The Blacksmith

Once a upon a time in a land beyond the mountains there lived a blacksmith, his gentle wife and his child. The blades crafted out of his forge were as sturdy as mount Karn, curves as exquisite as river ma and their edge sharper than the winds that carved the straight edges of the Sool Canyons. Even generals, lords and dukes fought for the privilege to commission his next masterpiece. Thus his renown was elevated to mythical proportions even the Emperor was soon enlightened of his talent. He decreed that "The son of Heaven, dragon among men shall not suffer the indignity of possessing inferior arms to his vassals have this subject craft his liege a sword unrivaled among all. One to cleave the grand admine bell of the Imperial shrine he has one moon to fulfill this degree." The Blacksmith immediately realized that it was an impossible task the Emperor had commissioned his death sentence as there is no other fate for those who fail to fulfill an imperial degree. However that night as if heaven itself had shed tears of compassion a star ore landed in his very own garden. It was a material like no other stronger than steel even at hair's width he was delivered salvation! but also a test he tried everything to his crafts limit: coal from dragon valley, billows made from salamanders scales. But no matter what he did the fire in his forge couldn't reach the heat level necessary required to work this material. "It is impossible" he said, "There is just no way I can create heat comparable to the sky's furnace." But his wife knew that was a lie, because when he was but her father's apprentice she overhead a forbidden technique to create a fire that would rival the brilliance of the sun one needs the soul of the willing to stoke the furnace with life force. She knew there was only one way to save her family and loved ones. So before her husband and son could see her eyes filled with pain and resolution she made a swift movement with her dagger to release her soul from its mortal vessel. Tears, cries and lament accompanied the animated fire that sprung into life from within the forge. Not wanting to let her sacrifice go to waste the Blacksmith worked with demonic purpose he worked through the nights and days to come without rest without food rage and anguish were his only sustenance. When the fire in his forge finally extinguished out of the star ore he had crafted a sword worthy of the gods themselves, ‘Dawn’s Guard’ and its twin ‘Silent Night’. Delirious from exhaustion he asked his son “Isn’t she beautiful? He held up Silent Night, “Your mother, together do we look like a couple?” When the emperor received Dawn’s Guard he was elated never had he held such a fine sword as this, flawless and without equal truly a sword fit for an emperor. But it didn’t take long for the rumours of the other sword to reach the emperor's ear. “Treason! No man shall survive defrauding the Emperor.” As imperial guards marched down the Blacksmith’s shack he packed his son’s bag and told him to take his mother with him and run as far away as possible forget everything that will happen and has happened and to never return. But a child was a child when had they ever obeyed a parents order. Two days later he returned from his hiding place and there in his home he found his father’s remains. Executed in his own home for suspected treason. There was nothing left for this boy, the emperor had taken his mother, father and now his home the only thing that he possessed was a single driving force that will sustain him for years to come vengeance. He found himself a master and trained with the best and connected with other like minded individuals unwavering in his path ten years later he raised the flag of rebellion.

Summary

The best Blacksmith is commissioned by his Emperor to craft a blade better than any other blade. The Blacksmith knows he cannot fulfill this and is delivered a gift from the stars. A material like no other he tried everything to heat it. But only his wife sacrifice could heat the forge to the level required to shape the ore. He worked tirelessly until his work was complete and two swords were crafted. His Emperor received his and was overjoyed with it. He gave the other to his son telling him to run as the imperial guard were coming. His son returned to find his body and left to seek vengeance against the man who took everything from him.

Historical Basis

While many of the details are unknown to be true or not it both the Emperor and his sword are recorded in history.

Spread

It is a common bedtime story that people in Aloshi will tell their children.

Variations & Mutation

There are many books telling a variation of the story but it's key aspects remain the same.

Cultural Reception

A very popular wedding vow is 'I would light your fire' it shows that you would die for your partner to complete their task and as such love them wholly and forever.

In Literature

A popular poem called 'By the light of my fire' is about the same story but from the perspective of the Blacksmith's wife.

In Art

In the The Akheaton Dynasty's palace there sits a large tapestry behind the throne telling the story and on either side of the throne sits the swords.

Date of First Recording

303

Date of Setting

237