The crackling of a fire and the rhythmic clanging of metal filled the air in the small forge. The walls were made of sturdy brick, stained with soot and age. Tools hung neatly along one side, and a large anvil stood in the center, glowing hot from the flames of the forge. The heat was intense, creating waves that distorted the air, and the scent of burning coal was thick and familiar.

Arin, now fourteen, stood by the anvil. His body had grown muscular from years of hard work. His golden hair, slightly black at the back, was tied back to keep it out of his eyes, which had turned a striking shade of red. His upper body was bare, revealing a chiseled jaw and a sweat-slicked chest where a simple necklace hung, a keepsake from his mother. Each swing of his hammer sent sparks flying, the metal beneath his hands slowly taking shape.

"Arin, aren't you finished with that sword yet?" The voice of the old blacksmith, Dustin, rang out from the doorway.

Arin paused, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Almost, Dustin. Just need to temper it properly."

Dustin walked over, his heavy boots thudding against the stone floor. "You've got a good hand for this work, lad. Better than I did at your age. But remember, patience is key. Don't rush it."

Arin nodded, his focus returning to the glowing metal. He had learned much from Dustin over the years. The dwarf had taken him in, trained him, and taught him the value of patience and precision. Though the work was hard, Arin found peace in the steady rhythm of blacksmithing. The heat, the noise, the physical exertion—they all grounded him and kept his mind from wandering too far into the past.

His thoughts drifted as he worked. He remembered the day Dustin had found him in the forest, injured and alone. Dustin and Galen had saved his life, given him a home, and taught him a trade. For that, he was eternally grateful.

"Boy, you're a natural," Dustin said, watching Arin work. "I reckon you'll surpass me soon enough."

Arin smiled faintly. "Just trying to repay you and Galen for everything you've done."

Dustin snorted, a gruff laugh escaping him. "You've done well, lad. But remember, you're not just here to repay a debt. You're part of this community now. We look out for our own."

Arin's chest swelled with a mixture of pride and humility. He loved this place, the people, and the life he had built. Despite his peaceful nature, he was fiercely protective of his new home and the dwarfs who had become his family.

As he hammered away at the sword, his mind wandered again. He thought about his mother, about the storm that had separated them. He wondered if she was still out there, somewhere, waiting for him. The necklace he wore was a constant reminder of her, and he vowed to find her one day.

The door to the forge swung open, and Galen stepped in, wiping his hands on a rag. "Smells like you're burning dinner again, Dustin."

Dustin laughed. "Just a bit of extra seasoning, Galen. Nothing to worry about."

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Arin smiled at their banter, feeling the warmth of their camaraderie. He had grown accustomed to their teasing, finding comfort in the familiar routine.

"Arin, you better hurry up," Dustin said, his tone light but firm. "We’ve got a customer waiting for that sword."

"Almost done," Arin replied, giving the metal one last strike before plunging it into the cooling bath. Steam hissed up, filling the air with a sharp, metallic scent.

Dustin watched with approval. "Good work, lad. Now get it cleaned up. We've got more orders to fill."

Arin nodded, setting the sword aside to cool. As he wiped his hands, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He enjoyed the work and the sense of purpose it gave him. Despite the physical demands, he never got angry or frustrated. The forge was his sanctuary, a place where he could focus and find peace.

Dustin clapped him on the shoulder. "You know, I didn't just take you in to repay Galen. I saw something in you, Arin. A spark. And it looks like I was right."

Before Arin could respond, a loud knock echoed through the forge. The door creaked open, and a shadowy figure stood silhouetted against the evening light. Dustin and Arin exchanged a glance, curiosity and a hint of caution in their eyes.

"Who could that be?" Dustin muttered, moving toward the door.

As the door creaked open, the glow from the forge illuminated the figure of a dwarf standing in the doorway. He had a scar running across his forehead and wore the regal dress of a royal knight. The knight’s armor was polished to a shine, and a sword, larger than his height, hung at his side. Behind him stood other soldiers, their presence imposing and authoritative.

Dustin's face broke into a pleased smile as he recognized the knight. "Well, well, if it isn’t Sir Borin! What brings you here, old friend?"

Sir Borin stepped inside, his armor clinking with each movement. "Dustin, it's good to see you," he said, his voice deep and resonant. He scanned the forge, his eyes lingering on Arin. "Who’s the boy? I haven’t seen him before. Why is a human working here? Is he a slave you bought?"

Arin, who had been cleaning up the sword, looked up, confused. His red eyes met Sir Borin's, and he saw a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Internally, Arin felt a pang of uncertainty. At fourteen, he had grown accustomed to life in the dwarf village but encounters with outsiders always made him feel out of place.

Dustin stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Arin's shoulder. "This is Arin, not a slave but an apprentice of sorts. He’s been working with me for years.I Found him in the forest, alone and injured 7 years ago. We took him in."

Arin after listening this thoughts ' i am staying because i dont know where is the forest in which i lived and even if i find it.I don't know how to find them.'

Sir Borin’s expression softened slightly. "An apprentice, you say? Well, that’s a relief. Forgive my assumptions, Dustin. It’s not every day you see a human working among dwarfs."

Arin continued his work, listening intently to the conversation. The forge, with its glowing embers and clanging metal, felt even more charged with tension now. He was curious about this knight who knew Dustin so well.

Dustin, still smiling, turned back to Borin. "So, what brings you here, Borin? It’s not like you to personally come for weapons."

Borin’s demeanor shifted to one of seriousness. "Well, Dustin, his majesty has commanded me to inform you that you’re being called for a very special task. We’ve recently found a dragon's scale and some bones in the mountains of the north. His Majesty wants you to forge a sword from these materials and get blessings of dragon on that sword."

Dustin's eyes widened with excitement and a hint of apprehension. "A dragon’s scale? And bones? Those are rare finds indeed. For a blacksmith, crafting high-grade weapons from such materials is a dream come true. It’s not that we can’t make them, but the materials... they’re nearly impossible to find."

Sir Borin nodded. "Exactly. That’s why we need your expertise. The king trusts you, Dustin. We should leave for the palace and discuss the details?"

Dustin rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his mind racing with possibilities. "Of course, Borin. I’d be honored to take on such a task. But first, let me finish up here and get things in order."

Arin watched the exchange, a mixture of awe and curiosity filling his thoughts. He had always known Dustin was a skilled blacksmith, but hearing about such a prestigious commission made him realize just how respected his mentor was.

As Sir Borin and his soldiers waited, Dustin turned to Arin. "You keep an eye on the forge while I'm gone, lad. There’s plenty of work to be done, and I trust you to handle it."

Arin nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility and pride. "I will. You can count on me."

Sir Borin, still intrigued by Arin, gave him a nod of acknowledgment. "Take care, boy. You’re in good hands with Dustin."

As the evening wore on and the preparations were made, Arin couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The forge, once a place of routine and hard work, now seemed charged with new possibilities. The request from the king itself is a very reputation, and Arin felt a deep respect for the dwarf who had taken him in and taught him so much.

Dustin gathered his tools and a few supplies, ready to visit king. Before leaving, he placed a reassuring hand on Arin's shoulder. "Remember, lad, patience and precision. I’ll be back before you know it."