Sharpen and Shines

"Can I help you, boy?" asked Tobho Mott, his stubble face showing signs of grey hairs.

Dante placed a hand on a shining breastplate that rested on a table and knew this armor to be above the rest in quality of make and quality of intention. He could tell that Tobho Mott had complete focus at all times of the creation process. The amount of mastery required for such focus is absurd. If you're having a bad day, a lack of mental willpower will result in those negative feelings tarnishing the end product. Only masters care for such details to notice, with 99.9% of the population living in ignorance, unaware of the art that surrounds them.

Dante had made up his mind, flashing a devilish grin, "I think the better question is, how can I help you?"

Tobho Mott raised a confused brow before barking his concerns, "Oh no! I don't need any more apprentices."

Dante chuckled, "You mistake me, master. I am no mere apprentice."

All the while, Gendry watched this scene unfold with googly eyes, amazed to see a child of similar age converse with Master Mott so candidly.

Tobho Mott did end up taking Dante in for an apprenticeship. Dante's knowledge of swords struck an accord. After a demonstration of his polishing skills, the master smith practically begged Dante to become his student. The polishing and sharpening of a sword are arguably just as important as forging the shape out of metal. Every smith wants a savvy polisher — it's the difference between a good blade and an excellent one.

"Very well, lad. You can work here, but you can't stay. Got enough strays in the house as it is."

"What, this huge place?" asked Dante with tongue against cheek, "No matter, I am just thankful for the opportunity."

Other than that, Dante didn't tell anyone about his true knowledge. When asked why he was so good at finishing, Dante told them he used to help out an old smith back in Passerby. No one pried much further than that.

Dante now had a path to follow. Working the street of steel ensured fulfilling work, physical labor for a strong body, and an outlet for creativity, and overall just seemed like the right fit. He could always quit and find a new path but for now, this would do.

He spent the first month living on the streets. Dante didn't mind; he was no stranger to discomfort. In fact, this was a blessing in disguise. During this month, Dante saw the good, bad, and ugly of King's Landing. From the romp of the street of silk to the tromped conditions of Flea Bottom. He saw how the masses ate 'pots of brown' — stews containing foul ingredients hard to identify. He saw fights on the streets, drunken horse races, petty squabbles over territory and assaults on women.

It didn't take long for word to get around about Tobho Mott's shop's sudden increase in sword quality. Dante made sure to spread rumors around the street of steel about how Tobho had a prodigy apprentice who made it possible. Before Dante knew it, he could contract his services to other smiths. When Master Mott found out about this, furious anger riled his heart. But when he confronted Dante about it, the boy's argument was sound:

"If you don't like it, then start paying for my services," said Dante, "Besides, what I do outside of this forge is none of your concern."

Faced with losing a talented student, Master Mott had but two options: Either pay Dante for each sword he helped complete or hold his tongue and allow Dante to help the competition. Free labor at the cost of the store's reputation going elsewhere, or pay the kid and keep the reputation in house?

"….Very well," Master Mott reluctantly agreed, "But at a cheaper rate. I'm still teaching you valuable skills."

Dante had to agree. The number of things Master Mott had taught Dante about armor smithing in this month alone was a testament to that. Dante didn't care about the lower rate; this was what he wanted in the first place. Yes, an apprenticeship, but also some money coming in. Dante could hardly live on the street forever eating scraps, and lodgings needed money.

It took little time for Dante to find a place to live, Flea Bottom had the cheapest rents. He chose a humble upstairs apartment on the east side of town on Rhaenys hill. His reasoning was simple: affordable, upstairs, with the building on a hill. The view from his window offered a spectacular gaze of the ocean. He could sit for hours watching the ships sail by, and at night when the vessels lit their lanterns, you could have sworn fireflies paraded Blackwater Bay.

His home was a little while away from Tobho Mott's shop, but Dante was okay with it. Each morning, Dante would walk to work using a different route from the morning prior, and the same with his walks in the evening. King's Landing offered too many interesting things to see for you to stick with the same route, day in and day out.

Life continued like this for some time. A boy named Gendry, a fellow apprentice of Master Mott, took a particular interest in Dante. The two became friends and rivals at the forge, their competitive edge spurring them to give it their all. There were others at the forge, but none worth mentioning other than Margaret, a thin red-haired serving girl some three years their senior. She always smiled when Gendry and Dante got into it and took extra care to ensure the boys had everything they needed. Working the forge was hot and sweaty, but Marge always ensured there was water at the ready.

Dante made sure to instil in Gendry the importance of work, eat, sleep. Gendry took a liking to the simple concept, and it showed. By the time the boys were 12, Gendry was tall and strong-looking young lad. Dante would also spar with Gendry daily with wooden swords and noted that Gendry had natural talent.

By the time Dante neared his thirteenth name day, he'd spent three years at King's Landing, more than enough time for his name to become known in the street of steel. It got to the point that patrons would come to the store asking for him. This created jealousy in the heart of Master Mott that festered over time until he finally had enough.

"It is I who forges the blades!" Tobho Mott said when patrons came asking for Dante, "The boy only sharpens and shines!"

Dante was doing just that when he overheard, "Only?" he parroted his master, "Are you so sure about that?"

"Of course I am!"

"Then how about a friendly wager?"

Master Mott scratched his chin, "A wager?"

"Yes," said Dante, "You and me craft a sword from scratch and see whose is sharper. If you win, my life is yours to do whatever you please."

"And if I lose?" asked Master Mott.

"You admit you were wrong. Deal?"

Dante extended a calloused hand.

Master Mott hummed as he inspected it for a moment, pretending he was weighing up the obviously one-sided offer, "Deal."

The two shook hands, and the wager was set.

Gendry smiled with anticipation, 'Let's see who sharpens and shines!'

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Next Chapter: Dante vs. Tobho Mott!