Enzo stared at Rena, his mind totally blank. Did she just ask if I wanted to marry her? Rena continued to stare at Enzo, and he realized he needed to say something in response.

“Uhh, what?” Enzo sputtered out, still trying to make sense of the situation.

“Do you want to marry me?” Rena repeated, before huffing and turning away from Enzo. “My traditional father thinks this stupid village won’t respect an unmarried woman. I’m the only one who can replace Niklas and take over the accounting for the village, but, because of tradition, I can’t take the role without a spouse.”

“I mean that’s really stupid but… do you even want the job?” Enzo asked cautiously.

“Of course I do! I’ve been helping Niklas with the accounting in the village since I was old enough to do math and he officially announced me as his apprentice two years ago!” Rena ranted, her eyes catching in the light of the fire again. “I’m the one checking that old man’s math. As it is, he wouldn’t have ever noticed we were low on supplies this year if I didn’t check his work.”

“Sounds like you already have the job then,” Enzo responded diplomatically. “I’m sure they know you’re the right person for the job.”

“Oh they know all right, and they know that Niklas doesn’t have much time left,” Rena continued. “He’s the oldest person in the village, and already pretty frail. In a year or two, he won’t be able to walk around, let alone account for the resources stored around the village.”

“So why not wait him out then?” asked Enzo.

“That was the plan until you showed up,” Rena replied, giving Enzo a cold side-eye. “My father has already tried to push me onto every single guy here, but there’s only so many eligible people. He planned on sending me to the Winter Festival in Baybreach in a few weeks, but I guess he figured he’d try his luck with you first.”

“I just don’t understand why it’s such a big deal,” Enzo said thoughtfully. “Olena and Lea are both single women, running businesses of their own. They’re well respected in the community. Why should it be any different for you?”

Rena looked at the ground, suddenly silent. Enzo took the opportunity to return to his rapidly cooling meal.

“It’s not just about respect… My father is a good man,” Rena said quietly after a moment. “He’s worried I won’t make time to enjoy my life. He thinks I’ll bury myself in my work, look up one day, and realize I’ve wasted twenty years with my nose in storehouses and account ledgers.”

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“But if you enjoy the work, it’s not time wasted,” Enzo replied. “And who knows? Maybe through your work, you meet a merchant or a banker with the same interests as you. Never know where life might lead, but if you pursue what you love, you’re bound to find others who enjoy it too.”

Rena met Enzo’s eyes, and gave him an appraising look.

“Pretty good advice for a rookie guard/blacksmith’s apprentice,” said Rena, a small smile forming at the corner of her mouth. She stood and brushed off her knee-length dress. “I’m glad I came and talked to you, even if it was forced on me. If you find some time in your busy double life, we should hang out some more.”

“Likewise,” Enzo replied, a matching smirk growing on his face. “You’ll have to tell me more about this Winter Festival if I’m expected to escort my fiancé to it.”

Rena buried her face in her hands. “Look, I’m sorry! Can we forget I ever said that?”

“Not a chance,” said Enzo. Rena groaned and stomped back into the crowd, making a beeline to commiserate with Olena.

Enzo looked down at his plate. The boar had grown cold and his gravy had completely congealed into the mashed potatoes. Still the best meal I’ve had in weeks, he thought as he happily tore into the food and finally enjoyed his few minutes of seclusion.

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Tobias and Phillipp stood near the fire, hidden amongst the crowd. Each had a mug of mead in their hands and pretended to look at the new pair of knives Tobias had forged recently. The metal shone in the light of the fire and served as a reasonable excuse for a conversation.

In reality, the two old men watched Rena and Enzo interact with great interest. The pair shifted left slightly as a couple children ran past the fire in front of them, careful to keep the two young people in view without being conspicuous.

“Really is a fine blade,” whispered Tobias, talking about Rena. “She’s quite sharp. Would make a good match with him.”

“Yes, I’d been hoping to see some new pieces,” Phillipp muttered in return, taking one of the blades from Tobias. He glanced down at the knife and tested its balance before continuing to watch Enzo. “I’d worried the girl wouldn’t find a suitable match, but he seems to have a youthful fire to him.”

“He’s creative, but lacks the sense to see things coming. That said, he has enormous potential to influence more than just our corner of the world,” Tobias replied. “She brings a bigger picture perspective that would aid him immensely in achieving that potential.”

Phillipp raised an eyebrow and caught Tobias’s eye. “High praise coming from you.” He turned back to watch as his daughter stood to leave.

“With the education he’ll receive from you and Gunnar, I have no doubt that he’ll leave Starstone eventually. He’ll pull her along to see the rest of the wide world out there,” Phillipp continued. “She can return here when she’s grown old and sown her wild seeds. I’m sure their future together will be entertaining, if nothing else.”

Tobias took the knives back and returned them to their sheaths. With a grin, he took up his mug and held it out before Phillipp.

“To their future!” he said quietly.

Phillipp returned the gesture. “To their future indeed!”

The two men emptied their mugs, then burst out laughing.