An Alliance of Mortals by J J Thompson

Author:J J Thompson [Thompson, J J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2019-11-19T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Shandon Ironhand wandered discreetly through the central market of Kingstone, as he did every so often, listening to the chatter of the people and judging their collective mood.

The beads and gems that usually adorned his beard were gone and he had twisted it into one large braid, a style very common among tradesmen and laborers. He wore his old, dented breastplate from his days as a regular warrior, when he worked to protect small towns across the empire. In all respects, the king looked completely unremarkable, which was his goal.

He stopped at random market stalls, examining their goods and chatting amicably with the merchants.

“Best blades you will find anywhere, noble warrior,” one stout woman said grandly as Shandon looked at a stack of weapons.

He grinned at her skeptically.

“Really?” he replied as he picked up a short sword and ran a calloused finger along the blade. “That's quite the boast you're making.”

The merchant was wearing a long, loose chain mail shirt that hung to her knees and her gray hair was tied back in a bun. She returned the king's smile, her green eyes gleaming merrily.

“Aye, that's true,” she agreed. “But I back up my words. These are all my own creations. I've been smithing for over a century and I am a master of my craft.”

She nodded at the sword Shandon was holding.

“I add a measure of carbon to my weapons during their forging in just the right amount at the right time. My technique is a trade secret, of course, but not one of my customers has ever returned to complain that they have broken a blade in battle.”

She was obviously proud of her work and the king smiled as he tapped the blade, listening to its tone.

“Maybe that's because those customers died after their weapons failed,” he told her, but he winked as he spoke to show the woman that he was joking.

She laughed in appreciation at his jibe.

“Nay, that's not true. I can tell that you are an experienced warrior, with an eye for quality weaponry. If you do not see anything that suits your needs, I do take special orders. Just describe what you are looking for and I will forge you a weapon that will never fail.”

Shandon was impressed by the blacksmith's obvious honesty and by her fine craftsmanship. He put the sword back in the rack of weapons on one side of the stall and stepped closer to the counter.

“Very well. I believe you. One would have to be blind to not see the quality of your wares. Would you tell me your name?”

“I am Charrel Tillis,” the merchant replied proudly. “My mother was a smith before me and her father before her. My family has a longstanding reputation as craftsmen who produce only quality work. And you, warrior? Who are you? You seem familiar somehow.”

The king hesitated before replying to her question.

“Before I answer, Smith Tillis, let me ask you this. Can you imbue your custom-made weapons with power? You know what I mean.

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