Note: be sure to read Op: Pacifica "In the Wake of the Storm" before reading this! It's available online in the pacifica archives at http://w3.one.net/~deadlock/Jihad/Archives/Pacifica/ --Samhain Reformation ----------- Samhain reached out towards CyberPyro and took his right forearm in his left hand. Their grip locked, then released. Each reached down and shouldered their minimal packs of gear, then headed out into the mountain forests of Colorado. ------------------------------------------- It was nearly dusk when the pair came across a clear, cold stream flowing down from snow high atop the mountain peaks. A long-abandoned mine shaft reached deep into the nearby rocks. Obviously left unused due to inaccessibility rather than lack of success, its entrance held small piles of ancient coal. They looked at each other, nodded, and set up a rough camp. They built a campfire, ate in silenge a small meal of various plants gathered en route, then lay down to sleep. Their work would begin in earnest early the next day. ------------------------------------------- Both Samhain and CyberPyro rose and began their respective tasks before sunrise. Samhain gathered large rocks from downstream, setting them first in a rectangle then gradually adding other rocks for support until they formed a low, hollow structure. CyberPyro gathered massive quantities of coal from the mine shaft, piling it near where Samhain was working, then later into the hollow underneath. They then dug a shallow trough and diverted just enough stream water to fill it. As the sun climbed to its apex, the two finished their respective tasks. Their eyes met briefly, sending all the words that were necessary. Each reached into their packs for the first time since their arrival. Samhain pulled some twisted hulks of metal, tongs, a large iron plate and a tremendous hammer from his pack. CyberPyro extracted a bellows and ceremonial dagger. They knelt on opposite sides of the structure to pray, their items spread out before them. At dusk, CyberPyro rose from where he knelt, took two pieces of flint from a belt pouch, and slammed them together for sparks to start a fire beneath the rocks. Fanning it with the bellows and feeding it at regular intervals, the fire grew hotter and hotter. Soon the rocks themselves glowed with a dull orange heat. It was time to begin. Samhain rose and turned towards the pool they had dug with their bare hands. Taking the cue, his assistant picked up the dagger and approached, then knelt beside him. Each in turn sliced across their right palm, allowing the blood to drip freely into the pool before binding it tightly with a dark silk cloth. Another quick glance at each other, and they returned to their places by the stone kiln. CyberPyro fed still more coal into the fire and fanned it even hotter as Samhain shoved the metal into the blasting heat. While waiting for the initial heating, he selected several cooler rocks from alongside the furnace and used the tongs to place them in the icy cold pool. Steam rose from the water as the rocks were dropped in, warming it to the proper temperature. Moments later, he withdrew the metal and set it across the iron plate. He hefted the hammer, pounding it into form before dipping it into the pool. Sparks rose into the sky, more stars in the cloudless night. Over and over he heated, folded, pounded, formed, shaped and cooled the metal as CP tirelessly fed the fearsome flames. Cords stood out on their arms and necks as they shed layers of clothing to reveal the bare skin of their upper bodies. Veins rose and wound around like spidery tentacles. Sweat beaded and shone in the light of the fire as they continued their work through the night. As the sky overhead gradually turned from black to dark purple, then to gradually lighter shades of blue, the metal took on its elegant and deadly form. Each heating and forming now took more time and caution than the last; to shatter the blade now would be the ultimate waste. At dusk, Samhain knelt beside the fire, the graceful yet ugly curves of the blade resting across his knees. Noting his actions, CP followed suit, kneeling once more on the opposite side of the forge. Moments later they rose as one, stepped back from the work area, and lay down under a large Cedar for a few hours sleep. The next day's tasks were somewhat easier; the forge was already built and the quenching pool dug. CP started the day by replenishing the nearly depleted fuel supply while Samhain worked to drain then refill the pool. As the sun rose high above once again, their efforts began anew. If not for the overcast sky, an onlooker would have had an eerie feeling of deja vu as the pair refilled the quenching pool and began working another hulk of metal. A storm swept over the top of the mountains. Snow swirled around them as the wind whistled through the trees and mine entrance. Still they perservered, uncaring and unnoticing as the powerful cold front swept through the area. CyberPyro's work was made both easier and harder at the same time; the wind acted as his bellows while the snow struggled to drag the forge temperature lower. More rocks were needed to keep the quenching pool the correct temperature. The cold demanded more caution and attention to detail to prevent shattering the blade. The storm faded away overnight, leaving behind a clear blue sky. The unmistakable sound of metal slamming against metal echoed through the crisp, clean morning air as their work continued. At long last, they knelt at the sides of the forge. They picked up their equipment and backed away, returning to their place under the Cedar. "We're finished," smiled Samhain. CP grinned tiredly, yearning to see the results of their labors. "Gimme!" he demanded. He took the blades as they were handed to him, inspecting every last detail of each marbled metal face. The last light of the evening glimmered dully in the swirls and folds of the metal giving it a life of its own. The blades were utterly flawless; they were finished indeed. Samhain reached into his satchel and withdrew two sheets of deerskin, some rawhide cord, and two pieces of antler carved into needles. He handed a needle, some leather and some cord to his friend, and they deftly fashioned grips for the pair of weapons. Once finished, they lay down in the snow and pine needles to sleep. ------------------------------------------- After they had meticulously returned every stone to the stream and carefully extinguished the remaining embers of the fire, the pair clasped arms and set off in the direction from which they had come. ------------------------------------------- A pair of figures emerged from the dense foliage beyond the defensive perimeter of the TRES HQ. The sentinel immediately snapped to readiness, bringing his rifle to bear as he looked at them closely. They were both bare chested, covered in ash and soot. One's stature alone was imposing, standing over six feet tall. The second was somewhat smaller and less intimidating, yet carried on each hip a dark, menacing scimitar. He snapped to attention and stood silently as the pair passed through the tremendous gate. ------------------------------------------- "Reformation" Copyright 1997 David R. Hibbs -- ______________________________________________________________________________ Persuant to Federal regulations, Any and all unsolicited commercial email to this email address is subject to an archival fee of up to US $500 per message. Emailing of message denotes acceptance of these terms. ______________________________________________________________________________