Though she was only allowed to make lesser golems, Tanya did realize one thing. Golems are, more or less considered greater weapons. She could legally take the time to make more 'normal' weapons', since they would be considered on a lower scale than the lesser golems, and be, more or less, within Tanya's range of allowed creations.
And since her husband would be a far better fighter than the golems she could make for home protection, it would be more than likely that Ranma would have to fight if they couldn't get away. "So best to arm him with something to protect himself."
Sighing with her work, Tanya had finished etching the spell of protection on one side of the bone. This would reinforce the material, making it less likely to break under impact. Turning the bone around, Tanya prepared her etching runes again on the other side, only this time, the spell was more designed for the offensive.
As she etched the new series of runes onto the bone, Tanya couldn't help but consider herself lucky she had this material to work with. Living in a desert literally left one with few resources to work with, and even less when Tanya was restricted by the Sanctuary with what she could use. Fortunately, a month back, a Bulette, a 'Sandshark" had appeared in the Seer's Desert. A large one too. Ninteen and a half feet long from snout to the tip of it's tail. The Bulette worried the people of Seer's Hamlet as it was a big one, and it had chosen the trading trails as its hunting grounds.
Tanya sighed. Ranma had worried her when he said he was going to deal with the Sandshark. Even the Edge Guard were having trouble putting that thing down. "But somehow, Ranma did it... And had earned the respect, trust, and admiration of the people of Seer's Hamelt..."
Letting herself smile, Tanya was happy that she was married to Ranma. Between the bandit beatings, the Sandshark slaying, the fact he had beeaten G'Nolga, AND that he had fought the Armsmaster to a stand-still, Tanya knew that Ranma was becoming a modern legend in Jade.
Sighing in relief, Tanya saw as the Bulette bone was finished. It was ground down at the ends and polished into a rather nice and sturdy staff. And even better, Tanya could sense that the runes she had scratched onto the surface of the staff were taking and that the magic would soon set in fully. "And while it does that, I'll make the next part of the weapon..." Tanya thought to herself.
Turning to the large pile of shell pieces, bones, and teeth of the Bulette, as well as the smaller pile of obsidian that Ranma had gathered earlier for Tanya, the Kryn went to work, tyring to sculpt these materials into useful weapons for her husband.
(------)
Ranma was in the backyard, beating on a practice dummy to keep in shape. He knew his wife was busy, and training was one of the best ways he knew of to pass the time, besides spending his time in the arms of his wife.
With a quick series of punches and kicks, Ranma quickly decimated the dummy into a pile of rubble. It had taken time, but Ranma had gotten used to using larger rocks for training. Just wrap a matres around them so he wouldn't break his hands, and he'd be all set.
With a small grumble of his stomach, and the placement of the sun, Ranma realized that it was getting close to dinner time. He was about to start heading inside when The back door opened and Tanya stepped out, carrying a bundle. "Hey, Tanya, what you got there?"
Tanya smiled brightly. Stopping before Ranma, Tanya said, "I have something for you to protect yourself with!"
Ranma raised an eyebrow to that. "Oh? What did you make?"
Placing the bundle on the ground, Tanya unravelled it and showed off the bone staff and a few smaller weapons made from ivory and/or obsidian. Ranma frowned at this. He appreciated the handiwork of his wife, but he didn't want her to get in trouble because of him. "Tanya... I don't think you're allowed to work with this sort of stuff. The Sanctuary might not take this lightly, you know..."
"Don't worry about the Sanctuary getting angry with me, Ranma." Tanya said, sounding pretty sure of herself. "What I made you is a 'merciful weapon'. All damage this staff can cause on its own is subdual. This ability can be suppressed on command until commanded to resume."
Ranma blinked at his wife. "Subdual?"
Yes." Tanya said. "As in, it is more of an after-effect. And it really does fit your style of fighting, since fighting with a merciful weapon does more damage but it isn't lethal damage. That way, when you fight, it will allow for you to take people down fast."
Ranma continued to look at Tanya. He was genuinely intrigued now.
"Also, don't worry about it being too weak either ot useless since it's not meant for letal damage as it is. I made sure that this has Sure Striking..."
"Sure Striking?" Ranma repeated.
"Yes." Tanya said. "That ability allows for the weapon to hit any creature, even those immune to normal weapons. And it has the power to shock an opponent into submission."
"I don't know, Tanya..." Ranma said as he scratched the back of his head. "The staff looks good, but I don't want to have to hurt anyone too hard. My fists and my training are already good enough."
"Don't worry. Without the attachments, this is basically a magical stun-baton." Tanya explained.
Ranma nodded his head, being set more at ease. He then blinked his eyes. "Attachments?"
"Yes, Ranma!" Tanya said, motioning to the smaller items that were laid out on the cloth. "I made you these attachments for the end of the staff so you can change your fighting style to suit the situation. You could add this thin blade made from the Bulette fang for quick, striking and stasking attacks. This small lance made form obsidian is really good for striking. I also have this small mace made from some of the Bulette's bone and a four fangs for ivory spikes. And I made this small doube-sided axe from a large flat piece of obsidian, with teeth for a sharper ivory edge." Smiling sadly, Tanya said, "This way, if you have no choice but to fight G'Nolga... You will at least be able to have the advantage."
Ranma nodded his head. Tanya had done all this because she was worried for his safety. With a sigh, Ranma took his wife into his arms. "Thank you, love. It's nice to see that you care for my well-being..."
Tanya looked up into Ranma's eyes and smiled at him. "I do... I really do."
Smiling back, Ranma kissed his wife deeply and made a mental vow to himself. He would protect her. He would stop G'Nolga once she inevitably came for them. And he would stop this nightmare once and for all...
"Sigh... Fine, fine..."
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(Posted Sat, 17 May 2003 18:28)
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