Substitute blade
Hello Minds true believers. It's Animeman73 again. I’ve got another edition of the #BASwordtember challenge.
For day 12 we've got an interesting twist. The word/subject is: Substitute.
But there'll be no substitute entertainment here. We return to the world of blacksmiths Garvin Willoway and Karal Marlock. Let the fantasy goodness begin.
“Gads lass!” Garvin Willoway yelped as he looked over the shattered remains of the sword he held.
He turned his attention to a raven-haired woman dressed in chain mail armor and steel helm. She held the tabard of the River Mouth Way guard on one shoulder. “What in the Gods’ name happened with you?”
The woman rolled her eyes in annoyance. “It was ill-luck that caused this good blacksmith. I was coming down to River Mouth Way to join the town guard.
"On my way this group of bandits ambushed me.”
The young woman shivered. “The leader of this group was a big fellow. Messy brown hair, a scar on his right cheek.”
Karal Marlock, who’d been looking over the shop equipment turned at the mention. He and Garvin chimed, “Heinrich!” in annoyance.
“I knew it was only a matter of time before he took to robbing newcomers.” The 18-year-old apprentice blacksmith noted.
“Are you all right Miss Karlan?” Garvin asked.
The woman nodded, “Aye, though it was close. The bastard took one good swing at my sword and smashed it. That would've been the end of me had the captain not shown up at that moment.”
“I see,” the Master Blacksmith answered before looking over the sword remains again.
After several moments he called out, “Karal, come here.”
The 18-year-old walked over to him. The older brown-haired man showed him the sword. “All right lad, time to see what you’ve learned. What do you make of this ruined blade?”
The young man examined the ruined sword. “The handle and guard are all right. Fine North Pine wood. Some of the best material.” He observed.
Willoway’s apprentice paused as his face furrowed in thought. “But the blade wasn't very well smelted.” The young man then grimaced. “It looks like some of Johan Bourke’s work.”
Both apprentice and master blacksmith grimaced and said, “Ugh, Bourke!”
“Okay, how bad is his work?” Miss Karlan asked starting to put the pieces of the riddle together.
Willoway answered. “Leona my dear, that blacksmith may be superb with handles and guards. But when it comes to sword blades his smelting skills are a complete disaster!”
Leona Karlan smirked in amusement. “The captain mentioned as much.” From her purse she pulled out three gold coins. “These three Gold Ducannes should cover replacing the blade?”
The Master blacksmith looked at the coin and nodded his approval. “Oh, indeed it’ll cover replacing it.”
Leona sighed in consternation. “But meanwhile I’m going to need a substitute blade until I can get this word fixed. That’ll cost some coin, curse my bad fortune!"
Karal thought for a moment then went over to one of the most recent completed long swords. He brought it over to the shop counter.
"Master Willoway and I could lend a hand. You could use this one until your blade is complete for say… Two silvers a week as rental payment?” The apprentice suggested.
Garvin looked at the young man in surprise, the nodded. “Hmm, 2 silvers a week to rent this sword until we have the new one ready. Not such a bad idea.”
He looked at the young woman and asked, “What say you?’
She thought for a moment. “Hmm, it would take some money from me, but not too much that I’d be cold and on the streets. Aye, I’ll accept the deal.”
“Fantastic, first payment now by the by.” Karal pointed out.
Leona looked at the young man in surprise. “You…Don’t like taking chances, do you?”
“Master Willoway and I have had encounters with people who tried to cheat us. It’s kept us a tad paranoid.” Karal explained flashing a sheepish smirk.
The woman handed them the two silvers. Karal handed Leona the blade. “Welcome to River Mouth Way Miss Leona Karlan.” Garvin chimed.