Chapter 291: Gathering
Irwin hummed thoughtfully as he raised the card.
"Did you succeed?" Endil asked.
Irwin nodded. Even if Ambraz hadn't shown him the card's result, he could tell from the reforging that it had worked.
"So that's the last one? Only three cards that can be used by someone to channel the Chaos Whale soulforce," Endil said as he sat down at the table in the corner of their smithy. "Do you think it will be enough?"
"It will have to be," Irwin said as he sat down opposite Endil.
The both of them had been away from the Academy for the last week. Irwin had been focusing on reforging cards that could harness the external power the Chaos Whales could provide while Endil had been watching him work, intent on learning as much about the Musical path of smithing as he could.
Staring at the card, Irwin felt the same antsy sensation he'd been feeling for a while now. The desire to head out, go to Igniz to see Scintilla, and head out to Dimarintsia to put a stop to the Smith abductions. With this card finished, it would leave two defenders for the harbor while Xi'kroak could continue his path of vengeance against the Oculithar.
"You are going to leave soon, aren't you?" Endil said softly.
Irwin looked up, noting the slightly jealous look in the other smith's eyes. Although they were technically born around the same time, due to the differences in time dilation, Endil looked younger and definitely less mature. Irwin knew he'd love to come with him, but he also knew it wasn't going to happen. You'gyn had been adamant that Endil should remain and take his time creating his own heartcard. If he could do that, it would increase his future potential.
Besides, Susnin would kill both of us if we even mentioned it, Irwin thought, picturing Endil's young wife in his mind, glowering at them.
"Yes," he said. "The Academy is doing fine. Trimdir knows how to break existing heartcards to reforge them. You have learned most of what I can teach, and I've reforged all the cards I had to. Those that remain can be done by you, Trimdir, Esther, and the others. I'll be creating more heartcards this week, and after that, we will be heading back out."
Endil stared at him quietly, then shook his head with a weary sigh.