Nathan relaxed a little, this was something he understood. “I can do that, I will go to the blacksmith shop after breakfast and make sure I can use the forge tonight. I’ll make her a couple special daggers and start training her how to use them.”
Ava knew Nathan would think the same way as her. He was a very protective friend and would teach Sharon well. She hugged him and gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll see you downstairs for breakfast.”
After eating breakfast, Nathan had a few hours before today’s lesson with Balthazar. He headed down to the blacksmith shop to make sure he could use the forge later. As he walked, he thought about Sharon and Ava. If something happened to them he would go crazy. He would gladly teach Sharon how to defend herself. Ava also should have a way to defend herself. Since she was progressing in her herbal studies, she would be going out into the alone woods often. He had thought up a plan for her to defend herself, he just hadn’t gotten around to starting that project. Today he would get organized before their lessons.
Breon was at the shop when Nathan arrived. “Hello young Stoneblood, are you wanting to use the shop today?”
“Hello Breon. Yes, please. I would like it this evening, if I might.” Nathan smiled, Breon was a very friendly old man and easy to talk to.
“Actually we are a little light on work today, you’re welcome to use the forge right now. I wouldn’t mind letting Bradly, my apprentice, watch you work. He has never seen black steel.”
“I have lessons soon, but I could come back after lunch. If that works for you.”
“We shall see you after lunch then.”
Being able to use the forge after lunch was perfect, Nathan thought to himself as he walked back to Avera’s house. He just needed to pick up some supplies from his room and he would be able to finish both projects before Sharon got home from working at the dress shop. That would give him plenty of time to start her lessons tonight.
After quickly grabbing the things he needed from his room, he headed down to see Balthazar. He was early for the lessons but wanted to use Balthazar’s workshop. It was time to make his project for Ava. When he arrived, Balthazar was reading an old tome that looked like it was about to fall apart.
Balthazar looked up at Nathan, eyebrow raised. “You are early. That eager to learn, are we?”
Nathan smiled. “Actually I need to make some bloodstones, I was hoping to borrow a bowl and a knife.”
Balthazar frowned slightly, bloodstones were not to be taken lightly, he hoped the boy wasn’t careless with his magical gifts, but he had little say in how mages used their skills. He simply guided them in gaining knowledge in a safe manner. So far Nathan had proven to be a bright and thoughtful student with exceptionally an strong earth affinity, he saw no reason to doubt the boy. “Mind if I ask what you are planning on making?”
Nathan explained his plan to Balthazar, who thought about it and then smiled. “Impressive, I think we shall use this as part of today’s lessons. When you are done and Ava is here let me know and we shall see what you have created.”
When Ava arrived Nathan and Balthazar were sitting at the table waiting for her.
Before she could sit down to join them, Balthazar put his book down and spoke “I think we will be going outside for today’s lessons.”
Ava was intrigued, they had never gone outside for a lesson before, she gave Nathan a glance but he was sitting there quietly, his facial expression revealed nothing.
Once outside they walked away from the other houses towards a small grove of trees right before the city wall, which marked the edge of the city. Balthazar looked at Nathan.
Nathan nodded and handed Ava a small, plain-looking rock the size of a small egg. “Throw this rock at that big willow tree.”
Ava smiled, she’d always been able to out-throw anyone in their old village. She threw hard and accurate. Ava stretched her shoulders and focused on the big willow Nathan had pointed out, it was a large older tree that had a big knot just below eye level. She used this knot as her target. She flung the rock at the tree, hitting the knot right in the middle. Bull’s eye she thought as the rock bounced off of the tree. She smiled, proud of her accuracy.
Nathan smiled back, handed her another rock of a similar size, and said, “Do it again.”
Ava looked at Balthazar who was quietly watching, he simply nodded his head and flicked his hand at her, indicating she should continue. Ava wound up and hurled the second rock at the tree. Like the first one, the second rock found its mark, hitting the knot. Unlike the first rock, which had harmlessly bounced off, this one caused a huge crash. Ava watched in awe as the sturdy old willow was crushed by the rock. Where the knot had once been was a mess of torn wood. The small rock had caused enormous damage.
As the tree started to crack and sway, Nathan spoke. “Perhaps we should move back just a bit.”
“Yes. That would be prudent,” Balthazar agreed.
They quickly backed up, moving a a safe distance away as the tree fell over with a loud crash. Ava could not believe it, a rock the size of an egg had brought down a tree bigger around than a full-grown man. She turned to Nathan. “How did you do that?”
“It was one of the first things I learned how to do when Adamen Bleh, the northern mage, taught me about magic. He had me make a small rock heavy. I don’t think this was what he had in mind, but it sure is effective.”
Ava thought about the damage done to the tree. She shuddered when she imagined what it might do to a man. “Why make me throw the rock?”
“Because you throw more accurately than anyone I know. These rocks are light for you or me, but anyone else who tried to lift them would fail. Now you have a weapon to protect yourself with.”
Ava frowned, she hated violence.
Balthazar interjected at this point. “Nathan is correct, you need to be able to protect yourself. You live with one of the most important people in the kingdom, you are a possible target for attacks, and you want to be an herbalist, which often means going out into the forest alone. Nathan will not always be there to accompany you. He, along with the rest of your family, will much more comfortable with your chosen profession knowing you are capable of defending yourself against any foe.”
Ava thought about it for a minute, what they were saying was all true and if she had to be armed, carrying around rocks was better than using a dagger or a sword. Grudgingly she acknowledged that the rocks were a good idea. She looked at Nathan, “Got any more?”
Nathan lifted a leather satchel off his shoulder, and gave it to her. The satchel was incredibly light. She put it over her shoulder then looked inside. She was surprised to see a dozen rocks in the bag. She looked at Nathan.
The satchel was another bloodstone-imbued project, she could add as many rocks as she wanted and it wouldn’t grow any heavier. “Better find that first rock out of the tree, making more stones is not easy.”
“You should have told me that before I threw it,” Ava groaned.
When they finally found the rock it was ten feet past the stump of the now-destroyed willow. It had gone right through the tree.As Ava placed the bloodstone rock into her satchel, Balthazar sat down on the fallen willow. “Now that you are done demonstrating how the rocks work, would you please put the tree back the way you found it.”
Ava looked at Nathan. Put the tree back? How on Earth could they do that?
Nathan shrugged. “Don’t look at me, I don’t know how we can make the tree go back.”
“I don’t think we can,” Ava said, frowning and looking at Balthazar.
“Precisely the point I wanted to make. Nathan has given you a very powerful weapon. Those rocks may very well save your life, or the life of someone important to you some day, but you have to be very careful. You cannot bring that tree back to life. Any time you throw one of your magic rocks, Ava, there will be damage done. Make sure you are extremely careful with that ability.”
After their lessons with Balthazar, Nathan left Ava and headed to the blacksmith s
hop. He was going to teach Sharon how to defend herself, but first he would make her a suitable weapon. He would make something small and discreet, yet deadly. While he walked, he pondered what would be best. Unfortunately, there was an idea bouncing around the back of his head but for the life of him, Nathan could not get it into focus. Nathan decided he would worry about discreet weapons later. For now, he would make to good daggers for Sharon to learn with.
When Nathan got to the blacksmith shop, he was pleased to see that Breon and his apprentice, Bradley, were waiting for him with the forges nice and hot. After a quick greeting to the men, Nathan got to work. First, he added a couple chunks of witchwood to the forge fire to increase the heat, and then he began heating and hammering the iron, after he had it hot and malleable he added the phosphorus flakes, which reacted with the metal to give it its dark color and the exceptional strength that northern steel was famous for.
Nathan became absorbed into the familiar pattern of work and all his thoughts of the outside world seemed to disappear. His affinity for earth allowed him to work metals in ways a normal blacksmith could not. For Nathan it was almost more important to have a clear picture of the project in his mind than it was to focus on the method he used to strike the hot metal. Once Nathan had the blades completed, he conversed with Breon and Bradley who had many questions about the science of northern steel. Nathan explained as best he could how the inclusion of different metals changed the structure of steel and the temperature and force needed to make the mythical metal.
“Very interesting stuff Nathan. I been a blacksmith for over thirty years and I learned more about black steel today than I have before. You certainly know your craft,” said Breon.
Nathan had seen the quality of work Breon and his apprentices produced, he was a quality smith, and his praise held high value to Nathan. “Thank you Breon, I really just had a good teacher. My father was an excellent smith and my father’s family has been working metal for generations.”
Chapter fourteen
THE INN, CLEAN AND warm, was distinctly different from the bar where Everet had first met Bryant Bingham. Instead of thieves, thugs, and assassins, this establishment’s clientele revolved around nobles, merchants, and other respectable individuals. Everet found it amusing how easily he could blend into both environments by simply changing his clothes and being more outgoing. Everet noted how much more comfortable Bryant was sitting at this table than the previous bar. The man could hardly be blamed, here customers did not have to worry about his wallet or his life.
A pleasantly plump server smiled as she brought a basket of warm bread and a pitcher of wine to their table. As Everet refilled his mug, Bryant spoke. “As we spoke about previously, I am interested in your business proposition, but I simply cannot do business at those rates. If we could discuss an increase in my rate of return, then I would certainly reconsider my position on the matter.”
Everet paid little attention to the words Bryant spoke. They meant little. This whole business meeting was a sham. Today Shelley, the serving girl hired to help frame Bryant, was going to ‘accidently’ bump into Bryant while in her role as Lady Severa. This would serve two purposes. First it would help set up their cover story for how he and the lady met. While this inn was clean and friendly, it still contained more than enough prying eyes and rumormongers who would take note of the meeting. The location had been chosen not for the delicious fresh bread, but for the desired audience. A tasty lunch was a side benefit to the meeting. The second purpose of this lunch was to see how Lady Severa interacted in a setting filled with prying eyes and attentive ears. It was one thing to play the temptress with an intoxicated gentleman, quite another to masquerade as a highborn lady in mid-day. Everet was sure Lady Severa was up to the task, but in a high-risk game of intrigue, he simply could not afford to take a chance. He had to know if she could play her role.
“Surely you can understand with the volatile nature of the shipping industry that I have to factor risk into my prices, if I were to lower your rates I would leave myself open to the dangers of being underfunded.” Everet actually knew enough about the shipping business that he could fool anyone into believing his story; in his former life as a duke he had a rather extensive background in the matter.
Bryant nodded and pretended to ponder his reply. As he sat there, a voice called out, “Bryant, I did not expect to see you here today.” Lady Severa walked up to the table and placed a hand on Bryant’s shoulder. “So this is what you meant by an important business meeting. Warm bread and wine would be important business to me as well.”
Bryant laughed and stood. “Now Severa this is an important meeting, the good food and drink is just a way of making the meeting more casual. Actually, we were just coming to a conclusion of our discussions, so if you would like to join us your company would be a fine addition.”
Lady Severa smiled brightly. “I would, but I am afraid I do not sit at the table of strangers, and since you have not introduced me to your business associate, I must decline your invitation.”
Bryant shook his head. “Please forgive my terrible manners, if I might make amends please allow me to make introductions. Lady Severa may I introduce Everet Bell.”
Everet rose and gave a small formal bow. “Lady Severa, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. Would you please join us and save me from the financial wranglings of your friend here before he bleeds my dry.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well Mr. Bell. I am sure you are in no danger of bleeding today but I shall join you,” Lady Severa spoke with a clear and sharp tone. So far, Everet was impressed with how she handled herself, her cool yet playful tone was perfect.
As they sat back down at the table, Bryant continued his part of the pageantry, giving Everet a bit of Lady Severa’s story. He said it just loud enough for anyone interested to overhear. Moreover, from Everet’s estimation, at least two tables were paying more attention to their conversation than proper. “Lady Severa is the daughter of an old family friend; she is staying with my cousin Connard. Like you, she is new to Meron.”
“You are new to Meron, Mr. Bell?” asked Severa.
“Please call me Everet; I hardly ever use my full name and half the time when people address me that way I forget they are talking to me.” Everet smiled, then continued. “Yes. I am attempting to expand my shipping business into Meron, which has required my presence here. Until today I had little interest in being here, but I am beginning to see where Meron might have some value.” While it would appear as casual flirting to anyone listening, it was necessary for his planned subterfuge for him to have a highborn love interest. Lady Severa, in her role as on old family acquaintance of the Bingham family, was perfect.
“Everet, I am sure you must be talking of Bryant, but yes I agree his charm and wit are worth a visit.”
Everet casually laughed, “Yes, I suppose you could say that, but in all honesty I was referring to the quality of company Bryant keeps, not the man himself.”
“I must assure you that you are both correct, my charm and wit are well worth a visit, and your business Everet,” Bryant interjected.
All three gave a small chuckle. Everet was most pleased; this lunch had been a success on both fronts. They had created a back-story for having been introduced and Shelley had played her role as Lady Severa perfectly. Everet could now attend the ball and set his plans into motion.
Chapter fifteen
NATHAN HAD JUST FINISHED tidying his room up when he heard a knock on his bedroom door. He quickly smoothed out the rumpled bed sheets, making a mental note to keep his room cleaner now that he was going to be having more guests visit him. He took one more quick look around the room, checking for stray clothes before answering the door. He opened the door to find Sharon standing there.
“Hey Nathan, Ava said you wouldn’t mind teaching me a thing or two about defending myself. Is that okay? You don’t have to,” Sharon shifted nervously as she spoke.
“Sharon, I don’t know ev
erything that happened to you girls while you were hostages, but I know it was hard on everyone. I still have nightmares about it. If I hadn’t gotten the training I have, I would have had a much harder time dealing with my feelings. Besides not being able to help rescue you, I would have become a raging lunatic unable to control his emotions. I will gladly teach you as much as I can. The training will give you the ability to defend yourself and the exercise will be good for you too.”
Sharon visibly relaxed, her shoulders dropped a bit and the tension in her face went away. She was very grateful that her friends were so supportive and understanding. She followed Nathan into his room; it was her first time seeing it. It was similar in size to her room with the exception of an adjacent room instead of a shared common room.
Nathan led her into the adjacent room, the war room as he had started referring to it in conversations with Quinton. “I thought the best thing to do would be to train you in hand to hand combat and small weapons. My dad taught me how to fight with sword-breaker daggers, so for the most part you will be able to use the same techniques and similar style with an even smaller blade.”
“That’s fine, I just don’t want to feel helpless—daggers, sword, axe, whatever it takes,” said Sharon, nodding.
Nathan tried to imagine Sharon running around with a big war axe screaming at her foes. “We’ll stick to daggers for now.” He turned to a small table filled with books and alchemy equipment. “Come see your daggers.”
Sharon walked over to the table and looked at the black steel blades, she glanced at Nathan who nodded as she reached out to pick the blades up. They were a matched pair, identical to each other. Compared to Nathan’s sword-breaker daggers, the weapons were small, with just over a foot of blade, a small crossguard, and a small hilt. The crossguards each had a small emerald in them. Sharon looked at Nathan. “Are these blades magical?” She knew that Nathan was adept at making magical weapons, and she wondered if the emeralds were for show or were bloodstones.
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