Iron of the Innocent: Mistress of Agony (Vol 2)

Chapter 9: Confronted

274 I.C.
Sacren
Solorn Kingdom
Solorn Province
City of Clendon

Five daggers reflected the golden sunlight from their place on the sales counter when the dwarf interrupted Reasha with his arrival. The look of happiness and longing that crossed their features made Dalora Blacksword's heart ache before she shoved the emotion away. She was thankful Reasha returned her attention to the sale at hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," the male dwarf said. "I'm Tarn Silvershield, owner and master smith here."

Dalora nodded once. "You and your team do excellent work. I'll take all five of these," she said motioning toward the weapons.

Reasha grinned. "A good choice," she said. Then she explained the pricing for the weapons and accessories.

Dalora opened her coin pouch and handed over the the required payment. Then she slipped each blade in its sheath one by one after inspecting them once more. "I'm looking for a merchant by the name of Ruin. Know where I can find him?" Dalora said unbuckling her black sword belt to attach two of the new daggers.

The smile on Reasha's face dropped some as she appeared to think about the question.

Tarn spoke up. "Sure do. There is a merchant by the name of Arathan Ruin that lives over in the north east side of town." The dwarf gave her simple instructions to find his house. "Of course, if it is to discuss the weapons, armor, or blacksmithing trade, we could talk further."

Dalora shook her head lightly as she buckled her weapons belt back into place. Picking up the remaining daggers on the counter she returned her gaze to the two standing across from her. "Nothing like that," she said. "Arathan and his wife conducted some business with my family a while back. I wanted to check in on them."

"Oh?" Tarn said. "That before his wife Sesha fell into her debilitated condition?"

Dalora paused a couple of seconds looking at Tarn quietly. "Sesha," she spoke the name softly, then nodded her head. "Yes. It has been a long time since my parents and the Ruins saw one another. They were very old friends. Do you know them well?"

Tarn shook his head. "We have done a lot of business with Arathan, but I do not know them socially," Tarn said.

Reasha crossed her arms and leaned against the counter behind her listening. Her eyes followed the conversation between the two.

Dalora turned toward the door. "Thank you for the directions," she said before walking away.

"You're welcome!" Tarn said with cheer. "We very much appreciate your business. Come back anytime."

When the door closed behind Dalora, Reasha grabbed Tarn's arm and led him quickly to the back. Her eyes shone with worry.

* * * * *

Dalora tucked her additional daggers into her saddle bags before she mounted her war horse. Settling into her seat, she looked around, orienting herself, as she pulled her large, black cloak around her.

Before secretly entering the kingdom of Solorn by paths untraveled, she removed any Black Sword insignias from all of her equipment or garments and buried them. She was careful to stay off any well traveled roads, and avoided people until she reached the central part of the kingdom.

It only took a few days to find someone who knew a merchant by the name of Ruin, and he was known to base out of the central city of Clendon. The rumor was the man was well off, and he did a lot of business across the kingdom. Dalora cursed him and his wife.