ABANDONED. Fantasy - Smith finds magic gems/stones

[CeeJay]

I remember reading this book in the early 2000's. I remember the setting being underground for the first part of the book. It was a tundra and the way the main characters people survive is underground hot springs. A smith is competing to give a gift to the king when he finds magic stones/gems. When his blood touches the stone, his perception of time changes. He finds out that the stone does different things in a sword, shield and a helmet so he makes all of those. His rival rapes the woman the main character loves and he ends up marrying her, and the rival gets banished.

[Kris]

CeeJay, please post a new comment if you're still looking for this book - or if you found it.

CeeJay (OP) was last active on the site in June 2020. Moving to Abandoned folder.