I worked from 10:30 PM until around 1:00 AM, setting up shifts and lines of communication between teams and across the city. I helped three forge teams produce two sets of fourteen copper rings each, totalling 84, minus a couple of mishaps that made the rings unusable.

  I had promised the Duke one hundred Single Use Spell rings in a week, and we had accomplished it in a day. Our grand total of usable rings after a day of trial and error, teaching, and experimentation was 117. I feel that we have reached a level of precision that I was comfortable moving us up to silver rings. The cost was ten times more, but the error rate was acceptable, especially since we could just melt it down into bars, so the financial loss was very low.

  Now I needed to earmark rings for use and track down mages, priests, warriors, and thieves to imbue spells and skills. Our change in plans toward more powerful spells was good on paper, but there was still a lot we needed to accomplish before it was a reality. Thanks to Chompers, I mean Cecil, we had five journeymen and one master who had volunteered to help with Scorching Light spells. Adriana was working on the elementalists. She had quite a few journeymen and senior apprentices who had volunteered to help, but none had the more powerful spells we needed.

  Nevertheless, we were continuing a diversified plan and would make as many Firebolt SUS rings as possible to go with the Spinet Action web spell.

  I fell asleep and rested fitfully near 2:00 AM and was awoken three and a half hours later by Biff. I was needed in the lower chamber.

  I dressed quickly, washed my face, and ran a wet brush through my hair. He insisted I put on a clean shirt and pants, stating that I smelled like smoke and sweat.

  “What’s wrong with that?” I demanded testily.

  “Sewage smoke, and pig sweat.” He replied.

  “Oh. Then I’d better change.” I said with my feelings a little hurt.

  I was not surprised that the main floor was empty and quiet as we walked down the stairs inside the column. I poked my head out for a quick look, saw all was right, and joined an impatient Biff back on the stairs. We would not be open for business until 7:00 AM, and the only people around would be the few volunteers on night shift. Everyone else would be home sleeping at this hour. I wish I were still in bed as I let loose a big yawn.

  And so when I rounded the first gap in the rails of the spiral stairs leading to the lower level and saw over one hundred people in the lower level, my heart leaped into my throat.

  What’s wrong, Bella? Why didn’t you wake me? I sent her in a panic.

  Hush. Just go with it. Was her reply.

  What kind of response was that from her?

  By the second turning of the stairs, I had sorted out several mage robes from among the standard clothes worn by regular people. There had to be nearly every mage guild represented below. Something was up, and I couldn’t think of a single positive reason why they would be here this early in the morning.

  As we turned around the last bend, I asked, “Biff, have the goblins attacked early? There are mages and City Watch down there.”

  “Really?” He said in as fake a surprised expression as I have ever seen him try to pull on me. He had an honest face and couldn’t tell a lie if he had to. Even as kids, he couldn’t fake a story. What was he up to? Now I was really confused.

  We made our way toward the center of the lower level since that seemed to be where all the people had gathered. As I got there, I saw a lot of smiling faces, but everyone was completely silent. Nobody said hello. Nobody said anything. It was eerie.

  They said this should be a solemn occasion, and everyone should be silent. Bella said in response to my thoughts.

  They? Who are they? I asked her. She did not reply.

  By the time we reached our destination, I knew who “they” were. Grandmaster Copperheart and the other two masters were standing next to a forge that was live, and an odd-looking cauldron sat on top with the familiar smell of molten copper reaching me.

  I started to ask what was going on when Bella interrupted me. Remain silent and follow their lead.

  And so I stood before the three dwarf masters, surrounded by my friends and colleagues. I didn’t dare hope for what might be coming.

  The grandmaster took one step forward and spoke. “Gwydion Istari, you have been summoned before your Patron’s Special Services clan to receive a singular honor. For extraordinary service rendered to the Dwarven Copper Mountain Hold and Clan, and all Dwarfkind, you are hereby made Dwarfkin by acclamation of three Dwarf Masters, thrice named and thrice approved.

  My heart sank just a little bit. I had hoped that they would reconsider their orders and that I would be named a Dwarf Master. But I quickly reprimanded myself. Being named Dwarfkin was indeed an honor, and Sundance would have been proud.

  The youngest Master approached and handed me a scroll. He whispered, “I hope you like it. I spent all night working it up just right.”

  The grandmaster cleared his throat, and the young Master Anvilblade smiled, bowed to me, and returned to his former position.

  “It is typical,” the grandmaster began, “that all new Dwarfkin receive their name in a public setting before the clan, and this setting among your clan is right and proper for the occasion. And because of the special nature of your service, special acknowledgement must be awarded. And so you will not be Gwydion Istari Dwarfkin, but Gwydion Istari Ringweaver of the 49th year of the 49th generation.

  “Welcome, nephew, to the Copper Mountain Hold and Clan. Long may your forge shine.”

  And in a single voice, as if the assembly had practiced the line, they all repeated, “Long may your forge shine!” And chaos erupted.

  There were cheers and hoots from the Irregulars, applause from mages and professionals, and a few whistles thrown in by my adventuring friends.

  A bell rang loudly, and everyone quieted. It was not painfully loud, but it was loud.

  The grandmaster had his right hand held up, and when the voices quieted, which happened quickly, he continued. As a full member of the Copper Mountain Clan, it is now our formal duty and privilege to announce your candidacy for Dwarven Master should you wish to complete the ceremony.”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  The room was silent once more, and I was numb with surprise.

  Say yes, Gwydion. Bella prompted.

  I bowed and said, “I wish to complete the ceremony, grandmaster.”

  A smile flickered over Copperheart’s mouth at my use of that title. “Then prepare him for what must come. May the fires of the forge guide him.”

  The other two dwarves approached me and explained. “You must remove your robe and shirt.” Master Anvilblade stated.

  “And you may not wear your circlet, I’m afraid.” Master Warmforged added. “It will hurt a lot, but you cannot receive the mark if you wear the circlet.”

  I had heard the dwarf phrase “you cannot receive the mark if you wear the circlet” before. Sundance had used it at times when I tried to take a shortcut when I should have done things differently. I now knew what it meant.

  The dwarves helped me wash in a basin as if I were preparing a ritual at the forge, which in a sense I was doing. In fact, this was probably THE ritual at the forge that drove all others. But this time the masters helped me to wash, rinse, and dry myself. I knew that such a thing was a singular honor.

  After preparations were completed, I was led to the forge and saw that the odd-shaped cauldron was half-filled with boiling copper. On either side of the cauldron was the symbol of a sideways diamond. It was a simple, geometric shape, and it glowed red-hot from the heat of the boiling metal. I had a bad feeling that I knew what would come next.

  “Candidate Gwydion Istari Ringweaver, in order to complete the ritual, you must grasp the cauldron with your forearms, lift it, and carry it to the stand waiting for you 49 steps away.”

  Despite being warned to remain silent, several in the crowd gasped or murmured. Their sudden silence afterward had to have been encouraged by Bella.

  “You may decline without shame, nephew. But if you begin, you must see it through to completion or forever lose both your claim to rise and kinship in the Copper Mountain Clan in shame and dishonor.”

  The stakes just got a whole lot steeper.

  I knew that Grandmaster Copperheart opened this door for me, but I would have to walk it alone.

  I bowed to each master in reverse order this time, starting with the youngest and ending with the grandmaster. I made eye contact with him and he gave me a sharp, encouraging nod.

  Walking before the forge, I instantly started to sweat and feared that if I did not hold the cauldron especially tightly, my sweaty arms would cause it to slip and fall. I wondered if dwarves even had this kind of issue. Since no human had ever been afforded the opportunity, there was no way to know how we compared.

  But humans were not as strong, our skin was far more sensitive, and our mass, while stretched taller, was less dense.

  There is a reason no human has tried this before.

  I took three slow, deep breaths in and out and, without further hesitation, grabbed the cauldron in the only practical way it could be carried with my inner arms pressed against the cauldron and the raised diamond burning and digging into my skin. There were small handles where a chain hook could be used to lift or lower it, but it was impractical to lift with my hands, and the intention of the trial was obvious.

  This was going to leave a mark.

  I lifted its weight, and instantly the pain was unimaginable. I took a half dozen points of damage at once, my vision narrowed, and I could barely hear any sounds around me. My arms hurt, and the cauldron was heavy, so heavy.

  Turning ninety degrees to my right, I began taking the steps necessary toward the platform that had been set up for me.

  One step. Two steps. I took another point of damage.

  I had forty-nine of them to take. The platform seemed so far away.

  Six steps. Seven steps. Two points of damage were inflicted this time.

  I was only one-seventh of the way done.

  It hurt.

  But memories found their way into my thoughts. I found myself at the bottom of the bay and saw my friend Biff get attacked and nearly eaten by the giant shark, and my blood boiled. Anger fueled my strength.

  Thirteen steps. Fourteen steps. Another point of damage.

  I found myself standing up at the moment I first glanced up at the park tree that we had grown to three times its size, towering over the park and above the city, filling us all with life. Hope fueled my strength.

  Twenty steps. Twenty-one steps. Another two points of damage seared through my arms.

  I found myself on a large, colorful blanket as a child at a picnic with my mother and my father, laughing, eating, and playing games together. Family fueled my steps.

  Twenty-seven steps. Twenty-eight steps. Two points of damage.

  I found myself at dinner in the Double Dragon with my best friends, laughing and teasing one another, all innocent of what would happen over the coming hours. Friendship fueled my strength.

  Thirty-four steps. Thirty-five steps. An especially painful three points of damage caused me to stumble, ever so slightly. I watched in fear as some of the molten copper sloshed against the edge, but not a drop was spilled.

  I found myself standing before the three mage judges at my trial, justifying my rise to journeyman and worthiness as a mage. Duty fueled my strength.

  Forty-one steps. Forty-two steps. A single point of damage that seemed barely noticeable compared with the pain of moments ago.

  I found myself staring into the eyes of Adrianna on a clear night several years ago as we talked about our futures as mages and the great adventures we would experience. Love fueled my strength.

  Forty-eight steps. Forty-nine steps. A final searing three points of damage stabbed into me as I reached out, unbalanced, to set the cauldron down, and it wobbled for just a moment before settling into place. My knees trembled, and I fell to the floor, unaware of the cheering or even of the hands that pulled me up to inspect my arms. I did not pass out, at least not completely, but I was out of it for a few moments. I had taken over half my available damage, and it was burning damage over time.

  The last memory that came to me was of Sundance, standing over me as I hopped into bed as a young apprentice. It was the day I first successfully crafted Dwarven copper. He had placed his hand on my head and said, “I am so proud of you, Gwydion. You will grow into a great mage and craftsman one day, and I will be proud to have you in my family.”

  I had not recalled that memory, or even if it was a true recollection. But it brought a smile to my lips and tears to my eyes.

  The healing energies of a spell brought me around, and I found myself sitting up against the podium that served as the cauldron's platform. Steven hovered over me with concern in his eyes, and Adriana held my left hand gingerly as if it might fall off. It sure felt like it might. Master Glimmerblade knelt beside me, grinning and patting me on my right shoulder, and standing above me was Grandmaster Copperheart with a twinkle in his eyes.

  I couldn’t hear him, but he seemed to say, “Well done, lad. Well done.”

  The AL whispered into my ear. Enchanter Gwydion earns a spell or skill point to be placed as desired for completing the Dwarf Master quest. You have earned an ally in Grandmaster Doric Copperheart for solving the Missing Archmaster text quest. Spell and skill points must be reclaimed at a guild hall or sanctuary. You earn an addition to your cognito and are known as Gwydion Istari Ringweaver. You earn a racial bonus title, Dwarfkin, and improved favor with dwarf merchants and authorities. Prestige changes from level three Fine to level four Notable. Additions and notes have been added to your Book of Quests that remain unread.

  I smiled deeply but remained motionless. I was exhausted. But I was very, very happy.

  They gave me another minute or two to collect myself before they got me up, dressed me in a shirt and robe, but rolled the sleeves up so that everyone could see the twin diamond markings that ranked me as a Dwarven Master. There was also some damage to my palms and arm, but I was assured that they would heal cleanly. The magical gem impressions would remain the same, however.

  Master Warmforged led me to the front of a line that was forming to allow each person to greet and congratulate me. Shaking hands with a hundred people the way my arms felt would not be pleasant, but I’d smile my way through it.

  She whispered to me, “It was my idea to mark you as master with the sign of gems. Any three masters can raise a dwarf to master status. It is not mandated that it must only be in their professions. It is rare that three masters would raise a dwarf in a field other than their own, but it is not against tradition. And since we were bending all kinds of rules today, we went with gems since no living dwarf can match what you do. And since we were ordered that no human would be a Dwarf Master of Dwarven Copper, this seemed to fit the situation best. You are not a human; you are a dwarf, so that eliminates that issue. And you are a master of gems, not Dwarven Copper, despite your masterful skill with the forge. So that eliminates that issue. And with over one hundred witnesses of your completion and some of them quite prominent, you should have only mild troubles about this in the future.” And she laughed out loud.

  The three dwarves departed immediately after the ceremony ended with a brief congratulations from all three and one final parting gift.

  “Take this ring,” the Grandmaster said as he handed me a dwarven copper ring inset with a stunningly polished band of azurite. “It will teleport you, and only you, to the Hall of Welcoming in our dwarven hold. I expect a visit from you in the near future. But be warned, it might not be as warm a welcome as you deserve or expect. But you will be welcomed.”

  “Thank you, grandmaster, I hope to visit you when all this is settled,” I replied with a bow.

  He murmured softly, “Or if it is not settled well for the humans. You have a home with your kin where you will be safe. If not always cheerfully greeted.” He said the last with a smirk.

  All three bowed and departed, leaving everyone else free to go about their morning duties on the main floor, below, or out in the city.