Metal and Flesh (The Rohvim, Book 1)

9.3 Seamless

   Aeden began to explore the city to gather provisions and news. For many days he scouted out the city's tavern, talking to all who passed through. He heard from one traveler that his home city was completely leveled to the ground, and alternatively from another that the invading army had nearly been defeated by an underground guerilla force. Starving for real news he turned to the shopkeepers. He approached what appeared to be a general goods store, tidy and well maintained, and opened the front door. He slowly passed shelves of candles, pots, cured meats, rope, a few well made daggers and swords, boots, cuirasses and greaves. He was handling one of the finer armors when the short shopkeeper approached him.

   "A fine piece that one is. I bought it from a travelling armor-smith out of Ragner." By his speech and appearance Aeden judged him to be a well mannered man, possibly from the capital, clean and well dressed.

   "It is fine indeed. My father had an armory full of pieces like this. I owned one not too long ago..."

   "Yes? I presume you are one of the refugees from the city of Elbeth? So tragic. And yet we thank you and praise you greatly for coming to warn us of the danger." The man extended his hand and shook Aeden's vigorously, who forced a weak smile.

   "I am indeed thankful to be here in your beautiful city. The Creator smiles upon it, and may he continue to do so." The man beamed at him. He then took him by the shoulders and guided the young man to another shelf.

   "Now, look at this one. Crafted of the finest leather and steel. Ribbed with articulating joints for maximal range of motion and comfort. Very sturdy and yet veritably a work of art. This was the last made by the Great Smith of Ramath before he passed on to meet the Creator." Aeden gave a slow whistle. He had never seen so finely crafted armor. The workmanship was phenomenal-the seams invisible, the joining of leather and metal as natural as if they were of the same substance. From the shoulder guards down to the leg greaves it was a complete whole, not a collection of raw materials as many armors seemed.

   The man continued, "And the Great Smith also made this sword you see next to it, intending them to be used together. Between them they have a continuity of style that is unusual for a weapon and armor set. From what I understood, he made these intending to give them to his only son before he died, but as fate would have it, his son accidentally perished the very day he finished them. Overcome with grief, he soon was consumed by illness and he died within the month. He had no kin, so the lord of the city auctioned off his possessions, and I was lucky enough to snap this up among some of his other gear. I insist, you will try it on!"

   With that, the man grabbed it off the display mount and presented it to Aeden, who, eyes wide, looked from armor to shopkeeper and back to armor, deciding whether or not to oblige the man, yet dearly hoping the man would insist further. He did: "Go on! It looks like it would fit your tall athletic frame perfectly." Convinced, Aeden slipped off his outer clothes given by Lord Whitehall and worked his way into the fine construction. It was difficult to put on, and yet once equipped conformed nearly perfectly to his body and did not constrict any movement. He strapped the belts in place and secured the various buckles. The man then strapped the sword to his torso, the hilt now rising slightly above his right shoulder.

    "There! No officer in the Royal Guard itself ever was arrayed so finely! Come, look in the mirror." He guided Aeden to the other side of the shop and presented him to a full body length mirror-an object itself very rare in the kingdom. He caught his breath. He admiringly turned right and left, then raised his arm to unsheathe the sword. It was well balanced, sharp, and noble looking, yet with a deadly air to it. The blade was sharp, with a slight curve to it, the hilt a seamless combination of leather and steel. He smiled broadly at himself in the mirror, posing this way and that for several minutes, chatting with the shopkeeper about the armor's construction or the sword's fine balance.

   After awhile he sighed, "Sir, I thank you for your generosity and indulgence. In my father's armory, never was there anything like this, and my mind has been consoled a little by your kindness. But, alas! My father and little sister lay dead in Elbeth, and my father's house surely looted by the stone-faced army that has occupied it. I must now return to our lodgings to console my mother, who I fear may never recover from her grief."

   He began to unstrap the belts and remove the treasure from his body. The man bowed his head and murmured, "Creator have mercy upon this good man and his dear mother." He assisted Aeden in removing the armor and placed it back upon the mount. He then guided him through the rest of the shop and suggested some provisions for their temporary home, and assured him he would only accept the smallest amount of payment. Aeden picked out some candles, asking the man about his knowledge of recent events.

   During this discussion, the back door opened and a young woman entered.