The Writers' Circle

Slender hands gripped the clump of steel, as she tested its weight. Beside her lay a mountain of iron ore of various sizes. After eons of forging weapons, she could tell the right size by its heft and feel. She let it drop to the ground beside her and selected another chunk. The gossamer wisps of her sheer white kaftan billowed around her slender frame, caressing her form. She tested its heft as she'd done with the other before, and found it to be unsatisfactory as well. The metal itself was of fine quality, and would make an excellent weapon, but she needed something more.

"This will not do." Kana thought to herself.

She turned to stare out of window to the stars in the night sky, sighing heavily. Despite all of the superior quality steel at her disposal, none of them was of the singular quality that she desired.

The fires of the forge crackled and roared behind her. She employed no assistance while she worked, confining herself to the topmost level of her tower where her forge lay. The unusual location of a forge in the top of a tower was as practical as it was mysterious. Located at the base of the Xingan mountains, it stood some six stories above the ground, ensuring that no one could observe her as she worked.

She looked over her shoulder at the chest in the corner of her shop. She knew the answer to her dilemma lay there. She hesitated, stretching out her hand towards the chest, but then pulling it back, clasping it to her breast. Such a thing was forbidden. She took a tentative step towards the chest. Meka'il would certainly strip her of rank and station if she disobeyed. She took another tentative step forward.

"His cause is just." She thought, "If I do not aid him, he will surely fail."

"Are you aiding him because his cause is just?"

She heard the voice behind her and she instantly spun on her heels. Standing quietly behind her, a dark featured man with fine features and luxurious black hair looked up from the floor to meet her eyes. She trembled.

"Or are you aiding him because you love him?" His glittering white robes billowed in the night air. He was still as beautiful as she remembered, though he smiled with great menace. Could he have learned it so quickly? His jet black hair hung shimmered in the light of the evening stars. She took a step back.

"I am not here to harm you, Kana. You should know I've no need of that."

She clutched her kaftan, drawing it closer around her. How could he have breached her defenses so easily?

"You know my duty, Kana. You know my purpose. I could easily walk the Halls of Heaven if it serves my cause, and even Father would not stop me. In truth, I came here to try to convince you not to make such a costly mistake. The Chan have been good to you -you live a good life here. I would hate to see you lose all this."

There was no weapon she possessed that could protect her. If she called for aid, then her motives would be exposed. She retreated another step, as he took a step forward. In his presence, any sign of fear increased his power -she knew this. Her eyes watered, and she reached out to steady herself against her work table.

"The Maiden of the White Flame. I have always enjoyed that reference. "

He touched his hand to the pommel of his great sword. She knew it well. She'd created it for him ages ago. Even today, it was widely considered to be her finest work, and he wielded it with uncanny skill. She locked her eyes on it, and found herself unable to move. His aura truly robbed her of her ability to think clearly. Even if she found a sword within her reach, it would be little more than a toy against him.

"I've already told you, Kana. I mean you no harm this night. You are a treasure that I would not sully. Such thoughts are beneath me. You know what fate awaits you if you help him. Your protections will be stripped away and you will be cast out. How many of my brethren have died under swords you have crafted? Though my influence is vast, it is not so vast as to be able to protect you from them. In truth, I would have no harm come to you if I can avoid it, but if you are brought unto my kingdom, there can be no guarantee of your safety."

She lowered her head, so that he would not have the pleasure of seeing her tears. If she made him a sword without the white steel, then it would serve him well -but against them it would eventually break. She was afraid -terrified of being stripped of her immortality. She was afraid of being defenseless against the world -without friends or position or status. Even as she feared, even as she trembled, she remembered his resolve. She remembered the face of the man who put his fear aside to face the insurmountable. She felt her heart steady, and she inhaled deeply. She did not try to hide her tears.

"I will not abandon him." Her voice was weak and thin, but it held just a hint of defiance.

His expression did not change. He was only a few feet from her; close enough to touch her if he chose, but she did not recoil. He looked at her with an expression of deep admiration and apparent sincerity as his expression softened.

"I hope he is worth it, Kana." He stepped closer to, until he was inches away from her. He leaned in even closer, but she stood her ground.

"They are honest tears." He whispered. "You fear me because you know who I am. but I believe you fear for him more than you are afraid of me. Your resolve is worthy of admiration. You are truly a beauty among the stars in the night sky. I would hate to see such beauty vanish from this Earth. We would all be lessened by it."

He offered a kerchief to her. Kana lifted her hand to take it from him. He let it fall into her outstretched hand, rather than risk touching her. Kana turned her head and dabbed away the tears, before handing it back to him. He waved it away.

"Keep it. It would cause quite a stir if I were to return with your tears on my kerchief."

He returned his hand to the hilt of his sword, turning to leave. He walked towards the door with purposeful strides. She marveled at how masterful he remained. He showed only just enough of his power to make it clear that he possessed it. While others of his ilk would have made a more dramatic exit, he did not. He turned the handle and gave her one last backwards glance.

"I always thought you were the most beautiful angel in all the Heavens, Kana." He turned briefly and offered a deep, courteous bow, then departed in silence.

She dropped to her knees quickly, rather than try to remain standing on unsteady legs. Iblis displayed all of his charms whenever he moved among others, making it nearly impossible to discern his true purpose. She tried to catch her breath, placing her delicate hands upon the floor while she waited for the shakes to quiet.

She quickly remembered something Meka'il had told her many years ago. "One can judge the quality of another, but the quality of his enemies."

She felt the shaking subside, turning to face the chest in the corner. At that moment, she made clear her own resolve. She lifted herself gracefully, letting the kaftan slip from her shoulders to the floor. She wiped the remaining tears from her face, as she reached for the chest, and pulled it forward, dumping its contents upon the floor of her workshop. She scanned the lumps of iron strewn upon the floor.
She didn't need to heft each piece to tell its worth. The iron within the chest was unique among the heavens and the earth for its purity and quality -so much so that it had been forbidden from being given unto mortal hands. She hefted a huge piece of the ore, carrying it to the fire.

Flames crackled and hissed it its introduction to the flame. The white flames danced about her naked fingers, but did no harm to her. The heavenly forge roared to life as she began to forge a mighty weapon.

*****

"You play a very dangerous game, Meka'il." Iblis cast a sideways glance as the Golden Haired Angel fell into step beside him.

"I know, Iblis. Thank you for your assistance."

He spun to face Meka'il, his hand grasping the hilt of his sword.
Anger flashed in his eyes. "You are devious and manipulative, Meka'il. Were it not for your skill and cunning on the battlefield, you would have nothing of worth to offer HIM. "

"I know." He offered his hand to Iblis. "Someday, perhaps I can apologize to them both for what is to come."

Iblis turned and spat on the ground. "You've no honor to sacrifice a noble servant in such a way. She's no soldier and this is not war."

"You're right, Iblis." His hand remained outstretched to his ancient rival. "Honor has little place in my world. I cannot afford it." The Angel's golden hair began to whip around him in the harsh mountain wind.

Iblis let his hand slip from the hilt of his sword. He slapped it away and spun on his heel, walking away from the golden haired angel. He shimmered out of existence, leaving Meka'il to his thoughts.