The hard wood acquired from Zarthus's tribe was a tangible symbol of the successful trade, and its presence in the village sparked a flurry of activity, particularly around Borin's workspace. The toolmaker, his eyes gleaming with excitement, immediately set about examining the bundles of dark, dense wood. He ran his hands over the smooth, heavy pieces, testing their weight and feeling their grain. This was unlike any wood he had ever worked with, and the challenge of shaping it filled him with a renewed sense of purpose.
He began cautiously, selecting a smaller piece to experiment with. His usual stone tools, even the newly honed ones, struggled against the hardness of the plains wood. Sawing was slow and arduous, requiring significant effort and dulling his blades quickly. Shaping with his stone axes and knives was equally challenging, the wood resisting his strikes with a stubborn resilience.
Elias spent hours with Borin, watching him work, offering suggestions based on his Earth knowledge of woodworking. He explained, as best he could, the concept of using different angles for cutting, of applying steady pressure rather than brute force, and of the potential benefit of using abrasives finer than their sharpening stones for smoothing and finishing the wood. Borin, with his deep, intuitive understanding of materials, grasped the principles, adapting Elias's ideas to the tools and techniques he possessed.
Slowly, painstakingly, Borin began to master the new material. He discovered that certain types of strikes were more effective, that patiently sawing back and forth with consistent pressure yielded better results than trying to rush the cut. He found that rubbing the wood with certain rough-textured leaves from the forest, followed by smoother stones, could produce a surprisingly smooth finish.
His first completed tool from the hard wood was a knife. It was smaller than the one Zarthus had gifted, but its blade was incredibly sharp and held its edge with remarkable tenacity. Borin presented it to Kaelen, his face beaming with pride. Kaelen tested the knife, cutting through a piece of tough hide with ease. The difference between this new tool and their traditional stone or forest-wood knives was immediately apparent to everyone who saw it.
News of the 'hard wood tools' spread quickly through the village. The hunters were eager to acquire knives and spear tips made from the new material, recognizing the advantage it would give them in hunting and defense. The villagers working on various projects saw the potential for faster, more efficient work with better axes and cutting tools.
Borin, with the help of several apprentices he now oversaw, began the arduous process of crafting tools and weapons from the acquired hard wood. It was slow work, each piece requiring significant effort, but the results were undeniable. The new tools were sharper, more durable, and more effective than anything they had ever used.
Elias watched this transformation with a quiet satisfaction. This was a tangible step forward, a direct application of resources acquired through peaceful exchange. It was a small-scale industrial revolution for the village, limited by the amount of hard wood they possessed and the difficulty of working it, but a revolution nonetheless.
The impact of the new tools was felt throughout the village. Hunters returned with larger kills, their hard wood spear tips penetrating hides that had previously resisted their stone weapons. The construction and repair of huts became faster and easier with more efficient cutting tools. Crafting of all kinds – from weaving frames to cooking utensils – was improved by the availability of sharper knives.
The villagers also began to experiment with the other goods acquired from Zarthus's tribe. The woven mats and bags were sturdier and more finely crafted than their own, providing better storage and insulation. The dried fruits and nuts were a welcome addition to their diet, offering new flavors and nutrients. The exchange had brought not just new materials, but also new ideas and new tastes.
Elias continued to learn from the villagers, expanding his understanding of their world, its flora, fauna, and natural cycles. He spent time with Elara, learning more about their traditions and beliefs, gaining insight into the cultural fabric of the community. He also continued his study of the dark metal panel, its mystery still unsolved, but its presence a constant reminder of the deeper complexities of this world.
The success of the first trade and the tangible benefits of the hard wood tools reinforced the value of interaction with other groups. It showed the villagers that the wider world, while dangerous, also held opportunities for growth and improvement. Kaelen began to discuss the possibility of future exchanges with Zarthus's tribe, perhaps establishing a more regular pattern of trade.
As the Sun-Eye began its descent, casting long shadows across the clearing, the sounds of the village were different. The rhythmic thud of stone on wood was still present, but now it was joined by the cleaner, sharper sounds of hard wood tools at work. Villagers moved with a new efficiency, their tasks made easier by the improved implements in their hands. The dark metal panel stood sentinel by the entrance, and near Borin's workspace lay the growing collection of tools crafted from the dark, durable wood. The village was stronger, more capable, its progress marked by the sharpness of its new edges.