Master Of None

”Hey, so I know you’re helping me out to find materials. But this alley is a little...off.” Gil was being led through a slightly cramped and dark alley. 

”I did say the guy was a bit of a jerk. He thinks it’s hysterical to make everyone come down this way even though there is almost no crime in the city. The golems kinda scare off thieves and bandits from slinking in and around here.” The crossbowmen leader was trying to brush it off but the more Gil heard about the dwarf they were going to see the more he worried. 

”Plus, this alley is the best way to his spot. It is really annoying but he got a really good deal on his workshop. The way the block was built left a huge open space for a testing ground. Give it a look.” 

The pair came out of the cramped and dark alley to reveal a large open square. There were wood and metal targets along with a forging area. The materials and tools were all set up along the walls and a small entrance to the indoors was the only hin that this was some form of home. 

”The pipes and whatnot underneath make the ground warmer than other places so they refused to build homes on it. Good thing because this is now the best place for any crossbowmen to come and practice. Plus we have our own crossbow crafter here.” The leader of the crossbowman was very proud of this space and walked around target to target like he had known the place his entire life. 

”Who in the deep caves is making noise! I said I am closed for a week so I can sleep and you brats show up again? I will beat the spunk out of you and teach you to respect you- ah, just you. Who’s the human? Aren’t we still closed because of those slime things? I never saw the big deal. They didn’t touch my string materials.” 

The dwarf that emerged from the inside area of the crossbow forge was slim but well built. His hair was tied with multiple grey threads making it appeared that he was somehow trying to braid a bowstring from them. The only other defining feature was a dark red tattoo of a crossbow on each bicep. 

”This is one of the human heroes that came to help with the slimes. He helped us defeat a ton of them from far away. His bow hits harder than our crossbows. He even had magic skills that go with them!” The leader of the crossbowmen was too excited and did not realize the blunder he had made. 

”You brought some human kid here to show off and tell me my crossbows are worse than his bow? Are you serious? The next repair you need will cost triple! And you’ll be buying me some fire mead from the brewers guild!” Gil swore he saw steam coming from the crossbow crafters’ ears. The red face contrasting with white and grey hair made it seem like he was truly going to explode at any moment. 

”Umm, actually, we are here looking for some materials that you might have. They told me all about how the best crossbow crafter in the city would have them. He mentioned glider spider string used to make the bow strings and maybe some ores I could purchase.” Gil laid on the flatter thick since he thought it might be the only way things progress. 

The crossbow crafter seemed to calm slightly but still starred daggers as the crossbowmen leader. ”Eh whatever, at least those fools know to tell you the right things sometimes. Show me this bow you have and I can consider selling you the glider silk and we can look at ores. If I’m impressed that is.” 

Gil had a feeling that this would happen and that there would be some proof needed after but he just pulled the bow out and watched as the crossbow crafters’ face sunk. He had not known that Gil was about to pull out a spirit forged bow. It was something that every single dwarf crafter or forger could easily tell with their skills. If they couldn’t they would consider themselves an insult to dwarves everywhere. 

”So what Target should I hit?” Gil had already pulled out an earth elemental arrow since he wanted to show off the magic that the crossbowmen leader had just spoken about. 

”The middle target should be able to handle an arrow from a bow. It can deal with the power from the strongest crossbow I have around here. An archers’ bow would never equal it even with the bow being spirit forged or whatever.” The crossbow crafter was trying to keep up his attitude and hide away his awe. He had not expected there to be a spirit forged bow anywhere let alone right in his testing area.

”I was going to use an earth elemental arrow, but I think I should just use a wind elemental arrow. It will show you what my arrow can really do.” Gil swapped the earth elemental wither spike arrow for a wind elemental arrow prototype that the elves had gifted him. He remembered the exact use of this arrow and only had a few, but they were very showy. 

”Are you sure that the metal target will hold? Is there anything on the other side of that wall that could get damaged if I fire it in there?” Gil wanted to keep himself accountable and asked the crossbow crafter just in case. 

”Ha! If you can fire through that wall and in to my kitchen then I will give you the glider silk for free. Not that you can, but I will enjoy the comedy you prefer by attempting it.” The crossbowmen thought that Gil had suddenly become too cocky. As Gil began to take aim and the wind began to stir the look of worry crept on to the crossbow crafters’ face. 

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