Kalem was deep in the rhythm of his forge, hammering the heated metal with deliberate precision. The hiss of steam and the crackle of fire were like music to his ears. He had just finished tempering the blade when the door creaked open.
Tharic strolled in, his usual smirk plastered across his face. "Kalem, put that down. The Augury's called for a gathering at the center of the Ironworks."
Kalem quirked an eyebrow, setting the blade on the anvil. "The Augury? What's that?"
Tharic motioned for him to follow, clearly not in the mood for explanations. "You'll find out soon enough, boy. Now move your feet before Vornar chews me out for being late."
As they made their way through the bustling Ironworks, Kalem couldn't help but notice the shift in atmosphere. Blacksmiths and miners whispered among themselves, their usual gruffness replaced with a strange reverence.
Near the center, they encountered Vornar, who stood with arms crossed, watching the crowd gather. Seeing them approach, his stern expression softened slightly.
Kalem, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, "Alright, who is this Augury?"
Tharic smirked, but it was Vornar who spoke. "The Augury of Nature is... different. He's a calm, introspective individual whose gift lets him sense changes across the land. He's shaped by both nature's beauty and its chaos. A kind soul, but he keeps his distance. His gift makes him a bit of an outsider."
"Gift?" Kalem asked, his brow furrowing.
Vornar took a step closer, his tone steady and serious. "The Augury possesses a unique gift. They can sense changes across these lands—shifts in the weather, the stirring of beasts, the flow of mana through the earth itself. Their connection to nature is unparalleled."
"That doesn't sound so different from how we use our aura to sense ores," Kalem remarked.
Tharic gave a bark of laughter. "The boy thinks he's cracked the code to magic with his mining tricks!"
Vornar raised an eyebrow. "Did Tharic teach you that?"
Kalem shook his head. "No, it was another dwarf. He offered to mentor me once, but..."
Tharic interrupted with a laugh. "But then our reckless little miner went and stumbled on a Garon, got himself half-killed, and then decided to kill it alone like the disaster he is."
Vornar stared at Kalem, his expression a mix of disbelief and begrudging respect. "...And you lived?"
Kalem shrugged. "Barely."
Tharic clapped Kalem on the back, nearly knocking him off balance. "See? That's why he's my favorite disaster."
Kalem shot him a glare. "Didn't you just say you didn't care about me that much?"
Tharic grinned wider. "Don't twist my words, boy."
Vornar rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. "As I was saying, magic is a lot more than what you've seen so far. It's not just about fireballs or fancy enchantments. Magic, at its core, is the art of manipulating mana—the lifeblood of this world. It can take a thousand forms, from the destructive to the creative, from the subtle to the overwhelming. What you've learned is a pale reflection, Kalem. Magic, true magic is far more intricate and potent. It's not just about sensing—it's about weaving, controlling, and adapting the energy of life itself."
"And it can make people arrogant," Tharic added. "Or isolated, like the Augury."
Kalem raised an eyebrow. "And you're saying this Augury just called everyone to a meeting? Doesn't sound too isolated to me."
Vornar chuckled softly. "Even those who stand apart recognize when their knowledge is needed. If the Augury speaks, it's because something significant is brewing. And we're here to listen."
"Wait," Kalem said, still piecing things together. "So, this Augury... his magic is what? He can see the future?"
"Not quite," Vornar replied. "He feels the present. Every tremor, every ripple in the world's balance. He's like a living compass for the forces of nature."
As they neared the central plaza, Kalem's mind raced. He'd always thought of magic as something distant, something mages did. But this? This was something different entirely.
Kalem, still not fully convinced, pressed further. "But what exactly is magic? You've mentioned mana, but what does that really mean?"
Vornar sighed, rubbing his temple as if he were explaining this to a stubborn apprentice for the hundredth time. "Magic, Kalem, is the manipulation of mana—the invisible threads that connect all living things. Mana exists everywhere, in the air, the earth, the creatures that walk this land. Some are born with the ability to wield it directly, shaping it into spells. Others, like you and me, find... alternative ways to use it."3
Vornar turned to Kalem as they stopped in front of a large, ornately carved stone platform. "Pay attention, boy. If you want to truly understand the nature of magic, you'll have to let go of what you think you know."
Kalem frowned. "And what do I know?"
Tharic chuckled. "That you're stubborn as an anvil and twice as dense. Now shut up and listen."
As they reached the gathering, Kalem's mind raced. He couldn't shake the feeling that this meeting was the start of something much larger. The crowd parted as they neared the center, where a robed figure stood atop a raised platform.
The air grew heavy, a strange stillness falling over the plaza as a tall figure stepped onto the platform. His presence was understated, but his piercing gaze and the way the very ground seemed to hum around him made it clear—this was the Augury.
The man spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an unshakable authority. "The balance of the land is shifting. A season of fire approaches, and with it, trials that will test all who call this place home. Prepare yourselves, for the harmony we rely upon may soon be broken."
Kalem felt a chill despite the warmth of the forge-smoke filled air, his heart thudded in his chest as he exchanged glances with Tharic and Vornar. Whatever this "season of fire" was, it was clear his journey was about to take another unpredictable turn.