The Blacksmith

1

The workshop was lit up by the billowing forge. The hammer pinged against a chestplate as Via Lerk worked. The order was nothing special, a guardsmans' armor in need of repair. This was only one of many things she had to finish today.

In the next room a bell range as the front door to the shop swung open. "I'll be with you in a moment!" Via Yelled from the shop. She set the hammer down taking a look at the chestplate for a moment then set it down as well. She stepped out of the hot backroom and wiped the sweat with her glove. The two exchanged pleasantries about the order.

"Where is Venner?" The older lady asked.

"Ah he's gone up to Yetgrad, there's a council meeting happening." Via replied. She moved around the behind the counter. "Your son is a fan of two-handers correct?"

The lady nodded. "He want's to become a Majstra, so I wish to surprise him with a brand new blade for his first assignment."

"Brave man. I wish him well in that endeavor." Via laid two large swords on the table. Then explained the flamberge is the pricier of the two due to the blade, as well going into the details of each blade. The older woman listened and nodded along with what was being said. She even noted down some specifications of the blade for her son to know just incase. Whether she understood fully or not.

"I am fine with going all out on this. I trust that Silas will get back what I paid for in its use." The older woman gave a soft smile and pulled out her money. The two spoke price briefly, The older woman tied to Kastrun worth a hundred together, then added a Luska, and Rekos to the string to equal out to two hundred and twenty five. "Thank you for your help Via!"

"Of course. Please come back if you need anything ma'am. Tell Silas to come through as well if he needs something!"

"Will do hun! Have a good day." The lady carefully took the sword, almost two heavy for her, getting some help from Via to put it on her back. She left the store with the bell ringing softly as the door closed.

2

Venner had retired months ago now, just after he got back from the Guild Council meeting. He now however does head into the shop from time to time to help Via if she asks. Today was not one of those days however. It was a slow day, she had finished all her orders for the week so far. For now she sits behind the counter relaxing for the moment.

The door swung open, the bell ringing intensely as it was almost struck off its hanger. Two people stepped in, both boisterous and laughing. "Gods did you have to open it so hard?" One exclaims to the other.

"What can I say? Sometimes I forget my own strength." He laughed before turning to the counter where Via sat seemingly stunned from the sound for the moment. "Sorry about your bell if I broke it I can repay."

"No, no it looks fine!" She smiled and stands up from her chair. "What can I help you two with?" Now that she was able to get a good look at the two it was clear they where high ranking Beast Hunters. Their armor was intricate, designed to be extravagant yet practical in a fight. While she was looking over the armor the larger of the two took his shield off and laid it on the counter. He took off a couple smaller pieces of plate along his arms setting them on the counter as well. The pieces are severely dented, as well straps where frayed and some wood had splintered on the shield.

"I need repairs done. You can take your time we are in no hurry." The man replied.

"I can see that." Via said taking a closer inspection of the pieces. The two watched her as she did, taking her time to check ever inch of each piece. She nodded. "I can do that."

"Good!" The man lit up with a smile. The two talked about price for a moment, the man barely negotiating before pulling out his money and laying half on the counter upfront.

"If you don't mind me asking, What rank are you both?" Via began to move some of the pieces of armor off the counter.

"Majstra!" The man gave another smile. Via paused for a moment, almost dropping the gauntlet she had just grabbed. She had only met one other Majstra while she was an apprentice. They didn't make their way through this area of Roden often.

"Oh! I uh, I'm honored you came to my shop! What has two Majtra this far from Yetgrad?"

"There was an Elder Beast causing trouble near Pahor, We where able to direct it back to its territory luckily."

Via nodded as she listened. "I'm glad to hear that." The two talked about the area briefly. Padradam didn't have to worry too much about beasts, Smaller beasts roamed the island, but it didn't have the room for the massive beasts of other places.

"Good to hear everyone is okay. This should be finished by Nomera of next week." Via smiled. The two nodded and gave a smile back to her. They said their farewells and the door shut with a slightly out of tune ring of the bell. Leaving Via to carry all the gear to the back to fix.

3

The shop was quiet. Via stood on a stool screwing in the holder for the new fixed bell. The out of tune nature had finally gotten to her after a few weeks of hearing it. She stepped down from the stool, and scooted it across the wooden floor making a loud rattling as she did. With the stool out of the way, she took the door and opened it. The bell rung, it was bright but not too loud. "Perfect." She mumbled to herself.

With the new bell in place she went to the back of the shop. Only briefly to grab her bag and a small container holding a snack. Today was special, especially in Padradam. Today was Katera, A holiday on Iknaas that celebrates the accension of Katai the Goddess of the sea. With Padradam being a port town, on a small island, the day was special.

She checked her sign quickly, making sure that it said closed before heading out the door. The streets where packed with people. She skirted her way around the groups of people, heading for the docks.

The Docks where the most crowded she had seen in ages. She pushed her way through to the crowd. Stepping into an alley once she was close to her destination. Following the alley she came to a back door and made her way inside. "Afternoon Hjalmar!" She yelled through the butchers as she made her way to the front where windows looked out towards the docks for the show.

"Afternoon Via! I've let a few others in aswell to watch." He replied. The front of the butchers was also packed, however was much easier to stand in than the streets. It also had a perfect view out its big main windows.

"That's fine! I appreciate you letting me come in here."

"Least I can do friend!" He gave a smile. The show wasn't for another few hours so the group talked amongst each other while they waited. Via knew most of the people in the shop, as many of them would come in for various tools or utensils.

The sun began to set, commotion began outside as the ships in the harbor got in position for the show. The sails of the ship where hoisted as they got into place. From the dock it was hard to tell what the sailors where actually doing, however it was clear when the first canon shot that the show was beginning. A few seconds after the shot the port lit up from the firework.

The ships began shooting various types of ammunition. Large fireworks went off high in the air, while others soared through the sky leaving trails of sparks behind them. Under the cheers and whistles from the crowd outside the faint sound of a band playing in the distance could be heard. The room lit up moment after moment. Everyone watched in awe as the show continued.

A few hours and the show was over. The sun had fully set, and the ships had ran out of the ammo they spent all year creating. A few final tired cheers came from the crowd before it slowly began to disperse. The night wasn't over for some, as parties would happen all through out the night. However Via would join most of the people in heading home and getting her hours in for sleep.

4

Via's hammer pinged as she shaped a set of shears for a local farmer. Venner sat in the shop watching her. He was an older Rahaty man with large ruby horns. He had locs, pulled back and tied off to stay out of his face. "You hit it too hard." Via stopped and looked back at him.

"If you're going to sit in my shop all day, your not allowed to nag me." She glared at him.

Venner laughed. "I gave you this shop!"

"And I appreciate that, My shop now, my rules." She laughed and went back to shaping the shears.

"It's lonely without me though right?"

"Without you? You come by every other day, most people think you still own it." The two laughed again. They where cut off however. Via heard the destinctive sound of a bell getting hit with the force only a majstra could muster. She let out a sigh as she knew she would have to fix it again.

"I can go figure out what they need if you like?" Venner offered. Via shook her head.

"Nay I know what their here for." She paused before yelling out to the group that just came in.

She headed out with gear in hand. She was careful as she laid the pieces out on the table. Venner followed suit and watched, He had only worked for a few majstra in his time. He was surprised to see Via so openly take the job without asking for his help.

"Hello again!" The large man gave a smile and began immediately inspecting his gear.

"Hello, I worked hard on this so I hope its up to snuff with those smiths in yetgrad." She teased giving a smile back. There was a long silence, Via couldn't help but get nervous as his inspection went on for longer and longer.

"I have to say, Mighty fine work ma'am." He finally replied after what felt like ages to Via. She let out a sigh of relief.

"I appreciate that." She flips the shield over. "I had to replace the straps on this, I couldn't get enough material from the old ones. The leather is local, and wont give out on you in battle though." She begins explaining other things she had to do to the pieces. The majstra nods and listens along. It was clear he cared about every detail of the armor as she talked.

"Well, Thank you for taking such good care of it. I'm sure your master would be proud." He replied, Venner let out a small chuckle but stayed silent for the moment. He pulled out the rest of the money he owed, and laid it on the table. He included some extra as he saw fit to help with the bell repair, he didn't feel right not giving extra. He strapped the armor back on, befor grabbing the shield. "I will let others know to stop by here if they're in the area!"

"Thank you! I am always happy to help!" She smiled. The two exchanged goodbyes, and the majstra left, with a once again, out of tune bell.

Via's face lit up as she looked over to Venner. "I helped my first majstra! Like, alone!" She felt like a kid again in the moment, remembering the first time she saw a majstra in the shop.

"I think he was just being nice." Venner gave a sly smile. Via's face dropped, if but for a moment to glare at Venner like before. "I'm just pulling your leg kid. I'm proud of you."

Via in the moment didn't even mind the out of tune bell. She was excited, to her this proved she was meant for this job.