So We Met In A Tavern.

Master Craftsman

Deep within the walls of Huldiron, a pair of Dwarven jewlers sat umong a pile of rubies, emeralds, Sapphire, and diamonds. There were many other lesser gems as well, but the only other place in Huldiron that had more was the Thanes' great throne room.

The pair, father, and daughter sat across from each other at a worktable with a large crystal hanging overhead, its purpose to reflect candle light, and enhance its brightness onto the worktable.

Both are working on an intricate, multi-tiered necklace for a noble woman.

The younger woman assembled the delicate pieces and passed them to her father, who had added and carved detail into the fine pieces. His skill was beyond Dwarven comparison, and only the finest elves could hope to match it. He was a master of his craft, and when something needed to be learned, he was the teacher. When it couldn't be done, Thoramil Stonecutter was the Dwarf to seek out.

The woman sits up and swivels the monicle that magnifies her field of vision to the side.

"Father?" She asked.

Hunched over his work with a monicle of his own, he was concentrated on a delicate piece.

"Hmm? He grunts out.

"A moment uv yer time da?" She says, knowing to wait patiently until he is ready.

Finishing a score line within a piece of silver, he sets his project down and sits up, swiveling his monocle away.

"What is it, Thallfra? We've no time ta dilly-dally here. This necklace must be ready fer tha Ancestors Day Celebration." He replied.

"I know, father, and I also know yer well enough 'head of schedule, so id like ta share me thoughts with the only man I love in me life!" She replied back.

She may not be the master craftsman he is, but a daughter always knows how to master a good father's heart.

He smiles at her, "Aye! Yer ma has brought us lunch....I suppose it's time for a bite ta eat eh?"

They both hop down from their stools and sit at a small table where a selection of meats, breads, and cheeses are. As if in unison, they both pick up their ales and tap them together as they have done since her youth.

"Whats on yer mind Thallfra?" Biting into a sandwich, he assembled.

"Well, I can't help ta think sittin here day afta day with the best jewler in Huldiron how I'm suppose to gain favor with Drogan as I'm required ta do in our faith." She replied.

"Well, you're makin' out ta be great understudy. Yer a Stonecutter! 'Before I dei, you'll 'ave mastered it too! Make no mistake, you'll be a master craftsman one dae, and Drogan our god will return ya to the anvil with pride!"

Already confident in her skills she smiled "I know that da, your teaching matches yer skill of jewelry....but I want ta be known for somethin else!" She said, a slight hope to her words as if seeking his approval.

He stops eating and sets his food on the table. After washing what's left in his mouth down with another gulp from his mug he wipes away the dribbling ale from his beard with his sleeve.

Sitting back, he asks, "What is it ya have in mind?"

"I've been thinking of the pieces we make, and what happens to them. They are beautiful and should be seen by everyone. Do ya know what happens to them, father? Because I know ya think of the finer pieces as almost like you do with your children. They mean something more than just the stones and metal we polish, shape, and design for Noble women and tha rich da!"

"Aye! It's because I got ta make them with the only other woman I love other than yer mother!" He smiled. "I understand what yer saying, but what is it yer askin'.

"Some of those pieces I found out from the mages here that they are charmed, and some.....cursed." she says. "I'd like ta know how ya feel about things we made are floating around out there in tha world being used ta kill or hidden away in caves and hangin 'round the neck of some necromancer da?"

Obviously hitting a nerve, her father sits up. "Listen here missy!" He says sternly. "I doon know what yer sugestin' but I've no part in making cursed items! Furthermore, they weren't cursed in Huldirion and I'd not hear ya say otherwise, because I know that much! I'd be lying ta say I don't care, but I do!" Pointing a finger to her.

She reaches across the table, gently taking his hand. "I know ya do da, and that's not what I'm meaning." She says soothingly.

She watches his eyes melt, and he lowers his voice. "What is it Thallfra...for the last time, what are ya sayin?"

"I want to get them all back. You have records of who they were sold to, and I looked into it... most pieces were sold to the Tamarack Trading Company in Mirkwood... they all left by the Eastland, an I plan on tracking them all doon and getting them back for ya!" She quickly said.

Pulling his hand away. He shakes his head. "Finding cursed items is a dangerous thing Thallfra....NO... I'll not have ya doing it, an that's final! Yer no warrior! Yer a Stonecutter!" His voice steady and absolute.

"Before ya final yer word ta me...." her eyes look to him "can ya at least let me finish? Effin then ya still doon like it....I'll not fight ya da....I promise me word on that!" Her tone steady and confident.

"Ok my sweet girl....I'll listen." He reluctantly replied.

"I'll go ta Mirkwood and live in the noble district. Taking all the records of the pieces, I'll track them down with Zeb Tamarack...we all know him to be an honest man, and a good records keeper to even the dwarf standard." She begins.

"I'll not leave on an adventure, that ya have me steadfast word...It doesn't appeal ta me. But I plan ta hire those it does appeal to. I'll find the pieces that are cursed and bring them back."
She states.

"I'm not sure the Thane will agree ta so much evil within the walls of Huldiron Thallfra."

"I'll have the curses removed...effen I can't.. ill have them destroyed! I'll find a cleric, and together we'll ensure the Stonecutter name will never be associated with a cursed item!"

"Effin I find others, made by our hands or not, I'll bring them back as well!" She adds

"I'll admit, your idea is wonderful...but why does it have ta be you?" He asked.

She gets up and walks over to him, kneeling to his side she places her head on his chest and hugs him.

"Because father, these are our treasures for a different reason. I'll be the Stonecutter Master craftsman you will make me into...but I want ta be set apart on that as a master of cursed item percurment and destruction."

She'd presented her case flawlessly and if she could talk him into this, she could talk anyone into anything. He wraps his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

He sighs heavily. "I will miss you, Thallfra."