Master Of None

Walker had the feeling that the trip had been more beneficial for Gil and Remey than anyone else so far and that the wandering blacksmith might be unhappy. However, the smile on the wandering blacksmiths' face as he gathered feathers and how the frostbite flower leaves was wider by the second. Just the fact that he had left on another journey to see new things and do new activities was what he needed. 

"The path ahead gets a lot steeper. We will need to watch out for rocks that we kick down as well." Gil had moved ahead to scout while Midnight had played guard for the wandering blacksmith. 

"Then Su should take the lead. She can use her shield to deflect and stones that fall and we can remain in a line to stay on the same path." Walker's idea seemed safe and as they moved forward it became the only way to travel. 

The many small stones slid away as they moved and their actions caused some small ones to move at the top in chain reactions. Su didn't need to do much with the earth dwelling shield but use one arm to hold it in front of them. Nothing that rolled down was any danger to them and any larger rocks or boulders seemed to be settled in to the side of the mountain they were climbing. 

"Leader, there is a small flat space up here." When Su made it over the ridge she found that the space was flat with little stone around. 

"It looks like someone cleared this for a camp once." Remey found the small pile of ashes and even some holes that had been left from tent stakes. Someone had definitely camped here for a short few days recently. 

"Then this will be the stopping place when we need to use the portable forge. Actually, it might be best that we stop and make the fishing pole now." When Walker spoke these words it was as if he had said a magic phrase. 

The wandering blacksmith held out a hand to shoo everyone away and then slammed his hammer on to the ground. In the blink of an eye, a small forge had appeared in front of them. The stone tiles on the ground were made of a coal stained pattern and the roof was mostly decorative to block a little rain. 

"That was way cooler than I thought it would be." Gil had not expected it to be this magnificent and with the awe on his face, he showed Walker that he wanted to see it again. 

"Well, I have yet to use the skill, so here I go." Walker placed a hand on another part of the cleared ground and the same blink happened as before. However, this forge was a little cleaner and appeared to be fresh and new. The tools that showed up were on a shelf that was free standing and the roof was a little larger. 

"Since you two are going to play blacksmith and make whatever, Su and I are going to make camp and have some thistle tea." Remey pulled Su toward the edge where the forge furnaces were so they would heat the camp better at night. She hadn't thought that Walker and the wandering blacksmith would be storing them away.

"Then I will scout around and make sure I have a good place to keep watch. Want to come with Midnight? Or will you stay here with them?" Midnight shook her head and moved toward the forge. She wanted to try and help them create their fishing poles. 

"If you are alright with it, can you make a fishing pole and hooks? I will try my best to copy you and learn a few things. I doubt I can properly braid the fishing line either." Seeing that this would be a teaching moment the wandering blacksmith handed Walker one of his older hammers. He then held a hand out so Walker could give him the materials. 

The Strings that Walker pulled from his inventory were leftover from what Lisa had given him to repair his cloak if it ever ripped. They were thin but tough so that they would hold up while traveling. There was enough to make five or six fishing poles if he wanted which he felt was excessive. Yet, when Lisa handed it to him he couldn't find it in him to say no to taking them. 

The iron ingots that Walker handed over next were simple and cheap. Although, once the pieces were made they would work well enough and hold up against the koi fish that Walker was looking to catch when they got to the icicle falls. 

"Four pieces. Hooks. String." These were the pieces that the wandering blacksmith was planning to make. He knew that he would be able to make a very good fishing pole with the materials and that they would work out for basic use. However, he was looking forward to getting blue koi scales because he knew they could be used as water and cold resistant armors. He just lacked the skills to properly fish himself. 

"Understood." Walker watched as the wandering blacksmith started the forge furnace and Midnight came over to watch. She knew that her fire was not really needed for this but since she was interested in helping in the future she was paying close attention. 

There was plenty of time to make sure Walker would learn the process completely so the wandering blacksmith took the time to sketch the four metal parts and the hooks. They were fairly simple. The rod would attach together in three parts allowing for bend without breaking. The reel would be simple and attached to the base. The string would feed through and a hook would hang at the base. It was a basic iron fishing rod. 

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