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Chapter 5 - Ch. 5 Before the Trap Closes

Moren moved quickly through the crowd toward her destination. The smells from the various bakeries and smoked meat being cooked by the different food carts filled the air with a mix of wonderful-smelling food. Moren had hoped to buy some snacks before boarding the ship, but with people after Mika, she threw that idea out. Moren had back a few dry rations that they could use until they got to the ship.

The crowd had thinned a bit by the time they reached the blacksmith shop. Moren smiled at the giant silver eyeball with a hammer logo carved in the center, hanging from the roof of the building like an ever-watchful sentinel. The shop looked a bit older in design compared to the other establishments around it, a testament to its endurance in a city undergoing rapid transformation. Stormhaven had always been a hub of trade and craftsmanship, but now, as the Aether Era took hold, its skyline was a blend of old-world stonework and towering brass-and-glass constructs.

The street leading to the blacksmith's shop was a living tapestry of industry and innovation. Overhead, aether-powered tram rails crisscrossed the city, carrying passengers in sleek metal carriages suspended by humming energy cores. Gears and pistons hissed in the distance as massive steam cranes lifted crates of imported Aetherium, their operators clad in soot-streaked uniforms with brass-rimmed goggles. The once-simple cobbled roads had been reinforced with embedded rail tracks, allowing for swift transport of goods via steam-driven carts and mechanized horses, their legs clicking with clockwork precision.

Aetherium is the rarest and most volatile energy source in Aetheris, a crystalline substance that hums with raw arcane potential. Found deep within the veins of the world, it is neither purely mineral nor magical—it is something in between, a fusion of solidified arcane energy and condensed elemental forces.

When unrefined, Aetherium glows with a soft violet-blue light, flickering like trapped starlight. It pulses in response to magic, almost as if it is alive, and prolonged exposure can cause strange effects—hallucinations, sudden bursts of knowledge, or even mutations. Some scholars believe Aetherium is fragments of fallen stars, while others claim it is the remnants of an ancient god's essence.

The blacksmith's shop, though still standing firm in its traditional stone-and-iron aesthetic, bore the signs of adaptation. Copper pipes ran along its walls, venting puffs of steam, likely from a newly installed forge powered by Aetherium instead of coal. Small gears and levers were affixed to the exterior, adjustments made to keep up with the times. The heavy metal door, once purely functional, now had a mechanical locking system, a polished brass dial with rotating cogs visible behind a reinforced glass plate.

Beyond the blacksmith's, Stormhaven 's cityscape shimmered with progress. Tall, brass-fitted towers housed inventors and engineers, their glass domes illuminated by electric lanterns instead of candlelight. Airships hovered in the skies, their propellers thrumming as they ferried passengers and cargo between the grand skyports. Billowing chimneys and wind-powered turbines dotted the rooftops, working in tandem to fuel the city's never-ending hunger for energy.

Yet, even amidst the relentless march of innovation, Stormhaven still carried whispers of its past—stone archways, ivy-covered buildings, and carved wooden signs hanging beside new neon-lit storefronts. The fusion of the old and the new gave the city a pulse unlike any other, a place where steam, sorcery, and ambition intertwined.

And at the heart of it, the blacksmith's hammer still rang out—a steady, unwavering rhythm against the ever-changing tide.

Moren pushed open the door and stepped into the shop. She admired all the finely made weapons and armor adorned the wall and laid out on the counter. The basic weapons were near the main entrance, and the closer she got to the counter, the more elegant the weapons seemed to hum with magic. "Oi!" Moren shouted over the sound of hammering coming to the back room. "I'm here to pick up my order, old man!" She snickered when she heard the hammer make a loud ping followed by a lot of swearing in dwarvish. Moren had learned to speak several languages, such as Dwarven, Elvish, and Draconic, over the years during her studies to allow her to talk with people from different races during her travels. "How rude. Do you kiss your Mother with that mouth?" She asked, switching to the dwarven tongue.

"Moren." Mika admonished her daughter. "That is not the way to address someone like Master Silvereyes. He is to be addressed respectfully." She gave Moren a stern look. "I raised you better than that."

"Ye tell her, Lass," Thordin grunted as he stepped out of the back room, wiping sweat from his face with a rag. His long beard was braided and tugged under his black soot-covered apron. "Ye threw me Aff and almost whacked ma own noggin with 'At bloody hammer."

"You told me that a Dwarf's head is as hard as a rock," Moren said with a playful smile. "I think you would have dented your hammer first."

Thordin glared at the girl for a long moment before he burst out laughing. "Ye will always be ma favorite student, ye brat." He guffawed and smacked his hand on the counter. "I have yer order ready back in a moment."

Moren laughed as the dwarf returned to the back room and winced when an elbow was jabbed into her side. "Hey," Moren exclaimed as she rubbed her side. "That wasn't very motherly." She gave Mika a playful pout.

"You are not too old for me to put you over my knee." Mika shot back with a stern look, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. "Behave, please."

"Yes, Mother," Moren replied in a teasing tone. She closed her eyes to look through Luna's eyes while she waited. The tawny owl was perched on a nearby building, giving her the perfect view of the street. Moren sighed in relief when she saw that the street was clear of the men who had come to the mansion. She ended the connection and kept her eyes closed until the disorientating feeling passed. "The streets are clear for now."

"Good," Mika replied, breathing a sigh of relief. "After this, can we head for the Skyport?" She rubbed her arms in a nervous gesture.

Moren pulled Mika into a comforting hug. "We will head straight for the Skyport and board the ship." She answered in a soothing voice. "I won't take any chances with your safety." The thought of anyone trying to harm Mika made a pit form in her stomach. "I will protect you."

"I should be the one protecting you," Mika mumbled into Moren's shirt.

Moren snorted. "Just let your daughter take care of you for a change." She said with a wry smile on her face. They stayed in that position for several long minutes until Thordin returned and loudly cleared his throat. "You ruined the moment, you old rock."

"'Is is a place o' business." Thordin shot back with a laugh. "Take yer touchy-feely emotions elsewhere." He placed a long item wrapped in a ratty brown blanket, a sickle in a polished black leather sheath, a hunting knife, and a brown leather glove with arcane circles sewn into the palm. "Here is yer order, and I tossed in an enchanted glove wi' storage runes sewn intae it free o' charge."

Moren first picked up the hunting knife and drew it from its simple sheath. She admired its polished cherry-colored handle and its polished steel blade. Moren resheathed the knife and attached it to her belt. She drew the sickle from its sheet and let out a low whistle. "This is incredible, Master Silvereyes." The blackwood handle felt comfortable in her hand, and she took a few steps back from Mika and gave the blade a few test swings. "You outdid yourself." Moren sheathed the blade and removed her belt to attach the sickle to it.

"If ye like that," Thordin said, beaming with a craftsman's pride at his work being appreciated. "Take a look at yer last purchase." He gestured to the large blanket-covered item. "I truly enjoyed workin' on this beauty an' added a few things free o' charge."

"A Dwarven craftsman giving out free upgrades?" Mika asked the dwarf with a knowing smile. "I wonder if the world is coming to an end." She giggled at the dwarf's scowl. "My daughter must have been quite the student for you to do all this."

Thordin harrumphed and crossed his arms with a hint of blush visible on his cheeks.

Moren tried and failed to hide her smile while unwrapping the blanket from her final item that her Master created. The pommel was a 1-inch and had a brass-colored shine connected to a 4-foot-long wooden shaft stained crimson red. Moren gently lifted the spear to allow her a better view of the blade on the spear. The 2-foot double-edged blade with a flair in the middle before continuing to the tip had two smaller half-inch blades at the base of the spear, giving it an almost trident appearance. "Incredible." She breathed, quickly flourishing the spear and watching the blade shine in the light. "You outdid yourself, Master."

"I only forge the best for me students," Thordin boomed wi' a broad smile. "Made sure the spear's got a keen edge—sharp enough tae cut clean an' deadly. Balanced it just right so ye can throw it if need be." He gestured tae the wooden shaft, eyes gleamin' wi' pride. "Hardened the wood, too—strong enough tae take a sword or an axe strike an' still stand firm."

He watched with pride as his students marveled at one of his best creations. "Aye, that's a weapon worthy o' a warrior."

Moren slipped on the enchanted glove and bound her spear to the gloves' magic until it vanished from her hand. An instant later, Moren snapped her fingers, and her spear returned to her hand. "I love magic." She said in awe before snapping her fingers again to return her weapon to storage. "I can't thank you enough, Master." Moren gave her mentor a sad smile. "I am leaving Stormhaven today. For good."

Thordin walked around the counter, stoppin' just before his student. "I'm happy for ye, lass," he said, a kind smile tugging at his beard. "Ye're a piece o' mithril in a bucket full o' shite." His smile broadened when he heard Moren burst into laughter. "Lass, I've been around a long time, an' I ken this much—ye deserve tae be happy, far away from those horrible parents o' yers." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a gold coin, its surface stamped with his forge's emblem. Holding it out to her, he said, "If ye ever find yerself in Dwarvhaven, hand this tae any smith, an' they'll treat ye like family."

His grin softened, his voice dipping into something more earnest. "That's a promise."

Moren dropped to her knee and accepted the coin. "Thank you, Master," She whispered, wrapping her arms around the dwarf's broad chest. "I will miss you. You have been a wonderful teacher, and I can't begin to repay your kindness and guidance. I hope one day we will see each other again."

Thordin returned the hug, givin' her several firm pats on the back. "Aye, I hope so as well, Moren," he rumbled, holding her close for a few long moments before clearing his throat. Pulling back slightly, he fixed her with a serious look. "Now, ye need tae get outta here before those wretched parents o' yers realize ye're gone. This'll be one o' the first places they come lookin'." His grip on her shoulders tightened briefly, a silent show of support before he let her go. "Go on, lass—an' make damn sure they never chain ye down again."

"He is right, dear," Mika said in agreement. "We need to go before they can block our escape."

Moren nodded her head and stood up. "You're both right." She breathed and looked through Luna's eyes to check the street, sighed when they were still clear. "Goodbye, Master." She said, giving him one final bow before moving towards the door.

"Goodbye, Master Silvereyes," Mika said, mimicking Moren's bow before hurrying out of the shop.

"Bye, Lass," Thordin said, his voice softer than usual as he watched her go. As the door shut behind her, the forge suddenly felt emptier, the typical warmth of the roaring fire unable to fill the space she'd left behind. He let out a slow breath, rubbing a calloused hand over his beard. "Aye... gonna miss that one." With a final glance toward the door, he turned back to his work, but the hammer felt just a bit heavier in his grip after his favorite student had left.

 

Moren and Mika made their way through the streets of the Merchant Alley at a brisk pace, with Luna flying overhead as their lookout. Moren and Mika made their way through the streets of Merchant Alley at a brisk pace, their boots tapping against the steel-plated walkways as the city's steam vents exhaled bursts of white mist into the cooling evening air. Above them, Luna glided in wide, silent arcs, her keen eyes scanning the bustling streets and looming rooftops for any signs of pursuit.

Merchant Alley was alive with the hum of industry and trade—glowing neon storefronts flickered against the cobbled paths, and the air carried a heady mix of oil, spice, and the faint tang of hot metal. Merchant stalls displayed brass-fitted aether lanterns, pocket-sized automaton assistants, and clockwork trinkets that whispered mechanical melodies. The scent of roasted meat from a nearby vendor's steam-grill was almost enough to make Mika pause, but Moren gave a subtle shake of her head, urging them forward.

They avoided the tram stations, their massive Aetherium-powered railcars rumbling past on elevated tracks, their underbellies glowing with arcane energy. The sleek, brass-paneled vehicles were faster but also dangerous—too many narrow compartments and watchful enforcers, a perfect trap if someone had eyes on them. Instead, they veered into narrow side streets, past automaton couriers scuttling on spindly brass legs, and between factory walls lined with sputtering gas lamps.

The city of Stormhaven was shifting beneath them—a living, breathing machine of gears and ambition, its alleys full of secrets, and its skyline darkened by the silhouettes of airships drifting like silent hunters against the star-speckled sky. They had to keep moving.

They occasionally changed directions to another side street in case they were being followed. It was a drastic change when they crossed over into the Gilded Craft District. The street was suddenly filled with entertainers playing various kinds of music, and dancers in skimpy clothing danced with exotic movements that accentuated their assets from both male and female dancers.

Moren wished she had time to enjoy the sights, but she focused on moving through the crowd as the shops were starting to get busy in the extravagant shops that sold high-end items that were crafted in the city or imported from other continents. Moren had stopped several times along the way and stepped into an alley to check for pursuers, and Luna gave her reassuring nudges in her mind as they continued their trek to the Skyport. He glanced over to see Mika breathing a little heavily from their quick pace. "Here," She said, offering her Mother a waterskin.

Mika gave her a tired smile. "Thanks," She said, accepting the waterskin and taking a long draft. "I am sorry, but I keep slowing us down."

"You're not," Moren shook her head. "I'm not going to leave you behind," She said, giving Mika a knowing smile. "We still have time before the ship departs, and I don't want you to overdo it. We can move at a slower pace for now."

"I appreciate it," Mika replied, handing the waterskin back to Moren. "Maybe when we land in Ethos, we can go do some shopping."

"Of course," Moren said with a smile. "We need some new clothes, and we will get to do some mother-daughter bonding without hiding it from my former parents."

Mika's motherly smile was almost blinding. "Sounds lovely, dear." She stretched her back and let out a deep sigh. "Ok, I'm good for now."

"Let's go," Moren said, leading them back into the crowd.

 

Moving at a slightly slower pace, they made their way through the Gilded Esplanade's large curved street, and in the distance, the Skyport came into view. "Almost there.' Moren said with a sigh of relief. "Do you need to rest?"

"No, I'll be fine once we reach the ship," Mika said, resting her hands on her hips and taking deep breaths. "We are close, and I hope we lost those thugs for good."

"Agreed," Moren said, resuming her pace towards the Skyport when Luna called out to her through their link.

'Danger!'

Moren spotted the threat a moment later as one of the men from earlier were walking towards them. She grabbed Mika's arm, pulled her into a nearby alley, and crouched behind several large trash cans in the empty alley. Moren waited for the man to pass, released her spell, and led Mika through the alley. She leaned out the other side of the alley and waited for Luna.

'Clear.'

"Hurry," Moren whispered as she linked arms with Mika and continued towards the Skyport. They made it a few more blocks before receiving another warning from Luna.

'Two men. Alley Behind.'

Moren swore and changed directions again down another alley. "How many did they hire?" she growled as she moved into another alley and hid in a recess in the building. She spotted the other man from her former home and a new man who was tall and powerful, built with a shaved head and tattoos covering his face. When they passed their alley, Moren led them across the street to another alley and continued to the Skyport.

"Moren," Mika whispered with fear in her voice. "Leave me. They won't harm you if you let me and I lure them away from here."

"No," Moren whispered back to her Mother. "We both get out, or neither of us does." She gave Mika a fierce gaze. "I won't leave you behind to be killed. I can't lose the only real Mother that I have ever known."

Mika's lip quivered. "Ok." She said softly. "I'm right behind you."

Moren gave her a supportive smile and continued to lead them towards their ship. They were forced to change direction and backtrack a few times before making their way to the Skyport. Luna had been able to help them keep ahead of their pursuers. They played this game of cat and mouse for almost an hour before they were on the home stretch of being just four blocks away after slipping past them on their last pass and hurried to their goal.

"Just a little bit more," Moren said as the Skyport grew closer, and their ship hovered in the air right before their eyes. "This should be the last alley, Mika." They were halfway down the alley when Luna sent her an urgent message.

'Trap!'

Moren looked ahead to see the two thugs from her former home standing at the end of the alley and spun on her heels to run when the third man rounded the corner with a smug smile on his face.

"Found you." The man snarled.

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