I held Eryn close, taking in her scent and warmth as we leaned against the smithy's wall. Last night had been spent eating and drinking at home, with baths for us all, including Roq who'd spent longer in a small bucket of milk than I did in the tub. Then we'd chatted in front of the fireplace, foregoing the Timberline for a longer rest. We all retired early to get a good night's sleep. The world waited for no man or woman, including us.

  Roq was quieter than usual, still complaining about a hammerhead-ache after having used a skill under the nose of the Hive Mind. He wasn’t openly saying it was my fault, but we both knew his true feelings even if they were left unspoken. Then again, it had been his wish and plan, so I was happy to let him sulk, giving me a rarer moment of mental quiet.

  Pa carefully cleaned and sheathed Stormcutter, still eyeing it with great revery. He'd dissected six of the monsters from our recent haul, the ones Roq had indicated had Mind Gems. Two from Shadow Spiders, and four from Claw Sprecks. They were all gemmed, as we had expected.

  The rest of the monsters, including the Rock Golems, the Cave Constrictor, Gnaw Hulks, and the rest of the Claw Sprecks and Shadow Spiders, had been stored away for a later time.

  Pa glanced between us and then smiled like a cat who's gotten into the pantry.

  “I'll tackle the rest when I have more time. Just this once, mind you. Got bigger plans now.”

  His voice was filled with excitement, and so were we. He traced his fingers over the Stormcutter's handle at his belt.

  “Kitty still being bad,” Knut chuckled, prodding Arclight with his foot and yelped as a spark of lightning hit him. “Bad kitty!”

  "Watch it, Knut. It still has a bite,” Pa said and the two laughed. “Been too long since I've had a proper challenge. And that Arclight carcass... by the split anvil, boy, I haven't been this excited to work with a carcass since I first got my hands on steelhusk."

  He walked over to Arclight and stored it.

  “I can only imagine, Pa. We’re just as excited, trust me,” I said and shot him a grin.

  A melodic voice carried into the smithy, interrupting our conversation.

  “Greetings, Bear. Does the fire still welcome the Willow?”

  We all turned to the doorway to see a wiry man standing in the entrance, roughly Pa's age but with a completely different build and bearing. Where Pa was broad-shouldered and solid, this man was lean and sinewy, with long fingers and a graceful posture. His salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and his face was weathered more by sun and wind than the heat of the forge. The man had deep laugh lines around his eyes, which made him look overly friendly. He wore simple traveling clothes of good quality, carried a backpack in one hand, and had a beautifully crafted wooden case slung across his back.

  Pa's face broke into one of the broadest grins I’d seen on him in a long time.

  “Lysander! By the first forge, if it isn't the old willow branch! It’s been too long.”

  The man—Lysander—bowed.

  "Journey long, but destination worthy. The Willow bends to greet the Bear."

  Pa laughed, walking over to clap the man on the shoulder, and nearly knocked him over.

  "Still talking like you swallowed a book of poetry," he said and turned to us. "Everyone, this is Lysander Wilkens, finest bowyer this side of the Eastern Sea. Lysander, you remember my wife Helena?"

  "Impossible to forget," the man said. "One day I hope to craft a bow half as beautiful as you, Miss Helena."

  "Oh, stop it," Ma said, rolling her eyes, but unable to hide a smile. “You are just like I remember.”

  "And this is my son, Ash," Pa said.

  I nodded in greeting.

  "These are Knut and Nabeeh, friends of the family," Pa added, motioning toward them.

  Lysander bowed to each of us in turn.

  "Honor to meet family of old friend. Strong northern shield and bright desert flame, no?"

  "True," Knut said. “Honor is ours, good man.”

  "Lovely to meet you," Nabeeh said, giving a curtsy, but having to catch herself halfway. For some odd reason I couldn’t help but think she was being clumsy on purpose sometimes, and yet it just didn’t make any sense as she’d faceplant into the dirt. She sure was an odd one.

  "And this is Eryn," Pa continued, gesturing to her. "She's the one we're making the bow for."

  Lysander offered a graceful nod.

  "Well met, archer."

  "Hey," Eryn said, giving a small wave. “It’s good to meet you, sir.”

  Ma stepped forward.

  "Would you like some tea, Master Wilkens? You must be tired after your journey, only having arrived yesterday."

  "Tea would be most welcome, kind Helena." He opened his backpack and produced a small ceramic jar sealed with wax. "Perhaps you would honor me by accepting a small gift? Green tea from home islands. Rare outside eastern shores."

  Ma accepted the jar.

  "How thoughtful! I'll brew some of this right away."

  "If I may..." Lysander said. "Water should boil first, then cool slightly. Add one part cold water to four parts boiled. Too hot and the leaves scald, bringing bitterness instead of clarity."

  "You think I don't know how to prepare tea?" Ma said, mock scowling.

  "Even the finest flame dances best with a touch of guidance, do you not find?" he said, tipping his head.

  "You silly old bugger," Ma muttered and headed in. “I’ve made this already a few times back in the days. Don’t you worry.”

  "Hey! Who are you calling old?" Pa said. "He's younger than me, remember!"

  "I stand by my words," Ma called back, and we all chuckled.

  Lysander walked over to Eryn and me.

  "With your permission, archer, may I examine the instruments?" he asked, gesturing toward her hands.

  Eryn blinked, then offered her hands awkwardly with her palms-up.

  Lysander took them delicately, as though holding something sacred rather than scarred. He turned them over and traced the line of her knuckles, the base of her thumbs, then he tested the stretch of her tendons. He didn’t press, didn’t pry—just felt, read, and absorbed. Like Pa would inspect ore for impurities before smelting it.

  “Color me impressed. This old man, he knows his stuff,” Roq said. “Just imagine what my shaft would look like if both him and Pa threw in their lot! Oh, the glory! It wouldn’t be just a monster massacre, it would be a symphony of death!”

  “Right. Dream on. No way this guy is going to make a hammer pretty, buddy.”

  “Calluses,” Lysander murmured, “Earned, and not grown. Fingers shaped by string and discipline.” His eyes flicked up to hers. “There is pain here. Recent. A wound closed with care… and magic.”

  Eryn hesitated, but nodded.

  He smiled faintly at that and traced her fingers again.

  “Good healing. Precise. Do not worry. Whomever guided your recovery, they understood the hand’s purpose. Not just its form.”

  He let go, nodding to himself.

  "Good to hear," Eryn said. “And yes, she is…a special woman definitely. The best doctor around.”

  “They’ll do well,” he said, speaking to himself. “They’ll sing, with the right bow beneath them. Something light but sure. Swift and loyal.”

  He stepped back, folding his hands behind his back.

  “Man speaks wisdom,” Knut said with an appreciative nod. “Knows to speak weapon tongue.”

  “Yes… I believe I understand what this bow must be,” Lysander continued, ignoring his comment. It wasn’t so much in malice, as it was him just being lost in his own musings.

  “Can you imagine Pa being like that?”

  “I think we would all go crazy if he was. No thanks.”

  Pa rolled his eyes almost as if reading our inner speech.

  "And how was the trip? I heard it was an interesting caravan."

  Lysander nodded, placing his case down gently next to his backpack.

  "Journey was interesting. Caravan filled with contrasts. Guild officials—very serious, very proper." He mimicked a stiff posture and stern expression, making Eryn giggle. "Noble party, imbalanced. Three men, dancing to one woman's breath. They served her with hands always busy, heads always bowed. A sight both humorous and sad.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Three men?” I asked, frowning. “Wasn’t there a fourth?”

  Lysander’s brow rose.

  “Indeed. A fourth arrived late, awaiting to join the caravan only a day from Dawnwatch. Man of winter eyes and nearly a noble's bearing. I didn’t like him, either. Snobby.”

  “Benedict,” Nabeeh muttered. “I should have burned him back when we fought the Titanfang.”.

  Lysander nodded.

  “He did not wear the Domitius crest, but his presence curled close around the lady like smoke and flame. He watched her not as the others did, not with duty, but... longing. A quiet ache, poorly hidden. Very interesting indeed.”

  Knut and I exchanged a glance.

  "Woman he wants?" Knut asked.

  “That can’t be,” I said slowly. “Serona is Earl Domitius’ fiancée. Benedict said so himself.”

  “You sure in your observation, master bowyer?" Nabeeh asked.

  "Like spring coming after winter," Lysander said.

  “Working beside the woman you desire,” Eryn said, “But serving her betrothed? That can't be easy."

  "Such a life is not filled with song, but lamentation," Lysander said, nodding.

  “Serves him right, though,” I muttered. “He’s an asshole through and through.”

  "Enough about that bastard," Pa grumbled, waving at me. "I've got something to show you that'll put the twist in your bowstrings."

  "Indeed?" Lysander said, smiling as I helped Pa move three sturdy workbenches into the center of the smithy, forming a makeshift operating table large enough for Arclight.

  Once finished, we all stepped away so we wouldn’t get caught in the lightning sparks, leaving Pastanding there alone and grinning.

  With a dramatic flourish, Pa swiped Arclight's carcass out onto the table and hopped back. The massive, feline body crackled with residual electricity, blue-white sparks dancing across its yellow fur even this long after its death.

  Lysander's eyes widened, and he sucked in a sharp breath.

  "Magnificent," he whispered, moving closer. "Beautiful." He reached out, but hissed and snapped his hand back when the electricity zapped him. He touched the side of his eye, activating a sigil so complex it had to be level four. "Arclight." He turned to look at us. "Tell me of the battle?"

  "We got lucky," I said. "Eryn hit it in the back of the neck with an armor piercing arrow."

  “It seems the luck is mine," Lysander said. "Crafting with variant monster material is the purest joy. Each variant unique. Each challenge different. Each moment a conversation with the material."

  Pa cleared his throat, a mischievousness barely hidden.

  "So, Master Bowyer, how would you suggest we dissect this beauty? Been giving me fits with all the electricity still running through it."

  Lysander stroked his chin thoughtfully.

  "Hmm. Challenge indeed. Perhaps insulated tools? Quartz-tipped instruments? Or grounding rod to draw electricity away?" He circled the table again. "Could attempt to drain power first—copper wire into salt water, perhaps? Or... specialized dissection tool might be needed."

  Pa's mouth twitched as he fought to hide his smile.

  "Specialized tool, you say? What kind of tool would that be?"

  "Something that can channel electricity away from wielder," Lysander mused, oblivious to Pa's game. "Perhaps quartz-infused metal with insulated handle? Would need master craftsman to create such—"

  Pa couldn't contain himself any longer. With a flair worthy of a stage performer, he produced the Stormcutter from its sheath.

  "You mean something like this?"

  Lysander laughed heartily, shaking his head in amusement.

  “Ah, the Bear hides his claws until the last moment. Clever as always!”

  "Ash got it for me," Pa said, unable to hide his pride despite his attempt at nonchalance. "I have yet to test it on this beasty here, but it should do the job."

  Ma returned with a tray of her best cups, each filled with a clear, golden-green liquid. "Tea is ready," she announced. “Dig in.”

  Lysander accepted a cup with both hands and a respectful bow.

  "Most grateful, kind Helena. Perfect color and fragrance—sign of proper brewing."

  We all took our cups, and Pa raised his in a toast.

  "To old friends, family, and new adventures."

  After we'd all sipped the surprisingly complex and refreshing tea, Pa set his cup aside and turned back to the Arclight carcass.

  "Now then, shall we see what treasures this beast holds?"

  Everyone gathered around as Pa positioned the Stormcutter above Arclight's chest. The moment held a ceremonial weight unlike any before, and I held my breath.

  “Wanna bet he’s going to get zapped to death?” Roq mused.

  “Wait, what? Why would I bet if my Pa’s going to get killed by a carcass?”

  “Oh, no reason. Just passing the time. Why are you in such a foul mood?” the hammer asked, and I could almost feel his mental eye roll.

  Pa lowered the blade gently downward, and to everyone's relief, the electricity danced harmlessly along the blade, stopping just short from reaching Pa’s steady hand. He drew a clean line down the center of the chest, and then allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

  "It works," Pa said, sounding more surprised then he looked.

  He started methodically carving in, narrating as he went, growing more excited by the second.

  “Just look here," he said, pointing to a section of especially dense, yellow fur beneath the creature’s chest. "This outer coat will be perfect for insulation as a second layer in an armor. Could be used to protect against cold spells. Might not be the worst idea, considering Benedict being back in town and all.”

  “Anything made from that should protect the wearer from electrical damage too,” I said, craning my neck for a better view without getting close enough to be zapped. I was still holding Eryn in my arms, so I couldn’t lean too far anyway.

  Lysander nodded, hands behind his back.

  “Excellent for bowstring guard. Wonder how it will react to other materials.”

  Pa continued his dissection, moving deeper into the creature's chest cavity.

  “And look at these beautiful tendons! Never seen their like. Lysander! Look at the size of them!”

  “Hmmm… May bring powerful snap if treated correctly,” the bowyer said. He was starting to sound and look just as excited as Pa was.

  As Pa worked deeper into the carcass, his expression suddenly changed.

  "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" He grinned up at us, letting his eyebrows dance.

  “Mind gem?” I asked.

  “Class gem?” Eryn asked.

  “Half-digested human hand?” Knut asked, and Nabeeh slapped his chest. “Or maybe baby pet kitty? We can raise to be world-destroying big kitty.”

  “None of the above,” Pa said, carefully extracting two spherical objects from deep within Arclight's chest. Each was about the size of a small apple, glassy and translucent, with blue-white energy crackling inside them.

  "Lightning globules!” Pa said, holding them up for all to see. “Finally, I got the bastard!”

  Lysander made a sound of pure delight.

  "Extraordinary! Have seen such strong elemental power only once before. Crystallised ice in a hairy man monster.”

  Pa swiped them both into his spatial storage, grinning the entire time. The moment they entered his storage, the rest of Arclight's carcass seemed to go inert, the dancing electricity fading away.

  “Three bells,” Eryn said, walking over and carefully reaching out to run her hands through its fur. “I’ve never felt anything this…regal?”

  “You sound like you are impressed by it,” Nabeeh said.

  “Aren’t you?” Eryn asked. “Not even a little bit? The monster is kind of majestic in its own right.”

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. “The only thing that impressed me is a monster slaying weapon.”

  “Archer is not wrong. There is beauty in some monsters,” Lysander said, but held up a finger forestalling Nabeeh’s comment, “When viewed as materials. Appreciate it for what it is, just like the perfect tree for a bow, or a branch for an arrow, a monster carcass is art.”

  “True. Dead monster is good monster,” Knut said. “We like big, strong, dead monsters. Always. All day. Especially over good beer.”

  “One thing is for sure. We can now work more safely," Pa said. “That, and I am going to enjoy finding the right project for those lightning globules!”

  “Perhaps a bow?” Lysander said, smiling.

  “Perhaps,” Pa said, continuing the dissection. "Look at these shoulder plates," Pa muttered, tapping the dense, layered structure beneath the fur. "Natural insulation combined with conductivity. If we set them with a harder material on top, these would be perfect as pauldrons. My, my. What a nice little carcass you turned out to be."

  "Or as the front pieces of a breastplate," I suggested. “Arclight shot lightning from its chest. I wouldn’t mind a chestplate that could do that.”

  “Interesting possibility," Pa said. “What if we made a full cuirass with integrated channeling? Wearer takes a lightning strike, and instead of being fried, the energy could follow these natural pathways—" he traced along what looked like silvery veins in the tissue, "—and could be released through… something? I mean, it’s all just theory, but it should be possible. Swords catching fire, cloaks releasing spikes…”

  “We’ve only faced one lightning monster, ever,” Eryn said, “And it’s lying there right in front of us. Dead, mind you.”

  “Don’t mean there won’t be others,” Pa said. “Or, we could ask Ming to charge you up before you head out! Better yet, we can make the plate and sell it to Edwin. Turn his fire sword into a fire and lightning combo.”

  We all chuckled at the imagery of Ming zapping the commander mid battle, and the latter shaking uncontrollably.

  Lysander, meanwhile, circled to Arclights hind part, examining the powerful leg muscles.

  "These sinews... remarkable elasticity combined with tensile strength. Perfect for compound bow construction." He gestured to the thicker cords running along the spine. "And these dorsal tendons could be layered and treated to create bowstrings that would survive an electrical charge. What say you, Bear? One of those globules for the chance to deliver electrical charge by arrow?”

  “You sneaky old Willow,” Pa said, clearly enjoying himself. “Trying to sweet talk yourself into forging with my treasures, eh?”

  “If not to forge for treasures, why do I travel so far for an old friend?” Lysander said, wiggling his greying eyebrows.

  Pa pretended to ignore him, not wanting to acknowledge the point scored.

  Roq grunted.

  "The whiskers," Eryn said, touching a finger to the long, sensitive-looking filaments around the creature's face. "They're like metal wires but flexible."

  Pa nodded.

  "Good eye. My best guess, and my guesses tend to be great, is that they are sensory organs to detect or channel electrical fields. Could be worked into a helm, potentially.”

  “Helmet? Why a helmet,” Roq yelled into my mind. “Tell him he has no idea what he is talking about. Those whiskers would best serve as the basis for a set of great arrows. Wait, no, don’t tell him. I want to see if can come up with that himself.”

  "Or bowstring," Lysander added. “To further increase the potency of the electrical attack.”

  Knut pointed to the massive paws. “Big feet. Not like normal cat. Think we can get head to mount on wall?"

  Pa flipped one over, revealing crystalline structures embedded in the footpads.

  "You're right. These are like natural grounding points. You said it jumped from place to place. Must have used these to channel magic through the ground." He carefully carved around one, extracting it. "These could be set into boot soles. Very good observation, Knut. And yes, you can have the head. It is your carcass, after all.”

  “Ahh, the Bear knows how to travel with magic now?” Lysander said. “Much you have learned since last we met.”

  “No, you babbling buffoon. But we don’t know how a lightning empowered weapon will work, do we? If it shocks its wearer, then it’s not of much use, now is it?”

  The bowyer simply smiled.

  “What about the fangs?” Nabeeh asked, pointing to the massive teeth.

  Pa extracted one carefully.

  "Incredible. They're not just sharp, they're conductive. See how the energy patterns flow through them? These could be fashioned into daggers, or even set into a gauntlet for close combat. Maybe they could deliver shocks upon impact? We will have to do some experimenting,” he said, eyeing me knowingly.

  “No, I’m done being used like that. I’m not going along with whatever stupid ideas you all are cooking up. Ask me, and I will tell you everything.”

  “Ask.”

  “Huh? What do you mean?”

  “You said to ask, so I asked. I literally said ‘ask’.”

  Roq remained quiet for a long moment as Pa continued.

  “May I?” Lysander said, and Pa handed the fang to him. “Perfect arrowhead. Bring death from afar. Arrow strikes, electricity follows." He turned to Eryn. “Hit target and stun it. Crowd control is very important. You will find it can save your life and those of your friends.”

  “Thank you for noticing,” Knut said, straightening. “Only best for healer. She keeps us alive.”

  “You got that right!” Eryn exclaimed and gave him a thumbs up. “Keep it up and I just might save you again.”

  Knut grinned at her and did a little flourish.

  Pa moved on to the eyes, leaning down and putting his face so close to Arclight’s he’d get it bitten off it the thing was still alive.

  “We’ll have to bring the wand or staff makers into this. See what they can make.”

  Pa stepped back, wiping his brow.

  "This single creature could probably produce two or three sets of exceptional armor, half a dozen weapons, and countless smaller items. Not to mention the alchemical components. It really is a treasure trove."

  "And two masterwork bows," Lysander added with a smile. "One for our young archer here, and perhaps another as payment for services rendered?”

  “Let’s see, old friend. Let’s see,” Pa said, elbow deep in the carcass, when suddenly, he froze.

  He slowly turned to stare at me, his expression unreadable.

  I chuckled.

  “What’s wrong Pa? Should I close the gates and lock up the shop?"