The forge glowed brighter than the morning sun as Logan Mercer stood between Mira and Renn. The heat rolled through the workshop in slow waves. The sound of metal shifting and bones being polished echoed like a steady heartbeat. This was no longer a temporary workspace. This was the start of something larger than any of them understood. Logan looked over his sketches again. His first official Coalition weapon needed to be clean simple stable and repeatable. A weapon that could be reproduced across different outposts and still maintain efficiency.

He tapped the parchment with his finger. The Guardian Line. A set of reinforced short blades and compact crossbows meant for soldiers who fought in tight spaces. Small forces. Border patrol units. People like Rhea’s outpost. He imagined her team holding stronger weapons and not losing soldiers to snapped blades or warped crossbow arms.

Mira approached with a tray of sorted bone strips. They were cut evenly with a faint shimmer of magical residue. Her hands moved with precision as she arranged them by thickness. These are ready Logan. Beastbone density is consistent. No cracks. Perfect for limb frames.

Renn followed with two small containers holding fragments of stabilized magic cores. His expression was serious. These core shards are reinforced with a suppressor layer. They will not overload unless someone treats them like an explosive.

Logan smiled slightly. Good work. Both of you.

He picked up a metal frame for the Compact Guardian Crossbow. The limbs were shaped with beastbone and shimmersteel reinforcement. He held one limb close to the forge flame. It did not warp. It stayed steady. Controlled. Predictable. Exactly what he needed.

Mira asked. Who is the first client

Logan answered. Outpost Brinn.

Renn blinked. The place you escaped from

They protected me he said. They deserve first access. And they need better gear.

Mira nodded. That is noble. Practical too. If they have stronger weapons the outpost will not fall easily.

Renn shifted awkwardly. But will the Coalition approve giving priority to small outposts instead of major buyers

Logan set down the limb. The Coalition agreed to my conditions. I decide my first distribution targets. And Brinn is at the top of the list.

Mira grinned. Then we better craft something worthy.

They worked. Logan shaped the metal frame. Mira adjusted the bolt track so it aligned perfectly with the core channel. Renn inserted a core fragment into the stabilizing chamber. The crossbow emitted a faint glow but no vibration. Logan checked the tension by pulling the string. Smooth stable and silent.

Logan nodded. Perfect. Now we test.

He loaded a bolt and aimed at a wooden target reinforced with old armor plates. The bolt fired with a soft snap and struck the metal plate with enough force to dent it. Mira released a quiet whistle. That is stronger than expected.

Logan shook his head. That is only the first iteration. Let us try reinforcing the barrel channel.

Renn quickly attached a thin layer of beastbone along the bolt path. Mira tightened the frame bolts. Logan fired again. This time the bolt punched straight through the armor plate and embedded into the wall behind it.

Renn’s eyes widened. That may be too strong for training soldiers.

Logan smiled. Good. Strength can be scaled down. Weakness cannot be scaled up.

They continued adjusting until the crossbow reached the balance Logan desired. Strong but not unstable. Light but not fragile. Reliable even if soaked in rain or dropped in mud. Logan tested it five more times and each shot hit with the same force. No misfires. No cracks. No wasted energy.

Logan placed the crossbow on the table with quiet satisfaction. This is ready.

Mira asked. And the short blade

Logan turned to the second project. A blade meant for close quarters. Beastbone core. Metal outer layer. Magic channel reinforcement. It needed to be durable but not too magical. Logan did not want to create weapons that sliced through walls or started fires. Not yet.

He shaped the beastbone first then forged the metal shell. Mira polished the edges. Renn inserted a low grade core fragment into a hollow slot in the handle. The blade hummed faintly but did not glow. It felt solid. Balanced. Logan swung it lightly in the air. It cut cleanly through a thick rope without resistance.

He tested again slicing across a hanging chain of small metal rings. Half the rings fell to the ground. Mira stepped back impressed. That looks dangerous.

Logan nodded. Dangerous enough to save a life. Not enough to destroy a building.

Renn swallowed. So this is the first official model

Logan picked up both finished pieces the Compact Guardian Crossbow and the Guardian Short Blade. This is the Guardian Set. And our first production run goes to Brinn.

Lira entered the workshop at that moment. She wore her usual calm but Logan could see tension around her eyes. Logan. Officer Thalen requests you immediately. There is a new problem.

Logan narrowed his eyes. What happened

Lira glanced toward the outer gate. The Crimson Trace has placed spies near the Coalition market. And the Silver Courts have doubled their bounty.

Mira groaned softly. So it begins.

Renn whispered. They want you Logan. Badly.

Lira spoke again. You must decide if the Guardian Set will be sent through our official channels or if you plan to deliver it personally.

Logan froze.

Personally would be risky almost reckless. But he knew what the Guardian Set meant for Rhea and her people. And he could not ignore the possibility that his weapons could save their lives before enemies struck again.

Logan took a slow breath. I will deliver it myself.

Lira stared with alarm. That is extremely dangerous Logan. More dangerous than you realize.

Logan nodded. I know. But Brinn needs these. And I owe them.

Mira and Renn exchanged glances then stepped forward at the same moment.

We are going with you Mira said.

Renn nodded. The weapons need handlers. And you need backup.

Logan wanted to refuse but something in their determined expressions held him silent. Loyal teammates. Skilled allies. People who stepped forward when the path turned dark.

He finally said quietly. All right. Prepare what you need. We leave at dawn.

Lira placed a hand on her hip. I must report this to Thalen. He will not like it.

Logan answered. I know. But he will understand.

Lira hesitated then bowed. I will prepare transportation.

As night settled on the workshop Logan looked at the Guardian Set one more time. This was not just a weapon shipment. This was the first act of someone who had chosen a side. Someone who wanted to protect as much as he wanted to build.

Logan whispered. Brinn first.

Tomorrow he would face the consequences of being the realm’s newest arms dealer.