Irwin's Journey 507: [Sidestory: 1] Offense is the best defense

Author's note: I did a quick count of who asked for what and how many hearts were below it, which gave me the following list in order of votes. I'm only showing names with three votes or more. A vote would be a verbal request or a heart on that comment, or a PM on Patreon or Discord.

Based on this, we get:

Yagrav (Greatsword kid)

Klei'am (Flowrishin's Ganvil)

The Derlin that Irwin released on Scour

Uvra (the female smithing friend of Berjin)

The Viridian Elder from the last chapter

Now, two caveats to this list. As some correctly mentioned, the Derlin are a long-standing story beat that aren't going to be added in a side story. Now, Klei'am is very closely connected to Flowrishin, who I don't wanna show too much because she's always been one of the main cast already. This means his POV is going to be smaller.

Based on that, I'm going to write a side story from the POV of Yagrav, Uvra, and small bits from Klei'am. 

I'll be writing roughly six chapters of it, so with nine guaranteed writing days left this year, that means I'll be doing this each FR and SA, with SU being the normal storyline. I'll number the chapters with the sidestory as follows: Chapter 507 [sidestory: 1] -  Offense is the best defense, where the Chapter number will be the last main chapter. So Sundays we get 508, and then fr next week will be 508-1, 508-2, then su 509, etc. 

Make sure to let me know if you like it, because if you do, I might be interested in doing some more in the future. 

For those worrying, yes, this is part of it because I feel like writing a side story. It is, however, like I said, also something that allows me to do something in the story with a show instead of tell. Some important things will happen during this sidestory. 

Now, let's start with the first chapter of this small sidestory! 

-----

Yagrav walked after his mother, trying to ignore the few hard glares of the other nobles. As they exited the main building, he felt a slight sense of relief at seeing the sun. 

Without day and night, he'd lost track of time while listening to the Guildmasters' stories, and as he looked up at it, he couldn't help but feel weary. 

"Are you alright?"

Yagrav looked up to see his mother looking at him worriedly.

"Just a bit tired."

She nodded, then glanced behind him, her deep, fiery red eyes turning dark. 

"Come, let's go home before we talk," she whispered, turning around and walking away.

Yagrav glanced back to find Lady Koulerizi, head of Vibrack's Council, watching him with narrowed eyes. Some of the other nobles around her were glaring at him, and he quickly turned back around, following his mother.

She didn't say anything until they had walked for a few minutes and gotten far enough from the main square. Then she sighed and slowed, falling in step beside him.

"We are going to have a hard time for the next few years," she said, smiling wearily.

Yagrav wanted to disagree, say that the Guildmaster had been clear, but he knew it wouldn't matter. The Guildmaster was gone, and many of the others had used his precedence to get a heartcard that was different from what their family wanted. Their fathers and mothers would be angry and looking for someone to blame, and he was the easiest. 

He wanted to say he was sorry, but as he sensed the immense power of his new heartcard pulsing within him, he knew that would be a lie. As the first to have been done, he had the longest time to familiarize himself with his new heartcard. There was nothing about it that he was sorry for. It had increased his ability to control metal greatly, and he couldn't wait to see what he could do with that. Besides, the shield was gone, and that was so much of a relief that he'd almost have done all of it just for that. 

He wondered how his friends would explain their heartcards. All three had been among those brought later, as they weren't nobles. Louka and Maliz had both made the biggest change; both children of Merchants, they had been prepared to join the family business. Neither had been interested, and Louka had even asked if one of her cards could be somehow replaced. She now wielded a bow while she had minor teleport abilities. Maliz hadn't surprised Yagrav when he'd asked for his dagger to be somehow changed to a greatsword.

I knew he was jealous, Yagrav thought, smirking as he planned to rub his friend's face in it.

Then he thought of Sajin, and his smirk faded. He'd always thought his friend disliked the cards he'd gotten that would make him follow his father's profession, but he had been the only one almost content with his lot. He had only asked for a change to his movement skill, increasing its capacity to bring people at the cost of some other things.

I still can't believe how easily the Guildmaster could change these things, Yagrav thought. He'd always been told that changes at that point were impossible, but it seemed impossible only applied to regular smiths.

He continued thinking about what had happened as he followed his mother.

Neither spoke until they reached the noble district, a narrow stretch of Virbrack's Stand that nestled against the northern wall. With just a bit more space, a few parks, and fourteen estates, it was considered the best place to live.

"What did you get?" his mother asked.

Yagrav had known the question would come, and had dreaded it. Still, it wasn't like he could keep it to himself. 

"Greater control over metal, and I can make my greatsword heavier and denser."

"The shield… the armor?"

Yagrav knew it was best to show her at this time. He focused on his new heartcard and let the armor it still provided appear around his chest. He saw his mother's eyes widen in shock.

"Only the breastplate, bracers, and graves? What… what was that Guildmaster thinking?" she hissed. "You had enough to get a full set of armor!" 

Yagrav took the small piece of burnished Whispersteel that he always carried from his pocket. Under his focus, he revelled in the ease as it turned into a thick liquid that flowed around his arm, creating a thin layer that clearly stood out, glistening silver against his copper skin. 

His mother's mouth opened, then closed with a snap. Yagrav saw the realisation of what he could do with it set in, as she sighed.

"Is it all metal or just Whispersteel?"

"All metal, I think," Yagrav said. 

"Well, that's something," she said, finally smiling ruefully. "A summoned armor would have been better, but when you finally get your soulscape, you can carry a lot of metal in it for emergencies. I'll see if I can get in touch with some friends and see if they can bring some Scarlet Steel here."

Yagrav tried to hold back his shock. "Mom, if you do that, the Indred Family might find out!"

"They haven't tried to find us for a decade," his mother said, shaking her head. "Besides, you need more protection."

Yagrav held back an annoyed sigh. He'd long since gotten used to his mother's overprotective nature, but the last year, he'd started finding it harder and harder. From what he'd learned in school, he knew it had something to do with puberty, but knowing didn't make it easier to deal with.

"I'll find you some Firesteel ore when we get back home, so you can start practicing forming armor," his mother continued, eyes focused ahead. "Perhaps you can even make a shield. Yes. That would be best."

No, it wouldn't be, Yagrav thought, wondering how long it would be till he had some time to get out and talk with his friends.

Why didn't they come and see me?

--

Uvra stared at Berjin, not sure she heard him right.

"You are going to do what?"

Berjin rolled his eyes in that horribly annoying manner, and she almost stomped on his foot.

"I'm going to accept head to the Exit Portal town and start a new Smithing Char-"

"I heard you the first time," she snapped, angrily. "I wan't to know why!"

Berjin stared at her, then looked out across Blackglass City.

"Matron Rindir came to talk to me before she left with the Guildleader."

Uvra shook her head, not sure what the Guildmistress of the Shipwright guild had to do with any of this nonsense.

"She said that within a hundred years from now, the land around the Exit Portal would be unbuyable. It would be best for my family if we got started now."

Uvra walked forward, reaching out to pinch his dark metallic cheek, only for Berjin to slap her hand away.

"So? Send one of your young ones," she asked. "Why would you leave here?"

Berjin was quiet for longer this time, until he finally sighed. "I think I can improve with what the Guildmaster gave me, but I'll need time and quiet. Also, I've always been able to learn faster while I'm teaching others."

"So? Start a charter here!"

"The Crathan's from the Guildmasters world will start creating a massive city beyond the Exit Portal when they gain enough ships to guard it…" Berjin said, his eyes distant.

Uvra looked at him, not sure what to think. "And?"

"I think I'd like to see the Portal Gallery."

Uvra almost reached out to pinch him again, then she moved to stand beside him, arms crossed.

"Great. So, when are we leaving?" she muttered.

She held in a laugh as the old fool began coughing.

"What do you mean-"

"You think I'm staying here? Alone! I'd be bored without someone to bother," she said, interrupting him. 

It was quiet for a while, then Berjin snorted. "I knew that was the only reason you came to see me."

"What else did you think?" Uvra said, elbowing him hard enough to hurt. "Now, when?"

"In a few weeks, maybe more."

Uvra sighed, almost rolling her eyes in the way he did. 

Great, so I guess I need to help them after all, she thought, recalling the favor that had been asked of her. 

--

Klei'am slowly flew around the ceiling, dodging the small wooden protrusion that he knew by heart, as it was his favorite route. He was pretty sure it was the same thing as the pacing his Proginator's Smith, Irwin, liked to do. 

"How long till we can reforge something?" he asked, staring down at the yellow-leafed Viridian bent across the table, scribbling something in a book. 

"When I finish the rest of these papers, just like I told you an hour ago."

Klei'am sighed, wondering if he should go around the Guild to check on the newly arrived rank zeros. Frisyuustis had sent them a few days ago, the first in a long time.

I still wonder what Ambraz did to placate that rusty old fool, he thought, thinking about the only rank seven World Anvil on Scour. Probably something he'd have wanted to say.

As he thought about his progenitor, he felt the same twinge of pride he always did. It wasn't as strong as it was a few hundred years ago, but even now, knowing he'd outshone all other rank zeros, he couldn't help but feel a desire to continue growing.

When will she be done, he thought in annoyance, landing on the table beside the stack. 

The top one showed a request to create a new Smith's charter in some place called Virbrack's Stand. It took him a few moments to remember where he'd seen it, then his eyes widened. 

That's the town around the exit portal… 

"Flow, think we should bring some rank zeroes to this new charter in a few years?"

A silver eye flicked up to stare at him, before moving to the paper. 

"Not a bad idea. Go and see which of the rank zeroes would be up for that?"

Klei'am grinned as she zipped up and away, knowing full well she'd only agreed because she wanted to work unbothered. 

Exit Portals are the best spots for old rank sixes to have some use, he thought, thinking about some of his ancestral memories. He didn't think he'd ever be locked at that, but a Ganvil couldn't be too careful!

--

"Yagrav! I'm heading out for the meeting. Promise me you will stay here."

Yagrav looked up to see his mother standing below the porch of their home. He was lying below one of the four volcano trees that sat in the middle of the small courtyard.

"Fine," he said, before lying back down.

He heard the footsteps as his mother closed in, but he kept glaring at the leaves.

"I know you want to see your friends, but until you can create a strong enough armor, it's just not safe," his mother said, likely thinking she sounded reasonable. 

"Just go, I'll be here," Yagrav said, not interested in the same discussion they had for over a week now.

His mother lingered for a few moments, then sighed and left, muttering something under her breath. As the gate slammed shut, Yagrav propped himself up on his elbows, glaring at it.

"An entire week," he muttered. 

Was she planning to keep him here for months? Years?!

He glanced around their small courtyard. Desert sand was starting to fill the nooks and crannies, piling up against the sides of the walls and buildings. Ever since his mother had let go of their last retainers because she couldn't pay their wages, he'd been the one to clean it. Should he do it again now? If he did, he'd have to do it again next week…

With an annoyed groan, he pushed himself up and looked around. 

Whatever. I'll just practice some more.

He took a deep breath as he focused on the roughly shaped chunk of Firesteel that lay beside him, willing it to move. He felt his soulforce flow out of him as it began shuddering. Tendrils grew from the side, moving jitterily. They dug into the ground and pulled the entire chunk towards him until it reached his shin. As soon as it touched him, it felt like the stubborn material turned into thick, sturdy cloth that almost flowed across his shin, up his leg, and across his body. 

With a frown, he managed to shape it into a rough approximation of armor, thin at the chest where his summoned chestplate would be, and thicker across the otherwise unprotected areas. 

Besides everything, a grin propped up on his face. Moving metal from a distance was far harder than nearly any other substance, and he knew that, except for those with a soulcard, he probably had more control over it than any other. 

Too bad I can't release control and move, he thought, doing just that and feeling the metal harden around him like a shell, locking his movements. He knew that he'd need to make overlapping areas, parts that could bend, but as much control as he had, he was stretched to his limit now. 

He reasserted his control, causing the metal to move as he did, but he only managed a few steps before he felt his soulforce dipping dangerously low.

Annoyed, he pulled it away from him, let it drop to the ground from his shoulder in a long, oddly shaped chunk.

He glared at the thouse, then at the gate. 

He could go outside, but if he did, the runes would alert his mother, and he'd likely be unable to leave for even longer. Holding back his bubbling annoyance, he summoned his greatsword, a beautiful blade of Firesteel. It was as wide as a hand, and almost six feet long, making it a beast that he could only wield due to the increase in strength his heartcard brought.

The weight felt comforting, and as he moved into position, he began walking through the forms he'd learned over the last few years. Slowly, he lost his sense of time, only snapping out of it as the gate opened.

Lowering his sword, he quickly unsummoned it as he saw his mother appear. Her eyes were wide, and he could see the excitement in them.

"Yagrav! We are finally going to get a Cardsmith Charter," she exclaimed, walking towards him. "After all these years, finally!" 

"Because of what the Guildmaster told us?" Yagrav asked, wiping away the sweat that had formed a thin film on his forehead. 

"Yes," his mother said, pacing about, eyes distant. "That whole Guidar story finally pushed them over the edge. It's a shame it took this long, but it's great. The others were even too busy to complain to me. Let's hope they will forget."

It's not a story, Yagrav thought, but he held back. He'd tried talking with his mother about it, but she didn't believe it, even when he told her that the Guildmaster had told them. Said it was likely just a story to keep them quiet as he reforged their heartcards.

Yagrav knew it wasn't like that, and he doubted any of those who had been there did, but that was a thing for later.

"What about the Scarlet Steel?" he asked. 

His mother shook her head. "I don't know. I've sent a message, and I'm hoping it will be brought to the head of our new Cardmith Charter. I had to be careful so the Indred Family didn't pick up on it."

Yagrav flinched at the name. The Indred Family, a name he tried not to think about when he could. They were the reason his parents had left Blackglass City when he was only a baby, and the cause of his father's untimely demise. They were also why his mother rarely left him alone, except when he was within the safety of their rune-inforced walls.

"Do we know who the charterhead will be? Anyone famous?" he asked, pushing away the old pain. 

He wondered who the cardsmith charterhead might be. Perhaps one of the famous cardsmiths they learned about in class?!

"Of course not," his mother said, with a derisive shake of her head. "Why would any of those want to live here? No, all we know is that he's an older cardsmith and can reforge up to ruby-rank hancards."

"Heartcards?" Yagrav asked, already guessing the answer.

His mother shook her head. "No, but don't think too lightly of him. He is family to the previous Guildleader of the Shipwright's Guild, and he finished in the top five hundred during the great tournament a week ago."

Yagrav felt a sliver of interest at that. The Guildmaster had told a bit about that before he left, and from what he said, there were a few high-prospects. 

"What is he called?" he asked.

"Berjin Rindir," she said, looking around the courtyard, her gaze lingering on the desert sand. "Let's clean up the courtyard, then I'll make us some food."

Yagrav sighed as he followed her.

I hope things will return to normal soon, he thought.

Things didn't return to normal.

Four weeks after the Guildmaster had left, Yagrav stood with his mother and the other nobles behind Lady Koulerizi, watching as a dark cloud of glittering leaves formed on the main square. The leaves rustled away almost right away, but instead of the empty square, there now stood seven people. Six were obviously cardsmiths, four Crathans and two Oxarites, while a Viridian teleporter stood behind them.  

Yagrav watched as Lady Koulerizi walked forward with her three cronies, lesser nobles with more money than honesty. Before she reached them, the teleporter said something to the cardsmiths before vanishing in a smaller swirl of leaves.

I really need to find out if I can get one of those metal teleportation cards, Yagrav thought, wondering how amazing it would be to be able to teleport around when and where he wanted. 

He watched, barely paying attention, as Lady Koulerizi talked with their new charterhead, and his interest was only drawn when the man explained that he'd come here because the Guildmaster had asked him to.

When did he do that? Yagrav pondered. It had to have been before he had come to Virbrack's Stand.

When the tiny ceremony was done, and Lady Koulerizi brought the new head of the charter away, the nobles around them immediately moved towards the cardsmiths that remained behind. Like a cloud of heat-hungry Emberions, they began chatting them up.

He looked at his mother, wondering if she would do the same, only for her to turn around. "Let's leave," his mother said. "It seems my request for Scarlet Steel failed."

They walked away, Yagrav clenching his fist. He wanted to see his friends. As soon as they were out of earshot, he looked at his mother.

"Mom, I haven't seen my friends in close to a mo-"

"It's not safe for you to walk around town alone," his mother interrupted him, before stopping. 

She stared at him with a weary sigh. "I am sorry, Yagrav. It's not safe. Desert Demons still manage to slip into the city every so often, and two people were killed last week."

Two people with only a few cards, Yagrav thought. Two people without proper training.

Before he could say anything, however, footsteps came from behind. Turning around, they saw one of the cardsmiths, an older, rugged-looking woman with long curly hair ranging from red so dark it was almost black to orange. She had it tied in a long braid, and a clamp on the end showed an emerald colored emblem signaling her rank.

"Are you Siabin Voitrag?"

Yagrav saw his mother jolt, her hands rising in a defensive stance.

"Ah, didn't mean to startle you," the older cardsmith said, smiling and causing a canvas of wrinkles to splay her previously almost smooth face. "I'm Uvra, and an old friend of mine asked me to bring this to you."

A large bar of dark red metal with darker lines through it appeared in her hand. It was easily the size of Yagrav's leg, and he knew by its coloration that it had to be Scarlet Steel. That meant it weighed enough that if he had to lift it, he'd have to use two hands, while the woman seemed perfectly fine.

Yagrav saw a look of relief pass over his mother's face before she bowed slightly, accepting the steel with two hands and little apparent effort.

"Thank you, Cardsmith Uvra. I am incredibly grateful," she said, before her voice lowered. "Were there any troubles?"

"Nah. After the Guildmaster's little stunt, most people are still reeling," Uvra said, shaking her head. 

"You know the Guildmaster?" Yagrav asked, unable to hold back a sudden curiosity.

Uvra looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Well, no, but my friend does."

Yagrav looked at her, wondering who she meant.

"Oh, right. Berjin, the new charter head," Uvra said, grinning at him. "Don't let the grumpy old man worry you. He's a nice guy. Just a bit old."

Yagrav opened his mouth, then closed it, not sure what to say. Luckily, he didn't have to, as his mother stepped forward and bowed.

"Thank you for your help, cardsmith Uvra," she said. "I need to bring my son home now, but perhaps I can invite you to eat with us sometime?"

"Sure!" Uvra said, winking at Yagrav. 

After a few more pleasantrees, Yagrav and his mother were walking away, the Scarlet Steel safe in her soulscape. It took him a few minutes to realize they weren't heading home.

"Where are we going?"

"To Im'Kalin's shop."

Yagrav stumbled, then recovered and ran after his mother. "I can see my friends?"

"Yes, but you still can't go out on your own, so I'll be coming along."

Everything is better than being locked at home another evening, Yagrav thought, wondering why his friends hadn't come to see him.