"A good thief never tells. Besides, I don't steal from everywhere," Lara said, giving him an innocent smile.
"I'm not convinced. It's alright, you don't have to spill all your secrets just yet," Alrion said.
Lara was right about the sound of the metalworking though. He could hear the hammering getting louder as they progressed.
The houses were all simply made, in the same style as the city gates. Basic stone shapes, with ornamental metal trimmings. Alrion spotted the odd shop on the way, selling a variety of tools and household items.
"No weapons," he said with a surprised look. It seemed to him like an oversight in a city of blacksmiths.
"Weapons are a smaller market here. Tightly controlled."
"Makes sense, there are so many blacksmiths you could turn over a vast number," Alrion said.
Lara could see him thinking through the problem. He was more like his father than he would admit. "Yes, but I don't think that's all there is to it. I get the sense that they prefer not to make them."
"My father definitely prefers not to. He doesn't want to be known as making tools of war, or being responsible for that. He has always been happy making simple things to help people in their day to day. I didn't think others shared that view." Alrion paused and took a closer look at their surroundings. "I think we've started to stumble across the workshops. Keep an eye out for my father. You remember what he looks like right?"
"Of course. I don't forget a face," Lara said. They slowed their pace, and scanned the faces of the working blacksmiths. They were all shapes and sizes, but the common features being the sweating brows and the arms the width of tree trunks.
"No sign yet," Alrion said.
"I think we are running out of workshops," Lara said, pointing ahead. There was another gate coming up. The doors were open, but there was a sign above the top. It was a sword and shield embossed into metal.
"Looks like the weapons section. Let's take a look," Alrion said.
Lara nodded and followed closely. Stepping through the gate felt like a totally different place. There were still workshops, but there was an air of seriousness and reservation. The blacksmiths Alrion could see had an extra determination and responsibility about them.
"Who are they?" Alrion said, pointing to a stranger. He was a tall man in a red coat wandering through the area.
"No idea, but he looks like an inspector to me," Lara said.
"You're probably right," Alrion said.
"Alrion!" Vincent shouted. He put down his hammer and rushed over, grabbing Alrion in his arms. "You made it. I was so worried."
"Yeah we did. Glad I found you here," Alrion said, relieved and happy to see his father again. He even forgot Lara was there and felt safe and at home once again. Then he noticed her watching them and stiffened up. Vincent released his son and stepped back.
"Where's Falric? And who is this lovely young woman?" he said.
"This is Lara, she's helping out. It's a long story." Alrion choked on his words and stared at the floor.
"Nice to meet you Lara. And Falric?"
"He...is gone. Killed by the enemy wizard that was chasing us," Alrion said in almost a whisper. It was so hard to say the words out loud again. The sense of loss came back completely.
"No... I can't believe it. Let's walk somewhere private so you can fill me in." Vincent guided them in silence down a side street and they emerged in a tiny park. Just a small patch of grass, a single leafy tree, and a large wooden bench seat. "Let's sit here. Please tell everything," Vincent said.
Alrion took a deep breath and launched into a long discussion of everything that had happened since they parted. Vincent did not interrupt once, he just sat quietly and absorbed the information. "So that brings us here," Alrion said, gesturing at his surroundings.
"The enemy wizard was Branthor, and he may still be alive?" Vincent said.
"Yes, we don't know for sure. And there's one other thing. It's about Falric," Alrion said, reaching for his bag. He pulled out the magic notebook.
"Look at this," Alrion said.
Vincent reached out and opened the book. He read the note.
"Who wrote that?" he asked.
"I don't know. It must be a wizard, I couldn't find any other way of writing in it. But the only wizard that it could be is Falric. Nobody else other than Branthor knows about my quest, or about this notebook. Maybe wizards are tougher than we thought?" Alrion was holding on to the hope. He desperately wanted his father to buy into the theory.
"Possibly. Losing Falric is unbelievable, and a huge loss. It's worth considering that he might be out there somewhere. Let's put that aside for a moment. Against all odds, you reached the Pool of Knowledge and you found me. What's next?"
"I'm not sure. The knowledge from the Pool comes in drips here and there, in dreams or integrated into my day to day activities. I can't draw on it like a reference book. But I did have a dream, and my grandfather was in it."
"Really?" Vincent sat up straight and his eyes lit up.
"Yes. I don't think it was a message or anything like that. But I think it was a way of showing me what I needed to do next."
"What was it?"
"I was shown a room, which was guarded by four strangely dressed bald men. They had flowing robes and a special sigil on their clothing."
"Sounds like monks, the way you described them. There are a few different orders of monks throughout the world, we would need to locate the exact ones." Vincent started pacing.
"That's a start. I am sure if I saw the sigil again I would recognise it."
"I will ask around, maybe someone here knows something about them. But before that, I have something to show you," Vincent said and took off. Alrion and Lara jumped up to follow closely behind.
Vincent didn't say anything, he just moved with passion and speed. Alrion struggled to keep up.
"What is my father up to?" he thought.
"Your father is so energised by something. This is exciting," Lara said.
"He's a blacksmith, it can't be that exciting," Alrion said.
Lara laughed. As they rounded the corner they saw Vincent enter a workshop.
"See. Just blacksmith stuff," Alrion said.
"Just get in there and we will find out," Lara said. The two of them entered the workshop and were assaulted with an array of smells, tinged with the smell of sweat.
"I don't know how you can work in here.” Lara was covering her nose and looking around.
"I try not to. There he is," Alrion said, pointing to the far corner. Vincent was standing next to a forge and had something on the anvil. As Alrion walked through the workshop he saw a variety of weapons being forged.
"Look at this!" Vincent said as they approached.
Alrion looked down and saw a blade sitting on the anvil. It required a bit more working to be complete, but it was stunning. The metal had a soft white glow to it, and the surface was perfect. "This looks pretty amazing. I thought you didn't make weapons?"
"It has been a while, but the guys here have been helping me. But that's not the best bit, touch the blade. It's not hot right now," Vincent said. Alrion reached out and dragged his fingers across the metal.
"What is that? It feels like it is vibrating," Alrion said.
"Runesteel. It can cut through anything, and never dulls. I thought the art of making it was long lost, but it seems not. Pretty amazing, isn't it?"
"Don't you need magic to make this?"
"Yes, but you don't need the wizard to make it on the spot. If you had some previously enhanced metal lying around then it wouldn't be so hard, would it?" Vincent said. He was grinning from ear to ear.
"What's this for?" Lara said, speaking up for the first time.
"Did Alrion tell you about how we had a nasty encounter with a Shade?" Vincent said.
"In passing," Lara said.
"Well, it was a rather inconvenient place to encounter one, on the deck of a ship. And as you may be aware, even though we had a wizard wi
th us, Shades are highly magic resistant. It kept me up at night, knowing that potentially the Shade was still out there somewhere."
"This will help?"
"Yes. Their skins are incredibly hard to pierce, but magically enhanced weapons do work. All we had last time was a dagger, and I'm not confident that we finished the job. But with this, and its twin, I think we will be better equipped." Vincent made a thrusting motion with the blade.
"Twin?" Alrion said.
"I'm making two. One for you, and one for me. You need to learn how to defend yourself without magic." Vincent put the blade back down.
"Maybe you can make me one of these? A bit smaller though, I prefer a dagger," Lara said, illustrating the preferred length with her hands.
"I hadn't expected to, but since you're with us you need to be able to defend yourself. It may take a while. I'll have to finish the others first, and source some more Runesteel. But leave it with me."
"Great, I think that would be incredibly handy." Lara reached out and felt the blade herself.
"It will be. So Alrion, what do you think?"
"It looks impressive, I just hope I can learn to use it effectively. I thought you hated making weapons?" he said. Vincent looked away for a moment before answering.
"In principle, yes I do. But there are times when it is necessary. I am happy to do so when I know that what I create will stay in good hands and be of use to my family. I still wouldn't make weapons for anyone I didn't trust."
"You trust me already?" Lara said, a teasing tone to her voice.
"If Alrion trusts you, then I trust you. Until you give me a reason not to." Vincent gave Lara a questioning look, but she held his gaze.
"Is the metal heavier or lighter than usual?" Alrion said, changing the topic.
"The Runesteel? It's lighter, one of the many benefits. Feel for yourself." Alrion picked up the blade and felt it. It was much lighter than he was used to working with. He handed it to Lara and she pretended to struggle with the weight, dropping to her knees. Vincent laughed and she handed it back.
Alrion tried not to laugh, but he did show a grin. "Alright you sold me. When will it be ready?" he said.
"A day or two perhaps, but we will see how I go. I'm not in a rush right now, and you don't seem to have a destination just yet."
"That's true, we need to find out where the monks are from." Alrion had no idea where to even start with that.
"I'm sure a few days to rest before heading out again will be of help. In fact, why don't I shout you both to a meal and free drinks to welcome you to Brangtur?"
"What's the catch? We never went out at home, and you always cautioned me on drinking anything remotely alcoholic," Alrion said.
"No catch, let's just have a moment to relax. We're reunited again. And we need to honour our fallen friend."
"That's true. I haven't done enough." Alrion looked away, as if trying to locate the humble grave he had constructed for Falric.
"We've all been through a lot, and I fear this is only the beginning. Let's take a moment," Vincent said.
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth Alrion," Lara said.
"Alright you convinced me. Let's go," Alrion said.
"Right behind you. Lara, would you mind staying back a second so I can ask you something?" Vincent said.
"Sure. Meet you out front," Lara shouted to Alrion.
Vincent watched Alrion leave then stepped closer to Lara.
"I appreciate the help you have given my son. However, I need to understand how you so quickly got caught up in this."
"I noticed the three of you back at Carford, and I knew there was something unusual going on. So, I lifted a ring from Alrion, and noticed that it was magical. I tracked you all since then, curious about what you were up to. Every adventure you had further confirmed to me that you were doing something monumental!"
"You followed us the entire way?" Vincent said. He couldn't disguise the surprise in his voice.
"Of course, it was easy. All I had to was keep hidden, you burnt a huge trail across the country."
"We did encounter a few situations."
"Exactly, so I kept track of you."
"What changed? What made you a helper instead of a watcher?" Vincent regarded her closely, interested in her answer.
"I noticed that Alrion was in trouble. So, I offered to help," Lara said. Vincent walked closer, until he was inches away from Lara's face.
"I know that you are caught up in this, and you want to keep going. And I don't need to know all your reasons. But I do know that you didn't just decide to help out. What happened?" Vincent said, in a low and steady voice that didn't accept excuses. She appeared shaken by the change in his tone and approach.
"Hopefully with a direct approach I can surprise her into telling me the truth," Vincent thought.
"He doesn't know. This mysterious wizard found me. He had tracked me using the ring that I stole from Alrion. He forced me to give it back, and to keep following."
"Who was it?"
"I don't know, he somehow hidden his face so that it is always in the shadows."
"How did he force you to help Alrion?"
"He had a way of getting into my mind. He didn't force me, but it was like he knew what to say. I can't explain it," Lara said. Vincent could see the truth on her face, her confusion and worry. She wasn't faking it.
"I see. Alrion knows nothing of this?"
"No."
"That's fine, better that way. I believe your story, but this other wizard concerns me. It is troubling that the wizard only appeared around the time of Falric's death."
"I couldn't say if it was before or after his death. I only met up with Alrion afterward.”
"Hey, you two, come see this," Alrion shouted.
"Keep this from Alrion, let's go." Vincent directed Lara to leave and followed her out. Alrion was standing just outside the door. Once he saw them he pointed to a man across the street. He was sitting on a bench reading a book.
"Who is that?" Lara said.
"I have no idea, but can you see that strange scarf he has wrapped around himself?"
"That's a monk's scarf," Vincent said.
"And from here it looks exactly like what the monks wore in my dream," Alrion said.
"He doesn't look like a monk to me, but let's go see what he has to say for himself," Lara said. Before Alrion or Vincent could reply she started walking off.
3
Tracking the scarf
Lara stopped right in front of the man, looking him over without pretending to hide what she was doing. The man didn't react, his head focused on his book.
"Excuse me," Lara said. He didn't immediately react, but after a moment placed a small ribbon in the book and closed it. He looked up at her.
"Yes, can I help you?" he said. A puzzled look crossed his face when Vincent and Alrion also joined Lara.
"My name is Lara. And you are?"
"Brett," the man said. He looked them all over, a confused expression on his face.
"That scarf is quite impressive. Where did you get it?" Lara said.
"Oh this? It's nice, isn't it? Unfortunately, it is not for sale."
"That's fine, I just would love to know where you got it?" Lara said in her sweetest voice. Alrion had to stifle a laugh and she quickly jerked her head around to silence him with a blistering look.
"I'm afraid you really can't get one, so I don't see how that would help."
"Please, humour me. I absolutely must know." Lara thought back to all the women she knew who were fashion obsessed, and tried to channel that.
"Very well, if it means you will leave me to my book?" Brett said, his increasing annoyance clear in his voice.
"Of course."
"Last night I was enjoying a quiet drink in my favoured inn. It's called The Amber Anvil. I was just about to leave for the night, when a strange man burst in. He was clad in what looked like rags, his hair was strangely cut, and he had a wild look about him. But he had on this
amazing scarf which had somehow survived whatever he had been through."
"So, a strange man came in wearing it. How did you get it?" Lara said. Alrion and Vincent stayed quiet, eager to hear what Brett had to say.
"Other than acknowledging his strange manner and dress, I returned to my book and my drink. A few minutes later I could smell something strange. I turned to notice that the man was hovering behind me. When I questioned him about what he wanted, he didn't say anything. He just stared at my drink."
"That is very odd." Lara said.
"It is indeed. He finally spoke, and said that he was in dire need of a drink, and asked if I could buy him a bottle to tide him over. I of course declined, which made him quite act quite erratic. I suspected that he was already drunk, and was perhaps fearing the prospect of sobering up." Lara was getting impatient with the way this guy was dragging out the story.
"You traded him for the scarf?" Lara said. For a man annoyed about being interrupted, he sure was taking his time with the story. Maybe he was punishing them.
"Please let me finish. At first, he challenged me to a drinking contest, with me supplying the bottle. I politely declined once again. But he was determined. So that's when he offered me the trade."
"You bought him a bottle and he gave you the scarf?"
"Not at first. He seemed quite reluctant to hand it over. But I was adamant that it was the only thing he had of value. He did finally relent, and I think he buried himself in the bottle even faster to forget about what he had lost."
"Great story, thanks for sharing. Where is this inn exactly?" Alrion said.
"It's on the other end of town. In the Vine district." Brett gestured off into the distance.
"Thank you, Brett, I apologise for taking you away from your book," Lara said.
"Well I did find it entertaining to share that particular story. Good luck with your search. I doubt that man has another scarf though."
"Don't you worry, I'll find out where I can get myself one," Lara said, winking at Brett. Brett immediately re-opened his book, and resumed where he was reading. Lara stepped away and Alrion and Vincent followed.
"Do you think that man he described is one of the monks?" Alrion said.
Vault of Silence (The Hidden Wizard Book 2) Page 2