|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 3: The Archer - Part II

“Are you waiting for someone?” the assistant asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

“No.” I said shortly. I used my fake name again to ask for the blacksmith himself. The two men gave each other a look. The man left and the assistant left the shop. I browsed the weapons on display. I stopped at a beautiful sword, with the handle and pommel made of steel carved into the pattern of leaves and a spiralling dragon. The blade glowed slightly in the dimness of the room. I felt the urge to reach out and grab it, but I resisted. I couldn’t afford to set off an alarm. Not yet.

“So you like her, do you?” a male voice asked. I turned to see the blacksmith had arrived. Another Faeri. My skin was beginning to crawl, even if they weren’t guards. I stepped away from the blade, pulling my hood down. I made sure my hair covered my ears – I had a better chance if they were under the impression I was one of them. The assistant eyes me coldly before he began to count out a pile of gold coins. I could see the head of the king imprinted on one side, the signia of Trinstone on the other. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” the blacksmith continued warmly, “Hand crafted by the elves, I tell you. Cost me an arm and a leg to get my hand on it. I can promise it to you for a reasonable price.” He grinned, dark eyes shining at the prospect of large piles of nēta.

“I was just looking.” I said smoothly, “However the matter I would like to discuss with you is a special one…Could we please speak in private?” I gave a sharp look at the assistant. He coughed awkwardly and began dropping the coins into a small bag. He didn’t look like he was about to move. I glared at him as he tightened the strings of the bag, shoved it back across the bench and opened another one, ready for filling. He gave me a nasty look and I knew he didn’t trust me. I made a note to kill him if I got the chance.

“Very well,” the blacksmith said slowly, “If you will follow me.” he led me out the back of the shop and into his workshop. The place was littered with scrap pieces of metal, and all matters of work, in different stages of preparation. A few swords and axes sat on a bench, gleaming, and waiting to be put up for sale. I saw an array of hilts, coloured with a vast scale of greys, waiting patiently to be joined with a similar coloured blade. A large furnace on one side of the room filled the room with stifling heat. I wanted to pull my cloak off, but I didn’t dare risk the blacksmith recognising the make of my armour. No doubt he would – he seemed to be one who made all of their weapons and armour.

“”I must say, I am surprised to see a woman coming to me.” he said warmly, picking a bent plate of armour of the ground and placing it on a bench. “I assume you are after a weapon?” I nodded. He gave me a wan smile, “Perhaps a present for your husband?” he offered me a sly wink and my stomach flipped over.

“Perhaps,” I said, smiling, “Perhaps not. But really, would we be able to hurry this up? I have to leave the city soon. I have a long trip ahead of me.”

“Ah! So you’re a visitor from Thalandor?” he asked, excitement in his voice, “Or perhaps Škeri? I couldn’t blame you – heard there has been some Elvish trouble down there.”  

“Endārs, actually.” I said, remembering what I had told the guards at the gate, “But yes. I’m only here for the day.” Lying about yourself was an art; too many and you would be tangled up in your own web, but no details led to suspicion. I prayed that he would hurry up so I could leave and return to the hot meal Brandon had promised.

“I’m glad you didn’t attempt to steal any of my work,” the blacksmith said with a weak smile. He moved away from me and leaned against a workbench. “You would be surprised how many people have tried it already.” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck tiredly. His dirty hands left streaks of black. My heart beat rocketed up a notch – stealing a sword was exactly what I was planning to do. “So what weapon were you looking at?” he asked. I ignored my sweaty palms and tried to calm down.