Chapter 372: Thainsell the Stubborn
At this point, Thainsell suddenly recalled Lynn telling him there was a large Adamantium vein deep in the Blue Mountains.
"Lord Lynn, is what you said true? This Adamantium ore didn't come from Mahakam, but from the Blue Mountains?"
"Of course. Do I look like I'm joking? Besides, I have no desire to make an enemy of Mahakam."
Thainsell froze. If there was truly a vast Adamantium vein to forge weapons, how many swords and blades could be made?
"Master Thainsell, it seems you already know what I'm about to say."
"That is Adamantium ore," the Elf emphasized. "An ordinary man couldn't even manage to turn it into an ingot, Lord Lynn. Handing it to anyone else would be no different than tossing gold into a latrine."
Lynn nodded. "Precisely. Therefore, I intend to bestow this exceptional honor upon you, Master Thainsell. I will have your name sung throughout the entire known world; you will become the most legendary blacksmith."
"All the famous and unknown smith guilds, North and South, will hang your portrait in the most conspicuous location. They will compile your casual remarks into a volume of quotes, requiring every guild member to recite them backward. They will write your deeds into textbooks, where, even centuries from now, they will be important test questions and essential knowledge points for new students."
Perhaps it was due to drawing too many grand visions, but Lynn felt he was now quite skilled at it, the words flowing effortlessly.
The Elven blacksmith, who had spent his entire life working a hammer, was clearly deeply moved by this praise.
At Thainsell's current skill level, he already had enough money. Lynn had given him a considerable sum, enough for the Elf to live out his remaining life in Novigrad even if he put down his hammer tomorrow. Once money was secured, a person naturally began to pursue other things.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs describes five levels, usually depicted as a pyramid. From the bottom up, the needs are Physiological, Safety, Love and Belonging, Esteem, and Self-Actualization.
For Thainsell, the first four tiers had already been satisfied by Lynn.
Physiological and Safety needs were a given. Aside from the secret protection provided by the Syndicate and the Free Company, Lynn had also openly hired several reputable mercenaries from the local market to guard Thainsell's shop. Those mercenaries, clad in the weapons and armor Thainsell had specially forged for them, standing by the door were usually enough to make most thugs demanding protection money detour voluntarily.
And even though Lynn was Thainsell's benefactor, he still respectfully addressed him as 'Master,' affording him sufficient Esteem without ever resorting to threats or commands.
But the topmost layer—Self-Actualization—had remained elusive.
This was because Thainsell knew about Adamantium. Even though he didn't believe his craftsmanship was inferior to the best Gnome and Dwarf smiths in Mahakam, people would likely always believe that the finest quality blades could only be forged on the carbon slopes of the Mahakam Mountains. This perception existed simply because he was limited to using common steel, while the Mahakam artisans could use Adamantium.
This psychological struggle might be hard for outsiders to comprehend. Truthfully, even Thainsell didn't know how to explain his intense drive for victory. Why must he still be so fiercely competitive when his life was infinitely better than before?
And now, Fate had delivered the opportunity to conquer Mahakam right to his doorstep.
"I would be honored, but..." Thainsell knew little about Lynn's wider operations, partly due to Lynn's intentional secrecy and partly due to his own preference as a smith to avoid unnecessary trouble. However, after moving from Toussaint to Novigrad, even a blind man could tell that Lynn was no ordinary man, and the work he was doing was no ordinary work.
Therefore, he stated, "If I am alone, I may not be able to supply you with a large volume of weapons. I will need assistants." He paused, then added, "No need to look outside. The apprentices here in my forge are good, and I trust them."
Lynn considered this. "That's acceptable, but I have one condition: I must meet them first, in private."
Lynn's request sounded entirely reasonable, or at least Thainsell didn't find anything strange about it.
He stepped out and called in the apprentices who were working in the forge. He then had all but one of them step back outside.
The one remaining was a young, sturdy fellow with black hair, tall and well-muscled. He stood before Lynn, looking a little nervous. He performed a slightly awkward bow.
"What is your name?"
"My name is Gendry, my lord, but everyone calls me 'Big Ox.' That's my nickname."
"Very good, Gendry."
Lynn made the Aard Sign gesture. In that moment, his words sounded to Gendry like bewitching whispers carried from impossibly distant mountains.
"Tell me, if your master took you to a place containing Adamantium ore, what would you do? Would you sell this information to other kings or nobles in exchange for a bounty? Would you boast about it everywhere?"
"Tell me, tell me what you truly think in your heart."
The power of Lynn's Axii Sign was far beyond what it once was; aside from sorceresses of Tissaia's caliber, no one could keep a secret from him. The Adamantium vein was simply too important, even touching on the survival of Kaer Morhen. He trusted Thainsell, but he couldn't take the loyalty of his apprentices for granted. Hence, the necessity of the Axii check.
The screening process was quick, with all of Thainsell's apprentices undergoing Lynn's test. Three apprentices failed the test, while the rest passed.
Lynn instructed Thainsell to continue his work in Novigrad for the time being. The next time Lynn returned to him, or sent someone to find him, he and his qualified apprentices would journey deep into the Blue Mountains. Naturally, the three apprentices who failed the test could not be brought along.
After leaving Thainsell, Lynn used his Disguise Amulet to alter his appearance to that of Baron Brandon of Toussaint. He then hailed a carriage and headed for Temple Isle, the headquarters of the Eternal Fire.
The carriage was stopped before the bridge leading to Temple Isle. The Temple Guards questioned the driver about their identities and purpose.
The driver pulled back the curtain and respectfully asked, "My lord, how should I convey your esteemed identity to the Temple Guards?"
Lynn, sitting inside the carriage, replied, "Tell them I am Baron Brandon of Toussaint, and I require a meeting with Constable Chappelle."
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