Back to the forge

[Shadow]

Melding through the shadow after retrieving his sword Kaar popped out near Sanctuary. Stepping from the alley where he reappeared Kaar began to walk toward the center of the forge area, he was a blacksmith and after all that had transpired this morning Kaar decided he needed to stash what he had 'retrieved' in his safe house until he could go up on his monthly jaunt to the den.
Arriving at his forge Kaar pulls the ring of keys from his pocket and looks through them for the small copper key for this door. Finding it near the middle he notices a slight shuffling behind him. This sound would have been almost unhearable to humans but to his keen wolf senses it was clear as day.
Turning to face this sneaky person Kaar sees a small manchild. He is just standing there staring openmouthed at Kaar. "What do you want you whelp?" Growls Kaar quite fet up with being gawked at.
Not getting a response Kaar turns around unlocks his door and stalks into his forge muttering about young people.

[Sedaia]

Mysterious Man

He was dressed in the clothes of a poor farm hand. Coverall trousers, stained in dirt, a shabby cotton shirt and a pair of heavy workman's boots. A pair of thick leather gloves hung from his pocket. He wore no weapons, and seemed harmless. He was on the small side, around five-foot six, and quite thin. His features were fine and sharp, his eyes slanted upwards sharply at the corners. His skin was dark from both complexion and from tan, and his black hair hung messy and dirty at ear length. His eyes were nearly without color, as though they had never lost the baby's grayness. He was nondescript and common. He looked tired.

He approached a blacksmith's shop and was happy to see that it was not closed. He walked up the front steps, passing a strange child, and hesitated at the door. He raised his hand as though to knock, but reminded himself that this was a place of business, and walked in.

He stood in the doorway, and looked around the room.

[Shadow]

Kaar~
Hearing the tell-tale ring of the bell above the door Kaar throws on his leather apron and walks out to the front of the shop to see a customer.

The man was very common looking and you would probably forget you saw him after a few days. "What do you want?" Said Kaar as he stepped through the doorway into the front of the forge.

[Sedaia]

Mysterious Man

The man smiled at the smith, and approached the counter. He was not as all phased by the sight of a wolf man working a forge. He took a moment before speaking.

"I'm lookin' for a sword, Master Smith sir. I 'aven't swung one before, but I'm a learnin', and I will need a good sword 'ventually. And some light armor would be useful's well. I 'ave some money... but I'm not sure the cost?"

The man was open and honest. His gray eyes sparkled with innocence. He almost seemed simple minded in that openess, but his attitude made it hard to feel any ill feeling toward him. He waited for a reply.

[Shadow]

Pondering the costs over in his head Kaar looks at the man and sizes him up for what type of sword would suit him best. "What type of sword are you training with? and also what type of light armor you want, Chain?"
Looking the human over Kaar decides a price for what people would generally buy. "Well a longsword and chain armor would run you around 500 gold. That acceptable to you Mr. ?"

[Sedaia]

Mysterious Man

"Uhhhh- g-Gloom. Shad Gloom." the man stuttered, seeming surprised by the question. He quickly shrugged off his surprise however, and began nodding. "Yes," he said, "a long chain shirt, like the guardsmen wear. And I need a fairly large sword, one that is held in both hands thus:" He demonstrated nervously, miming a two-handed sword, his hands wide set; it would be a very large blade. "Do you know what I am talking about?"

He looks especially worried as you mention pay, and reaches down to a very small pouch hanging at his side. "I- er... gold. Ummm..." He untied the drawstring with unsteady hands and removed a sparkling object, about the size of a large marble. He held it up, and the setting sunlight pouring through the windows glinted off it and made it sparkle. It was a fine, well-shaped, beautifully polished diamond.

"I don't have gold pieces... Would this be enough? It is very precious... I have another smaller one if it isn't..." He seemed very worried, but the diamond was abnormally large. It would be almost impossible to find another of its kind.

[Shadow]

Kaar~
Listening to the description Kaar imagines what the items would look like when he hears the man balking over the price. Having stopped paying attention for a moment he missed what the man said but then as the light poured through the window and the sparkling diamond shined into view a broad grin passed across Kaar's face. "That will be sufficient Mr. Gloom. One final question and i can start working on them. Would you like anything fancy done along the blade or on the hilt?" In his mind Kaar pictures this man just wanting a plain sword.

[Sedaia]

Mysterious Man

The man nodded, thankful that you would accept his payment. As you ask your question, he pauses to consider. "I understand that a stone is often set into the 'ilt of a sword to serve as a counterweight to the blade- a pommel. If my blade has one, I would have the stone be black, if that is at all possible, and made of something that though 'as the appropriate weight, might be carved, someday."

The man holds the diamond out for you to take trustingly. He has no way to know for certain that you will make his sword and armor, and yet he does not hesitate to pay in advance. He has the attitude of a man who has never been cheated, and indeed, never imagined that someone would cheat.

"I know such things take time, sir, but mught I know how long you think it'll take?"

[Shadow]

Kaar~ Accepting the diamond Kaar thinks to himself a moment about the stone the man wants and nods to himself. "Well with the stone you want in the pommel it should take me a week for the sword, and half that for the armor. But first i need your measurements mr. Shad." Pulling out a measure tape from behind his worktable Kaar steps out around the table and, if Shad is willing, Begins to take his measurements for the armor so it will fit properly. While doing so Kaar suddenly thinks of something and asks Shad a question. "If you don't mind me askin', why do you want these things anyway? These be tools for killin'. You don't look like the killin' sort to me."

[Sedaia]

Mysterious Man

Shad allowed himself to be measured, but seemed uncomfortable having someone so close to him. He also wondered at the change in the blacksmith's accent, but did not comment on it.

"...I am changin' proffession, sir. And though I'd rather not need them I'm thinkin' that I might. I suppose you're right... I don't look like a fightin' sort. Maybe I should get me some different clothes. I just 'ope I'll have the money for everythin' I'll need. People're pretty... greedy 'ere, meanin' no insult to yourself of course sir."

[Shadow]

Kaar~"None taken Shad. Well a change of clothes would probably do it." Wondering about the accent comment Kaar finishes the measures and marks them down in a ledger on the table. "Well Shad I'll get to work on them right away." Putting the gem onto the table Kaar looks at Shad and smiles. "You hold on to that and give me a smaller one. You shouldn't pay in advance for anything that might take a while to make, some people might just take your money." Smiling Kaar watches to see what this interesting fellow will do.

[Sedaia]

Mysterious Man

Shad Gloom looked surprised and took his diamond back silently. "Thank you..." he said, "you're a good and honest man. I 'aven't met many who would be so kind since I entered the city... I was startin' to think there was no good in people here, like I'd been told by my family. You prove them wrong sir, and I think you for it. And for the advice!"

He bows low to you, and rises smiling. "Is that all you'll need from me sir, until they're done?"

[Shadow]

Kaar~ Picking up his hammer from the bench Kaar nods to Shad and says, "For the most part your parents are right but their are a few good people still, See you in almost a fortnight." Seeing the man out he goes back into the workroom and stokes the fire for the days work.

[Sedaia]

Mysterious Man

"Thank you again..." The man said as he exited the forge and went back out into the street.

"A sword, for what I believe in. It is important to defend what one believes in," he said to himself, "A fanged beast, a lizard which flies. A monster..." He shook his head and began walking down the street, toward the Sanctuary bridge. As he went he plucked at his clothing and smiled at himself, "Not all men where such clothes. I need clothes that make me blend in, in this city."

With that, Shad left the area.

[Shadow]

Kaar~
Setting to work Kaar meticulously restokes the fire for the days work. "This shoud be fun. That Shad is a good man." Grabbing a hunk of metal for the blade Kaar plunges it into the fires of his forge and set about arranging his tools for working the blade.