Chapter 338: Offer
“New ones?” Kien’s haunted gaze bore into Arwin. “What do you mean? How is that possible? Do you know of the dagger used to steal my powers?”
“No,” Arwin admitted with a shake of his head. “I’ve never heard of such a weapon. I have absolutely no idea how magic like that would function, much less how to actually repair the damage. But you came to a smith, didn’t you?”
“A weapon. You want to make me a weapon?”
“The tone of your voice seems to imply you aren’t too thrilled with the offer.”
“I need more power than any mere sword could ever give me,” Kien said. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Do you understand what was taken from me? Years of work and blood and sweat, all for nothing. My strength is gone. And you want to replace that with a mere blade? I appreciate your offer, smith. It is kind — but it is not sufficient.”
Arwin wasn’t offended by the man’s outburst. Instead, a small smile tugged at his lips. “I think you may be underestimating the strength of what I am capable of making. I do not make mere weapons.”
“I do not doubt the quality of your craftsmanship, smith. But my opponent is my own blood. Hein stole my power from me, but he will not be satisfied. He will seek more strength. More will suffer because of my failings. I must stop him.”
“Your failings?” Lillia asked, holding a hand up. “What do you mean? You said you were stabbed in the back. You can’t be blaming yourself for that… unless something else happened?”
“I was stabbed in the back, but only because I turned a blind eye to what should have been obvious.” Kien’s eyes tore away from them and he stared down at the table before him. “I knew my brother coveted my power. I thought he had gotten over it. That he was interested in simply being who we were when we were children. Brothers. But I was wrong. I handed him the power he sought, and he will use that strength to take more and more. It is my duty to put that to an end. I trust you can see why a glowing sword will not be sufficient to stop the strength of a former hero.”