Aiden's hammer swung down with a satisfying clang, sending sparks dancing into the dimly lit forge. His muscles burned with the effort, but he relished the challenge. Each strike was a step closer to mastery, a proof of his skill. The forge was alive with the hum of magic, the enchanted flames flickering with a life of their own.

"Pass me Mike, lad," Eldric called out, not pausing his work. His voice was a deep rumble, filled with years of experience.

Aiden grabbed the tongs from a nearby bench and tossed them to Eldric with practiced ease. "Catch!"

Eldric caught the tongs, he called Mike, mid-air. "Smooth toss, Aiden." Using the longer tongs, he shoved the spring into the forge to heat. The metal glowed with an otherworldly light, hinting at its magical properties.

"Think you're winning this round?" Eldric's voice cut through the clamor, a grin tugging at his lips as he approached.

Aiden looked up, sweat trickling down his forehead. "This axle's putting up a fight, but I reckon I’ve got it."

A streak of red announced Ria's entry into the forge. Her red and green plumage reflected rainbows of light as she flew around the forge, her chirps and whistles adding to the forge's noises. She perched on a wall hanger, peering critically at Aiden's work. "Not bad, but you could be faster," she chirped, her tone almost teasing.

Aiden gave her a glare. The heavy axle he was about to strike shifted in his grip. "I could use a hand, hold it steady for me?"

Eldric gripped the far end of the axle, holding it as still as granite, shifting it ever so slightly between Aiden's strikes. They fell into a rhythm, Eldric holding the axle in place while Aiden hammered. There was only a slight pause when Eldric had to finish the quench on the spring while the axle heated up in flames.

"You might out-hammer me one day." Eldric teased, his eyes twinkling.

"Not yet, Dad. Give me a few more years," Aiden shot back, a smirk on his face.

Eldric chuckled as he returned to his work when the straightened axle had been buried in the annealing sands. "Maybe, but remember lad, strength isn't everything. Wisdom counts too."

Aiden walked over to the half-finished wheel, eyeing it critically. "Too bad this isn't a sword," Aiden joked, wiping his forehead. "We'd be done already."

Eldric chuckled, his laughter a deep rumble. "Aye, but wagon wheels pay better. Besides, not every battle is fought with a blade."

Aiden worked on shaping and then securing the steel rim and pins with a final clang of the hammer, marking his success.

"Well done, Aiden," Eldric said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You’re getting stronger every day. Just don't forget to use that noggin of yours."

Ria let out a satisfied chirp, fluttering up to perch on a beam. "Not bad for an apprentice," she said, her tone filled with a playful pride.

As Aiden returned to the bellows, the sound of approaching hooves caught his attention. A figure emerged from the dusty road, clad in fine silks and rich velvets, his polished boots gleaming in the fading light. Both men looked up as a rider approached, the setting sun casting a golden hue on his fine silks and polished boots.

Leading a magnificent chestnut stallion with a limp, the rider's frustration was evident. "Evening, blacksmith," he called out, his tone commanding yet strained. "This beast has thrown a shoe. Can you see to it?"

Eldric wiped his hands on his apron, exchanging a quick, knowing glance with Aiden. "Aye, sir. We'll take care of it. Bring him over here."

As the rider led his horse closer, Eldric turned to Aiden. "The wheel can wait, lad, fetch the shoeing kit."

Aiden nodded, giving the wheel pin one last hammer blow before stepping back. "On it," he said, moving briskly to gather the tools.

The rider had scanned the entire smithy critically and then turned his piercing eyes on Eldric. Examining the master blacksmith up and down, the fellow turned to Aiden.

Aiden couldn't explain it, but there was something wrong about the man. He made Aiden afraid and there was an overwhelming feeling to keep his mouth shut and to keep his eyes down. Aiden pushed the feeling down and finished getting the shoeing kit and gear ready.

The rider's eyes followed Aiden's movements, his irritation slowly giving way to curiosity. "You train him yourself?" he asked Eldric.

As he turned back to the man, he caught a glint of red from high up in the rafters. Ria was wedged into the beams of the wood in almost complete black shadows. Only a small touch of her tail feathers were visible. And she was not moving, eyes locked on the nobleman.

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Aiden decided not to draw attention to her as she was clearly afraid of this man, too.

"Aye," Eldric replied, taking the horse's reins and examining the hoof. "He's got a knack for it. Quick learner, too."

Aiden stepped up with the kit.

"Hold him steady, sir," Aiden instructed the rider, his tone respectful but firm. "This won't take long."

The rider complied, watching as Aiden and Eldric worked in unison. The hammer strikes were rhythmic, precise, each one a testament to their skill and coordination.

Together they set to work, the forge's heat and the smell of coal mingling with the scent of the horse. As Eldric held the hoof steady, Aiden deftly prepared the new shoe, the teamwork between them seamless.

"There, that should do it," Eldric said, stepping back to admire their handiwork. "As good as new."

The rider nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, blacksmith. And you, lad." There had been a pause before he'd called Aiden lad as if he was going to say something else. But, he finished with "Fine work."

Eldric held the reigns, "That'll be 10 chera."

The man didn't even hesitate at the insane amount Eldric had asked for. He reached into a belt pouch and tossed a heavy silver coin to Eldric. As the rider mounted his horse, he cast one last glance at Aiden. "You've got a bright future ahead of you," he said before riding off into the twilight.

The man started to turn the horse towards town but stopped staring down the street.

Aiden leaned out and saw a few people who could have gotten the man's attention. But, somehow, Aiden just knew it was the figure of Bram buying some bread from Vanya's small stall in front of the bakery.

The man turned the horse faster towards the east and back the way he'd come. With a quick, brutal kick, the horse leaped into a fast run.

Aiden watched him go. Glancing back, Bram was still busy talking to Vanya and hadn't seen the man. Eldric clapped him on the back. "Told you, didn’t I? Keep at it, and one day, you'll be the best in the land."

Aiden nodded grimly as he picked up the tools and turned back to the smithy. "Thanks Dad. Let's get back to work."

Putting all the tools in the right place he caught a flicker of movement above. Ria, had emerged from her hiding place and was perched on a beam, her sharp eyes fixed on the front entry.

"You didn't like him either," Aiden said.

"If you see him again. Run for the forest, and don't stop until you get to the mountains." Ria chirped, her voice missing all her usual sarcasm.

Aiden froze. That was a perfect description of the feeling he'd gotten from the man. "What did he want with Bram?"

Ria's head snapped to face him. "He saw Bram?" She whistled softly.

Aiden nodded.

"Stay here. Don't go far. No, go see Bram after closing." Ria chirped, her voice commanding.

Before he could ask what she knew, Ria dove off the beam, and with a few beats, her wings streaked out of the smithy, angling up for the sky.

"What was that all about?" Eldric asked, his voice gruff.

Aiden shrugged, his eyes still fixed on the road. "I don't know. He seemed… on edge. And Ria was," it took him a minute to decide he was right before he finished, "terrified of that man."

"Nobles don't come to Lapidara," Eldric said, his eyes narrowed. "This one had a duirdin reason. Gods help us if he comes back."

Aiden nodded, his mind still replaying the nobleman's words and actions. He felt a sense of responsibility stirring within him, a need to understand what was happening.

"I'm going to go talk to Bram after I finish the wagon wheel," Aiden said, his voice firm.

Eldric nodded, his gaze steady. "Bram came from that world; he might know who that was, too. There's something odd going on."

After they'd finished and locked up the smithy, Aiden started towards Bram's shop. He felt a need to understand the mystery surrounding the nobleman. He knew he couldn't ignore the unease that had settled over him. He had to know more.

The setting sun cast long shadows across the village streets, the air cool and crisp. The sounds of the village were quieter than usual, the evening stillness broken only by the occasional call of a bird or the laughter of children at play.

Aiden walked the winding path towards the main village square, across which sat Bram's shop. He barely noticed the people closing up and going home for the day around him as his mind raced with questions. Just as the road turned to the north and the buildings grew to block his view of the forest he spotted a figure jogging across the fields coming from the forest.

It only took a moment before he recognized who it was: Tilda, the town messenger. Except instead of the neat and tidy Tilda he was used to seeing, this Tilda, was disheveled, her clothes stained with dirt and sweat. She looked up, her eyes wide with anxiety, her chest heaving as if she'd been running. Her chest never heaved. She could run all day."

"Aiden!" she called, spotting him, her voice urgent and breathless. "You need to get Edlric and meet me at the Mayor's house. You won't believe what I've seen!"

Aiden's heart skipped a beat. Tilda was always a reliable news source, her quick trips between towns giving her a unique perspective on the world. Her urgency was unsettling.

"What's wrong?" Aiden asked, his voice laced with concern.

Tilda pointed towards the east, her hand trembling slightly. "Soldiers," she whispered, her voice laced with fear. "Lots of them. They're camped between Holden and Lapidara."

Aiden's eyes widened. Soldiers in Lapidara? It was unheard of. The village was too remote and insignificant to attract the empire's attention.

"Soldiers?" he repeated, his voice echoing in the quiet air. "Why are they here?"

Tilda shook her head. "I don't know. But they look angry and ready for war. They're just camping a couple of miles east and turning back all traffic from Holden to here. They thought I was coming here. I had to run all the way around them and into the forest to get here without them spotting me."

Aiden's mind raced. The noble had to be with the soldiers. Now Aiden was sure the noble had been looking at Bram. Why would soldiers and noblemen come here for Bram. Then it hit him, the rubbings of the symbols. Bram had sent those back to the capitol to be researched. That had to be the reason.

A sense of responsibility welled up within him, a need to protect his village, his friends, and the secrets they had uncovered. He felt a weight settle on his shoulders, a burden he knew he had to bear.

"I'll tell Dad to go to the Mayor's house."

Tilda nodded, and she turned to run into town.

Aiden jogged back and told Eldric what Tilda had said, then ran full speed to Bram's shop.