Page 2845 -- CLI.

"For all his other faults, I always admired that about him. His single-minded, unshakable drive. In that way, I have often felt small when compared to the enormous shadows that he and his mentor both cast. But seeing this Forge here now... I feel that this is an opportunity that I absolutely must not let pass me by." Abbas circled around the other side of the Forge and then looked Hector in the eye. "I promise you, I will get this Forge working if it is the last thing I do."

Hector sensed an ever so slight shift in the air as he listened to Abbas' words. The man's intensity was obvious enough from his words and expression, but with the Scarf, Hector felt a little something more. A trembling in the room's air currents.

Abbas was, perhaps unintentionally, affecting the environment with his... words? His soul? His will? Hector wasn't sure.

But whatever it was, it made Hector quite certain that Abbas meant what he said.


Chapter Two Hundred Fifty-One: 'The song's whisper...'
Click to display entire chapter at once -- (mobile link)

The party lingered at the tree for a while longer. Hector wanted to head to P.J. soon and meet the Queen, but Abbas' fascination with the Forge was so apparent that he didn't want to pull the man away just yet.

Unfortunately, it seemed like it would be a while before Abbas could give him an idea of what sorts of items they could create with this thing.

"For that, I will require a better understanding of what this Forge is truly capable of. The Earth Cruncher specialized in metalwork, but this is obviously quite different. Were you able to learn its name, by the way?"

'No,' said Garovel. 'It wasn't written down, but we weren't looking for it, either. Do Forges usually have names?'

'Yes,' said Worwal. 'They are typically given to them by their creator, but if this one's name has been lost, then we should give it a new one.'