Arn had finally started to release his death grip upon himself that was leaving his knuckles white and the back of his hands red.  When the bow wielding white haired lad asked something than never in his life the dwarf would think he would hear outside the hushed whispers of the Iron Keep Halls. 

[color=0E7609]"Excuse me, you did just say your Arn HammerStone? Are you related to Krum HammerStone?”[/color] 

The young Cleric lost all his composure.  He snapped his head in the direction of the young bowman so fast that his speed would have broken his neck had it not been resting on a properly muscled roped neck of a dwarf who had been training for almost 50 years as a cadet.  His already big eyes extended greedily across his face occupying more real estate in an effort to visually understand how the name of his estranged uncle could be proceeding from a human lad. 

Back in the deep halls of the mountain kingdom few spoke the name of the once celebrated blacksmith.  Those who did, spoke in an negative tone.  Not out of disrespect, but out of pity and shame.  Two words that should never be linked to a dwarf that wanted their names to be sung in glory in the Ale houses of the kingdom. 

Arn had never met his uncle, having not even been born when the man left the close knit dwarven community.  He had only learned bits and pieces from hearsay and small talks he had with his mother.  His father would never speak of him and while he did not openly renounce his brother, it was clear that the memory of the once famous warrior was not welcomed in the HammerStone clan. 

The young Cadet uttered an almost babbling [color=0054a6]“What.. HO....  How…?”[/color]  The obvious disbelief and total shock in his voice readily apparent to any one within ear shot or paying attention.  His current behavior would have been quite and affront to his military training and stoic people. 

Indeed, his drill sergeant often said. [color=f7941d]“Control your emotions, surprise is like getting caught with your pants down…it makes it easy to get Fucked!”[/color]

The fates seem to be smiling upon the young dwarf.  A distraction came in the shape of an accidentally tail swipe given by the strange, yet enthralling, fox girl whom Arn had tried to analyze via his peripheral vision.  The timely arrival of two demon looking individuals and an interesting colored haired girl to their table, coupled with the good natured teasing of the curiously tinted pleasing silver haired girl at the end of the table, allowed Arn to calm himself and gather his wits about him. 

As if this obvious hand of luck was not enough, the appearance and sudden commanded silence of the entire hall as a group of eye catching individuals further diverted attention from the erring dwarf.  He silently thanked the fates and hoped that this great amount of luck would not negatively affect him in the back draft. 

It was almost evident how he neatly packed his emotions back in order as efficiently as he packed his ruck sack for a long march.  The stoic face that he presented to the world appeared once more on his face and his hands once again interlocked like the gates of Iron Gate Fort. 

The young dwarf waited patiently as some food and introductions went around.  Once he had the full attention of the white haired bowman again he proclaimed clearly. [color=0054a6] “Please excuse my sudden outburst.  Krum HammerStone is my uncle.  Please forgive my forwardness but If I may, how do you know that name?” [/color]


Finn was smiling at Selana as she finished introducing herself, Valencia and himself. She was really pushing herself out of her comfort zone. He glanced back to Arn as he got his attention once again. Being formal with him. He smiled at the dwarf and said, [color=0E7609] "Well that would mean we are cousins. Because I call him Uncle as well. My father and he are close friends, and he spent some time with us over the last four years." [/color] He paused to give the dwarf a moment to let the confusion set in. Before pulling back his left sleeve. Revealing the ghostly glow of the core of his prosthetic. [color=0E7609] "Where he made and has adjusted this for me."[/color]

A sudden wave of jealousy and cryptic anger swept over the dwarf, the origin unknown.  

Cousins?  How could a human be considered family?  Had his uncle gone as far as to mate and form a family with a human?  If so, were there other cousins unknown to him in the world?  Why had his uncle preferred the company of humans over that of his own flesh and blood?  

Arn’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions.  Thankfully, other than a slight twitch to his left eye and the tightening of his hands, not much was revealed.  His voice was controlled as he hoped to ask the questions that flashed in his brain in a more proper way.  

When the young man showed him the prosthetic his mind raced even more with questions that threatened to make the young dwarf almost faint.  However, thanks to his strong mental fortitude instead Arn was able to produce a forced.  [color=0054a6]“That is very interesting.  He made this?”[/color]  His tone was tinted with disbelief but with hope and wonder. 

Finn's smile faded slightly, as the Dwarf barely moved a muscle. Not even seeming excited at the prospect that in this vast world, they knew the same man. Krum mentioned a falling out with his brother before.  Perhaps Krum's brother had a larger influence on his son's outlook on his uncle. Or perhaps it was the cousins comment. Humans never did get along with Dwarves... perhaps dwarves had the same feelings towards humans? When he asked if he did make this he tilted his head to the side, glancing at the table he grabbed a fork with his left hand and spun it between his fingertips as easily as one would with real fingers. [color=0E7609] "Indeed he did. He also made my leg as well." [/color] He added with a smile. Pulling his pant leg up enough to see the blue glow of the core just above the boot. [color=0E7609] "Also excuse me for calling you cousin. I just grew close with the man, he's gruff and ornery at first. But a good man. Just don't break any of his creations...."[/color] He said with a chuckle...suddenly feeling old bruises long gone pop up on the back of his head from a head smack from the few times he did break one or both of them.

Arn’s eyes were glued to the arm first and the leg second as the archer showed him the marvelous items.  A deep sadness settled in Arn’s soul as he felt cheated from having interacted with a man capable of such wonders.  His face remained calm but his eyes briefly showed that slight sadness to the world. 

The young cadet gave a slight shake of his head.  [color=0054a6]“No excuse need to be given.  You must forgive me.  You see, I have never met my uncle.”[/color]  His eyes went back to the prosthetics.  [color=0054a6]“However, I had heard that he was capable of great works of metallurgy but nothing could have prepared me to witness such a marvelous work.  You are very lucky.”[/color]  He then looked at the young bowman.  In the young dwarf’s eyes there was a slight tint of sadness and longing.  

As quickly as it appeared it was gone.  [color=0054a6]“Please forgive me.  I do not believe I caught your name.” [/color]

Finn did catch the hint of sadness in the dwarfs tone and in his eyes. [color=0E7609]" I'm sorry, I didn't realize you didn't meet him. "  [/color] He said scratching his ear. When the Dwarf asked his name he answered, [color=0E7609]"Finn Reinheart. It's a pleasure to meet you Arn Thurson of the Stonehammer clan Vassals of the Battlehammer Clan ." [/color] He said offering his left hand for a handshake.

Arn extended his own callused hand and taking the metal forged one.  It almost felt as if he was holding his own uncle.  For it is said, that a blacksmith pours their very soul into their creations. The young dwarf offered Finn a slight smile as he nodded in deference. 

[color=0054a6]"You honor me and my clan addressing thus. I shall take no further of your time."[/color]  The young cadet let go of the archer's hand grabin his mug of Ale raised it towards Finn.  [color=0054a6]"To your health." [/color] And he took a swig, downing the drink in one gulp.  He was going to need a few more of these before he could steady his emotions. 

[@Aerandir]