Dragonsbane

The Tavern

Chapter 13

The Tavern

        The next day was spent shopping for supplies. There was everything in town; from all over the continent, from gorgeously decorated bows from Grunde in the south to the exquisite clothes and scarves from Shanur in the north. The two split ways in the morning, the dragon heading to the jewel shop, and Ralem to get provisions for the trip. He was hoping to leave the next day. He knew this was probably going to be no short trip so he got a small pan that would fit easily on the  and some jerky( he had given all his jerky to his sister’s family). A couple water skins were added to the mix and soon his hands were full so he had to make a couple trips back to the inn.

      Then came the most importing thing to Ralem: a sword. With all those creatures in the forest he didn’t want to go unarmed as he did before. He wasn’t skilled with the bow and arrow (he was actually quite terrible), the spear or javelin didn’t appeal to him, but a nice sword would do him well. A person with a well-made sword was considered rich. Not only did it look good but they were great for defense against creatures such as the Bat Demon or people. The store he went to for the purpose of finding a sword was Cuvier’s Sword and Armory shop. The store was renowned by the nobles and the knights for its fine workmanship. It was said that the Queen herself had her famous swords forged from Cuvier’s.

      He looked through the sword section of the store. He was looking for a longsword.  They say that a good sword is an extension of the arm. It had to be a perfect fit for the hand, its weight distributed in a way that would make it easier for you to hold and swing it easily but cause the most damage at the same time. He tried one with a beautifully engraved handle. But the roaring lion on it seemed to be intent on biting his skin. The teeth sticking out dug into his hand when he gripped it hard. He tried another one without an overdose of engravings on it and it just seemed wrong. He went through another couple of swords before Richard Cuvier himself stepped up to him, “Need a little help?” Richard was short and stocky with a thick white mustache and a shiny bald spot. His eyes looked bored but just by looking into them you could see the wheels turning as he hatched new plans and designs.

      “Yes sir,” Ralem said, grateful that he was going to get some help.

      “You have the money?” he asked sarcastically, automatically judging Ralem to be a peasant.

      “Yes,” Ralem said again, this time forced and exaggerated to get the point across that he had upgraded from that status.

       But Richard wasn’t one to tarry. He fumbled for a measuring tape in a drawer in his oak desk. At first he made some seemingly worthless measurements. He measured the length of Ralem’s arm and his height.  Then he shuffled into his private room and brought out a beautiful sword in its scabbard. It was jet black with silver climbing up it like the curling leaves of a plant. Ralem took it, and it seemed perfect, fit like a glove in his hand. He swung it around a little to check its balance and weight. It was excellent.         

     Richard smiled, “That one is from a dragon hunter. They say he killed two dragons with it. One of my finest blades.”  

     Ralem set it down like it had been on fire.

      Richard just raised an eyebrow and grunted, bringing out another one. This one was a completely different color, now white as snow, with a gray blade. He took it, but the balance wasn’t dead-on. There just wasn’t enough weight to it.

        Finally Richard brought out another one, this one was wrapped in a silk cloth. He took it off to reveal an emerald green hilt, with a scabbard that matched it. Ralem took out the blade to find a wingless dragon racing up the metal, its mouth open as flames burst forth. Once again the hilt fit like a glove. The weight and balance was perfect. Ralem felt much more powerful with such a fine blade. “I’ll take it,” he said hastily before Richard could say anything.