course, I know what I'm talking about," Ambraz said as he flew away from the flame and towards Irwin. The heat radiating from the Anvil showed the effect of the blue flame, and Irwin basked in the comfortable sensation. He wondered how hot it really was when Daubutim backed away.

"Not all of this city's smithies managed to survive the shattering, but there are three points we can travel to," Ambraz said as he hovered over the anvils and landed atop the one nearest to Irwin.

"Travel? Like the teleport the sorcerers used?" Irwin asked.

"Yes, but only from here to one of the smithies in the city," Ambraz said. "I know where they are now and most of the layout of the city!"

"Do you know where Doomblade is keeping his cards?" Irwin said as he perked up.

"What? No, how would I know that?"

Irwin shrugged.

"Well, this one will take us to the smithy in the main castle, which is the building we are in," Ambraz said as he flitted to another two anvils, landing on them in quick succession. "This one and this one will bring us to another two further out in the city."

"Can we teleport from there to here?" Daubutim asked as he walked away from the door.

"Yes," Ambraz said. "Now, though I don't know where the cards are, there are two places I can think of. The throne room has a tower above it. The highest room above it would, by my first guess. If not that, the library at the other side of the castle."

Irwin looked at Daubutim, who was frowning.

"The smithy in the castle, is it close to either of those two places?" Irwin asked.

"We can get to the library quickly from there, but it's pretty far from the throne room," Ambraz said.

If it's far from the throne room, that means there is a big chance there are no Galub's there, Irwin thought. He looked at the few roots in his backpack. They had plenty of water but would run short on food soon. If they headed to the tower and got stuck again…

"Let's go to the library first," he said. "If there's nothing there, we can return here and go back into the city and return to our hideout."

"A good plan," Daubutim said as he nodded.

Ambraz didn't comment, but Irwin saw the Anvil's lips curl up for a moment.

"Alright, come to this one then," the Anvil said as he rushed to the initial Anvil he'd been sitting on. "Put your hands on it."

Irwin and Daubutim moved forward before they stood before the Anvil. Irwin noticed tiny glyphs on the top, etched in the metal and glowing. He'd not noticed before due to the light cast by the blue flame. He took a quick look at that, wondering how hot it was.

"Irwin," Daubutim rumbled, his hand on the Anvil.

"Right!" Irwin put his hand on the corner of the Anvil, noting that it wasn't as cold as he had expected. Instead, it was slightly warm, and vibrations seemed to come from inside.

"Here we go," Ambraz said.

Before Irwin could blink, the world around them changed into a swirling mass of molten metal. It lasted for two heartbeats, which he knew as they thundered in his ears, then it disappeared, and they were surrounded by darkness. Irwin blinked in surprise as the room around him slowly came into focus. It was as if a glowing coal had appeared, illuminating everything.

Ambraz sat on an anvil similar to the one they had been touching before. Hammers the size of his body hung from hooks on the wall behind it. Taking a step back, he spun around slowly, checking if they were alone.

There was no movement in the small recess in which they stood, but there was no wall behind them, and beyond it, he saw a larger room.

"Wait here," he whispered at Daubutim, who stood frozen in place, looking around with blind eyes.

Just this night-vision would make my card better than a common, Irwin thought suddenly. He grinned as he snuck toward the other side of the small recess and stared out into the room beyond.

Bellows and dark, unlit forges lined the left side while dozens of anvils in different sizes were arranged seemingly haphazardly around the room. Tables with pieces of metal, tools and-

Hammers! Irwin thought as he looked at a hammer on the nearest table. He held back from rushing into the room, instead looking around. There was a single massive door at the far right side, closed and barred with a beam of gleaming metal. How is this barred from the inside? Irwin thought, then turned back to the teleporter anvil. Right, they must have left through that. He looked around for other exits, but besides some holes high in the ceiling, he saw nothing.

"There's nobody here, and the room is locked," he whispered as he walked back to Daubutim. "I'm going to summon my flame. Close your eyes."

Daubutim covered his eyes, and Irwin raised his hand, focusing on his flame. As it burst alight above his hand, the room around them turned clear, the hammers gleaming on the walls.

"I wonder who used those," Irwin thought out loud as he stared at them.

"Those are mauls," Daubutim said as he peeked through his fingers. "Those look like the one a carded warrior I've seen uses."

Irwin nodded, wondering if he even knew anyone that could even lift it. It seemed a tall order, even for Daubutim. Then he thought about the hammers on the table.

"Ambraz, there are hammers here!"

"Yes… and you are surprised why?" Ambraz said with a wide grin on his anvil-side.

Irwin could hear the laughter in the other's voice, and he shrugged.

Right.

They moved into the room and began looking around, but besides more metal than Irwin had ever seen, the only interesting things were the hammers, which were far heavier than he had imagined.

"I don't know if I can even carry this," he grunted as he struggled to hold up a hammer with a haft as long as the lower arm and a head as big as two grown man's fists.

"It will be hard at first, but that's a very high-quality smithing hammer. It's also one that can be used-" Ambraz stopped talking as Irwin put it back with a resolute shake.

"I can't carry this if we have to run away," he said, looking around to find a smaller one.

"Hmm… I forget how weak you still are," Ambraz said before sighing sadly. "Fine, this one then." He flitted to another table, and Irwin followed him to find a much smaller hammer on the table. Its handle was slightly shorter, curved, and with a hole in the end. The head was only as big as one fist.

Irwin picked it up, noting that it was still heavy, but he could manage with one hand, though it wobbled dangerously. Looking at the hole, he wondered what it was for.

"This is a traveling hammer," Ambraz said. "Not really meant for forging, but more for undenting armors. Still, it's the lightest here."

"Alright, I'll bring it," Irwin said as he looked at it with a frown. Was he going to have to carry it in hand all the time?

"Good! Then after we find those cards, we can start practicing," Ambraz said, sounding delighted.

Why the cards first? Irwin thought as he looked at the Anvil, then around.

"Shouldn't we just start now? We can-"

"No, no, no. The first part of your practice will involve a ritual which we can't do inside a shard world," Ambraz said. "If you are to become a true smith, we can't skip steps!"

"Ritual?"

"Yes. A ritual to signal your start in the holy profession," Ambraz said.

Irwin looked at Daubutim, who was dumbly staring at the Anvil. Irwin shrugged. He didn't know what kind of ritual it was, but he wondered if it couldn't just be skipped. Still, hearing Ambraz getting worked up, he decided against mentioning it.

"Fine. Let's go and look at the library," Irwin said. He didn't expect the cards to be there, or if they were, probably under heavy guard.

The bar before the door was a heavy thing, and it took both of them to lift it off. When it was finally on the ground, Irwin looked at it, then the door.

"What if the Galubs find the door is now open?"

"There is nothing we can do about that," Ambraz said.

"Can they use the teleporter anvil?" Irwin asked.

"No. Impossible," Ambraz said with a shake. "They probably won't even recognize it for what it is. And if they do, they can't move it."

Irwin hoped Ambraz was right as he released his flame. A sharp breath came from Daubutim.

"Sorry," Irwin whispered.

"It's alright. See if it's clear?"

Irwin nodded and pulled at the door, which was heavy but opened smoothly. A wide hallway lay before it, and he froze in shock. Figures of fully armored warriors lined the walls, and it took him a moment to realize they were statues. Seeing no movement, he snuck out and moved to the nearest statue. It was a bit taller than him but four or five times as thick and wide, with arms like a grown man's upper leg. Helmets covered the faces, so he had no idea what they looked like, but something told him they weren't human.

He moved through the rest of the hallway towards an intersection, and when he reached it, he wanted to sigh. Another maze of hallways and corridors led deeper into the building.

I hope Ambraz knows where to go now, he thought. Then he blinked. Wait, how does he even know?

When he reached Daubutim, he quickly explained what he'd seen before turning to Ambraz.

"How do you know where to go?"

"Connecting to the anvil's teleporter network shows a map of the city," Ambraz said. "Now, let's go!"

The Anvil flitted forward, and Irwin grabbed Daubutim's hand, pulling him along after the Anvil.

"Don't go so fast," he hissed. "We could run into Galubs!"

Ambraz slowed at the end of the statue-lined hallway, waiting for them.

"We should go slow and scout," Daubutim whispered, and Irwin was surprised to see he was glaring at Ambraz.

"Right, right," Abmraz whispered as he landed on Irwin's shoulder. "I'll just give directions then! Left and straight ahead!"

They continued through a similar maze of hallways and larger rooms, and as they continued, Irwin became more and more confused. Torches hung everywhere, lighting up most of the area.

Why aren't there more Galubs? Irwing thought. He was pretty convinced there was one of those demons Ambraz had talked about, but still- shouldn't there be patrols?

"The library entrance is in the next room," Ambraz whispered, and Irwin stopped, staring at the room ahead.

"Why are there torches and no Galubs," he whispered.

"I don't know, but keep going," Ambraz whispered. "If they put up torches here, that's a good sign!"

Irwin hesitated, then snuck forward, sword raised and ready to summon his flame. He almost stepped into the room, barely managing to stop in time as he saw a pair of two-horned Galubs flank the side of an ornate double door. His foot scraped across the floor, and as his skin crawled, he pulled back. He only just saw one of the Galub's turn as he retreated into the hallway. He held his breath as he stood motionless, back pressed against the wall. A few moments went by, and he didn't hear anything. Looking up, he saw that Daubutim had his sword and shield in hand, eyes on the hallway entrance.

That nearly went-

A soft tap was all the warning they got as the guards jumped around the corner.

"Carded!" the left one hissed. "I'll hold them, you-"

Daubutim barrelled into the one speaking, barely missing its neck with his sword.

"Get the other one," he snapped. "Left foot, neck, neck, stomach-burn!"

Irwin's body moved before he could even think about it, and he jumped forward, landing on his left foot and slashing at the other guard. The two-horn's sword flashed up to meet his, but Irwin hadn't put much power behind it. As soon as he saw the other's guard up, he pulled back and slashed around from the other side. With the one-horns, that would have been the end of it, but the two-horn's sword moved with a snap, and a clank came as Irwin's second attack was blocked. His hand tingled, but he ignored it as his left hand moved forward, flame appearing as he struck at his opponent's stomach. Before the flame could reach, the two-horn dodged back.

Daubutim was circling the other one, blocking its way back, his sword flashing forward and around, but constantly met by the other.

"We can take them," the two-horn in front of him whispered. "This one is slow and unsteady. Hold that one, I'll-"

"Don't give him time," Daubutim snapped, and Irwin moved forward into a two-step swing attack that ended with a slash at the arm. The two-horn's grin widened as he blocked the attack, slashing back and almost catching Irwin's own sword arm.

"You will regret coming here," the Galub said with a grin.

Irwin felt the sweat run down his face, his breathing ragged. He'd fought plenty of one-horns by now, but this two-horn was faster than him and had more experience. A quick look showed that Daubutim hadn't managed to get through the other one's defense yet, and a frown was on his face. The ringing of swords was becoming faster and louder.

Someone is going to hear! We need to hurry.

Gritting his teeth, Irwin stared at the Galub, and a wild idea came to him. His healing was really fast… what if he did something reckless? He licked his lips, stepping back a bit, trying to look afraid. It didn't take much effort, and from the hungry grin on the Galub's face was successful. Irwin swung at the other's left arm, and the Galub easily dodged. Noting it was left, Irwin made the same attack, but clumsily, and again the Galub grinned and sidestepped. This better work, Irwin thought as he attacked a third time. He saw the Galub's eyes widen in glee, but as the Galub sidestepped, Irwin stepped forward, heedless of the other's sword, flame forward. Even though he had expected it, he felt panic rise as the Galub's sword shot forward, a wicked frown on the Galub's face.

Too fast! Irwin thought, desperately trying to dodge the blade aimed at his chest. He'd hoped to take a small cut and still jab his flame into the Galub, but this? Pain flashed up as the rusty shortsword cut through his coat and the skin beneath, his flame nowhere near the Galub.

Stumbling back, he barely managed a backhanded slash to block a slice at his face.

"No-" the Galub's surprised shout was cut short as a sword punctured his neck from the side.

Irwin saw Daubutim rip his sword free, a splatter of blood on his cheek, and a cold gleam in his eyes.

"We have to leave. Someone will have heard," the taller boy said.

Irwin swallowed, raising a hand to his chest and feeling them come back hot and wet. The bright blood on his fingers gleamed in the torchlight.

"It's not deep! We will check later. Come!" Daubutim hissed as he pulled him away towards the door. "Let's check quickly, so we know what they were guarding!"

Irwin nodded dumbly, noting that the other two-horn lay on the ground with a slashed-out throat.

"Irwin!" Daubutim hissed, and Irwin looked up. His head felt stuffy and-

Pain came from his cheek as his head flipped sideways, and suddenly he could think. He heard shouting in the distance and his own ragged breathing. Daubutim stared at him.

"You back?"

Irwin nodded, then swallowed and forced himself to walk to the door. The pain in his chest wasn't too bad, but the blood seeping into his shirt felt odd and uncomfortable. He ignored it and pulled at the door, which swung open with little resistance.

More torches lined the short sides of a dozen bookcases arranged along the walls. Oddly, a bed stood in the middle of the room while tables covered in opened books were shoved to the side against one of the bookcases. A small staircase at the back led up to another floor, and looking up, Irwin saw multiple levels of balconies until they reached a chandelier at the top of the wall.

"There are cards in here," Ambraz snapped as he shot up and hovered before the bookcases.

Irwin looked at the floating Anvil, the mention of cards wiping away the rest of the clutter in his mind. Daubutim shut the door behind him before pulling him towards one of the larger tables.

"We need to block the door!"

Irwin stumbled forward, then stopped and shook his head. What? "No… we will be stuck in here!" he said.

"If we don't get those cards now, we will not get another chance," Daubutim replied as he pulled a massive table towards the door.

"If we get stuck here, we will die," Irwin snapped in response, a timely shout from behind the door giving more credibility to his point.

Daubutim stopped, glancing up at him, then at the door, then around at the bookcases.

Irwin saw the dullness return to his eyes, and he grit his teeth as the shouting behind the door increased.

"Let's just leave before-" he began when he stopped mid-sentence as his muddled mind reminded him of something. He looked up with a snap, staring at the ceiling above the chandelier. Though small, he could see the rectangular hole behind it, just like in the throne room.

"We can flee through there," he said as he pointed up.

Daubutim followed his finger. "How do we reach it?"

"Tie a rope to Ambraz and let him fly up, grow large, and we can climb up," Irwin replied, surprised at his own idea.

Shouts came from beyond the door, closer now, and even if they had wanted to flee, it was too late now.

"There is no rope," Daubutim hissed, and Irwin blinked. How had he forgotten that? He looked around, noting the bed. "The sheets!" he said. Daubutim didn't look hopeful, but more shouts came from the hallway.

"Help me block the door!" Daubutim said.

Irwin ran forward, feeling his chest pull painfully as he began pushing the table. They shoved it before the door.

"This will not hold them," Daubutim said before gritting his teeth and ducking below the table. Irwin looked in surprise as he shoved his sword between the ground and the door, kicking it in until it was secure. "Give me your sword," Daubutim whispered, and Irwin quickly slid his sword to the boy. It went below the second door.

"Find the cards. I'll keep the door blocked," Daubutim snapped.

"Alright," Irwin replied, turning to Ambraz, who was hovering before one of the bookcases. "Where are the cards?"

Ambraz turned. "I don't know! There are enough so I can sense them, but I can't determine where!"

Irwin gritted his teeth and ran to the door when a loud bang hit it. He spun around, seeing the double doors shudder. Daubutim was shoving another table against the first.

"Get the cards!"

"Right!" Irwin ran to the bookcase and stared at the dozens of leatherbound backs.

In the books? He yanked a book out and held it by the spine, shaking it. Nothing happened, and he dropped it, trying another, then another. Ten books in, the door was shaking from the rapid thudding, and he was starting to think he was wrong.

"Hurry," Daubutim shouted.

Irwin felt his panic grow as he pulled out another book. If we don't find them, we have to leave! He thought. A soft sliding noise was followed by something falling from the book and ticking against the floor.

A common card lay on the ground before his feet.