“It is. Now, what do I owe you, sir? And remember, we will be the best customers for at least three days. Any discount you could offer would be appreciated.”
The man didn’t hesitate at all, knowing the cost of his goods well. “The side of beef is 12 dragons, the lamb 2. I’ll give you five fat chickens for 1 and the two pigs at 2 gold apiece. That is 17 gold dragons. I’ll send over a few ducks and a goodly portion of mutton to boot, just to sweeten the deal. How does that sound?”
I shook with Lernon and handed him 20 gold. “The rest is for delivery costs. Thanks a million!” I turned to leave, having to drag poor Tejón away forcibly.
I had one more place I wanted to visit before going to the Rooster’s Head and cleaning up. At first, I thought it would take some time to find the armorer, but after a few minutes of walking down Common Street, a familiar, rhythmic clanging could be heard.
We found the smithy a quarter mile or so down a side street, the smell of coal smoke and smelted metal tingling my nose. Though I wouldn’t admit a thing to Wardeen, I missed the smell.
I had to walk down a short flight of stairs to enter the forge. It was tucked into the basement of a brick building. On the upper floors, other workers milled about, some working wood or leather. It had to be some kind of craftsman’s hall or guild. I figured I might be able to commission some other items if I had time during my stay. Soon I found the burly dwarf bent over a steel breastplate, inspecting his work.
“Are you Wardahl?” I asked, hoping the dwarf’s disposition wasn’t as prickly as his brother’s.
One look into his shadowed eyes told me that my hopes had been in vain. “I am, and I’m not interested. Too much to do already. There’s another smith on Noble Street. Makes pretty, shiny bits of armor that I’m sure you’ll love.”
I grinned despite myself. What kind of mother or father had these two dwarves had to make them so damn happy all the time?
When I didn’t immediately depart, the dwarf sighed, blowing out his mustache dramatically. Then he pointed his black steel hammer at my chest. “I said leave. Goodbye, huge woman. I hope you find a man that is properly tree-sized and make a litter of giant children together.”
Well, that was a bit too far. I bit my lip and replied as calmly as I could. “I was told to come here by Alysand Deschaney. I’m also your brother’s apprentice. It is interesting to find out that all dwarves are such big dicks. Too bad their bodies are so small, or I might just find one for myself. After all, you know what they say about huge women.”
Wardahl choked a bit, then coughed into his fist. We stared at each other for a bit, then a slow smile passed between us. I laughed first but not alone.
“Okay, well I’m properly impressed by the degradation of your sensibilities,” he said, his teeth flashing out from his beard. “I would like to say that although I’m not as big of a dick as my dear brother, I’m also less wanting.” Wardahl set down his hammer and held out a hand to me. “Well met. You must be Madi, then. Those wyvern scales that were delivered to me are simply majestic.”
I shook his hand, noting that despite the rocky start, this was most likely the nicer brother. “Was hoping they might be made into some majestic armor, too. I had the armorer take my measurements and those of my friend Hana. Alysand said he didn’t want any of the armor himself, so that’s on him. Besides, the old man just kills things so quickly they never get a chance to hit him. I figure he doesn’t need any.”
Wardahl nodded grimly. “That gunsinger is a terror to behold. I once watched him kill twenty orc berserkers in less than a minute. Had to yell at him to let me have one to fight myself. Wardeen was so mad he didn’t speak the rest of the day. Nothing quite like stealing the chance to kill an orc from a dwarf to make an enemy.”
“Wait, Wardeen is a warrior?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Aye. Was, at least. Don’t tell him I told you either, but he’s the strongest axe I’ve ever seen. Loses his wits in a fight and covers himself all in blood and bone. But when Alysand just punches wee holes in their heads and steals the glory for himself, well, let’s just say the man is lucky Wardeen considers him a friend.”
I stared at the breastplate that the dwarf had been hammering and pictured my master using an axe in battle. I’d seen him pound steel like it was butter, so it wasn’t a stretch. But as my teacher, the concept of him killing just felt odd.
Rifling through my bag, I brought out the parchment the Benham armorer had written down our measurements on. “Here,” I said. “These are the measurements of one huge woman and one small.”
He took the paper from my hand and glanced at the numbers, nodding. “I’d say I’m sorry, but then you’d know I’m a liar, too.”
I laughed again. Funny bastard. “Well, when do you think the armor might be ready? I’ll be in town a few days, as I’m trying to find as many adventurers as possible to fight against the Rat King. Will it be done soon?”
The dwarf smiled up at me, mischief in his eyes. “It’s already made. The scales came in two nights ago, and I’ve never had a chance to work with a material so fine. Other than mithril, that is, but
