*Cassae's POV*
"Is it a skill that requires knowledge, or ability?" He asked.
"Both. There is none without the shattered glass effect in their eyes that can make glassteel. At the same time, no one who isn't taught to do it can do it." I offered. "I would ve willing to try and teach you to see if this rings true. I don't know if it applies to other Quessir."
"I would certainly be willing to attempt to learn such things." He said.
"Then, once I get the things required I will teach you at your leisure." I replied.
"Where will you two be going for the night?" He asked.
" .. I don't know." I answered honestly. "Aside from my weapons, armor, and Lael, I don't really have anything here. It's quite frustrating."
He raked his hand through his hair and said, "Then, I will give you the option of staying here for the night."
I felt color come to my cheeks and I admitted, "I feel a bit burdened by you and your friends kindness. I... I haven't earned it." I hesitated and said, "I may need to accept for Lael, at least."
"If you feel burdened by kindness, then I can prepare quite the list of chores. Kindness is not something I do well, anyway." Tilton replied.
I didn't believe him in the least. But I said, "Very well, I can do chores."
"Excellent. I will make the list, you two may wash up. The bathroom is upstairs on the right along with the guestrooms." Tilton said. "As you have seen I keep my house in order, so I expect you to find where things are."
"Yes." I replied, obediently. "The locations of things have made perfect sense thus far. I will try to keep Lael from being noisy, and I will clean up anything he messes up."
"Good. Off you go, then. I have a list to prepare." He responded.
I went and fetched Lael, thanking Bryna and Thomas for playing with him. After picking him up, I headed upstairs with him figuring out where the bathing room and guest rooms were. Every time I guessed correctly where something was it brought me a high level of satisfaction. I let Lael relieve himself before we bathed together. I made sure we were very clean by the end of our bath, even cleaning our clothes to the best of my abilities. I braided Lael's hair, decorating it with some of my small feathers, since I had none of the shedded ones from our home.
I would need to figure out a place around here that had the ability to buy my glassteel things. Perhaps I could find a place that would hire me as a smith for my craft. That would be ideal for Lael and I to survive here. Then I could relax. It would start with scouting the area and seeing where I could easiest set up a forge, furnace, and kiln. I would need to get heat resistant materials to craft the parts. Once I got that going I could make a stained glass home for Lael and I. Perhaps I'd continue the jewelry I'd been tinkering with.
While making plans after the bath, I'd dried our clothing with small gusts, I nodded off. I didn't really appreciate being indoors but the healing process had worn me out, along with the ongoing attacks and near constant fighting. When I awoke, Lael was not with me. Rather than panicking, I rose calmly and went to look for him. I found him downstairs being watched over by Tilton. He showed a lot of patience to Lael, which was nice to see. Men of our type of Quessir do not typically have much to do with rearing the young, even my late spouse did not treat Lael kindly, I hadn't appreciated it and sought annulment. It was strictly left to the women to mind the children.
Tilton was entertaining Lael by creating bubbles for him to try to catch. It was the most energetic I'd ever seen Lael. He was really enjoying himself. My initial reaction at Lael having been bothering had been to apologize immediately. But he did not appear bothered. Instead, I'd allowed myself to watch them for a breath or two, before speaking.
"Thank you for minding him, I hadn't intended to fall asleep." I said.
"It is alright, I did tell you to rest." He replied.
I inclined my head and said, "This is the most energetic I have ever seen Lael. Thank you for the joy you've brought him."
"Mm. Children are the easiest to bring joy to." Tilton replied.
I chose to not comment on it further, instead, I asked, "If you are enjoying yourself as well, I would not like to interrupt, but did you make up that list?"
"Indeed, I have made that list. You will find it in my study on the desk." He replied, making more bubbles for Lael. He seemed to be enjoying himself, too.
I smiled at the pair, before heading to the study and checking the desk for the list. Since he was playing with Lael I didn't have to drag him with me for it. I enjoyed doing mundande house things. When I'd married Varis, after being betrother to him for a majority of our childhood through our parents arrangements, and had moved into the home he'd built for us I'd taken over responsibility for all things under the roof. All the cleaning and cooking were my responsibility. And I enjoyed handling them. What I hadn't enjoyed was when Varis had come home and flung his armor everywhere, expecting me to tend to them.
There were many disagreements he and I used to have. But I'd chosen to set aside all the arguments and hurt feelings and keep our home clean. When Lael had been born I'd helped my mother with him, not really looking forward to having my own. I hadn't even make much of an effort to have a child with Varis. I was watching Lael at my home when Varis had expressed his disgust and disdain for my brother. He'd forbade me to have my brother in our home again. I had immediately collected my things and went to the Elder to beg for an annulment. They'd refused. He died not long after I'd moved in with my parents again.
And since we were married still, I was permitted to live in our marital home after he'd died. I made it my own and had enjoyed it once more. And now I didn't have my home, or parents. I just had Lael, and Lael just had me. With these thoughts, I'd did a few of the chores listed, until I noticed that the sun was beginning to set. I returned to Tilton and Lael, then.
"Would you like me to cook, or is it your preference to do so?" I asked him.
"I have been my own cook for many years." Tilton responded. "I have become quite skilled at it. But... I suppose I am alright with it."
"You are indeed quite skilled. In very many ways." I agreed with him, before heading to his kitchen.
What I ended up making for them was an assortment of steamed buns, with three seperate fillings one with minced meat, one with mushrooms and the last one was a sweet custard. It wasn't something that we commonly had back home, and I knew Lael would like it. I made mini omelets flavored with green onion, a light vegetable broth, and a fast pickled vegetable. I made sure to start on the pickled vegetable first. Once everything was finished, I readied the table. Then I went to fetch Lael and Tilton.
"If you are ready for it, I've finished cooking." I said, "And set the table. I cleaned as I went, so there is no mess."
"Alright, then let's see what you have provided us." Tilton replied.
"You seemed curious about my culture, so it's dishes we serve in good occasions. I had to change a few things because some of the ingredients are different, but it should be tasty." I explained, carrying Lael to the dining room.
It was a bit of a relief after we'd sat down to eat, that he didn't seem interested in having a conversation while eating. So, I focused on teaching Lael to eat with manners, all the while he giggled happily over the meal. At least he knew to chew with his mouth closed already. Once the meal was over, I cleaned Lael up and took care of the dishes once more. Lael followed me, watching me wash them.
"You may retire to the guest room, or you may go outside and stretch your wings. I will be in the study if you need anything in particular." Tilton said, once I'd put away the dry dishes and replaced them on the wrack with wet ones.
"There are still some things on the list I haven't concluded, I'll work on that after Lael and I stretch our wings, and I've put him to bed." I said, inclining my head politely.
"Do remember no flying. I do not have the method to reattach it." Tilton said in a strict tone.
I smiled and said, "Thank you for the warning. Should you have any further questions, I'll do my best to answer."
"I'm sure I'll have a few later. It has been.. a very busy day." He said, before turning and heading to his study.
I took Lael outside and held him up to feel the breeze. He was too little yet to really fly much, but he did try. I tossed him lightly to give him the life necessary to get in the air. He managed to fly for six minutes before tiring out. I caught him when he fell. I tickled him and sang to him until he dozed off. Then I went back inside Tilton's home and took him to the guest room to put him to bed. Then I set about finishing the list. I took my time on it.
It allowed me to think carefully through all the things I needed to get started and what I had to obtain to see security in our lives. I wasn't even sure the financial state of the area I was in, to be honest. But that could be figured out when the sun was out. I wouldn't impose on Tilton further. While Lael was flying, I had noticed there were mountains towards the North. I could probably settle at the peak somewhere. But, the problem was that it wouldn't be healthy for Lael if there were people and children for him to play with up there. So, I'd have to scout around. Though the forests would be difficult for me, because of my large wingspan.
It was possible this area wasn't suitable for us, after all. But I would be checking the area out thoroughly before making that decision. I would like to return home, but my home is where I lost everything. Even Lael. So home isn't an option. I'd rather start anew than resettle Lael where only bad things have happened. Though, if everyone was brought here we could easily create a village in the mountains. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing, though.
Our people do tend to look down on anyone who doesn't have wings or that cannot fly. We also have been known to go out of our way to disadvantage enemies by ensuring the enemy is ground bound. We even train ourselves to take out magic users and destroy bows to render our enemies helpless against our attacks. The only time we accepted defeat was when we died in battle. Many even considered dragons to be cowards because they left rather than killing us all in one go. It was not a thought process that I even understood, because in the next breath they'd cry over their loved one who'd died.
Varis had been the sort to think this way. I'd asked him once in our youth if he'd mourn me if a dragon brought my death. He'd said he would. After our marriage, he'd said he would remember me, and honor me by naming a daughter after me, though wouldn't mourn me. I'd accepted that. He was a warlike Avariel, and I was a peaceful one. We were very different in the choices that we made in life. We were also incompatible in many ways. Though, since I'd known him for so long, I found myself thinking about him a lot. Especially today.
Pretty soon, to my point of view, I had finished the list Tilton had written. Since I didn't want to bother Tilton, I went up to check on Lael. He was still sleeping peacefully. Rubbing his back lightly, I started thinking about the situation. Tilton had been rather free with allowing us to roam his home. Even technically giving me permission to go through his things since he expected me to figure out where things were located on my own. This was an odd realization for me. I was very curious about it. I didn't know if I'd bother to ask, it was impolite considering how kind he'd been thus far.
Once it was dawn, I rose from where I'd sat next to Lael to go check on Tilton and if he'd like me to handle breakfast or not. I left the room and headed downstairs. Then checked the study, where he was. Just as he said he'd be. After tucking my hair behind my ear, I entered the study.
"Good morning, Tilton." I greeted him and inclined my head, respectfully.
"Good morning, Cassae. I see your wing is still attached, I am glad you listened to the advice." Tilton said.
"Oh yes. Loss of a wing is something grave indeed. I have finished your list a bit ago. I wanted to know if you had any preference for your morning meal." I smiled at him. "Lael has not yet woke."
"I usually start my days with buttered biscuits, a bit of deer meat, and some jelly." Tilton answered me.
"Would you like me to take care of that, then?" I asked.
"If you are so inclined to being my chef this morning." He replied.
I said, "I enjoy household duties. Cooking is included in that."
"True, true." He said. "You know, that can be a paying job all it's own."
"Then my skills with glass smithing would go to waste." I pointed out, "Though, I do need to think of what would be best for Lael."
"I am not one to tell you how to raise your little brother." Tilton said. "Just do remember that social interaction is good for all living creatures."
"Yes, I know." I agreed. "I'll get busy."
I took a step back and headed to his kitchen to get cooking. I wasn't entirely familiar with biscuits, but I recalled it was a fluffy type of dough. I pondered on why he told me that about the social interactions. Perhaps I should ask him that, too. The way I made the biscuits had created layered ones. The sort that were flaky and savory. It was an exceptionally old recipe, and not one we usually had access to use.
Once I'd finished it all, I set the table and went to fetch Lael. I stopped by the study briefly. "The meal is ready, I hope to not disappoint you with it. I am getting Lael. He should be waking."
"Yes, Gwen-" He cut his words short and set down the book he'd been reviewing. He looked at me and said, "You should go get your brother."
Instead of questioning him, I inclined my head and went to do so. I felt like I'd just had a peek into something very private, and I was not going to mention it. When I went into the guest room, Lael was just barely starting to wake. I made sure he didn't mess himself overnight and hurried him to the bathroom to relieve himself. I put on my armor and equipped my weapons in their holsters. Once he was done, and I'd got everything together, I helped him wash up and took him down stairs to eat.
Tilton did not join us for the meal, which told me a lot more about his slip up than he had probably intended for me to learn. I felt sympathy for him, but it wasn't my business. I would not mention it unless he did, and I wouldn't breath of it to another soul. Once Lael and I finished eating, I cast a few spells simultaneously to keep Tilton's meal warm. Then I handled the dishes. I kept Lael with me, teaching him Common words, well, trying to. He seemed to not want to talk again.
Once I finished the dishes and making sure everything was tidy, I went to check on Tilton with Lael in my arms. He was, indeed, still in his study. "I cast a spell to keep your meal warm. Lael and I are going to check out the towns around. I will let you know when I can teach you glass smithing."
"Thank you." Tilton replied. "Both for the meal, and the unexpected pleasant company. I would suggest checking the blacksmith as a place of employment. Though, his shop is a little small."
"I'll keep your words in mind. Thank you for treating us." I replied.
"What are your plans for after you roam around?" He asked, unexpectedly.
"I intend to research the area and figure out resources that are around. I had seen last night that there is a mountain nearby, I will be looking into it at some point soon." I explained. "I am aware of how to put together the resources I need for my craft, and I also am aware of how to make a home suitable for Lael and I."
"Well, if that's what you wish to do, say hello to your neighbors." Tilton said. "I believe there is a town of goblinoids up there. Peaceful, but still goblins."
I bowed to him, as was polite and respectful. "I'll bare that in mind. Peace to you, Tilton." I turned to leave, then.
"When you come back, I will make tea. I am told I make a very good tea." Tilton said.
"Very well." I replied before leaving his house with Lael. We started to head towards the town after closing the door, the girl Bryna was coming this way.
"Good morning, Cassae and Lael. I was just looking for you." Bryna said.
"Why is that?" I asked, curious.
"I wanted to show you around town and then take you to Hearthstone Town." She said, smiling. "Hearthstone town had kids Lael's age, and a school and such."
"It would be good to see it then." I replied.
"The entrance is a cave." She warned as we entered Tilton's town. Dueling Rivers, she called it.
I would make myself of with that. As long as it's brief, I could keep myself calm. Lael was little, and so a lot of places seemed big and inviting to him. While walking around, we met Thomas and his mother. Bryna went forward and hugged Thomas, looking at him briefly before telling him what she was up to this day. I mentioned about Tilton's recommendation for the black smiths for potential employment.
Bryna blinked and said, "That could be interesting. Shall we go meet with Balnur, then? What else did that rapscallion say?"
"The blacksmith's place may be a little small." I answered. "And that when I come back he will make tea. I should mind my wing's healing process. There are goblinoids in the mountain range. I am not sure there was anything else noteworthy. But, yes, I'd like to meet the smith here."
"Tilton's tea is exquisite." Bryna said. "Balnur's brother is the baker! The tasty treats me and Thomas brought were from his shop. I think you'd like to meet him, too."
To my point of view, this child sparkled in a way. Back home we'd call her 'Bottled Sunlight.' People would naturally gravitate towards her when she spoke, and listeb to her words. Even I was a little charmed, but I was always accused of being inmature. Truth was, if abyone else could have taken Lael in, I wouldn't have had him in my care if I wanted to. Bryna was chatting away with Thomas. Then she surprised me, by speaking Elvish to Lael.
":Are you having a good day, Lael?:" She asked him. He nodded and pointed towards something about the market area of the town. She looked and smiled, ":Oh, that's a little mushroom lady. Do you want to meet her?:"
Lael looked up at me, then nodded at Bryna. So Bryna changed our direction and walked over to the old woman sitting at her stall.
"Hello Dears. Welcome to my humble stall." The old woman said.
There were many eyes on us, probably because of our wings. "Hello, Elder." I said politely. Bryna smiled at the old woman.
"Hello, Bryna. Welcome back. I see you brought some far travelers." The old woman said.
"Yup. Aren't they pretty?" Bryna said, cheerfully. "I was gonna take them to the blacksmith, but you caught the little ones eyes."
"Oh, I used to catch all the eyes." The old woman grinned. "But what might I be able to do for you two?" She turned her eyes on Lael and I.
I crouched to be on eye level with her, though I had to flap my wings to balance the motion. I set Lael down and he went over to the lady, grinning merrily. He took a feather I'd woven into his hair out of it, and offered it to the old woman.
She accepted it and said, "Well, aren't you a sweet little thing, here," She offered him a brown feather that had blue and goldish red at it's tip. A griffin's feather. "A feather for a feather."
His little baby hands took the feather gently, and he flopped to sit next to her. ":Nésa.:" He said, offering the feather towards me and indicating where he wanted it. Nésa meaning sister. I complied, weaving it into his hair with the white feathers. The eyes really didn't leave us. But that was pretty much to be expected, wasn't it? Many were thinking we were Aarakocra, then they realized we weren't because aside from our wings, we had no bird features.
I smiled at the old woman and said, "Thank you. Lael likes the feather."
"I had a feeling he would." She replied.
"He seems to like you, too." I noted.
"I'm a very likeable person. Most of the time." She agreed.
":Lael, let's go see what else Bryna has to show us. We'll see some little ones like you, too.:" I said, holding my hands out to him.
He got up and came to me, saying, ":Bye-bye.:" to the woman.
"Good bye. Do stop by when you need something. It's always surprising what I have in stock." She replied.
"We will." I said, before rising, using my wings as a counter balance again. Bryna led us to the Blacksmith's shop. Thomas was with us still, his mom seemed to have found something else to do. I also noticed that regardless of what was going on, Thomas kept looking at Bryna. Bryna didn't seem to notice, though. Poor Thomas.
Once we entered the shop, I saw what he meant by small. I would be able to buy steel from him, but as for working here, I didn't think it would be possible. The Dwarf that was clearly the smith was manning the counter, I looked around at the fine weapons lining the walls and the like. They were well made, but they'd be heavy to me. It made it not very well suited to aerial combat. Not that it mattered. Even though metal smithing and glass smithing were very different, I did have experience with working with metal, too.
"Welcome to my- hoh. Well, hello there. That's some, er, big wings you got." Balnur, the Dwarven Smith, said.
"My wing span is twenty feet. The average is fourteen to sixteen, so you are very correct that they are big." I replied, picking up one of his pieces and checking it over. "From a glass smith, to a metal smith, I can confidently say that your work appears flawless. Would you like to look at my work?"
"A glass smith, eh? By all means, I'd love to see it." He replied.
I took out my sword and a little knife I had and set it on the counter for him. "The glaive was made by my father, you may see it as well, should you like. This armor, and these weapons, are all glassteel."
He began inspecting the sword and knife thoroughly. Checkimg the edge and the weight, the balance. All the things any smith would do when checking over another's work. "This is some fine craftsmanship, I'm impressed. That's not something I usually get to say. Usually it's 'Get your crap out of my store.'" Balnur said.
"I'm glad you approve, Mastersmith." I replied. "The best part I can brag about my glassteel crafts is that they are unbreakable, though the hilts sometimes do wear out over the years."
"Something tells me they would last much longer than the usual wielder." He replied. "Are you looking to sell these fine crafts?"
"I am hoping to sell the glaive or knife. The sword is my best weapon for defense." I replied. "Tilton had suggested I seek employment with you, and please understand I mean no disrespect, but I don't think it would work out well. I am afraid of confined spaces."
"So you are needing something more of an outdoor forge." He replied. "I might know a place that can do something like that."
"Really? That would be good. My initial plan has been to make a smithing space from scratch." I replied.
"It won't be anything fancy, but I do have the start of an outdoor forge in the back of the shop." He said.
"What are the terms for its usage, then?" I asked. If all I needed was withing reach, I didn't need to worry about scouting other locations.
"Eh, just rent. Obviously you'll have to fix it up to be able to use it, but after that just rent." He said.
"Would you be willing to sell the things I craft? I do know how to forge iron and steel, though I am not well versed with other metals. Steel is necessary for Glassteel." I explained. "I haven't any experience selling."
"I can handle that. With a fee for the service of course." He said.
"If I used your steel, I would be willing to split the sale price evenly. As I understand it, Glassteel is akin to adamantine goods in Material plane." I said.
"That's gonna be pricey for folk around here. But adventurers usually figure out ways to come up with the cash. I just wouldn't make too much stock at once." He suggested.
"That is fine. I have a child to look after, so I will not be able to forge as much as I'd like to. But I can be useful with any orders you may need extra hands filling. If higher ranked people can get ahold of the Glassteel things, people will naturally gravitate towards it. The cheapest things I could make initially, are arrows and simple tools." I said.
"Using tools and arrows as a leeway into it could probably work." Bulnar agreed, thinking.
"I think it would do well to get the Lucky Stone and Bit's and Bobs interested in the Glassteel." Bryna said after listening to us. "To that end, I suggest keeping the knife, for now. The glaive is enough to get you started. Sarial, the mayor of Hearthstone Town, may sponser you if you equip her people."
"That does sound promising. I am surprised a child would know so much." I noted. "Then, for today, Mastersmith, I would like to sell just the glaive. I would also like to see your outside forge to make proper plans."
"That's not a problem Let's get you taken care of and see if we can't get you set up." Balnur said.
With that, we exchanged weapon for coin and checked out the outer forge. There was a half furnace, walls and the floor was stone already. The materials were available, and ready to put together. It looked like he was originally going to expand his shop, but simply stopped. I started making mental stock of what I needed to get together for it. It looked like masonry was common practice here. This made the process of setting up exceptionally easy. I just needed the things for glass crafting and I'd be set to go.
"Where does all of this towns glass come from?" I asked, slipping a ring off of my necklace and discreetly putting it on. This allowed me to store a majority of the coin.
"For glass, you'd probably have an easier time talking to Tibin. Pretty sure it comes from the South." Balnur said.
"I will speak to him, then, and see how glasswear is handled in these parts. Thank you, Balnur. Tomorrow I will finish the walls here and fix up the furnace." I smiled at him.
"Well, this sounds like it will be an excellent.. partnership I suppose." He acknowledged.
I bid him a good day and headed out, with Bryna first taking us to the bakery. The bakery smelled of so many good things. When we'd entered, Bryna said, "Kaz, we brought new people to see you! The little one loved your Elven Pillow."