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

Chapter 28: The Lost Child

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

The heat from the forge rippled with cooler air when the door opened and closed. The hammer swung down on the glowing blade, striking with strength and precision. The anvil, hammer, and raw metal rang heavily. Sweat glistened on Tarn's broad, muscular, hairy chest, and his strong arm lifted the hammer once more. The metal rang again with the next powerful blow. Sweat rolled down his back, and a black, folded cloth tied across his forehead, kept his eyes clear. The experienced, master artisan used his hammer on the maturating blade with a skilled eye and a practiced, time honed technique. He worked with focus and determination.

Reasha looked him over as she leaned against a nearby workbench. Tarn wore black work pants tucked into thick boots, and the muscles of his upper back stood out in the fiery light from the forge. Numerous other dwarves worked in the large workshop doing various tasks. Multiple anvils rang in unison as Tarn's hammer fell once more as other weapons, pieces of armor, or tools underwent the process.

A dwarfish song boomed from the craftsmen as they worked, the cadence of the words timed with the falling hammers. Emotion stirred within Reasha as she listened to her native tongue. She could feel the ringing blows and the smell of the hot, malleable metal filled her senses. She thought about her family, and then her thoughts turned toward Tarn. A smile touched her lips. He glanced at her a moment as he worked. Turning, she returned the way she came, knowing he got the message.

Exiting the workshop through the side door, she felt a rush of relief that the building did not sustain damage during the attack by the dragons. Fire destroyed some shops a few streets away, but the rains held the fires at bay, extinguishing them before they could spread the direction of the shop and forge. It would take time for everyone to rebuild, and Reasha already volunteered to help along with many others.

The sun shone down on the side of the building, a big tree near the railed fence cast its shade across the green yard. Reasha noticed Olis drawing up a bucket from the well. He turned the mechanism to lift it from the deep shaft as he chatted with Engli and her sister Senskey. Lifting the bucket carefully, the halfling positioned it so he could use a ladle to fill a water skin.

Senskey was slightly taller than her sister, with silver hair styled into two ponytails. Her dress was a combination of white and yellow held at the waist by a light colored leather belt. Reasha could tell she wore traveling pants beneath, along with light colored leather boots for the long trip home. "You have to promise to come visit me!" Senskey said to Engli.

"What about me?" Olis asked pretending to feel left out.

Senskey laughed, looking at him. "Of course you are invited, you silly oaf. Gnomerest is even open to scoundrels such as yourself."

"Scoundrel?" Olis asked with a grin. "Is that really how you see me?"

"Yes!" Engli burst in unable to keep quiet.

All three laughed.

Senskey shook her head. "Silly Olis, you know you are part of our family after all these years."

Olis smiled sweetly as he finished filling the water skin and sealed it. He handed it off to Senskey, she slid the strap over her shoulder, adjusting it for comfort.

"I shall hold my tongue, sister," Engli said concerning the halfling as she eyed him for a few moments. Then she returned her attention to Senskey. "I'm really glad things are working out with your inn. You know I'll come visit next year. You can expect me in late Spring."

"That will be a great time to come," Senskey said. "The water will be warm, the flowers in bloom, and the walks along the beach at night under the heavens is incredible. The moons and stars light your way."