Quoted By:
There was no need for you to enquire about such details as the fuel reserves just yet. Yours was a busy schedule, yes, but it doesn't mean certain pleasantries aren't to be practised.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Greetings to you, master Grungri. I am, as always, pleased to meet one such a skilled craftsman as you are. It has often been said that your people, the children of the mountains, are amongst the greatest of all smiths. Though at present I have no commissions for you, I am certain that I shall call upon your expertise some time in the future," </span> you told the transparent blue dwarf.
<span class="mu-i"> <span class="mu-b"> ''You are most kind to bestow such praise upon me, Your Lordship, in spite of the fact most of my work lies rusted upon the floor of this very hall. But spare me the compliments. If my boss has told you anything about our nature, you should know how we aren't susceptible to such things," </span> </span> he said.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Indeed he did, though you seem to have enough talk in you to deceive me in that regard,'' </span> you answered in reply.
Then came a moment of silence; both of you seemed to be at a loss as to what to discuss next. Show you decided to instead show him your heirloom sword, Silberkralle, or Silverclaw.''
<span class="mu-i"> ''Master smith, I would like for you to examine my sword, for it has been quite some time since it has been inspected by a proper smith. It is a mithral blade, so by its very nature it shouldn't dull or rust.'' </span> You drew the blade and laid it before him on the anvil.
You saw the eyes of the old smith lighten up as he bowed over the exposed sword. <span class="mu-i"> <span class="mu-b"> ''Ah, you could make two gladii from the amount that went into this blade. The mithril itself is devoid of any impurities and is as sharp as the day its maker plunged it into the water to cool off. Hhhmmm, the crossguard has been decorated with a silvered eagle, has it? Let's see what else; the balance is most splendid, though the leather grip of the hilt may need to be rebound soon; a piece of it has come loose, you see. May I? </span> </span> He asked
<span class="mu-i"> ''Sure,'' </span> you answered.
In spite of his somewhat thick fingers, he seemed to handle the removal of the grip with great skill and grace. He held a piece of it close to his nose and sniffed. <span class="mu-i"> <span class="mu-b"> ''Cow's leather, good enough; I once got to make a hilt for a tribune's sword with crocodile leather, possibly the most unique thing I ever held in my career.'' </span> </span>
<span class="mu-i"> ''What's a crocodile?'' </span> You asked.
<span class="mu-i"> <span class="mu-b"> ''A big reptile, which looks a bit like a dragon if you squint, has no wings, nor can it breathe fire; they live in the rivers of Kahement and further down south.'' </span> </span>
<span class="mu-i"> ''Have you ever seen one?'' </span>
<span class="mu-i"> <span class="mu-b"> ''No, the governor of Kahement told me when he came to commission the hilt. And—ah, someone left an inscription beneath the grip, in Elvish it seems.'' </span> </span> He looked at the exposed metal with curiosity.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Can you read it?'' </span> You asked
