6 Chapter Five: Blacksmith of Rysar; Part 2

Scene Six

After they finished their breakfast, Morkeet woke up Arthur.

The three of them left the house and made their way down the stairs heading for the Artisans district in the mouth of the mountain.

Passing building after building, Morkeet lead them to a small shop in the under part of a large building.

They walked in and were greeted with the shouts of the owner.

Scene Seven

(Man) "We aren't open! Come back later!"

(Morkeet) "Not even for a friend?"

The man walked into the showroom and smiled.

(Man) "Mork!"

The man charged across the room picking Morkeet up with a tight embrace.

(Man) "My brother, it has been too long."

The large man set Morkeet down.

(Morkeet) "Yes, indeed my friend! I hear from Anati that you've locked yourself up in the shop, Hard at work on an order?"

(Man) "Who are these two? New companions?"

The man turns to look at Arthur and Loran, subtly ignoring Morkeet's question.

(Morkeet) "This is Arthur and Loran, I came across them in the great forest."

(Man) "Ah, where are my manes. I'm BrouGan the Blacksmith."

BrouGan was tall, standing at 6'5. He had black hair, pale red skin, and two long black horns growing out of his forehead.

(Arthur) "Are.. are you a demon?"

He looked over at Arthur confused before breaking into a laugh.

(BrouGan) "HA, I'm a Kijin, we are more related to ogres than to demons but thanks for the compliment".

BrouGan slaps Arthur hard on the back as a friendly gesture.

(BrouGan) "And what exactly are you supposed to be?! Are you the love child of an elf and dwarf? No your way too tall for that Ha Ha Ha!"

(Morkeet) "In fact, they are both of Manity."

(BrouGan) "Manity?! Aren't many of you guys left. Never thought that I would meet one, let alone two HA Haha!"

Arthur and Loran laugh nervously.

(Morkeet) "Yes, well as you can see, they are in a dire strait, as it stands they have only that which they have on them at the moment. I was hoping you could help them out with new clothes and gear, we can pay with this".

Arthur and Loran look with surprise as Morkeet opens his bag and pulls out the gem from the Wooden Tree Golem.

(BrouGan) "That is one giant Alchemist stone! Where did you get it?"

(Morkeet) "It was the core of a Forest Golem."

(BrouGan) "You took on a Forest Golem and won? Mork, how did you manage it, we were never that strong when we traveled together."

(Morkeet) "It wasn't by my hand. It was their doing."

Morkeet gestured to Arthur and Loran.

BrouGan starred in doubt and amazement.

(BrouGan) "Amazing! The two of you are welcome in my home anytime. But Mork, this is worth way more than what you are asking, besides that, I don't have the materials."

(Morkeet) "I know… Anati informed me last night."

(Loran) "What's going on?"

(BrouGan) "The Dwarf Brothers, they've been buying up all the new oar that has been coming up from the mine. And the Miners are selling to them because they are paying the most, plus they have orders to fill for the Mägwirn Kingdom."

(Morkeet) "All the more reason for you to take the Core, it will help you and Anati keep going for a while more."

(BrouGan) "I hear what you're saying, but it just doesn't sit right with me. I strive to be a fair businessman, and that's that."

BrouGan handed the Core back to Morkeet.

(Arthur) "Okay you want to be fair, but aren't we mooching off you by staying at your house?"

(BrouGan) "Of course not! You aren't a…"

(Arthur) "The way I see it, we are… so here is my proposal, what if you took the Core and sold it to an Alchemist, then used the funds to pay for our room and board, as well for our new weapons and gear. And with whatever is left you can hire us to help you mine for materials."

(BrouGan) "Well?..."

(Morkeet) "Oh, I see. Because then you would have new stock to sell besides our orders. Brilliant!"

(Arthur) "Well, what do you say?"

The room became quiet as BrouGan considers Arthurs Proposal.

(BrouGan) "HAHA Haha, You have a deal!"

BrouGan pat Arthur on then back hard.

(BrouGan) "I'll go sell it off right away!"

He picks up the Core and leaves the shop.

The room is quiet and Loran is pondering what just happened.

(Loran) "But that deal still isn't fair, he'll be paying us with the leftover money, which was the problem in the first place."

(Arthur) "I honestly didn't think he was going to buy it, thanks for playing along Morkeet".

(Morkeet) "Yes well, he would have turned your offer down if I hadn't interfered."

(Loran) "So you tricked him into taking the money!?"

(Arthur) "Think of it as an investment, We put stock into his company and we'll be making the money back in the end. But he will be able to build his business with our investment."

(Loran) "Oh? I think I understand."

(Morkeet) "Some people won't accept help, even as they themselves help others over what they can afford. As I said, you were brilliant."

(Arthur) "Thanks, but I just felt that it was the right thing to do."

Scene Eight

BrouGan returned with the money and began to take Arthur's measurements.

He went to the back and got some pre-cut fabric and quickly fit it to him.

He then took pieces of armor and hung them on Arthur, marking the height and proper position for his body.

He took the armor and fabric and headed to the back room.

Arthur, Morkeet, and Loran waited in the showroom and snacked on some berries that BrouGan had left out for them.

After about a half-hour, BrouGan came back with the shirt and chest plate, having Arthur try it on.

BrouGan looked it over and quickly ripped it off in annoyance.

(BrouGan) "How do you have so much meat on ya, serves me right for thinking you're just a twig!"

He stomps off into the back room with the Armor.

(Arthur) "I thought it fit nicely?"

(Morkeet) "BrouGan is quite a perfectionist. If it is even a hair off he will not be satisfied."

BrouGan marches out of the backroom and points at Arthur.

(BrouGan "Take your shirt off, I need to re-measure!"

Arthur promptly removed the fabric, then took his shirt off revealing his slim-cut body.

Loran and Morkeet look at Arthur with surprise, never guessing that he was so fit.

(Arthur) "What?"

BrouGan measures Arthurs, chest, bi-septs, waist, and shoulders.

(Loran) "You've been in a t-shirt and basketball shorts the last three days and I could have sworn you looked like you were just an average tall skinny guy."

(Morkeet) "I too did not perceive that your muscles were actually well-formed, I would have discerned your profession to be a stable hand before a soldier."

(Arthur) "Well you aren't far off, I worked for a company that sold paper, I moved boxes of five thousand sheets or more. So I had to take on a workout routine to make sure I didn't hurt myself."

BrouGan took off to the back, and the three of them waited.

Arthur looked at them and for the first time began to feel embarrassed, he blushed as he caught Loran staring at him.

(Arthur) "Would you stop, this is embarrassing".

Loran giggled.

(Loran) "Now it's really surprising you don't have a girlfriend, you are sweet, kind, and dependable, and you are pretty hot with your shirt off."

(Arthur) "Ya well!"

Arthur blushes and looks away from Loran.

(Arthur) "I never had time for that sort of thing… and I doubt I'll have time for it now that we are here…"

Loran's smile slowly drops into a frown as she looks at the ground.

(Loran) "I Know… I'm sorry Art."

(Arthur) "It's okay…"

The room became quiet…

(Loran) "Do… Do you think we will be able to go home?..."

(Arthur) "I don't know… if there is a way, then I'll do my best to get you back home."

(Morkeet) "You too seem close, did you know each other long before coming here?"

Arthur and Loran looked at each other and answered.

(Loran) "We were only neighbors for about five months, but I feel comfortable around him."

(Arthur) "We met five months ago, but Loran went to school with my younger sister, so I knew who she was for a few years."

Loran looked at Arthur with a look of surprise!

(Morkeet) "I would bet that you didn't know of that detail, Loran."

(Loran) "I didn't… I know your sister?"

(Arthur) "You were in the same grade. I would go to Tessa's Volleyball games, I had seen you at the school events, but we never talked… it took me a week after you moved in next door before I figured out why you looked familiar."

(Loran) "Tessa Kalloden? She's your sister…"

A realization hit Loran, and she grimaced.

(Loran) "I'm so sorry Arthur... I…"

(Arthur) "It's okay… it's not something I like to talk about…"

(Loran) "Is that the reason you are so protective?"

(Arthur) "I can't help it… I don't ever want something like that to happen to someone I know… never again!"

(Morkeet) "It seems my question brought up a difficult subject, I apologize."

(Arthur) "Really it's okay. I just don't want to talk about it anymore."

(Morkeet) "As you wish."

(Loran) "I…"

Loran looks at Arthur intently.

Just then BrouGan walked in from the back room, holding the newly fitted armor.

Scene Nine

The four of them returned to the Blacksmith's house, and the three children rushed in and started hugging and climbing on BrouGan.

They made their way in and Anati shewed the children and told them to set the table.

BrouGan picked Anati up and kissed her as if he had just come back from a war.

Morkeet chuckled and Arthur and Loran blushed slightly before Tellìe came and grabbed Loran's hand, leading her into the dining room.

Arthur and Morkeet followed after and helped get the table ready for dinner.

They all sat down as Anati and BrouGan came in and Anati served everyone a rabbit steak.

Scene Ten

As Anati, Mirrèi, and Loran washed the dishes and cleaned the dining room, Arthur, and BrouGan worked to fix a broken latch for the bathroom, and Morkeet sat in the living room with Sadeock and Tellìe playing a game which Arthur thought was go fish, or at least a game similar to it.

(BrouGan) "Okay, now hold it in place!"

(Arthur) "Got it."

Anati looked at them and smiled, then turned to look at Loran.

(Anati) "Loran dear, I have a favor to ask of you."

(Loran) "A favor?"

Anati finishes drying a glass and hands it to Mirrèi to put away.

(Anati) "It's just that we are getting low on food here, and I will have to make a trip to the market district tomorrow. It would be a lot of help if you would come with us and help keep track of the pups."

Loran looks at Anati, and then at Arthur.

(Arthur) "Sounds like a good idea. We should be fine with just Morkeet, BrouGan, and I"

(BrouGan) "Yes, no need for you to sweat and toil in the dark with us men, you two go shopping and you can go see a seamstress, get some new clothes."

(Loran) "Well, I guess if you are sure. Then I would be happy to help Anati."

(Mirrèi) "Yes, see Sadeock, I told you she would come with us!"

(Sadeock) "What! Fine, then I'm going with Pa and Uncle Keet!"

(Tellìe) "No denya, you are litble.'

(Sadeock) "I'm not little! My horns are even starting to turn black."

(Morkeet) "Tellìe, don't call people a denya, it isn't polite."

(BrouGan) "Sadeock!, I will tell you when you are old enough to help me with my work, don't start acting the adult when your horns are still as translustent as glass."

(Anati) "(Giggles) It's Translucent dear."

(BrouGan) "That too."

A moment of silence sat in the air.

(BrouGan) "Ha Ha Ha Ha!"

Everyone started to laugh, BrouGan's laughter being as contagious as the flu.

They enjoyed their evening and Arthur and Loran became fond of their newfound friends.

It had been quite a long journey from when they had first been summoned to Akriun four days ago.

But for the first time, they had felt at ease and felt a sense of comfort.

Everyone said their goodnights and Arthur and Loran drifted into the world of dreams.