The Blacksmith's Request

Aelius made his way to the Manor, climbing the cobblestone path that wound up the hill. The morning sun cast long shadows, bathing Lumen's Crest in a warm glow. He pushed open the heavy oak door of the Manor and walked through the grand hallway towards his domain - the scribe's quarters.

The room was a sanctuary of knowledge and history. Tall shelves lined the walls, filled with an array of scrolls and books, their pages brimming with the past of Lumen's Crest. The scent of parchment, ink, and time filled the air, an aroma that had quickly grown familiar and comforting.

The room was well-lit, the morning sunlight streaming through the large windows, casting pools of light onto the wooden desk that sat in the center. The desk was strewn with several scrolls, an inkpot, and a neatly trimmed quill, remnants of Aelius's work from the previous day.

Aelius crossed the room, his footsteps echoing softly. He seated himself at the desk, running his fingers over the smooth wood, feeling the indentations left by countless scribes before him. He picked up the quill, dipping it into the inkpot, ready to resume his duties. But just as he was about to put quill to parchment, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," Aelius called out, placing the quill down.

The door creaked open and a man walked in, his broad shoulders nearly filling the doorway. He was a mountain of a man, with muscular arms and a grizzled beard. His hands were large and calloused - the hands of a blacksmith.

"Aelius, isn't it?" the blacksmith said, his voice as rough as the iron he worked with. "I'm Garret, the blacksmith. Heard you're the new scribe."

Aelius stood up, extending a hand. "Yes, that's me. What can I do for you, Garret?"

The blacksmith took Aelius's hand, his grip firm. "I've got a trade agreement with the miller that needs renewing. Was hoping you could help."

Aelius nodded, gesturing for Garret to take a seat. "Of course, Garret. I'd be happy to help."

As Garret explained the terms of the agreement, Aelius began to write, his quill gliding over the parchment.

As Garret explained the terms of the agreement, Aelius began to transcribe the details. The contract was relatively straightforward: Garret would provide the miller with iron fittings and repair services for his water wheel and milling machinery, and in return, the miller would supply Garret with a set amount of flour and grains each month.

Aelius's quill danced over the parchment, carefully documenting each term. The quantity of iron fittings, the frequency of maintenance checks, the amount of flour and grains to be supplied - each detail was written down with precision.

As he was about to pen down the term of the agreement, Aelius paused. The contract was supposed to be renewed for another five years. But Garret had mentioned that the water wheel was growing old and might need a complete replacement soon.

Aelius looked up from the parchment, his eyes meeting Garret's. "Garret, this contract is set for another five years. But you mentioned that the mill's water wheel might not last that long. It might be prudent to consider this in the contract. Maybe a shorter term or a clause to renegotiate upon significant machinery replacement."

Garret rubbed his beard, his brow furrowing as he considered Aelius's words. "Didn't think of that," he admitted. "I reckon you might be right. The last thing I need is to be locked into a deal that could end up costing me more than it's worth."

Aelius nodded, relieved that Garret was receptive to his suggestion. "I propose we make the contract for two years instead. And we add a clause that if the water wheel or any other major machinery requires replacement, the terms of the contract can be renegotiated. Does that sound fair?"

Garret rubbed his beard thoughtfully, considering Aelius's suggestion. After a few moments, he gave a slow, thoughtful nod. "You make a good point, Aelius. I appreciate your sharp eyes."

Aelius offered a small smile, relieved that Garret had taken his suggestion well. As he began to make the necessary changes to the contract, Garret spoke up again.

"You know, Aelius," he began, a slow smile spreading across his face, "I'm hosting a little gathering at my forge this evening. Nothing grand, just some folks from around the village, a bit of food and drink, a good old-fashioned Lumen's Crest gathering."

Garret paused, his eyes meeting Aelius's. "I'd be glad if you came by. Might be a good chance for you to meet more of the locals. What do you say?"

Aelius looked up from the contract, his quill paused mid-sentence. A part of him hesitated, still not fully comfortable in social gatherings, but another part knew this was a chance to truly become a part of the community.

"I'd be honored, Garret," Aelius responded, offering a sincere smile. "Thank you for the invitation."

Garret clapped Aelius on the shoulder, a wide grin on his face. "Fantastic! I'll see you this evening then, Aelius."

As Garret left the office, Aelius couldn't help but feel a twinge of anticipation. The evening gathering would be a new experience, a chance to get to know the people of Lumen's Crest on a personal level. He found himself looking forward to it.

As the door closed behind Garret, Aelius found himself sitting in the quiet scribe's quarters, the promise of the evening's gathering lingering in the air. He knew that in such social settings, stories and tales were often shared. It was a chance for him to contribute something more than his services as a scribe.

Aelius leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting to the window where the village of Lumen's Crest sprawled out before him. He began to think of the stories he knew, stories from his past, from the time before he was a scribe, before he had sought redemption. He needed a tale that was grand, one that would captivate the villagers, yet not reveal too much of his past.

A slow smile spread across his face as he thought back to a certain adventure, one that had left a deep impression on him. It was a tale of magic and danger, of bravery and cunning, a story that had all the elements of a captivating narrative.

He would tell the story of the Shadow Beast of Valdorien, a monstrous creature that had plunged the kingdom of Valdorien into darkness. Aelius had been a part of the group of brave individuals who had confronted the beast. He would change some details, of course, to protect his past and his secrets. But the essence of the story, the struggle against a powerful foe, the eventual victory, would remain the same.

Yes, Aelius decided, that was the story he would share at the gathering. The grand tale of a group of brave warriors, a monstrous beast, and the triumph of light over darkness. It was a story that would not only entertain the villagers but also allow Aelius to share a piece of himself.

After settling on his story for the evening, Aelius returned to his duties, his quill gliding over parchment as he transcribed, sorted, and managed the myriad documents that the village of Lumen's Crest required. The day passed in a rhythm of ink and paper, the sound of the quill scratching on parchment creating a soothing melody.

However, late in the afternoon, as the sun began to cast long shadows over the village, Aelius came across a particular scroll that made him pause. It was a tax report from the outskirts of the village, an area primarily occupied by farmers. The numbers didn't add up. There was a significant discrepancy in the taxes collected from that area compared to previous years.

Aelius double-checked the numbers, his mind racing. He knew that a poor harvest could account for a small drop, but this was substantial. It hinted at a much larger issue, possibly affecting the livelihood of the farmers. Such a matter was beyond his jurisdiction and required immediate attention from the mayor.

He rose from his desk, taking the scroll with him. The manor was quiet, most of the staff having left for the day. The urgent nature of the issue made him quicken his pace as he made his way to Mayor Eldra's office.