The Not-Immortal Blacksmith Chapter 4 - Soldier

"Naked Eagle Tailors" is doing well. I've been here for almost a dozen years. I have three excellent apprentices. We specialize in high quality peasant clothing at a reasonable price, and concealed armor versions of the same.

After turning down several attempts at marriage, I have had a few "eccentric" men attempt to court me. I politely have made it clear that I am not interested, and have been left alone. One of the gentlemen, Adam, has found his way into the shop as one of my apprentices. I believe he has good taste, but that is mostly because when he came to interview, he was wearing one of my old designs. He did confide that his aunt found it in a second hand shop in the capital a few years back and sent it to him.

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The god of war came to my shop today. He demanded that I make him a new sword and plate armor. I told him "No. I don't do that anymore." He ranted on and on and on. Then he accosted several of my customers and my lead journeyman Mary.

I ended up stepping out from behind the sales counter and backhanding him across the mouth. That didn't end well. I have a duel tomorrow.

*-*-*

I am unhappy to announce that I survived the duel.

I showed up at the secluded meadow (that wasn't there yesterday) promptly at a few ticks before dawn, with Mary as my second, sword and shield in hand. We waited for almost an hour before the god arrived with his second...the goddess.

She looked at me, then war, then back to me. "You know War, I don't fancy your odds." She then disappeared in a crack of thunder.

We faced off, then at the sign from Mary, we crossed swords. He was fast. Very very fast. I did my best to block and repose, but to little effect. He got several "paper cuts", I got grievous injuries. He stabbed me in the chest, pushed my corpse off of his blade, and said "that was pathetic."

A moment later, from the ground, I replied "Is that the best you can do? Monsters hit harder than that."

The look on his face was priceless!

He killed me 14 times. Each time I got up again. He even took my head off, and I still got up, my head somehow being reattached. He finally gave a grunt of approval after his lightning repeatedly struck me, burning me to ash. And I got up. Again.

"Fine. I now see why The Goddess loves you so much. You don't even submit to the gods. I will keep my eye on you." And he disappeared in a flash of light.

Just what I don't need. Another god looking at me.

*-*-*

War is brewing. The demon kingdom has "solidified" behind four separate leaders, and is moving to attack. I plan on moving my operation wholesale a few hundred miles to the south so we can be safe.

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"Recruiters" for the army are moving through the area, bringing all of the "worthwhile" men to the capital for "training". They are nothing more than slavers as far as I'm concerned. They captured Adam yesterday, but let him go. I'm not surprised, he is a bit too flamboyant to fit into military life.

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Moving day was supposed to be yesterday. The Recruiters found me. I signed the papers for them, and sent the shop south. They should do fine. I guess I'm a soldier now.

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The "basic training" is a joke. But I have kept my mouth shut. I think Mary could have taken most of these recruits with one hand behind her back. Then again, I think Mary had some Orc blood in her several generations back.

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Basic training is over. I have been assigned to the 4th Army, 3rd Infantry division, blah blah blah. Military life, now that training is over, is actually fairly simple. We will be heading north in a couple weeks to support the western (not the far western) lines. We will probably be the first into the breach. Something Tristan would have called The Forlorn Hope.

*-*-*

The fighting has been furious, bloody, and very deadly. Most of my training platoon is dead. There are 14 of us left out of the original 80. I have asked permission to use my own weapons, as opposed to those I was issued. The answer from on high was "sure". I'm a sergeant now, as we are divest of proper officers and non-coms. I have issued weapons from my personal chest to my fellows. Good old Bjorn was right when he told me it would be a good idea to stock up.

*-*-*

Corporal Wallace only lost his arm today, instead of his life when the demons blade cut through it. The armor I loaned him stopped the blade from cutting him in half. It has been 6 months since I assigned the new armor and weapons, and we are starting to get a reputation for survival. There are some rumors that the officers are going to seize our equipment and give it to the nobles. I won't stand for that.

*-*-*

They tried to seize the equipment today. I challenged the noble in charge to a duel over them, winner take all. He accepted. Idiot.

*-*-*

I am now the Baron of Coxnia. Apparently "winner takes all" includes noble titles, land, houses, etc. Stupid laws. If it wasn't for my men, I would desert.

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It has been a full year for us on the front lines. We are officially know as "The Forlorn Hope", as before it was just a nickname. There are now 20 of us. I have equipped all of us with the best gear I have. Even the secret "Chosen One". He was easy to pick out. Thrice dammed goddess told him to seek me out.

Max (the god of war) showed up at my tent today to wish me good luck in my coming battles. I shot him in the foot.

*-*-*

I am sure now that the general is trying to kill us off. We are being used as the spearhead of "operation piper down". I plan on wearing both boom-sticks (I find it to be a more apt name than 'Revolver') that Tristan left me.

The demon lord is expected to take the field tomorrow.

*-*-*

Have I mentioned how much it hurts to get stabbed? It hurts a lot. We almost engaged the head demon today. I will refuse to call that piece of baby filth "The Demon Lord". These people don't know what a Demon Lord actually is. Idiots.

I will give him this though, his guards were almost up to snuff. A good word I got from Tristan.

*-*-*

The head demon is dead. Our chosen one, Einar from the Land of Ice, faced him one on one, and killed him. He screamed "Die you Commie Pig!" before taking his head off with a heavy sweeping blow from his (my) sword. I don't know what that breed of pig is.

I expect him to disappear from this world soon. I hope I get my things back before he goes.

*-*-*

It turns out that Einar isn't going back. He is "Reincarnated", apparently he died back home and came here. It also turns out that he was recruited by Max. Interesting. I have decided to abdicate my Barony to him. We will be heading there in a few weeks to take care of things.

TTFN