Clang.. Clang.. Clang..
A hammer striking metal can be heard coming froma shop in a dim alley. Inside the shop a well built man wearing a white tank top stained with sweat some baggy pants and a necklace hanging around his neck the pendant attached to it was a silver square with what looked to be a gate with a eagle in front etched into it. He had sweat glistening off his tan scarred skinandwas workingdiligently on a comission he received. Wiping the sweat from his brow and tucking his long curly hair behind his ear he picked up the sword with the tongs and quenched it. The sword was complete all there is to do is grind and sand the imperfections, get it sharp, put the pieces together, and polish the blade.
The sword was a fairly average one, the blade was iron, the crossguard a simple cross shape, the hilt a fine black leather, and the pommel a oval shape with a sapphire embedded into it. All that was left to do was wait for the customer who commisioned the sword to come by today and pick it up.
Creeeeak.. Ring.. Thud..
The wooden door in front of the shop opened and closed and walked in a tall muscular rough looking man. He scratched the stubble on his chin and looked around the shop with his one eye, the other eye shut and a old scar running diagonally across it, while the candlelights in the shop reflected off the top of his head. A dagger dangled to his side attached to his belt that was peeking through his blue cloak layered with wool. The Blacksmith walked through a doorway to the front of the shop behind the counter to welcome the customer.
"Greetings weary traveler what brings you to this humble shop" The Blacksmith bowed smiling ear to ear.
"Owin it's good to see you I hope that sword I asked for is done" The Bald Man chuckled when he saw Owin bowing.
"Yes of course one second please" Owin walked through the doorway to the back of the shop to retrieve the sword.
Rattle.. Clang.. Rattle.. "I know it's here somewhere" The Bald Man could hear some sounds in the back and Owin muttering to himself "Ah here it is!"
Owin walked back to the front of the shop holding the sword in a brown leather scabbard with both hands and carefully put it on the counter.
"Here's the sword you ordered Harris I do believe."
Harris walked up to the counter and slowly picked up the sword and unsheathed it. The sword was light but felt robust and fit perfectly in his hand. The sapphire, a gift from his mother, was embedded in the pommel like he asked.
"Thanks Owin I'm glad I was able to do something with the gift my mother left me with, I'll use this to do my knightly duties." Harris sheathed the sword and attached it to his belt.
"Speaking of your knightly duties, how have they been? Do the knights or soldiers need more swords or maybe some new armor?" Owin asked curiously, grabbing a small cloth and wiping down the counter.
Harris let out a exasperated sigh "The beasts in the forest wont stop ravaging the villages outside the city and it's the middle of the winter, the snow piling up in the forest has been making it hard for us to get to these villages to aid them. We can send out small squads but we've already lost three and it's the first week of the month."
"Oof sounds like you guys have had it rough."
"Yeah it has been." Harris stared at Owin who was still wiping down the counter "We could use your help."
Owin stopped "I have been helping."
"Tch.. I don't mean like this." Harris pressed his fingers against his temple "You were a fine knight, hell you were one of the best and you've been gone for a year why don't you comeback?"
"I can't...not anymore." Owin clenched onto the pendant that hung off the necklace.
"I get you lost someone but I lost someone as well that day, no I lost two people that day."
Owin bit his lip "It wasn't just anyone that I lost it was the person I cared for the most. If I can't protect that person how can I help anyone else!"
Harris had a mournful expression on his face and looked at the scars covering Owin's arms, "I'm sorry I should have been there to help we were a team I let you guys down."
"You don't need to be sorry I was there but couldn't do anything. Hah so much for being one of the best." Owin's expression grew darker.
"You got the sword is there anything else you wanted?"
"No..just know you aren't the only person who lost someone who they cared about that day. I'll take my leave now." Harris turned around and walked out the door. Creeeeak.. Ring.. Thud..
...SMASH.. Crackle..
Owin slammed his fist on top of the counter causing it to splinter. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling "What am I going to do." A year has passed since the incident that changed his life, deciding to just live a humble life as a humble blacksmith like his father did.
Owin went to the back and grabbed a piece of wood and a couple nails and patched up where he splintered the wood. After throwing on some fresh warm clothes, a black long sleeve undershirt with long grey fur coat with pants and boots to match. He tucked his neckace inside his shirt and walked out the front door.
The alleyway was tight with doors leading inside other buildings on both sides and heaps of snow covered the ground. Owin slowly walked out of the alley towards the busy street.
Owin shivered "Damn it's cold."