***
On the sixth day of their stay in Borahgg, Steve and Sarah were observing a weapon demonstration that Rhenyon and his men were participating in when a young dwarf came up behind Steve and gently tugged his tunic. Surprised, he and Sarah turned around and looked down at the ‘underling’ as they were called here.
“Yes?” Steve asked. “Can I help you?”
Keeping his eyes on the ground, the young dwarf child shyly delivered his message. “Master Kharus requests your presence at his workshop.”
“Thank –”
The child darted off before Steve could properly thank him. Or her. He wasn’t sure.
“– you. He better not want another day of work out of me,” Steve grumbled. He had been guilted into returning to Kharus’ shop to finish the blade the following day. Thankfully, he hadn’t been asked to return since.
Scribbling their intentions on a small piece of paper, Sarah caught Darius’ eye from across the arena. She held up the message. Quizzically, Darius cocked his head at her. Sarah held up her hand, palm facing up, and waited until the soldier mimicked her. As soon as he did, she sent the message to him. She mouthed instructions to the soldier. Give it to Rhenyon.
Understanding, Darius nudged his captain, handing the small slip of paper to him. Reading the message, Rhenyon glanced across the arena at the Nohrin. He nodded.
The familiar blast of heat welcomed them both back into Kharus’ workshop as they stooped to walk through the door.
“Welcome back lad, lass.” Kharus took off his smock and walked over to the far wall where numerous shields and swords were hanging. Bending down, he retrieved a large cloth covered bundle. Walking back to the humans, he started untying the strings holding the package closed.
“Thought ye might like to see how this turned out. I will say, this is the quickest I have ever assembled a sword.”
Removing the last of the wrappings, he presented the golden hilt of a broadsword to his former apprentice. Gently taking the sword from the dwarf, Steve stared at the amazing craftsmanship of the hilt. The grip, or handle, of the sword was wrapped in tightly bound dark leather, while the pommel had several intricate designs carved into it. In fact, Steve held the sword closer, they looked like interlocking crescent moons. The guard was absolutely breathtaking. Kharus had carved a golden dragon in flight, using the wings as the bulk of the guard, with the dragon’s tail entwined around the grip and coming to a point at the tip of the pommel. The dragon’s eyes were sapphires, while the claws clutched a large emerald.
“Wow! That’s gorgeous!” Sarah was standing up on her tiptoes to admire the dragon sword. “Are those real jewels? Unbelievable!” She turned to the glowing creator of the sword. “That is a true work of art. Whoever gets that sword will treasure it always, I have no doubt.”
Steve unsheathed the sword, noting immediately that the surface had been polished and the blemishes from the repeated strikes from his hammer had been smoothed. Gently touching the edge of the sword he could tell that it was probably sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel. He whistled in admiration.
“It turned out a lot nicer than I would have thought. Thanks for letting me see it before you give it to its new owner.”
Kharus smiled. “I am looking at the new owner, sir Steve.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Ye gave yer heart and soul into the making of this blade. That type of devotion does not go to a simple warrior. It was destined to be yer blade. And now it is.”
Shocked speechless, Steve could only stare at his new sword. Smiling warmly at the dwarf, Sarah spoke up.
“Your skill and your generosity will never be forgotten. We are honored. Thank you.”
Kharus nodded. “It is I who am honored. Use it well.”
Steve, however, was still staring at the magnificent sword, and was unable to move or say anything. Chuckling to himself, Kharus picked up the scabbard and gently slid it back on the immobile blade, preventing the human from slicing off a toe in case he dropped it, which it looked as though he was ready to do.
Pulling her husband back out into the street, Sarah gently shook him.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“What? Yeah, sorry. I’m okay.” He held up the tightly wrapped sword. “Look what he gave to me! I mean, I need to pay him something. I can’t just accept this!”
“He wanted to give it to you. Which he did. Be thankful. Everything happens for a reason, right?”
“Look at this thing! Does he really think I’d take something like this out and use it against someone? Hell no. I think I’ll have you give it to the king for safekeeping, okay?”
Sarah nodded. “You can if you’d like to, but I think you’d be dishonoring its creator if you choose not to take it with you tomorrow.”
Still gazing fondly at his prized sword, Steve could only nod.
The Prophecy Page 37
