Mika Ironwall Haldovons-dottir

If you want to watch while i work just come in and take a seat. *The old dwarf said, not even lifting his gaze from the sword he was forging. *

Mika, who had been poking her head through the open door did as the old man told her. Walking in, finding a chair and sitting down.

So why have you just been standing out there for the last 20min. *The dwarf said with slight irritation. Expecting a short and uninteresting answer, not realising he was going to get her life’s story up until this point. *

Mika was born in small village on the outskirts of Crowned place, not far from the border of Giants home. Mika’s mom and dad is farmers that live off the land, with very little other than the food they grow. What money they make from selling the extra food, gose to fixing the home or tools. Mika’s dad always told stories about Mika’s forefathers, and how they were great and respected warriors. With the proof being my well crafted hammer. Altho Mika’s family was poor, it was ok Mika had food, place to sleep, fun stories, but then Mika started to get horns. Mikas mom and dad did not like the horns and said they were evil. Mika was then thrown out of the home.

Mika did not know what to do, so Mika took the Hammer and is gonna be a great warrior. Mika then walked to village and asked for work. Mika did not get any work so walked to next village and next village. Some time nice strangers give Mika food so Mika was ok. The nice strangers also let Mika travel with them sometimes, they even gave Mika money if Mika stopped animals from taking stuff at night when we sleep on the travels. But Mika dose not know what to do, so when mika saw you make things with your hammer Mika think Mika can make things with hammer as well. O Mika is 20 years, Mika thinks.

*She told her story in a very matter of fact type of way with way too many tangents and only minor changes in her tone when she described something sad, something she was proud of or just something she seemed interested in. *

*Altho the old dwarf had invited her in as to not be so distracted by having her in his periphery. But now he had put down his hammer, and just looked at the young dwarf in disbelief only snapping out of it when she stopped speaking. *

That is quite the story you got there, but i can’t say i truly believe you since i don’t think dwarfs just start growing horns out of nowhere. *He said with a slight amusement in his voice. *

*When she heard that he did not believe her, she simply pulled back her dirty and unkempt hair to reveal the small dark horns. Believing that the man would not react negatively towards them. *

Mika hides the horns, most people don’t like Mikas horns. *She simply explained with sadness now clearly seeping through her words. *

Well I don’t mind your horns and at least they make you unique. Too many people dislike when others are different, not releasing that it’s the ones that are different that truly change the world. He said with as much of a soothing voice he could manage.

Do you really think Mika could change the world?* Mika said with a slit burst of energy.*

Maybe. only if you work hard to do sow, and even then a bit of luck might be needed, But yes i think everyone can change the world that includes you. A and I forgot, my name is Haldovon. Before we continue though, I think you should get cleaned up a bit. I’ll prepare a bath for you just wait here. *Haldovon said with a surprising amount of vigour. *

*Now it was Mika’s turn to sit stunt for a wail, and before she could say anything at all Haldovon was out the door. *

*While Haldovon was preparing the bath he wondered why he felt such an urge to help the young girl. As he was walking back to get her, he realised why he wanted to protect her. Mika reminded him of his own granddaughter. *

Mika have been sitting here for a lot of time. Wonder if Mika should go see if he is ok. No Haldovon said to wait here, so that is what Mika is gonna do.

Mika the bath is ready.* She suddenly heard coming from the open door. She could feel a slit rush of embarrassment running over her as she realised that she was speaking out loud, just hoping he did not hear it. *

Ok… Thank you.* Responding in a slightly shaky tone. *

*As she walked past the old dwarf she just realised that he had a massive scar across his face, and for a split moment she thought she could see a tear on his face but Haldovon quickly turned. Unsure if it was a tear or not Mika figured that she probably shouldn’t ask. *

Take your time and wash up properly. I will prepare some food in the meantime.

*Mika did just that. It had been a very long time since she had a proper bath. Laying down in the hot water she wondered why he would be so kind to her, and if it was ok to just ask him, but before that thought could go too far she spotted a hair brush resting on a small wooden shelf next to the bathtub. Taking the brush she instantly started brushing her hair. After a while she had brushed all of her hair and washed up as much as she thought was possible. There was a towel clearly laid ready for her and even some new clothing. It was a bit too big but that’s ok since the new clothes were much better than the old tattered ones she had been wearing. *

Thank you a lot Haldovon. Mika really enjoyed the bath. *She said with as much appreciation as she could. *

Good good, take a seat. I just finished dinner. Haldovon replied while setting the table.

*As Mika sat down at the small wooden table she finally took a proper look at Haldovon. He was quite tall standing at about 166 cm and his face was framed with a long grey beard connecting up into long grey hair making Mika think of a lion. What really hit her was how tired his eyes looked. Mika had a lot of trouble sleeping on the road and in general at the moment, but Haldovon looked like he had not slept properly in years. *

*It was nearly completely quiet as they ate the only sounds being that of creaking wood. Mika was very grateful for all that Haldovon was doing but she had to be honest with herself the food was barely edible. Mika did not say anything though. Not wanting to be rude she just said thank you for the food. Sins Mika did not want to bother the kind man any more than she had already done; she decided to say goodbye, but was stopped in her tracks by Haldovon speaking up. *

Mika, where do you plan on going, do you have a place to sleep.

No Mika doesn’t have a place to sleep, but Mika will figure it out, Mika always does. She said with a weak smile.

If you want, I have a spare room that isn’t being used. So you can take that one. *As he spoke he could hear the slight desperation in his voice. *

Mika would be happy to take it if it’s ok with you.

*Seeing as things were getting late and Mika had accepted the offer, she went into the room preparing for bed. To be honest it did not feel real to Mika, she was expecting to wake up on a hard rock some were. But her thoughts could not keep her awake for long. With a full belly and a bed to sleep on she could feel all the exhaustion hit her all at once as she passed out within a minute of putting her head on the pillow. *

*Waking up, still in the bed she had laid down in last night. Mika was now certain the day before was not just a wish full dream. Looking out she could see that the sun was quite high in the sky. Putting on her clothes she walked into the living room, where everything was as it was yesterday. A small wooden table in the middle of the room, two wooden rocking chairs placed against the wall and the small fire pit that had been used to make dinner. *

*On the table there was a piece of bread, but Haldovon was nowhere to be seen. Taking the bread she decided to see if he was in the forge. As she walked out she heard the hammering of metal and was quite happy. Both for finding Haldovon and the bread was really really good. Miak walked over into the forge and just stood in the door for a moment not knowing what to do. *

You’re awake, good was starting to get worried that you wouldn’t wake up at all. Anyway you said that you wanted to learn how to make things with a hammer. So the first step of learning is observing and copying. Sit down and watch carefully, I have some tools I need to finish this week, so just observe me working to begin with. *Haldovon started quite lite hatred in his town but as he started talking about the work he needed to to his tone became quite stern and sirius. *

*Mika did not say a single word, she just took the chair she had sat on yesterday and watched every movement that was made with the hammer and other tools, as Haldovon shaped the metal into different tools. The two rarely said a single word, both having their complete focus on their tasks. At dinner this did not change, at least not for Mika. She was replaying every unique motion and rhythm of the hammer she could remember. This repeated itself for a few days, with Mika waking up earlier and earlier in the day, determined to miss as little as possible of the process. *

*When all the tools were finished Haldovon asked Mika if she would help deliver them to the villagers that ordered them. Mika jumped at the task finally thinking she could do something to help him with something. Caring the tools in a large basket on her back, she followed Haldovon. It took quite some time walking to the village, talking to them nearly a full hour to get there. When they did, they started delivering the tools. Mika was met with confusion and laughter, with the common reaction being that of wonder apparently at the fact that Haldovon had taken an apprentice. The day was a long one and one field with a lot of walking and talking. Though the day was quite exciting, Mika was estatik at all the people being so nice. Dinner this night was not going to be quiet like the nights before. *

Thank you Haldovon this has been the best day ever. All people are so nice. Mika really likes Misdielle Marblefronts trinkets (dwarf), they were all so shiny and nice and she even said she would show me how she makes them some time if i go visit.

And Minravints (aasimar) bakery smelled so nice, is that were you by all the bread? Mika would really like to eat his bread all my life. It’s sooooo goood. Maybe Minravints would teach Mika to make bread too. That would be so fun. Mika also thinks the Leather armour Divin Hun’lyl (drow) made. He was a bit scary with everything being so dark but Mika thinks he was funny. Divin also told Mika that he makes armour for the army, that is so cool. Mika also found out that most of the leather armour is made from cow leather here. Mika didn’t know that. Mika also did not know that you use leather to make rope so you can sow the leather together with leather.

Mika rambled for quite some time and was extremely excited while doing so. Mentioning everyone they met throughout the day. What they thought of the person and what was interesting about what they did, of cores with more interest in some than others. As her ramble continued there was no drop in volume or excitement from Mika, until it took a sudden drop. Now speaking in what could have been a mumble.

Mika also liked the dresses in Sails (air genasi) store. They were really pretty. Mika really thinks the black one with golden flowers was beautiful. But Sail was so busy so Mika wasn’t able to talk to her. Would Mika look like a princess in one of those dresses?

The last sentence was so quiet that it was barely even a whisper.

*After Mikas rambled about their day she finally started eating the soup that was for dinner but it was cold now. Mika didn’t care though the day was too good for her to even realise. While Mika was eating, Haldovon was cleaning up and as he was doing so he could hear the slow rhythmic breathing of Mika. Turning around he saw her completely passed out with her head on the table and soup only half finished. As he stood there looking at mika. Flashes of his family running around started overlapping his vision. His grand kids playing outside and his daughter making dinner for them all. Tearing himself away from his day dreaming, he picked up MIka as gently as he could and tucked her into bed. Only thinking to himself, *Maybe it will work out this time.

*As the weeks passed by Mika would spend most, if not all of her time working on the different crafts she found interest in. She would watch and study every movement of Haldovons techniques in forming the tools and weapons he forged, And when in the village centre Mika would go to one of her many teachers to study their craft and try to help where she could, to pay them back for their help. *

Mika gonna go to Misdielle, she told Mika that Mika could make things from gold this day. *“She yelled out, as she had already started running towards the village.” *What is Mika gonna make? O Mika knows, Mika gonna make matching hair pins.

“Look at that, if it isn’t the curies devil herself.” Misdielle said when Mika entered her Jewellers office. A nike name Mika had been given by the villagers. Do to her curious nature and ram like horns.

Yes, Mika is here, Lady Gold. Mika wants to make matching hair pins for Mika and Haldovon. Like Mika wants to make 3 pins for Mika and Haldovon each. If it’s ok Lady Gold.

Of course that’s completely fine, just come over here and we will start drawing out the designs.

*Mika then spent the next 13 hours making the hair pins. Painstakingly she formed and matched the different pieces of gold to be the same size and thickness. Then she carefully chiselled out the design. The design was a bunch of different geometrical shapes overlapping each other making it look like a mase. Then she carefully rolled them up and added a small looking mechanism so they would hold tightly around the hair and not fall out. In the end Mika did make 6 matching hair clips 4 smaller ones and 2 larger ones. *

Here Mika put them in this box so you don’t lose them on your way home, and as an extra bonus you can use it as a gift box when giving the pins to Haldovon.

Thank you Lady Gold. Mika had great time making hair pins with you.

Mika made gold things, Mika made gold things.

*Leaving Misdielles store Mika was full of energi, but as she came closer to Haldovons forge, which she now called home. She could feel the exhaustion hit her, she was so tired in fact that she collapsed a few metres from the front door. Falling asleep on the cold gravel road. *

Aaaa were is Mika? O Mika is in Mikas room. Aaaa were is Mikas box.

Don’t worry Mika, its right out here. She heard Haldovon say from the living room.

Don’t open box. It gift from Mika. O You already put them on, Mika did not think it would work for your beard, but Mika thinks it looks good. Mika going to go put on Mikas ones, so you and Mika match.

*Haldovon was very grateful for the gift, as usual this did not show on his face, but it did in his actions. Everyday Haldovon would wear them in his braided beard matching Mika who wears the hair pins holding her three braids in place. *

*Mika would continue going to the village learning from the different people there gaining a plethora of different skills. After a while Mika would be doing almost everything. She would help make tools and weapons with Haldovon. She would make breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the skills she learned from Minravints. She would make forging gloves and aprons with the leatherworking Divin Hun’lyl taught her, even making a full set of leather armour a few times. Lastly she would make all the normal clothing that Mika and Haldovon would use with the skills she learned from Sails, but she has never made a proper dress like the one she saw that first got her interested in the craft to begin with, scared that she would look good in a dress she made herself. *

*One regular day as Mika was getting ready to go and deliver some tools to the village the merging started, but Mika did not notice what was happening all around her. Alle she felt was an intense piercing pain, It felt like Her horns were digging deeper into her skull, vibrating so fast that they created a loud screeching sound like dragging metal across metal. As the horns digged deeper into Mikas skull she could feel her body fight for its life. Her giants blood that had laid dormant all her life, something she did not even know she had roared to life. Mika’s body grew larger and she could feel the ground under her struggle against her new weight but not just that, as she was face down towards the ground holding herself up with her arms. She could feel the heavy aura that she now exuded. Screaming out in pain Mika could only think of one thing or one person, Haldovon. Screaming for help she could only hope that it would come as her vision had gone completely dark at this point. Mika could feel her muscles reaching their limit as the weight from her own aura pressed down on her with immense force. As her senses started to fail her more and more Mika could feel two small but powerful arms wrap around her head, hugging her lightly. Mika, over the thundering roar of her own blood rushing through her ears, could hear Haldovon with a strained voice say that everything was gonna be ok. If it was Haldovons persons or his words or both, it didn’t really matter as it achieved its goal. Mika could feel the weight of the aura lessening, her body starting to go back to its normal size, and her horns going still. After a short while her vision started to return. Now realising she was on her back leaning her head on Haldovons lap, Mika looked up and saw the face of a very, exhausted old man. *

*As the days passed by after the merging there was a lot of work to be done. The forge had completely collapsed and most of the roads needed to be repaired or simply replaced. Many of the houses in the village were also quite damaged, so the next few weeks were spent on repairing and restoring that which could be restored or repaired. MIka and Haldovon did not really speak about what happened the day of the merging, focusing more on what needed to be done there and then. *

*But the topic of what happened that day could not be avoided forever and after a few weeks they ended up talking about it. None of them knew what it was and what really happened but, they knew that it could very well happen again at least what happened to Mika. Deciding that the best course of action was to meet whatever this was head on they decided to try and lure it out again, so that Mika could eventually learn to control the force that was locked within her. *

*Focusing on the emotions Mika felt when it first happened, the instinct to survive, to fight back with all her might, the rage of not knowing what was happening, the feeling of dread as there was nothing she could do to stop it. This indeed brought back her hidden blood, as her body grew larger, and the heavy aura spread out from her.This time however Mikas horns did not feel like they were digging into her skull. She could feel them vibrating, and she could hear the high pitched screeching noise, but there was no pain and it felt like the horns were stabilising the aura around her. Holding it back so it would not crush her. Mika could still feel the weight from her aura but more in the sense of locking her to the ground then crushing her under boot. *

*As time went by Mika gained better and better control over her new power, and although it was very exhausting to use. Mika would sometimes use it to help build houses in the village or clear out fallen trees or boulders that would onto the roads after a rock slide. Rumours about a small giant helping out in the remote village started to spread to the nearby villages and towns, and after some time even the bigger cities. *

*One day a letter arrived for Mika. A summons telling her to travel to the nearest large city to possibly get recruited into the army. Seeing as Mika had always had a small wish of being a famous soldier this intrigued her and she had also stayed in this village for close to 20 years now. The thought of travelling and seeing new places, learning different methods to forge, make armour, cook, make clothing/dresses or maybe even learn a new skill excited her. Haldovon was not excited to hear that Mika was being called into the army as that would most definitely lead to her fighting another person’s fight. But he knew that keeping her in the village would do her no good either. *

*As Mika read the letter once more she notest that she was not referred to with a family name and only by Mika. This gave her a feeling of being alone again like when she had first been thrown out by her parents. She also knew that everyone around her had a last name even if she did not know it. So Mika decided to ask Haldovon if she could have his last name. When doing so she got no response as Haldovon just started to cry, the first time Mika had seen him cry in fact. Haldovon pulled Mika into a big strong hug. Telling her that the last name he had was one that he would rather forget but that she was like a daughter to him. So if Mika was ok with it then she could take his name as her last name. Mika was ecstatic, happily exclaiming that she was now; Mika Haldovon’s-dottir. *

• *

Mika Haldovon’s-Dottir

Haldovon

Misdielle Marblefronts

Minravints

Divin Hun’lyl

Sails