Forging of Man Read online

  THANOS

  FORGING OF MAN

  BOOK 2

  THOMAS A WATSON

  Copyright © JANUARY 30, 2017

  THOMAS A WATSON

  A-POC PRESS, LLC

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Edited by Sabrina Jean

  Fast Track Editing

  Cover Art by CHRISTIAN BENTULAN

  www.coverbychristian.com

  This book is a work of fiction. People places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

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  Map of Thanos

  Hello to my fans!

  Thank you so much for reading my work. Thanos is my dream world and to me the closest to my heart. Fantasy was my first love and I always wanted to write a story on a world I made and low and behold, here it is.

  I’m sorry it has taken so long for the next installment but momma (in case you don’t know, that is Tina, my wife) won’t let daddy (me) put out the next book until the first one pays for the next one. The second book of Thanos has been completed for the most part, since the first one was released.

  Thanos to me is a world everyone has dreamed of at one time. Mankind isn’t dominant and worries just about staying alive.

  One question I’ve received a few times is about the three horns, think triceratops. I don’t know how many books this series will be but I know how it will end. As you know, my books are long but I’m not sure how many Tina will break down or how many it will take to get to the end.

  I truly hope you enjoy reading Thanos as much as I do writing it. Again, thank you to all those who have helped me get here.

  Without my wife and family I can truly say, I would still be a nurse. But with their strength and support I’m doing something I never dreamed possible.

  And to my beta readers, proofreaders, and last but not least my blurb assistant Cora. You all Rock!

  Chapter 1

  It had been a month after the night Ahnon started giving them keck tea and they had both celebrated their birthdays with free time. Today, they were with Ahnon in the forge. Kenna was punching a burlap bag filled with sand that was hanging at the far end of the forge. Leaning against the bag, Jedek was holding it steady as she kept repeating a series of strikes. Ahnon was at the forge, feeding it burning rock and iron. The water wheel was pumping the bellows and there was a foot of snow outside, yet they were sweating inside even with the doors and windows wide open.

  Ahnon was making iron ingots, getting ready to start making weapons. Almost throwing a fit, Jedek wanted to start with the adamant but Ahnon refused wanting to get used to the forge again. Pulling the crucible out of the forge, Ahnon poured off the slag then poured the metal into stone molds to make bars and rods. Setting the crucible down, he shoveled in more burning rock and loaded the pot before setting it back in the forge.

  Glancing over at the kids, he walked over to Kenna. “Don’t use just your arm,” he told her. “Use your body with every punch, chop and kick,” he said, motioning for her to go again. She started on the bag again with better form and control as Ahnon looked at the hourglass to see that her time was almost up. As the last of the sand fell, Jedek flipped it over and Kenna held the bag as he started assaulting the bag. Seeing that Jedek was doing satisfactorily, Ahnon moved to the other end of the shop and pulled a table to the front wall, putting a wooden target on the back wall. Then he laid out a hundred throwing knives.

  Ahnon picked one up and twirled it between his fingers not really liking it; the balance was just a little off. He had bought it with a lot of other weapons till they could make their own. When the sand ran out, the kids came over with sweat pouring off them. “Drink some water and eat,” Ahnon said, pointing at the food and water behind them.

  As they picked up the food and glasses of water, they turned around waiting for the next lesson. “You will throw from here at that target, no closer,” he told them. “Hold the knife like this,” he said showing them. “And throw like this,” he said, moving slowly before throwing the knife fast, hitting the small red circle. “Do it just like that,” he said walking back to the forge and began to pour more bars of iron.

  The front wall was stacked with iron bars and rods. In their time in the forge, Ahnon had also made hundreds of jars and other glassware over the last month, showing the kids the basics of the forge in between training tasks. He set the crucible to the side and covered the forge. It was early, but today was special. Taking off his leather apron and clear glasses that he wore when working with the forge, he hung the apron on a hook by the door.

  When the sand ran out, they gathered all the knives, putting them on the table and grabbing the hour glass. Seeing Ahnon by the door, they ran over. “What’s next?” Kenna asked smiling.

  “It’s time to go inside,” Ahnon said, stepping out in the snow.

  “It’s only noon,” she told him, looking up at the cloudy sky.

  “I know, but it’s the sixth day,” he said.

  Frustrated, Jedek kicked the snow, “I can still keep going,” he complained.

  With a proud smile, Ahnon laughed as he stopped in the snow. “I know you can, both of you, but today is special,” Ahnon told them.

  They looked at each other, “What is today?” Jedek asked.

  “Eve of Divine Tribute,” Ahnon said.

  “No way,” Jedek gasped, wondering where the time went.

  “Yes, it is. You two may read and do whatever, but no magic. I have to cook,” he said, stepping out from the building only to be attacked by Minos as he knocked all of them down and then bounced out into the snow. Shaking his head and sending snow everywhere, Ahnon looked at Jedek. “Your dog,” he said and looked at the now massive Minos.

  Truth be told, Ahnon wanted Minos to sleep outside, but Jedek had thrown a temper tantrum like Ahnon had never seen before. So Minos got to sleep and stay inside. It wasn’t easy at first, since Minos was now the size of a large pony and still had some growing to do. Minos wouldn’t mean to, but he would break things as he just moved around the house from his girth.

  Letting out a laugh, Jedek jumped up and grabbed a handful of snow. “You’re going to get it now,” he said, throwing a snowball at Minos who caught it in his mouth.

  Cocking his head to one side, Minos looked at Jedek. “Oh good, you want to play,” he said then charged Jedek, knocking him down and running him over.

  “Kenna, make sure they don’t kill each other,” Ahnon said, getting up to head inside.

  Brushing the snow off, Kenna got up and followed him inside, “It’s his dog,” she replied with attitude, closing the door. Throwing her cloak on the rack by the door, she headed down to the cellar mumbling to herself. Watching her walk down the stairs, Ahnon grinned as he started supper. Walking back up, Kenna had two books in her arms and without looking, Ahnon knew both were books on the animals of Thanos. Whenever Kenna got the chance to read on her own, she always grabbed books on animals or fairies.

  Jedek and Minos came in later and Jedek dried off Minos with a blanket, then moved over to the table. “Kenna, you could’ve played with us,” he told her as he was sitting down.

  Never looking up, she replied, “He’s your dog, so you can play with him.”

  Dropping down in a chair, Jedek shrugged his shoulders as Ahnon set down plates of food. When they finished eating and cleared the table, the two sat down to read as Ahnon walked over, carrying an armload of p
aper wrapped bundles. Setting them on the table, he divided them up between the two. Then, he went back for more as Kenna and Jedek just stared at the packages.

  When Ahnon was finished, each had bundles stacked around them, “Ahnon, we aren’t supposed to get presents till tomorrow,” Jedek told him, looking at the presents.

  “No Jedek. You will open them tonight because we have training tomorrow,” Ahnon told him. “We can only take the rest of today off.”

  With a hurt expression, Kenna moaned, “Ahnon, we didn’t get you anything.”

  A grin split his face, “Yes, you have. More than you will ever know,” Ahnon assured her.

  The two tore into the presents and found many different types of clothes and four pairs of soft lace up boots. Several of the presents were books but to their surprise, the pages were blank. Kenna looked up at Ahnon. “Ahnon, there are no words,” she pointed out.

  “You have to fill them, Kenna,” he told her chuckling. “The hardbound books will be for you to write down what you have learned. One for magic, one for hand to hand, and so on. The soft leather books are like your daily log to put into the others,” Ahnon pointed out.

  Giving a cry of joy, Jedek held up two hunter outfits. “Ahnon, you made me two hunter outfits?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Ahnon replied as Kenna opened a present to find a satchel like Ahnon’s.

  Letting out a gasp and hugging it to her chest, “Ahnon, is it like yours?” she asked hopefully.

  Laughing at her delight, “Yes Kenna. It can store like mine and so does the backpack,” he told her and Kenna hugged the satchel tighter.

  They continued to open up presents as Ahnon walked over to give Talon and Minos a joint of deer meat each. Minos went to chew on his present when all of a sudden, he spun around and looked at the door letting out a soft growl. “What is it, Minos?” Jedek asked, looking at the door.

  “Relax, you know them,” Ahnon said, walking to the door and throwing it open. Outside stood the leprechauns, Shamus and Gwen, “Come on in and Happy Eve of Tribute,” he told them as they walked in.

  “We don’t mean to interrupt, but we brought you more of that outcrop of rock you were digging on,” Shamus told him as Ahnon closed the door.

  “Thank you,” Ahnon told the leprechauns as Talon picked up his meat and jumped up to the loft railing. Jedek and Kenna just stared at Ahnon with his casual attitude with the leprechauns, since he’d wet his pants the last time he was around them a month ago. “I have a gift for each of you as well,” Ahnon said, walking over to his bed and pulling out two boxes. Grinning as he walked back over, Ahnon handed the boxes to the two stunned leprechauns.

  They took the boxes and Shamus looked up at Ahnon, “We didn’t want anything in return,” he told Ahnon.

  “This isn’t in return. It’s a present from us to you. We’re friends,” Ahnon said, sitting down at the table. Gwen opened her box and sighed.

  “Oh me goodness,” she said, setting the box down and pulling out a small green dress with black boots. “It’s beautiful,” she told him.

  “My lady, we are grateful you like it,” Ahnon replied as Shamus held up a small green suit with black boots.

  Shamus ran his hand over the suit with a dreamy expression, “I never felt anything this soft,” he admitted.

  “That is Nazar silk. It is the finest on Thanos,” Ahnon told him as the air around Gwen became bright for a split second, blinding them. When everyone could see again, they found Gwen standing in her new dress and twirling around like a little girl.

  “It’s wonderful!” she exclaimed as Shamus suddenly disappeared then reappeared wearing his green suit. Gwen looked over at him smiling. “You look dashing, Shamus,” she told him smiling.

  “Me darling, you take me breath away,” Shamus told her as Kenna moved over to Gwen.

  “Gwen, may I do your hair?” Kenna asked, already moving toward a brush and comb.

  “Really?” Gwen asked, astounded as Kenna walked over holding the brush and comb.

  Kenna nodded as she started working on Gwen’s thick red hair that was going everywhere. “Yes, a lady of station in a dress has to have her hair done,” Kenna told her as she went to work. In no time, Gwen’s hair was brushed down and except for the wart on her nose, she looked somewhat- not quite cute. Then, Kenna moved over to Shamus and brushed his beard and hair down. When she finished, she stepped back and looked at the two, “My, you two look so regal,” she told them smiling.

  They hugged her and then Gwen looked at Ahnon. “We just wanted to show you that you and yours be friends by bringing you that ugly rock you were after, but you showed us so much more,” she told him, walking over and hugging him.

  “My lady, you look quite charming. Not saying the burlap bag hid your regal quality, but the world needs to see you as we do,” Ahnon told her as Shamus walked over and grabbed her hand.

  “Ahnon and kids, you will always be considered family to the exiles,” Shamus told them. “When you want some rocks, not gold mind you, just let us know,” he said and Gwen spun on him with fire in her eyes.

  “Shamus, if they want some gold they may have it at any time. Do I be makin’ myself clear?” she told him with fire seeming to leap from her eyes.

  Shamus held up his hands. “If that is what you decide,” he got out quickly.

  Relaxing back in his chair, Ahnon chuckled, “We have no desire for gold, my lords,” Ahnon assured them, taking them by surprise. Kenna wanted to object, but kept her mouth shut.

  Shamus pulled out a chair for his wife and then climbed up in one with his short legs sticking straight out, “What may we do to help you in this quest you be on?” he asked.

  The kids moved over to the other side of the table and sat down as Ahnon thought. Smiling, “Just the rocks and stuff you saw in the bins at the shop. Information on what’s going on around us and to persuade other humans to stay away from us,” he suggested.

  With an amused huff, Gwen waved her hand at him. “That won’t be nothing, you three don’t dig so well,” she said then added, “We won’t be fighting the witch to the east, she be quite powerful.”

  “No. Ava and her family are allowed here, but not the others with them. They are starting a place of learning,” Ahnon told her.

  “That be easy to do,” Shamus said, nodding his head.

  Hoping he wasn’t being rude, Jedek leaned over the table. “How fast can you move, just out of curiosity?” he asked them. Shamus and Gwen both looked at him, not understanding the question. Jedek thought for a second and then asked, “How fast can you get to Ava and Delmuth’s farm?” The leprechauns looked at each other and then at Ahnon.

  “What is he asking?” Gwen asked Ahnon.

  “We have a present for them. How long for you to get it to them?” Ahnon explained. Jedek looked at him, not having meant that at all.

  Giving Shamus a nod, Gwen jumped out of her chair. “Give it to us, we be back shortly,” she said holding out her hands. Ahnon handed her a wrapped gift as Shamus jumped out of his chair to stand beside her. Then suddenly, the two just disappeared.

  With a grin, Ahnon just shook his head and looked over at Jedek. “Jedek, they can do things we can only dream of and many things we can’t dream of,” Ahnon told him, getting up to make some more tea.

  “It’s the sixth day, Ahnon. Aren’t we going to sleep tonight?” Kenna asked.

  “This is just regular tea,” Ahnon said, walking back to the table and passing out tea cups. The three sat drinking tea as Kenna and Jedek finished opening presents, when the leprechauns suddenly appeared beside the table and Shamus was holding a different package.

  Jedek and Kenna both jumped back, falling to the floor. Minos let out a yelp and ran over, trying to crawl under Jedek’s bed but only knocking it over. “Your hound is a wee bit skittish,” Shamus said, holding out the present to Ahnon. “Ava said this be for you,” he told Ahnon.

  “Thank you,” Ahnon said taking the present.

  Shamus lo
oked at Gwen. “Let’s let them get back to celebrating,” he told her.

  With a big smile, Gwen nodded and looked at Ahnon. “Just call for us outside and we will be here. It might take a day or so, but we will come,” she said, following Shamus to the door. Reaching up, Shamus stood on his toes and pushed the slide bar in the middle of the doors out of the way. Turning away to hide his smile, Jedek thought Shamus looked like a small child opening the door.

  He turned to the three, “Thank you for the gifts, friends,” he said, opening the door as Gwen walked out and then he followed. So it became known, after that day on Thanos and any future world, any leprechaun that was ever seen, was seen in a green suit or dress.

  Putting the gift on the table, Ahnon opened the package to find dozens of bags and jars. “Oh boy,” Ahnon said, laying out the bags and jars.

  Letting out a groan, Kenna shook her head. “Let me guess, spell components?” she asked.

  “No, elixir elements. Some are the same as components but not many,” Ahnon corrected, “and these are very rare ones at that,” he told her.

  Letting out a huff, Kenna frowned. “Someone we just met got you a present and we didn’t,” she mumbled.

  Jumping up, “Kenna, that’s enough,” he snapped, walking over. “I want you two to put up your stuff and get some sleep. Training tomorrow,” Ahnon told her, giving her a hug. “I told you, I have a family and that’s the best present I could ever have,” he added before letting her go.

  Jedek walked over carrying one of the bhari outfits in his hands and hugged Ahnon. “You always have been,” he told Ahnon. Letting Ahnon go, Jedek looked up at him, “Every outfit you gave us is in pairs,” he pointed out.

  “Yes, so you can have stuff to put in your packs if we have to leave fast,” Ahnon told Jedek as he started to pick up the paper wrappings and throw them into the fireplace.

  Jedek and Kenna helped and then started hanging stuff around their beds with the hooks on the walls. Kenna turned around, “Ahnon, how did you know the leprechauns would be here today?” she asked.