The Unending Epic Written to Appease a Friend, Tell a Tale, an...

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          Taylen leads Niku across the center of the town to the smithy. "Of course," he says, "if we can ask, that's even better."

          They go to the bald, gray-bearded man repairing a trowel. He looks up when they approach. "Good morning, Marluk," Taylen says.

          Marluk gives them a nod. "Mornin' boys. What can I do for ya?"

          Niku jumps in excitedly and says, "We're going on an adventure and we need-!" Taylen steps in and cuts him off.

          "We were wondering if you have any spare flint," he says. "We haven't any of our own."

          Marluk sets his work down and slowly stands, so that he towers over them. He crosses his arms over his broad chest. "Flint is dangerous, boys. You let one spark out in the grain field and the entire village has nothing to eat for a season."

          "We'd be really careful," Taylen answers. "We know how to care for a fire, and make sure it's put out." He notices Niku wandering off, already distracted by something, apparently.

          Marluk shrugs his shoulders and turns back to his work. With a ring from the hammer the trowel straightens. "Yea, I have some spare flint," he says. "Come back with your father and I'll let you have it."

          Taylen's spirits fall. Coming back with his father isn't an option. He inclines his head. "Thank you," he says, and walks back out onto the village center. He'll need to find another way to get flint, then.

          Niku appears beside him, and from the look on his face--as if he wants to laugh and is just waiting for Taylen to get the joke--Taylen can tell he's up to something. "What?"

          With his back to the smith, Niku holds out his hand. In it are two pieces of flint. "Niku!" Taylen hisses, then looks back at the smithy. Marluk has gone on to the next tool and takes no notice of them. "Come on." The two boys quickly hurry away. He wasn't the one to steal it, Taylen tells himself, and Asher will have desperate need of it before long. When they've turned a corner Taylen snatches the flint from Niku and drops it into his pocket. "You're lucky you weren't caught."

          Niku shrugs. "When you have lots of brothers and sisters you get good at taking stuff without getting caught."

          "Mm," is Taylen's only response. "Come on, let's go visit Telar."