It is a fact that true malevolence weaves its way through the delicate balance of intentions, both virtuous and vicious. Let us not deceive ourselves, for it is essential to acknowledge that such wrongdoing is unequivocally wrong.
-The Just Realm, by Gideon de Salavia 368 AC.
Soon enough, we were able to find our way to the Soot-Stained Pig. It was a medium building, two stories tall, and constructed from large blocks of locally quarried white alabaster stone. A cast-iron sign hung over the entrance, depicting a large black pig and an anvil in the background. The unoiled hinges squeaked in the breeze. The sounds of the forge could be heard coming from within, rising above the general hubbub of the city.
As we entered the shop, the clanging of metal on metal filled our ears and drowned out the sound of the heavy wooden doors that closed behind us. The air was thick with the heat of the forge, and we could already feel the sweat beginning to bead on our foreheads.
Our eyes were immediately drawn to the woman at the anvil, her full figure commanding our male attention as she rhythmically hammered away at a bar of red-hot steel. Her brow was furrowed in fierce concentration and her hair was slick with sweat and pulled back into a simple ponytail.
Tilted coal-black eyes peered out from an oval face at the work in front of her. We stood there, unnoticed, as she deftly picked up the piece of steel with her tongs and quenched it in a liquid that glistened like oil. She did not notice or acknowledge us, as she was completely focused on her craft.
As we were in the presence of a master at her craft, Kidu and I held our tongues in respectful silence and I took the opportunity to observe our surroundings. Weapon racks lined the walls, filled with an array of vicious battlefield implements. In glass cases, delicate and ornate items encrusted with jewels and other precious stones were on display.
The establishment boasted a varied collection of arms and armor, from the simplest of bronze daggers to a masterfully crafted, fully articulated set of plate armor. The armor was a true marvel, a work of art that appeared as if it had been sculpted out of flowing steel.
After finishing her task, she set down the tongs and placed her gloved hands on her generous hips. Looking Kidu up and down, she greeted us, with a smile on her lips. A single delicate eyebrow arched itself in curiosity as she asked in an alto voice, whose timbre resonated with the heat of the forge, "Do you see something you like?"
As I lifted off my helmet, I stumbled over my own tongue, struggling to find the words. "The Dirk… I mean Devon vouched for this establishment and suggested we seek out an Aideh Cillis… I mean a certain, certain Cillis Aideh for a fair price. Our aim is to barter a few items, yet primarily to purchase," I managed to blurt out.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The woman's amusement was clear as she surveyed us, laughter sparkling in her eyes. "Cillis Aideh at your service. That wily old scoundrel still breathes, I see. I fear his fondness for liquor and games of chance will lead him across the Shallow River one day, but I can't fault him for bringing me trade. So, what can I do for you?" she inquired, her tone becoming all business.
“I was wondering if I could trade this in for perhaps a new one of iron or steel?” I asked, holding out my helm.
“Open or closed?” she countered.
“I beg your pardon?” I stuttered, at a loss for words and not completely understanding the context.
“Helm,” she responded, rolling her eyes and tapping her head.
A blush crept across my cheeks as I weakly answered, “What would you recommend for my companion and me?”
I looked to Kidu whose gaze was still roaming over the items on display.
“Hmm…” She paused, crossing her arms in thought. “Closed be a bit harder to breathe in, can’t see as well either. But I’d still recommend one if you're going to be getting into lots of scraps. A visored helm would probably give you best of both worlds, but that’ll cost you a pretty penny, and they can be a devil to maintain in the field.”
“To be honest, madam...” I began again before being interrupted.
“No need for a madam, I’m not that old yet,” she interjected, a slight edge to her voice.
"Well, yes, Ms. Aideh, we have a budget of about four gold between us," I stated simply, hoping that Elwin could procure more money for us from the sale of our other loot. "We both need to be fully equipped, and we can trade these," I said.
I spread out the Laur hide, two spare Zajasite stones, two pairs of Echo-Stalker weapon claws from the drones, and my Echo-Stalker scythe daggers. I also placed, albeit hesitantly, my simple length of iron chain on the counter of the shop.
Cillis surveyed our wares, her delicate lips pursed in contemplation as she caressed the scythe daggers. "A rare find, these Echo-Stalker claws from the deep places. Exotic. There must be a demand for them somewhere, but I'm not sure where to begin. I can offer four silver for the smaller ones and six for each of these daggers if you're willing to take store credit. Three and five if you need the coin now," she mused, slipping off one of her gloves and tracing her fingers sensually over the animal hide.
"This Laur hide is a beauty, a Tree-Laur, if I'm not mistaken. My husband, Khisam, could fashion something splendid with it. I'll throw in another silver for it. As for the Zajasite stones, they're of low quality, so I can offer five copper each, and three for the chain as scrap. Just because the big chunk of muscles here is easy on the eyes," she beamed, wiping her face with the back of her hand, which left another trail of lingering black.
I could not help but notice the playful way she looked at Kidu.
"Khisam!" she bellowed, turning her back to us and hollering up the stairs. "I need your help with some fittings!"