After they closed down the smithy for the night, Truteria pulled on Buddy’s hand and led him to the inn’s back room.
“Mother, Father! I’ve brought my new teacher for dinner!” [Truteria]
A tall woman wearing an apron over a plain looking one-piece dress exited the kitchen area. Her long black hair was tied up in a bun with a single lacquered hashi1A Japanese chopstick. holding it in place.
Her eyes were the same as Truteria’s - but buddy saw no hint of fluffy fluffy wolf ears nor a tail.
Her eyes opened wide when she saw Buddy - her eyes rested on the hammer hanging from his belt.
“Ara? So the rumour I heard was true… Guragur dear, our wayward daughter has returned.” The tall women call back towards an open doorway with a mischievous smile.
A short but very sturdy looking wolf beastkin with the same hair and fur colour as Truteria’s poked his head into the back room, and when he saw the trio came in to join them.
“Father, this is my new smith teacher, Master Buddy.” [Truteria]
“Ha thank you for taking care of my rascal, Master Smith. I am Guragur, my wife here and I run this inn.” [Guragur]
“I am Buddy, Truteria’s older smith brother - please take care of me.” [Buddy]
Buddy gave a little bow.
“My how polite… I am Marateria. You two must be hungry after today’s work… Truteria show Master Buddy the washing area and then please take place in the common room. I will have dinner ready in a bit.” [Marateria]
Buddy noticed a piercing glance shot by Marateria to Guragur, who answered with a very slight nod.
<<Oy, strange… wonder what that was about?>> [Buddy]
“Follow me, big brother!” [Truteria]
After washing up, the two smiths entered the common room - which was a dining area and also a bar.
Truteria’s father, Guragur was standing behind the bar, busy serving thirsty villagers.
There were about thirty spread around the room and sitting at the bar, a mix of men and women, both human and wolf beastkin.
A small girl that looked exactly like a copy of Truteria brought the dinner.
“Hi big sister! Who is this giant?” [Tiny copy of Truteria]
Truteria patted the little girl on the head.
“Working hard again I see, dear Hanateria. This is my new smith teacher, Master Buddy.” [Truteria]
Hanateria looked up at Buddy with wide eyes and a grin.
“You teach my big sister all you know, ok Mister? Oh, I gots to go serve more… ta!” [Hanateria]
Buddy laughed and waved.
Dinner was a simple stew of some sort of meat and a starchy vegetable that reminded Buddy of something very familiar. A basket of fluffy rolls was included.
“What is this vegetable?” [Buddy]
“It is potato, we farm it here.” [Truteria]
“Oy! I thought it was familiar… Very delicious! To think I’d find this, here! Hmm...I wonder…” [Buddy]
After dinner Buddy thanked Truteria’s parents for their hospitality, the two smiths retired back to the smithy.
The next morning back in the smithy.
“Oy! You have several barrels full of scrap metal… what do you use this treasure for?” [Buddy]
“Eh… This is broken stuff that we get from all around. Mostly I make nails out of it. Some of it is rusted, and the carbon is all over the place - and some are weird alloys, I think my old master said there was nickel mixed in or something?” [Truteria]
“That would be a form of stainless steel, maybe… but this… this is worth more than gold to a knife-smith! Look, for today and tomorrow I’ll teach you intermediate knife smithing!” [Buddy]
And that is what the lesson of the day was.
Around noon a farmer came by and asked to have a set of rakes made.
“Oh, this is the farmer that grows our potatoes that you really enjoyed last night, big brother!” [Truteria]
“Oy? In that case, Master Farmer, could I buy some seed potatoes from you next time I come through in about a month? Say about for a three-family sized plot?” [Buddy]
“Sure Master Smith… I’ll put a couple of bag aside for you… you know how to plant them?” [Farmer]
“I have a rough idea, but I will trouble you at the time to check if I have it right!” [Buddy]
“What do you need potatoes for, big brother?” [Truteria]
“Well, my adopted family is short on foodstuffs - there is only that much we can do with the resources in the forest - but with potatoes, we can do a lot! They can be eaten fried, baked, grilled, and I’ve even made dough with it!” [Buddy]
“Huh, you might want to tell mother about all that yummy sounding stuff… we usually just eat them in stews… sigh.” [Truteria]
Later in the day.
“Big brother, I noticed something weird… your hammer… it keeps changing size and shape depending what you do with it, and when you have it on your belt it’s small…” [Truteria]
“Oy? I… I didn’t notice that, but now that you mention it? It is a relic from Auntie Goddess, I suspect, so… huh let’s try something.” [Buddy]
Buddy spent a few minutes imaging different hammers - from claw foot, to carpenter, to small precise silver smithing hammers, and each time his hammer would instantly be what he was thinking he wanted. After a bit more practice both Truteria and buddy discovered that the size, shape and even weight was freely changeable.
“So… we both can handle your hammer… I wonder if that is because I’m your little smith sister?” [Truteria]
“You also believe in Auntie Goddess, right? I saw you kneel in front of the small stature of he you have over there.” [Buddy]
And indeed a small bronze statue of Auntie Goddess cracked a small alter on one side of the smithy - it looked very similar to the one the orcs had.
“Yes, I am very devote - my old master said their master’s master’s master had made it after visiting the grand temple in the capital. And I always thought the Goddess - who is both the Goddess of us beastkin, farmers, and smiths has blessed me with a good life.” Truteria said this a bit shyly.
“Oy, Auntie Goddess is really very kind, I can tell you that much!” [Buddy]
Buddy patted his cute kōhai on the head.
The next day went by again full of smith training for Truteria.
Buddy was inspecting the tenth knife Truteria had just finished.
“Oy! This is it - you have it! After you practice a bit more and can duplicate this quality, in a few months I’ll show you how to make swords - the idea is similar, but because of the size a few different steps are needed - otherwise all you end up is with a twisted bar of metal.” [Buddy]
“Swords? That is high level guild stuff though?” [Truteria]
“I suppose it is - but I did promise to teach you all I know!” [Buddy]
“So are you going on to Fennvall tomorrow? It’s only about a five hour walk from here, if you don’t take a break.” [Truteria]
“Yes, I need to go make some money, so I can buy supplies for the winter.” [Buddy]
“I don’t have much on hand, but let me give you this gold coin as commission for those seven amazingly pretty knives you made while teaching me - I bet I can sell them all together for five gold with no problem!” [Truteria]
“Oy? A whole gold coin? Isn’t that a lot?” [Buddy]
“Well, it is about a month’s wages for a farm hand, I guess? But… Please take it, big brother!” [Truteria]
In the end Buddy accepted the coin - it was the first item he placed into the small pouch on his belt.
The next morning, Truteria’s family all came to see Buddy off.
Marateria, Truteria’s mother, held a small boy of about three by the hand. He had the same black hair as his mother, and his tail was also black, with a white tip on the end. He seemed to be lacking the typical wolf ears though.
“That’s my little brother, Baragur! When he grows older I’ll teach him to be a smith, too!” [Truteria]
Truteria puffed out her chest proudly as she patted the young boy on his head.
“Ah, so then you will be my little smith brother, Baragur! Please take care of me!” [Buddy]
Buddy bent down and held out his hand to the little Baragur, who took it and grinned slightly toothless at Buddy.
“Um, hello? Is Master Smith still here?” [Mayor Deteron]
A thin but tall clean shaven man with stark white hair, leaning on a staff, entered the smithy.
Truteria and her family, even little Baragur, all gave him a small bow.
“Dear mayor, you shouldn’t be out here in the cool morning air - that isn’t good for your bones.” [Marateria]
“Huh, don’t be so formal with this old man, Marateria! I really wanted to greet the new smith master before he left - and I have a favour to ask of you, young man, if that is OK?” [Mayor Deteron]
Buddy gave a small bow towards the mayor - he wasn’t sure but something in his soul told him that this old and gentle looking man deserved great respect.
<<Oy? What’s with this fellow’s aura? This small village has some curious mysteries - I might have to dig into them later.>> [Buddy thought]
“I am Buddy Marks - blacksmith and Truteria’s older smithing brother. If I can help in any way, I will.” [Buddy]
“That is too kind - my name is Deteron - I sort of act as the village elder, but these young ones like to call me mayor, even though we are not even a town. If I could trouble you Master Smith, when you reach Fennvall, please deliver this letter to the adventurer’s guild, this one to the merchant’s guild, and finally this one to the mayor?” [Mayor Deteron]
<<Oy? There are those kind of guilds here? Wonder if that is how I can make some money?>> [Buddy]
“Of course, I want to visit those places anyway!” [Buddy]
“Ah, and I heard yesterday you have taught our smith to make knives?” [Mayor Deteron]
“Yes, these seven my big brother made, and this one I made - and it got big brother’s approval!.” [Truteria]
“Truteria, sell me this one that Master Buddy made - it is a perfect chef’s knife!” [Marateria]
Truteria’s mother held up a six layered santoku bōchō2An all round kitchen Japanese knife - means "three uses".. It’s patterning was exquisite, showing off the height of Buddy’s knife art.
“Mother, that one is the most expensive… I’m afraid I can’t go lower than a gold piece. Sorry....” [Truteria]
“Sold! Cheap at double the price - this knife … the weight, the balance, the curve perfect for all sorts of uses… I once saw something similar at the capital, and they wanted four gold for it - and this one, the pattern… how was that made? This… this is a lost art! Only ancient knives passed down from generations have this! For me to finally get my hands on this!!!” [Marateria]
Marateria was dancing around holding up her new knife with both hands. Her husband was laughing, the little sister was looking down in embarrassment, and the little boy was just staring with wide eyes.
“I’m sorry mayor and big brother - my mother is a bit of a knife nut… not sure why.” [Truteria]
Truteria did a small bow in apology.
Buddy caught Truteria's father, , and Mayor Deteron exchanging a glance and a grin, as if to say <<Hehe, we know why, but we won’t tell!>>
“Yes, indeed, these knives are all exquisite - the one you made, too, Smith Truteria.” [Mayor Deteron]
Truteria smiled proudly.
"I am learning well from big brother!" [Truteria]
Buddy reached up to a shelf where he had placed a leather pouch containing something he had made yesterday while Truteria was making her practice knives.
“Mayor, this is just something I made as practice - something I want to teach Truteria when I’m back next month or so… please accept this.” [Buddy]
“Oh… this is… a folding knife? Ah you used brass for the inside and the end pieces… this is exquisitely done. And you even carved a leaf pattern into the brass?” [Mayor Deteron]
“No, the end pieces are cast - just using a simple packed sand technique - not really usable for mass production, but fun to do for these one offs.” [Buddy]
“Well… if you are sure it is alright for me to have this, then I will accept it.” [Mayor Deteron]
With that, Buddy parted ways and started walking towards Fennvall, a gold coin in his belt pouch, three letters in his vest pocket, and a packed lunch that Marateria had insisted he take along.
After five hours walking alongside fields and through a few woods, Buddy crested a hillock and saw the walled town of Fennvall for the first time.
The walls were rough mortared stone of various shades, about one house story high, with wooden towers at intervals. There were only two gates - one on the side that buddy was approaching from, and one exiting on the other side where the road continued on-wards towards a dark forest near the horizon.
Less than half an hour later Buddy reached the gates - a couple of guards dressed in lower class leather and mail armour were sitting on rough wooden stools in front.
They both had short swords and a dagger, plus Buddy noticed both a set of pilum and round shields leaning against the guard house.
As Buddy approached one of the guards stood - buddy took out the letter for the mayor and showed it to the guard..
“Oy! Good afternoon! I’m the black smith Buddy Marks, I have a letter for your mayor, and I’m also looking for work! Please take care of me!” [Buddy]
“A letter for our mayor? Well, Migular over there can lead you to her. I’m Hargolin, captain of the guard here - well, I say captain, but there are only eleven of us… Do you have a guild card?” [Captain Hargolin]
“Sorry, I ‘m not from this country, and I’ve mostly lived on the road, so I never made one… Can I get one at one of the guilds here?” [Buddy]
“Sure - as a smith both the adventurer and the merchant guild are an option for you - both will love to have you, and both will have work for you. We also have a blacksmith, so check if he needs any help, too. Well, seeing as you have a letter for the mayor, I’ll give you a temporary pass. Usually one needs to pay three silver, but I think we can skip that this time. Hey lazy bones, show master smith here to the mayor’s house, will you?” [Captain Hargolin]
“Sure thing boss… this way master smith.” [Migular the Guard]
“Too kind! I’ll be in your care!” [Buddy]
Migular the Guard guided Buddy to a simple looking two storied mansion at the edge of the town.
The outside was simple clean plaster-work.
There was a large entrance, and from the number of windows Buddy counted, there were probably around 12 rooms in the mansion.
Migular the Guard went up to the main door, knocked, said something to the butler that opened the door.
“Hey master smith, I’ll leave you in the butler’s care! I’ve got to got back and finish my shift! If I see you at the adventurer’s guild, you can treat me to a beer!” [Migular the Guard]
“Haha, OK, I will!” [Buddy]
The butler led Buddy to a sort of waiting room, and left.
After few moments a short and very young looking girl in a simple looking black floor length dress entered the room with the butler following close behind.
Buddy's trained eye could not see the stitching at all on the dress - that had to be expensive in a world where sewing was still all done by hand.
“I am the mayor of Fennvall, Casidiea Lalar Bianca. You have a letter for me?” [Mayor Casidiea]
<<Oy? A girl? No… wait - a dwarf?>> [Buddy]
Buddy bowed.
“I am the smith, Buddy Marks. The head of the village five hours from here, Master Deteron, asked me to deliver this.” [Buddy]
“Ara? From Deteron? One moment…” [Mayor Casidiea]
Mayor Casidiea opened the sealed envelope with a small knife that appeared from no-where and disappeared just as mysteriously.
“Ah, the monthly reports, I was expecting that. Ara, and I see you have taken on Truteria’s training, that is appreciated, thank you. We need all the professionals we can get, as lately many have gone off to the capital in hope of getting rich quickly. When you return, I will trouble you to take back my reply.” [Mayor Casidiea]
Buddy bowed again.
“Of course, I will be glad to.” [Buddy]
With that Mayor Casidiea nodded and left.
As the butler showed Buddy out, he held out his hand with two silver coins.
“Mistress extends this as thanks, for this delivery and also the return, when the time comes.” [Buttler]
“Oy, thank you - and sorry to ask, bit where can I find the merchant’s guild” [Buddy]
“Indeed - just walk down that road to the town centre, you will see an ostentatious two story building on one side of the plaza faced in sandstone - that is the merchant’s guild. On the other side is the adventurer’s guild - a simple one storied brick affair with a training arena attached is the adventurer’s guild.” [Butler]
Buddy nodded his thanks and off he trotted in the direction the butler pointed.
<<That makes one gold, two silver I now have… I wonder what that actually amounts to? I’ll have to get someone from the merchant’s guild maybe to explain that to me…>> [Buddy]
Signing up at the merchant's guild was simple enough.
"And here are three copper coins for bringing the report." [Clerk]
"Oy? I would have done it for free, you know?" [Buddy]
"Well, that is kind, but if we start to accpet people to bring us letters for free, no-one will do it anymore. " [Clerk]
"Makes sense! Now thatg i'm all signed up and have my guild card - I'm looking for work related to smithing... Is there any thing like that?" [Buddy]
"Hm, the carpenter is looking for someone to help fix a grain mill... that might be something? Here, these are the details..." [Clerk]
The clerk handed Buddy a request form.
<<Oy! I can read it! I wasn't sure... Thanks Aunti Goddess!>> [Buddy]
"I'll take it - I've worked on grain mills before." [Buddy]
The clerk waved goodbye as Buddy left, the carpenter's request note safe in his vest pocket.
<<Oy! Next, the adventures' guild! I bet that will be more exciting! Isn't it the norm that some hobgolbin of an adventurer tries to bully the newbie3Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Yuna made short order of _her_ hobgoblin bully, hehe... wonder what Buddy will face??>> [Buddy]
Good to see he’s in the town now. Just need to see who his friend is and how he’s gonna get cash to help the orcs and all that. Excited for more.