The description took several minutes—explaining the design, the mechanics, how it should move and function. The chief blacksmith's expression shifted as he listened, moving from interest to confusion to outright surprise.
When Akhil finished, silence fell between them. The sounds of other forges continued around them, but the smith just stared, processing what he'd heard.
"That's..." he started, then stopped. Tried again. "That's a really strange weapon you've described."
"I know."
"Really strange," the dwarf emphasized. "I've forged thousands of weapons in my time. Seen designs from every culture, every era, every fighting style imaginable. But this? This is..." He gestured vaguely, searching for words. "Unconventional doesn't even begin to cover it."
"Can you make it?" Akhil asked directly. "In one day?"
The chief blacksmith picked up the Serpent's core, turning it over in his calloused hands. The light played across his weathered face, highlighting the uncertainty there.
