Part 7 “Armor”

I enter the building that acts as both Dartac's workshop and store. The heat and smell of smoke and sweat hit me as I enter the busy workshop. Forges sit on one side with smith equipment neatly arranged nearby. Apprentices, mostly other dwarves, carry metal about or work on pieces of steel, or other metal. Pieces of armor, some complete, others not line the walls and racks in the building. Even though the area is so cluttered with metalwork, the apprentices all seem to know how to get around with great efficiency. All of the gear looks to be of good quality, some of it I would even call masterful, though one should expect no less from a dwarven smith. Martin calls out to him as we enter, yelling to be heard over the rhythmic clang of hammer against steel, or occasional hiss of red hot steel being dunked in water. “I'm here, master Dartac!”

“If you're in then get to work, the forges don't feed themselves!”

“I've also brought a customer!”

Dartac looks over, his beard mostly concealing a burn scarred face. “Give me a moment to finish up on this and I'll be right over!”

He finishes pounding a piece of steel into a shape that I can roughly identify as the beginnings of a helmet, and an apprentice quickly takes over where he leaves off. Dartac comes over, looks me up and down, his eyes stopping for a while at the hilt of my claymore poking over my shoulder.

“Well, I see you have a sword, and, if the blade is as fine as the handguard and hilt, it's a good one. That means you must've come here for armor, and you've come to the right place.”

“Yes, I only found your apprentice by chance, he helped me find your store. You were recommended to me.”

“Oh, by who?”

“The quartermaster of my company.”

“He's Leo, works for The Emerald Dragons, master Dartac.”

“That sounds familiar...”

Here it comes, or maybe he won't recognize the name.

“Ah, well, I'm sure it'll come to me eventually, so what do you need the armor for? Do you have the money for something custom fitted, or would you like something adjusted to fit you?”

“I'm off on a journey of sorts, so I'd like something that I can travel in but still offers some decent protection. I also need to be able to put it on and take it off without assistance. How about something at least grade one enchanted, grade two if you know a decent enough enchanter.”

Traveling alone puts a lot more on my mind defensively, with more money I might have decided to try for more powerful magic. I pull out a few of the graded gems I was given as payment. He takes one and looks it over.

“Well then, you're in luck. I practice enchantment myself. A bit of magic helps speed up the smithing and fill out the bulk orders quickly. I can have a decent enough suit ready within the week, how about we get some measurements. Martin, for once you brought in a big spender, get over here and let's let him be on his way quickly after we get some measurements.”

Martin grabs a nearby stepladder and a pair of cloth measuring strips, and weaves his way around all of the other workers with ease. While they take measurements, we discuss the specifics and price of what I'll be buying. We get around to discussing ungraded enchantments he knows how to imbue, when he remembers.

“...I also know an enchantment to protect against lightning magic. Now I remember, you wouldn't happen to be Leo Stormguard, would you?”

“Yes.”

“The Stormguard, defended the city of Stormvault a few years back?”

“Yes.”

Here it comes...

“So is the story true?”

“How about you tell me the version you've heard and I'll fill you in.”

Part 6 “Muggers”

It's been forever since I've punched out idiots who think knives are weapons. Knives aren't weapons, they're sharp tools. That time it was a bar fight, still remember all of those. Hopefully they won't see the sword strapped to my back and run off. Stretching my arms a little, I approach. One of them hears me and turns in my direction.

“Hey, this is none of your business old man,” I'm not that old yet, though I guess they haven't seen someone my age fight. He waves his knife in my general direction, “If you know what's good for you, you'll turn around and leave.”

I keep walking forward. Oh, now he looks mad.

“I told you...”

His sentence is cut off as he thrusts at me with his knife, his movement is easily predicted. Stepping to the side I grab his outstretched arm and pull him off balance. As he stumbles forward I pound his back with my elbow. He falls to the ground with a grunt. That got the other one's attention. He takes up a stance, looks like he might actually know how to 'knife fight'.

Keeping most of my attention on the second mugger, I kick the first back to the ground as he starts trying to get up. Thinking he sees an opening, the one left standing rushes me. I grab him by the wrist and twist it. He yells in pain and drops the knife, I follow the motion with a punch to the face. His nose cracks with the blow. Grabbing his nose and staggering, the one standing runs off. I pick the other one off of the ground.

“You should be careful with knives, someone might get hurt.” With that I shove him off in the direction his buddy ran. He runs off too, but not before looking at the handle of my Claymore poking over my shoulder. I turn toward the halfling, “You ok?”

“Fine thanks, though I suppose I should find a new way to the shop from now on.

“That was impressive. You might want to be careful for a while now, though. Just in case those two were in one of the crime gangs around here, and not just a regular pair of thugs. I'm Martin, by the way, apprentice of Dartac the armorer.”

“I'm Leo, and I was actually on my way to Dartac's when I heard the commotion.”

“Then, I guess we can go together.”

Honestly, I'm glad he offered. After running over here, I don't know where I am at all in this city. This guy'll save me a lot of wandering around. Martin is a bit of a talker, and he goes on about how there's a lot of trouble in the area where he lives. Most of it is lost on me, gangs and thieves have never been something to worry about in the company. Almost every thief, mugger, and small gang knows enough to avoid someone that's armed and armored, more especially a group of someones. He asks me where I learned to fight.

“In my mercenary company.”

“Which one would that be?”

I've been in it so long that I always just think of it as 'the' mercenary company. I suddenly realize I haven't actually talked to someone from outside in quite some time. Ever since The Captain took over, it's been,

“The Emerald Dragons”

“Right, I heard they were in town. Well, if you're looking for armor, you won't find better than Dartac's in all of the town.”

I'll decide that for myself. I can hear him working as we approach the shop.