To Forge Anew by Mavvy Claire

Author:Mavvy Claire
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bard Girl Press
Published: 2024-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

Six

The next day was strange, as Dale placed new boards and continued work. She wondered if one day she’d actually be able to use the smithy, rather than just repair it. That’s when she decided to gather the busted wood, toss it into the kiln, and pull an old flint stone from her rucksack. Carefully she stoked it, breathing life into the flickers of light. She pulled at the newly-patched bellows, and tossed an old scrap of metal into the flames. She worked at it, pulling and folding it with the rusted tongs, until it finally began to take shape. Granted, it was an odd oblong blob, but a shape nonetheless. She pulled the thing from the fire, pressing and pinching it with the former owner’s tools until it resembled a small deer, standing tall. She dunked it into the stale water bucket nearby, loosing a hiss of steam.

She hoped Khidell would enjoy it.

After she had it set to cool, Dale went to scrubbing and sloughing off years of neglect from the smithy’s tools. If she could salvage them, she’d save a few gold. The process was meditative, the same way sharpening and oiling her axe had been long before. Hours came and went as she cleaned, dried and oiled each piece.

She was deep in thought when she heard a whinny and clomp from outside. Acenia had arrived, and Dale stepped out to meet her. She did not move from the cart, and kept her posturing businesslike.

“The buildmaster was tight-lipped on giving specifics on orders, but eventually mentioned all sourcing comes from the guard commander. He also mentioned that he didn’t think this smithy mysteriously died- he believes the guard disposed of him.”

Dale couldn’t help gasping.

“Good thing you have protections. We are in deeper than I expected. But we will get proof.”

* * *

The following day and night were uneventful, with Dale and Acenia completing the repairs to the smithy and finally making new progress. Nighttime brought no new visitors. The next morning, Acenia arrived, her cart fuller than usual. “I managed to procure some new business,” she beamed, her venture into the city more fruitful than anticipated. “I will be back later. An observation, however: the previous incursion occurred while the smithy was empty. It has not been empty since. Perhaps we should bait them into action again?”

Dale considered, then nodded. “Yeah, it makes sense. Don’t want to be caught red-handed. I’ll see if I can’t get a spare room nearby. Maybe Tonks will let me watch and wait from her place. Oh, wait here a second.” She scrambled into the smithy, returning with a small wrapped handful. “Here Khidell, I made this for you.”

The boy slowly unwrapped the deer. He beamed and marveled at it, turning it this way and that. “For me? Thank you!”

Dale grinned. “Of course. A little token to keep you safe, the way you’ve helped keep me safe.”

Acenia nodded, a serene smile across her face. “Well, we are off. We have a very royal meeting to attend to.

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