Kallen made the rune again. Ink on his index finger, making the shapes on the stone. It was a T shape, with an additional horizontal line, with a few dots and made a half circle around the outside.
Immediate he backed up wiping the ink on his trousers.
Silence.
Then, as if a small pin hole at the center of the rune started to pull in the residual dust and light from the environment, the rune exploded outward, sending chunks of stone and debris flying.
Kallen covered his face with his forearm.
"I think I am getting the hang of detonate," he muttered, brushing off debris from his coat.
For good measure he did it again, dipped his finger in his vial that was secured to his belt, and wrote the detonate rune, with almost a whole circle this time.
It took a little longer for the rune to activate, but once it did the rune exploded from the stone again. The small crater it made in the wall was about three inches deep from what Kallen could guess.
"Deck is gonna get off my back finally about learning this one," Kallen thought. He directed his gaze toward the window and noticed the sun was starting to set. He ran his fingers through his white curly hair as he sighed.
Kallen could take the streets, like a normal person but Kallen always did things a little differently. He scurried across the bridging labyrinth of rooftops that covered all of Iron City. He preferred to stay away from people. It was easier that way. Didn't need to talk, present himself in a certain way, he could just be himself. Be free.
He leapt the gap between the butcher shoppe and the tailors roofs, focusing on how quiet he could be. Originally his footsteps were loud, but over time he figured the right spots to step on to avoid the creeks and thuds that people could hear.
The air was getting colder. When the sun set the temperature in Iron City dropped incredibly fast. Almost unnaturally fast, and it was always recommended by the Ministry to be indoors after the sunset. So much so that a curfew was enstated by them, with patrols watching the streets.
Kallen always wondered how they would stay warm watching the streets if everyone else had to be inside. Kallen could see his home in view. An old barn, repurposed for a workshop. A small hatch door at the top was open a crack, with a bit of light pouring out. That was the "all clear" sign that Deckard set for him. A quick leap from a roof to another followed by scurrying up a vertical pipe and Kallen was home. He shut the door behind him, and set down his satchel before heading downstairs.
"Got back just in time too. I was about to send the Ministry after yah," Deckard said stirring something that looked like stew over the oven.
"I think I figured out detonate! I got it to work about two times," he announced proud of his accomplishments.
"There's a slab over on the workbench, show me," he said shaking residue gravy off of the wooden spoon. Kallen walked over, and repeated the steps he did before, making the detonate rune, followed by just a quarter of a circle around the rune.
He took a step back, and just as before the light pooled toward the center of the rune before exploding outward sending chunks of rock and debris. One shard cut straight into one of the wood beams.
Deckard approached, pulling the stone shard free from the wood.
"Pretty good Kallen! Even have the sharp debris too. Dustborne commonly forget that when they write," he said examining it. "How many days do you think this took? To learn the rune"?
Kallen placed his hand on his chin.
"I think about seven days," he replied.
Deckard nodded. "Pretty impressive kid! Go wash up, food will be ready soon. Bard's stopping by so he may join us," Deckard said.
"Bard? Alright!" Kallen said with excitement. He hurried off to clean up as Deckard finished the stew with some needed spices. A spice that replicated the taste of green peppers and a spicy one from a hard to find root outside of the city limits.
There was a knock at the door. Two knocks followed by four quick knocks.
"It's open," Deckard said. The door opened revealing Bard, a tall gentlemen with long black hair, and a narrow yet incredibly handsome face with pleasing features. Blue eyes and even unnaturally long and curly eye lashes. He took off his coat, hanging it on a hook near the door.
"Been a bit Deckard, how are you? How's Kallen?" he asked.
"Both good, Kallen figured out the detonate rune today," he said searching for bowls in the cupboard.
"Really? How long it take him? About a week? That kid is impressive," Bard said taking a seat.
"Bard!" Kallen shouted as he came into the room.
"How are ya' kid," Bard asked.
"I figured out Detonate! Did Deck tell you?" he asked. Bard nodded and gave him a smile.
"That's good stuff kid! Already mastering runes. It's absolutely crazy," Bard encouraged. Kallen gave a big smile as he sat down next to Bard. Deckard approached with three bowls, already designated a spoon in each. After passing them to everyone he sat down.
"Did he show again?" Deckard asked. Bard nodded as he chewed on his bite of stew. After he swallowed he said, "He was a few minutes late, but that Vanguard is definitely up to something. Keeps watching the show and meeting with this one particular patron. No notable features, just looks like a normal guy".
Deckard eyes returned to his stew.
"How's the food Kallen?" he asked.
Kallen nodded jamming another bite into his mouth.
"Want me to keep watching?" Bard asked.
"Yes, if you are able. I need to figure out what he is up to and if it has anything to do with us," he state.
"Deck, what's a Vanguard?" Kallen asked.
"They are kind of like a secret police for the Ministry. They don't necessarily have to follow the laws mandated by the Ministry. If one is poking around, I just want to be sure it's for reasons other than us. Once that is confirmed, then we continue with our plan," Deckard explained.
"When do I get to know the plan?" Kallen asked as he almost finished his bowl.
"You worry too much kid, this is adult stuff. Don't worry about us, worry about improving your skills! You have a bright future ahead of you! keep working!," Bard replied with a smile.
Kallen took the compliment as he beamed with confidence and joy.
"Now that you learned detonate I guess we start learning Pull tomorrow," Deckard said.
"Pull?"
"Yes Pull, pulling the element of something and turning it into something to use. In most cases, it's a weapon," Deckard replied. Kallen nodded as he thought about it.
"That's a tough one. It'll probably take Kallen only a day or two. It took me months to figure it out," Bard said.
"That's tomorrow's worry though, right now I want to just enjoy this food. I got a big order tomorrow so Kallen, you'll have to get yourself dinner. I will probably be working into the night," Deckard said scraping the last bits of carrot and roast out of his bowl.
"Whose the order for?" Kallen asked.
"Some Ministry Captain. A few breastplates and a batch of Spear Heads. The Spear Heads will be done before noon, but the breastplates will take a bit".
"Strange, an order for armaments outside of the main districts?" Bard thought out loud.
"I imagine that this Captain is making a move within his ranks and needs supplies from a not well known blacksmith. I know that Captains will duel one another for rank. The Ministry allows it to avoid espionage and assassinations within their ranks. They usually fight to the death or so I'm told. Have the murder written into the rules and laws. Makes things easier for them I guess," Deckard said. "I am just happy that I get business. Hopefully when another Captain wants to kill another, they will think of me".
Deckard gave a tired smile. Partially joking, partially genuine. All exhaustion.
"Thanks for the food. I'll let you know if that Vanguard comes back again tomorrow. Then I don't play there for a week," Bard said getting up from his seat.
"Get any better at guitar?" Deckard asked.
"Nope," Bard said as he left for the evening.