Blacksmith First

We entered a rusted out hovel on the western lawn of the palace yard. The owner had little care for appearances and would use this building if the walls were blown out, so long as it’s contents remained.

It’s location would be blasphemous if the master of the building were just anyone, but it’s resident was in a uniquely privilege position, a lowly blacksmith though he may be.

Tanjir kicked in the metal door and announced our arrival, “Milady, Lumi Sephora Armas, first princess, first in line for the throne of Armasette, is now entering.” I followed Tanjir inside. There was scrap metal strewn about the small room and the walls were lined with dozens of various weapons and tools.

In the middle of the room was a furnace and a short statured man hunched over a grindstone. He paid my maid little mind.

“Everett, my dearest Uncle, though you may be related to my mother you must still raise your head upon my arrival or you might just lose it.”

“The Queen allowed me to build a shop on the palace lawn, I doubt I’d lose my head over something that trivial. What’s it that you want, Princess?” His voice easily projected over the sound of an axe blade being sharpened.

“Right to the point. I wanted to borrow a short sword.”

“Can’t you borrow one from the armory? Once they leave my hands, it’s not my responsibility if a royal princess slips onto one of my blades.”

“The responsibility will be mine if such a thing should happen. I’m not so uncoordinated to befall such a fate, no, I’m actually after something a bit more specific.”

“Really.” He still seemed to have little interest.

“I quite liked the glowing holy sword from my wedding ceremony yesterday. It had a presence that caught my eye.”

Everett picked his foot off the spindle and laid the axe down, “That one is shit! Are ya tryin’ ta insult me. It was made by a Cleric Mage with the Manufacturing Skill, it doesn’t do nothin’ but light up. It’s blade is so dull it couldn’t cut paper.”

A giddy smile rose to my cheeks, people like Everett were exceedingly easy manipulate when you knew what button to push.

“Was probably Laraby,” he whispered under his breath, “that hack, the castle’s always turnin’ to him. Mages should stick to sorcery.” He wrung his hands and ground his teeth.

“You’re quite right, it’s such a cheap, showy, useless blade, perhaps you could show him up and make something a bit more functional.”

“Fine, when do you need it by?”

“Would you have it done by this time next week?”

“Shouldn’t be a problem, sure.”

“In the meantime, I’m going to take one of your other short swords. I assume that’s okay. I imagine these are better than what you gave to royal guards.”

Everett raised his head and looked me in the eyes for the first time since I’d arrived.

“Sure, if that what you reckon.”

“May I interrupt!” Tanjir suddenly spoke up from behind me, “Is my Core and sword skill not good enough, milady?”

“You shouldn’t worry about such things, you are indispensable to my safety and well being.”

“I’m sorry If I sound impertinent but-”

“Hey, Princess, does Adi know about this?”

“What would you be referring to?”

Everett gave me an accusatory stare which added onto the look of concern my dear maid had pasted on.

“I’m planning on doing some exploring outside the palace walls, I’ve never been. It occurred to me that as it’s future ruler I should become familiar with Armasette, as such I plan on journeying to it’s edges and seeing the conditions of it’s infrastructure and citizenry.”

Everett stood up, “Tell you what, I’ll make you a sword, but you have to promise not to leave before it’s finished,” He paused, “and I’ll promise not to say a word about it to your mother. Deal?” He raised his eyebrows and stuck out his hand.

I hesitated but shook his hand with a grimace. I had no intention of honoring this promise as my quality of life was at stake and every second counted.

With that chore out of the way Tanjir and I hurried along to the west gate.