An elven ship was docked near the beach, at what was now named, the Innah'vadahn Coast.
Everything that Erik had negotiated for, such as livestock, clothing, and books were being unloaded, while crates full of gold were being loaded back onto the ships.
His people rejoiced at the new supplies being given, and the sight of the marvelous ship.
Despite all that was happening, Erik was not there to oversee it, instead leaving Marasia to ensure everything continued without issue. Erik was in the confines his still unfinished castle, twisting between his fingers a black ring; the large tungsten vein, sitting idly next to him.
Like a professional jeweler, he made rings out of the tungsten. Using magic, a needle of shfi'nyl, he easily carved into the metal, doing so up close and delicately.
"Is this for me?" The sudden voice of a woman said next to him.
Erik stopped his movement, relaxing his shoulder and placing the ring down. He looked to his left, the woman sitting less than a foot away from him in a chair.
"No, Kalia." He said bluntly.
The woman was an orc, as well as the daughter chieftain promised to him, making her his wife. She was young, around his own age, if not a bit older. She had dark curly hair that was done in a bun, akin to Astra's, and orange-colored irises. Her Common was still new to her, with her accent being thick and her speech being at times, slow.
"Which one is, uhm, mine?" She asked, an innocent and curious expression on her face.
"None of them. They are for me."
She tilted her head and sucked in the corners of her lips, trying to remember the meaning of his words.
Erik took a light breath in and out, before turning back to his work and speaking in Orcish. ("None of them. They are for me.")
("Ah... I am allowed to speak Orcish now?")
("For now.")
("Can I ask you what you are doing?")
Erik didn't respond at first, focusing on engraving into the metal. "Enchanting." He eventually responded after a couple of seconds
"Enchenteng..?"
He glanced at her, her face in her palm and her arm resting on the table. He could see she did not understand, but he also knew she was no fool.
("This is a metal, tungsten. It is very hard and heat resistant.") He placed in front of her an already finished ring, a beautiful and polished black ring, with a layer of deep blue sapphire encased around it. It was mesmerizing to her, as if she'd never seen anything so beautiful before. ("Enchanting means to imbue an object with magic or a spell, but mana has the effect of heating up when running through whatever object it is bound to; melting, burning, or breaking it once it gets too hot. Tungsten will not.")
("Then what is the point of this blue part.")
"Sapphire." His eyes still focused on the metal he was cutting into. ("The tungsten isn't for enchanting, it is to keep my flesh from burning and the ring from breaking. Sapphire isn't as unbreakable as tungsten, but it is also highly heat-resistant. It will be where the mana is stored, the enchantment engraved, and I will require multiple for different reasons; maintaining, enhancing, and for manipulation.")
The way she stared resembled a leer, as she tried to understand everything he had said.
("Well... If the, uhm, tungsten, is so strong, then why not make a sword out of it?")
("Tungsten is brittle as well.")
"My lord!" Marasia suddenly rushed in. "There is an issue involving the livestock the elves have brought, that requires your attention."
Erik went down to the beach where the docked ship was located, with Marasia and Kalia following in tow.
A mix of the men, both drow and orc, were shouting and arguing with each other in different languages, unable to understand each other.
"Enough!" Erik shouted over the arguing group, pulling by the shoulder, his own men away. "Where are the cattle, show me."
"Over there, my lord." One of the men pointed him in a direction, behind the gathering of men.
They made way for him as he made his way over. There, a small herd of brown, fur-coated cows were gathered together. They were disgusting, covered in mud and shit, with clumps of their hair matted all over their bodies.
"My lord..." One of the orcs spoke to him from behind. "These, beasts, are in terrible condition."
"I can see that." He remarked, turning to one of the drow. ("Continue on with your work. Do extend my gratitude to your elders and the farmers for their produce. Assure them that I will continue to support their endeavors by procuring more from them in the times ahead.")
The drow looked at each other, before shrugging and going about their ways.
"My lord...?" The same orc questioned him, confused as to what had been said.
Erik said nothing in response and took charge of the situation, tasking his men with work to do. "The elves' concept of cleanliness is almost nonexistent. Notice how they were all dirty and smelled of fish. These animals are no different. Warm some water, then wash them in the farmhouse and shear them. Make sure they are dried off well, and feed them hay and clean drinking water. These animals will provide us with a liquid called milk, for consumption. Go on now, do not waste time."
His men did as told without question, taking the cattle away and going about their business.
"My lord." Marasia approached him with a respectful tone. "There are also these elves, who are trying to communicate, but I do not speak their tongue." She gestured towards three elegantly dressed elves standing nearby, unmistakably tailors judging by their attire and satchels.
"They are tailors. They are here to teach the art of tailoring. Organize the men and women willing to learn the profession, including young girls and bows. Communication will not be required, just have them pay attention to the tailor's sewing. You too, shall learn, and have Astra and Kalia learn with you. They will have brought looms and much fabric. When you have learned to use them, begin the production of clothing to be handed out; they are to be modest."
"Yes, my lord. I will do as you say." Marasia replied, curtsying in farewell.
Returning to his castle, Erik devoted himself to his craft, immersing himself in the meticulous process of creating his rings. Through relentless scraping and careful assembly, he toiled away, shaping the metal and leaving intricate engravings that encircled the polished tungsten bands. As night fell, he completed four rings, each bearing unique patterns that adorned their entire circumference.
Exhausted from the hours of tireless labor that had taxed his fingers and hands, Erik finally allowed himself to rest. He leaned back in his chair and released a contented sigh. He reached for one of the finished rings and slid it onto the center finger of his right hand. Closing his hand into a tight fist, a faint glow emanating from the sapphire ring nestled within the tungsten.
Uncharacteristically, a smile spread across Erik's face, a smile that conveyed profound satisfaction and even a touch of jubilation. It mirrored the joy of once again holding a weapon that had been lost for years.
The following morning, Erik awakened, eager to harness the power of his newly enchanted rings. Three adorned his left hand, while the lone ring graced his right. With his right hand raised, he exerted his newfound ability. Stones from crates floated effortlessly through the air, becoming bricks as they were precisely stacked upon each other. In a matter of moments, the very walls of his castle took shape, the work of an entire day accomplished in mere instants.
The snow that had built up was blown away, and the many logs of timber were transformed into precisely cut planks and gracefully aligned themselves, adorning the floors and walls of the castle with remarkable speed and precision.
He proceeded towards the rear of his castle, where another wing had yet to be to built. He walked over to the very edge of the foundation where the breathtaking view of the sprawling Innah'vadahn forests lay. As he approached, his gaze swept across the landscape, observing his people diligently toiling away in the arduous task of felling trees. Each swing of the axe required considerable effort, as they painstakingly chipped away at the expansive forest in clearing a path to the mountains.
He took another step, calmly and purposefully, falling down to the earth below. As lightly as a feather, he landed on the ground and walked forward, taking his sweet time.
As Erik approached the woodcutters, they halted their activities and respectfully greeted him. Lowering their heads in deference. "My lord." They all acknowledged his presence.
With a raised hand, he commended them. "You have done well. Set aside your axes for now, and instead, transport the logs."
The men exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of the meaning behind his instructions. However, their confusion swiftly dissipated as they witnessed the darkness emanating from Erik's feet, swiftly spreading and surging across the woods. The very essence of his magic consumed the surroundings, spreading throughout the forest as fast as night, upon sunset, the shadows diverged, like countless sickles slashing through every single log at once. Their trunks crashing to the ground sounded like a chain of explosions going off.
The woodcutters stood in awe as the forest underwent swift transformation under Erik's extraordinary power. The resounding echoes of falling trees filled the air, intermingling with the swirling shadows that retreated back into his shadow.
His men felt their hearts waver in fear, feeling their chests sink in the moment he turned back around.
"At the base of that mountain, we will build a temple." He told them, staring off into the distance. "This path will pave the way to it. Get to work, you will each be allowed an hour's extra to rest for your efforts upon lunch."