Valen slung his bag off his shoulder and hooked it on a peg, pulling on gloves and grabbing the sword he was in the process of making.
It was his fifth week working at the forge.
When he first arrived, he had no choice, as the only job available was a blacksmith.
He had grown used to it in the time that followed, though his hands were still raw from the burns he'd accidentally received the first day.
Clank.
He hoped that Aisling would show up and break her recent streak of leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Clank.
And if she came, Valen wouldn't have to resort to hanging out with the apothecary's daughter who lived next door.
Clank.
Straightening, Valen wiped his forehead and examined the newly formed weapon.
He had finally gotten the blade smooth, and it shone like the new metal it was.
He suddenly felt a presence at his side.
"Is this new?" Aisling examined the sword he held.
Valen nodded.
"I can't believe you've never worked as a blacksmith before. This is amazing." She looked up and met his gaze, raising an eyebrow. "This is the first thing you've forged... right?"
Valen looked down. "Uh, it's the first sword I've made..."
He saw her shoulders slump.
Aisling sighed.
"I worked in the king's forge until we started organizing a revolt." He rubbed his thumb along the blade, testing its durability. "You know the rest."
Doubt in her amber eyes, Aisling nodded. "Alright."
Her spirit seemed to flicker, and she glanced toward the door. "Someone's coming."
The door opened, and she faded from sight.
Valen knew she was still there, though.
The apothecary's daughter, Adekia, came in.
She glanced around warily. "Did I hear a voice?"
Valen shook his head. "Must have been the fire."
The fire was, in fact, very loud, but Adekia looked sceptical.
"Okay, well, I was wondering if we could go for a walk when you finish?" She cocked her head coyly and sidled up to Valen.
He felt a brush against his other hand and caught a glimpse of a glimmer of light.
"No, sorry." Valen turned away from the girl.
She pouted and mumbled something.
Valen turned around. "What was that?"
"I said who else do you have? There are only a few eligible girls around, you know. And I'm the best." Adekia giggled. "Just kidding."
Valen was sure she was not kidding. Adekia had a head as big as the late elf king's.
"Well, I found someone else." Valen felt Aisling brush his arm again.
Adekia sighed loudly and flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder, exposing her low-cut dress. "Well, okay. Let me know if you change your mind."
"I won't." Valen murmured the moment the door shut.
Aisling slowly faded into view, a melancholy expression on her pleasant features.
"You should have said yes."
Valen whirled around. "What?!"
Aisling shrugged, slowly sinking to the floor with her legs crossed. "You should have accepted her offer."
"Why? She's a weasel in- clothes." Valen sighed.
Aisling smiled ruefully. "Is that the best you can come up with?"
He tore a hand through his hair, which was messy as always. "My point is..."
"I know what your point is. I wasn't talking about her, I was thinking she might introduce you to some of her friends." Aisling huffed.
Valen was bewildered. "But... I have you."
Silence hung in the air for a moment.
Aisling rested her face in her hands. "I can't," she mumbled, her voice cracking ever so slightly. "Spirit- wanderers are forbidden to fall in love with the people they lead."
Valen sat next to her, watching her shoulders shake as she tried to suppress her tears.
"Who made that rule?" He finally asked.
