The Albino

“My turn?” Ben looked over to Viola. She struck a pose, and Benjamin smirked at the teasing expression. Viola’s armor was much more of an hourglass shape, mimicking the same feminine ques that Valtrya had put in her breastplate. Benjamin was not entirely surprised. Considering them two halves of the same person was becoming a bit easier these days. Viola’s breastplate followed the same form as her sister, with the exception of carefully sculpted accommodations for her larger bust size. The extra breast room accentuated the hourglass shape a bit more, and her main breastplate retained its singular piece further than Valyria’s. It resembled almost a long V that ended near her belly button with articulating plates spread from it to protect her sides and hips. Viola opted for taking a pair of heavy leather pants, sewing in sculpted sheets of strategically placed thin steel plates into them. “The pants will be easier to put on than plate, and I still need to be able to move quickly.” She explained. Her right arm had a simple gambeson sleeve ending in a leather glove, having forgone a gauntlet for wrist mobility and weight. Her left arm was another story. Benjamin took her left hand and gently moved it through its articulation.

Her Left shoulder provided a protective pauldron from which a sleeve of this articulating steel extended. The gleaming pieces were far smaller and lighter than her practice armor, and Benjamin hummed in approval as he looked it over. Viola was wearing a long sleeve gambeson underneath for padding, and Benjamin began channeling Majik again, perfecting Viola's armor into something far stronger than anything this reality was capable of making. “Well done,” he said, “I’ve a present for you as well.” He stepped over to the table pulling the canvas back to reveal his gift.

Viola slowly stepped over, picking up the sheathed modified rapier with shaking fingers. She ran her hand over the intricate guard before slipping it in to find the grip, and drawing the blade into the light. The flickering lanterns flashed, revealing the intricate pattern welding that Benjamin had built into her sword and Val’s shield. “It’s gorgeous…” She whispered, slowly stepping into a clear area to give it a practice swing. “It feels great.”

“Good,” Benjamin stepped over to her, “Now let’s get your grip set.” Benjamin’s arm began to glow as it touched the hilt, and it was Viola's turn to feel metal mold beneath her fingertips. “WOW, just a little more curve, perfect.” she muttered, feeling the metal form to her request. In a flash, the sword was cool to the touch once more. “One final touch,” Benjamin took the sword from her and picked up a chord of deep purple. The wrapping seemed to come alive as it spun tightly about the newly formed handle. Soon, it was done, and Benjamin handed it back, “how does it feel now, with the gloves”

Viola swung the weapon through a simple progression, “Oh, very nice,” she coo’d. Benjamin smiled, “Good, because you have a buckler as well.” He picked it up and held it out. “Stab the buckler, gently” She did so and Benjamin showed her how the shape was designed to control a sword’s tip or spear point, “you have a spike as well, for punching.” He handed it to her and she hefted it, noting that it slotted nicely into her metal encased left hand, “it feels perfect, I don’t think I need it molded.”

Benjamin was about to speak when the two sisters looked at each other, “We have one more thing to show you.” Viola stated, and retreated into the main forge for a moment before returning with a rolling stand draped in cloth, “It is our gift, to you,” the two of them pulled the cloth away, revealing a third set of steel armor. “Will you let us fit you?”

Benjamin swallowed hard, choking back his own emotions as he stepped forward to look over their surprise. “I… I would be honored”

The Aereesen women slowly removed Benjamin’s Forge jacket and shirt, “We figured you would want full use of your arms, and be able to move quickly. We don’t know if this is going to be too much or too little for what you want with your ‘guns’.” Viola stated as she and Valtrya slipped a thinner gambeson over his head and laced it together in the back, “But we wish to protect you, in the ways we can.” Viola continued. Valtrya picked up the breastplate that Benjamin realized was paired with a backplate. The two pieces were linked together with an intricately woven series of leather straps, and it reminded Benjamin a bit of some of the Grecco Roman Era armor, that he had seen in a museum once.

He couldn’t help but chuckle as he noticed that his women had transposed their desire for astetic value to his armor, giving the metal a flatteringly muscular and masculine figure as it was sinched to his body, “Is this what I look like? To you?” Val stepped around to his front and tugged firmly on the chest piece to perfect its position, “My Ben, Forged by Forge… Man, mine.” She half growled before standing on her toes to kiss him, “Now, the rest.” Benjamin chuckled as he felt a draft. Viola had pulled his working pants off with ease, and returned with a set of pants similar to her own, but with larger plates interwoven to the front of the thighs and shins. Soon, Benjamin was dressed in his armor, with Val snapping his saber to his belt. “Try it.” She asked.

Ben stepped into the open space Viola had used and began a simple progression with his saber. To his surprise, the gift of armor flowed with him, allowing him a full range of motion. Yes, technically only his vital areas were covered in steel, but He preferred that considering what he wished to use as his armaments. Excessive plates or chain mail would actively inhibit certain capabilities. “Its smooth, comfortable, it fits perfectly. I love it.” Benjamin’s eyes glowed again and the armor began to heat on his body for a moment before flashing cool again, and Benjamin completed the transformation of his armor as he had done the two women’s. “I have one more present for each of you, but we will have to head to the training pavilion for it.” He stated. “Thank you, Your gift is wonderful. Have you thought about helmets?”

The two nodded, and Val bolted back into the other forge to grab three full helms. Two of them bore the same double eye slat falling faceplate design that Viola and Val had been practicing in, but both helm’s were noticeably lighter and sported ornate padding and stitching inside for comfort, and more ventilated about the mouth and nose for better breathing. Benjamin looked over their helmets, “I’m impressed. You two have truly passed your final exams. What is going on with this one?” Benjamin picked up a simple helm that was mostly finished but had no eye slots or any sort of provisions for usage.

“We… We know you like your muskets.” Viola stated, “We don’t know how to shape your helmet so you may use them.” Benjamin looked back at the helmet and recognized it as the blank slate that it was, “Ah, I see. May I?” The two nodded and Benjamin slipped the bare metal over his head using a simple gambeson hood as a spacer. He stepped over to his locking cabinet and pulled a three and a half foot long object from the back. Vi and Val immediately recognized it as a musket, but it was different somehow. Benjamin raised the weapon and pointed it at a safe wall, pressing the side of the helmet into the stock. Metal began to glow once more butt neither Benjamin or the strange musket seemed to burn. Vi and Val watched as Benjamin pressed the helmet into the stock even as a T shaped visor began to open in the front. After about a minute, Benjamin lifted his head and placed the weapon back in its cabinet. The helmet was cooled by the time he took it off, and Benjamin inspected the mold he had created on the side where he had pressed his face far enough to see down the sights of his new weapon.

Locking the image in his mind. Benjamin’s eyes glowed yet again, mirroring the patter onto both sized of the helmet before adjusting the front facia into the style he was going for. With Vi and Val looking on in wonder, the Helmet began to take a shape they had both never seen before and seemed perfectly matched to the armor they had made for Benjamin. The air seemed to hiss as the Helmet cooled again and Benjamin slowly slipped the helmet back over his head. He slowly turned to face them, and The women bore witness to the wide T shaped visor that revealed glowing eyes in the darkness of the inside of the helmet. The cheeks were sharply sunken in giving his face a severe expression that seemed to beg for violence. Behind the eye slot, Benjamin watched his girls freeze as he faced them and paused. Neither one spoke, but Benjamin saw a flicker of awe flash across their faces.

“What?”

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Yilarran groaned as early morning training faltered. It always did at this time, and the warriors currently sparring all paused as the albino and his… whatever they were… entered the training grounds. She begrudgingly respected Viola and Valtrya, but still bore mixed feelings about returning an Aereesen to his or her full strength… if the old stories were true. She shook herself from those thoughts, Viola and Valtrya had shown no signs of malice and turned out to be excellent students. That combined with the full backing of the Queen Mother, and the matter was considered settled. Yilarran quirked an eyebrow as the early morning fog finally revealed that the three were already wearing armor, and her eyebrow raised further as she realized that it was not any set of the ground’s practice armor. “Ohho? What do we have here?” She asked as the three stopped at the staging table.

“We finished our armor,” Viola stated and Valtrya nodded, setting her spear on the table along with Benjamin’s Stiletto she had become attached to. Viola laid her oddly thin, but strangely wicked-looking sword on the table along with her buckler, and a clip-pointed dagger that seemed to resemble the weapon Benjamin had nearly killed her with, but smaller somehow. Benjamin held Yilaaran’s attention the longest. He was wearing a strange, curved blade that resembled a scimitar, but less curved and entirely too thin to be useful. She almost laughed out loud at the outlandishly styled armor with fake muscles forged into the breastplate itself. A quick inspection, however, brought her to the realization that his armor was not of his making, but his women’s. The strange albino orc also carried a giant locked wooden case on his shoulders that he also set on the table “Nice of you to join us today Forgemaster. I assume your escapades into the forest were fruitful?

Benjamin sent her a sharp glare but otherwise only nodded, “Consider them complete.” He stated flatly before moving to warm up along with the Aereesens. Yilaaran regarded them for a moment before signaling for all to gather around. “Alright everyone, listen up. Today is exam day. You will not be facing each other. Today you will face me. Feel free to go all out against me with blade, spear, and Majik. I will see what you have learned before I can recommend you to our Queen. And you!” she waved one of her massive swords to Benjamin, Viola, and Valtrya, “you three will be departing on a great journey, You must be tested so I may report upon your readiness to….” Yilarran was interrupted by a feral shrieking laugh followed by a massive orb of fire that slammed into the middle of the training grounds… and detonated.

The impact through Yilarran from her feet, landing several feet from where she had previously been standing. Vailin was the first to act , “TO ARMS!! TO ARMS!!! SOUND THE… ACK!!” The captain of the guard was cut off by a spear slamming into her breastplate from above, throwing her across the pavilion. Where she had stood was now occupied by a Farie, but it was no Vin. She wore Bright yellow and black garments with blackened armor and no helm. Her eyes appeared dilated in a crazed expression with wild black hair unkept and tangled in branches and leaves. “Yes! Oh please!! Sound the alarm!! WHAT FUN!!!”

A chorus of similarly crazed laughter erupted from about them as more spears appeared from the foggy shadows, slamming into guardswoman and trainee alike. The Palace Horn sounded, but Benjamin could not see their attackers. Vi and Val surrounded him, back to him, weapons and armor outwardly facing, and Benjamin watched as Vin Farie fell from the barrage. His mind flashed through painful memories for a moment before his eyes hardened. He unhooked the helmet from his belt and slipped it on. “Stay close,” he stated, pulling his saber from its sheath. “RALLEY!!!!” he heard Yilarran howl as she struck down a flying demented Farie, “Fae Attack!! RALLEY! SOUND THE ALARM!!” The mighty Elf bellowed as she struck down two more flying nightmares. One of the trainees, a spear through her side reached the gong and rang it once before falling. It was enough. Soon the chimes of the mother tree began to ring, but it only seemed to excite these winged horrors. “OH!! MORE! WHAT FUN!!” came the voice of the Fae still on the ground as she strode toward Vailin, only to be surprised as the Vin stood. “Oh? Not dead? Come then…. We dance!”

Vailin raised her guard as the demented duplicate of her species rushed her, her wings crackling with power. ‘Touched…’ Benjamin realized only to see Vailin begin to channel her own abilities. “Our turn!! A second maniacal voice shattered his revelry as he was forced to dodge another spear. Five Fae exited the fog and dove into the three of them, forcing them to split up and dodge smaller balls of fire. Benjamin stood and turned to rush back to his girls when he was stopped by a pair of Fae, “Not so fast! I wanna hunk of Orc for supper! Albino’s always tasted the best with wine sauce!!”

The two charged him as one, and Benjamin backpedaled quickly, deflecting some incoming attacks and dodging others. He could only catch glimpses of Vi and Val as they fought as one, but he could see they faced at least three. “Fuck he swore.” Parrying another blow before using his blade’s speed to force one of his attackers to back off. “Oh! A fun one. Fuck you? Maybe it will work up my appetite!!” The shrieking laughter only enraged Ben, but he circled his retreat back around until he had joined with Vi and Val. “HEY!! No FAIR!!” The five laughed before taking to the sky and circling the three. Vailin was still locked in mortal combat with her assailant, trading blows laced with some kind of energy that Benjamin recognized as some manner of energy discharge, at least he thought.

A strike flew from his left, and one of the Fae cried out in pain as Val’s spear pierced her shoulder through the mail. Her tool steel grade fine pointed spear easily separated the iron mail overtop gambeson, and a splash of an almost blackish green fluid erupted from the wound. The hurt Fae shrieked and fell into a frenzy, diving for Val with a crazed expression and her spear outstretched. Val slipped to the side, deflecting the spear to her left with her shield before letting out a yell of her own. She punched with her shield, timing the release of her spike perfectly. The combined impact punched straight through the Fae’s iron armor, crushing her rib cage and pulping her internal organs. The four others seemed to ignore their dying comrade, “What fun!! What fun!” They continued to cry until a second of their number was cut down by a swift lung to the throat by Viola.

Suddenly they became serious, “Sisters, These mortals think they can play at warrior. Let us show them.” The remaining three began to humm with swirling energy, and Benjamin recognized it as a version of what he had seen from the Vin. “Enough!” he growled, “ENOUGH!” Benjamin’s body pulsed with Majik, and a shock wave of explosive wind knocked down most of the airborne Fae. More importantly, it blasted away the fog revealing the larger battle ongoing throughout the Vin capital. The three facing him and the girls faced shrieked in surprise then began to take flight once again. Benjamin was just too far away to see one catch Viola off guard, slicing into her right shoulder, drawing her deep purple blood from her veins. “What!?! Your..” She never finished. Benjamin’s vision blurred, effortlessly reaching out and outright crushing Viola’s attacker inside of her own armor.. the breastplate crumpled instantly, severing the head, arms and legs of the Fae before Benjamin released it. The crushed torso fell between its two companions who looked on in shock as Benjamin’s green eyes began glowing violently from inside his helmet. “ENOUGH!” he bellowed this time, and a new set of clouds began forming overhead. Benjamin stepped away from his women and toward the stunned Fae, only to take a massive lightning bolt directly to the top of his helmet. The entire battle seemed to pause for a moment at the clap of deafening thunder. Benjamin coiled the unbridled electrical power about his person. His body crackled with raging blue energy as he looked down at his hands and his sword. Benjamin looked over to Vailin’s fight, seeing her desperately fighting a losing battle, straddling from above with the touched fae pressing a blade down towards Vailins exposed throat. Their eyes locked.. and The Touched Fae shrieked in understanding desperately extricating herself in an attempt to run.

It was too late. The moment she was no longer touching Vailin. Benjamin pointed his saber, sending a titanic lighting bolt from its tip that ripped the fleeing Fae maje bodily asunder before leaving only charred fragments of remains. Benjamin turned to the two remaining who faced him and his women.

“Run” Benjamin’s voice was soft, but a deep darkness laced with promise lay within that single syllable. The two fled, but only one made it as Val’s spear snapped out from her powerful arm, skewing one of them as they fled. Benjamin turned just in time to see Yilarran struggling against no less than five, but Benjamin could not attack. Instead, he drove all of his stored electrical energy into the ground, rushing over to his box. He ripped the lock from its brackets, and opened the case to reveal a pair of revolver, and his strange ‘musket’ as Viola had called it.

In truth, it was no musket. Benjamin had combined two of his favorite historical weapons into one device. The action closely resembled a Swiss Schmitt Ruben from the early 1920’s, but the fat stock and Potbelly rotary magazine were pulled straight from the pages of Melvin Johnson’s recoil-operated infantry rifle. Metalworking was now child's play to Benjamin, and he had spent a month collecting the correct materials for this project… including the gleaming brass cartridges that were carbon copies of the round that both the M1 Garand, and the Johnson shared. Ben slammed two, five-round clips into the rotary magazine’s feed port, and yanked on the straight pull action. He had also fiddled with the dimensions to allow him to reach the trigger while still operating the bolt, a trick he borrowed from the British.

Yilarran was in trouble, She was slashed in a dozen different places, and her vision was beginning to fade from a spear wound to her side. Her opponents numbered many, and she swung both of her great swords in a defensive pattern designed to both keep momentum and intimidate her opponents. ‘this is how it ends.. I guess I will see you soo…’ her thoughts were interrupted by a clap of thunder. She knew that Benjamin could not use the godlight to save her, she was too close to her enemy’s and many of them were actively in contact with here armor or her weapons… That is what she thought right up until the chest of the Vin in front of her face exploded with an invisible impact.

BOOM…..BOOM…..BOOM…. three more vin died around her, all turned to shattered ruins, dead before they fell, and the rest fled.

She turned to see Benjamin holding one of his strange weapons, yanking on a piece of it like it was stuck. Her eyes widened as a Fae, larger than the rest, and covered in plate armor careened out of the sky. “BEHIND!!” Yilarran yelled, and Benjamin turned just in time to take a lance to his exposed shoulder, spinning him away from the impact. Yilarran bellowed her war cry, slamming into the arriving Fae, using their combined momentums to snap its neck, before decapitating it all together for good measure. Yilarran huffed, recognizing the ebbing nature of this part of the battle, and she turned to Benjamin only to freeze in complete Shock.

Benjamin groaned as he stood, “Fuck that hurt.” He turned to face this new attacker, ignoring the pain in his shoulder. Yilarran ended the threat expertly, then turned to Benjamin before freezing entirely.. “Is everyone ok!?” He called just as Vi and Val rushed up to him, “Benjamin, sit. Please. Quickly.”

Benjamins shrugged them off for a moment, “I’m ok, wait… what’s wrong” he had noticed they had taken off their helmets, and were fussing over him in panic.. Val finally spoke first, “Ben… Bleeding.” Benjamin raised an eyebrow before looking down at the pain of his shoulder. Bright red poured through the gash in his shoulder, out of the Gambeson and down to his fingertips, and his head snapped up to meet Yilarran’s rapidly hardening gaze. “Oh… Fuck..”