14 The Adventures of Jym (1) (Edited)
A week had passed since Jym had last visited Vals workshop.
During the last week, Jym felt quite anxious the entire time as the thought of the little brat crafting a crap 'dagger' or whatever he said would cost him some serious coins.
The pain of losing money for shady equipment would be unbearable.
Even worse yet, he would be the laughingstock among all of the adventurers in Alynthn when they saw him wielding a stupid weapon.
He even feared what Val might do to him if he was caught hiding the weapon rather than using it.
Jym felt wedged uncomfortably into an awkward position that he didn't want to be in from the beginning.
All he could do was blame his terrible fortune on the Gods and Goddesses of Ullan.
.
While complaining about his misfortune, Jym slowly walked his way over to the workshop, until he could hear some muffled sounds mixed in with the heavy vibrations from the ground as he got closer to the building.
The muffled sound cleared up as he moved closer, with the heavy sound of a hammer clashing with metal was echoing beyond the confines of the workshop walls, even if the building somewhat restrained the sound.
He could hear the strength each swing carried when the sound echoed from the metal smashing together loud enough for the earth to shake and tremble ever so slightly.
In the time Jym had known Val and visited the workshop, the current atmosphere of the workshop was completely different, as if the place had been set alight, awakening the fire of the forge again.
Typically, Jym would wander straight into the back of the workshop, however he felt if he did so, he probably would not leave without his head being smashed in by Vals hammer that would inevitably fly out from nowhere for his head.
Jym stood by the counter, continuously ringing the small bell that was drowned out by the sound of the hammers smashing against hot iron in the smithery.
The adventurer didn't know whether the bell would be loud enough or should be shout for someone to come out and serve him.
However soon enough Val walked out from the back of the workshop covered in soot and sweat, wiping his face with grime all over him.
Val wrapped the dirty rag around his waist, as he made his way over to greet Jym.
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"Your finally back, haha!"
Val laughed ominously, smiling though the wry grin plastered across his face as if he finally caught his prey in a trap that'd long be set.
"Why… does it feel like I am being conned here, you old fart."
"Just because I looked at you funny…?
Hahaha, listen here you little half arsed adventurer, that Boy has gone above and beyond this time.
Well... what he's done this time is something beyond my expectations."
His words gave Jym an ominous feeling, but he was alarmed by the fact Ben or how Jym knew him as 'worm' could craft something worthwhile that was even praised by Val.
Many people greatly desired some praise from the God of Smithery, however the 'worm' was able to receive it so simply, and that being his first creation.
Jym just hoped the item was possible to be used in combat at the very least and didn't look trashy appearance wise.
Val led Jym into the back, with the sounds of hammers clanging continuously throughout the smithery.
The further he travelled into the smithery, the louder Jym hear the hammers at work in the forge.
Jym could sense two different Smiths working at the same time, however they both had distinctively various hammering tones when smashing the hot iron.
Though the echoes sounded different, they resonated at roughly the same tone pitch, echoing perfectly through the air of the smithery.
Jym wondered which hammering tone was of the little brats, even though he'd come to consider the kid as a worthy Smith just from the sound of the hammering tone.
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As he walked in, Jym first saw a little beautiful girl with bright golden locks covered with dirt, soot, and sand dust.
Ever since he met Val, little Tia had always been by her Papas' side, diligently working hard to be as worthy Smith comparable to her father one day.
Especially whenever they had there one on one, father and daughter lessons, she would brighten up as the sunshine that fell across her luscious, beautiful locks of golden hair.
Not wanting to disturb Tia, Jym and Val both walked by without disturbing her work, moving towards the back where the second hammering was coming from, with the two setting their eyes on Ben who was lost in focus.
His body was covered in sweat, basking in the heat from the furnace, as he smashed his hammer down, again and again repeatedly on the hot molten iron set on the anvil.
He was trying to craft a new type of sword as all the blades Ben had seen in the hands of adventurers were either longswords or knight words.
The longsword required two hands to grip the sword, while the knight sword could be held with one, allowing the wielder to hold a shield as well in the other hand.
Many adventurers were constantly training to manage a sword and shield at the same time, similar to knights of the nobles or people of value in high society.
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Ben decided to modify the sword with a curve closer towards the tip, with a single cutting edge.
The understood the value of a new style of weapon design, which were heavily required by the people, especially among custom fitted weapons.
Most Smiths would only utilise their specialised designs and skill when fulfilling a custom design requested by a customer, but it was a rare occurrence among commoner Smiths.
Money is king, therefore if you could not pay for the quality of a custom crafted equipment with a Smith displaying their own in the custom finished goods, you would have to do with what was already crafted and displayed to be sold.
Typically, they would be rough products made out of boredom or out of experiments that've failed when trying out a new type of technique or material with some success.
Adventurers did have quite a bit of money from hunting and fulfilling requests, but the issue then remained of finding a Smith that was capable to fulfil their requests and not be under the control of the nobles or some aristocratic system.
Ben had plans to work with his Master and Tia to fill that gap left from the lack of quality Blacksmiths in the world for adventurers with mixed reactions from the two.
Originally Ben idea was to craft a great deal of daggers and provide for a new range of adventurers that have been searching for a lighter piece blade that could cause enough harm without fall apart from heavy damage.
If possible, he wanted to have a decent supply of the weapons out for sale to supply the large market requiring a lighter, durable weapon.
However, Ben quickly understood with wise guidance from his Master that it was best if he worked on the instructions and specifications of each customer to make the right dagger for the customer, which overall would earn less in the short run.
There was always the option to earn a great deal from selling a generic type of the dagger and other weapons that may come in the future, but it depended on how he wished market his own name through the weapons being put on sale.
Ben was left conflicted on which path to take after chat with Val.
The young Prince understood the value of money and how important it would be in the future for him once he started laying out the foundation for his own Empire.
Soon enough the arrival of Val and Jym garnered Ben's attention, moving the young Smith away from his workspace.
Ben wondered how Jym would feel about his first forged item, even more so when it was Jyms actual requested item.
He really hoped Jym would appreciate his finished work.
The put his heart and soul into crafting the new type of weapon, and he hoped Jym would be as passionate about his work as he was.
However, he knew his work would do more than enough for him and talk on his behalf, leading Ben to walk over oozing confidence, to greet his Master and client with dirty and grimy hands.
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"Finally, you've arrived!
I hope you are as excited as me!"
His face gleaming with joy, infectious enough to affect Jym to smile as well, Ben over out his hand to greet the adventurers.
Jym followed along with Bens requests, inwardly cursing Ben as a little bastard, even though he moved happily along with the young Smith around towards the benchtop.
A beautiful handcrafted wooden box, dark as the night, ever so gently glowed as if the moonlight was shinning on the calm surface of the sea.
Jym hands were sweating from just the craftsmanship of the box, itself alone would probably be costing him several dozen gold coins, which made Jym instinctively move his hands to his pocket with his gold coins.
He could already feel the impending doom that would coldly strike at his wallet.
While Jyms heart was feeling the burn already, his body felt as if the box was drawing him nearer, as if a voice called his name, echoing from inside the box, wanted to be freed and held by his hands.
Ben saw Jyms anxious face and could not help but grin, his worries for the last couple of days washed away.
He forgot about his foolish worries…
Long had the thoughts left his mind how Jym would have felt having a random nobody craft something 'original'.
He wanted to laugh now but held back as to not ruin the suspense he had created without saying a word and just presenting the box with the blades kept neatly inside.
Ben could see Val twitching ever so slightly.
Even if he was Ben's master, other than giving some advice and watching over every so often of the forging process, Val still has no idea of the final products appearance and how it came to be over the last few days.
Val had also been anticipating his disciples first finished work that would be sold to a friend.
He wanted Jym to walk away with the best weapon from his shop, even if the man was annoying to deal with at times.
In the past Val usually would purchase his disciples first finished items as a memento, but he felt that it would ruin his disciples' goals if he tried something like that now.
Val just hoped he could convince Ben to gift him the box or his own set with a special dagger as his Master.
…
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