Arka pokes her head round the open doorway and sees Zorbels sitting in the corner, deep in conversation with a menkie. Not wanting to disturb her she approaches the counter and waits for Xagred to finish working on a long sword. She can see it's in a pretty bad way, but not beyond repair. In Xagred's skilled hands, it will soon be as good as new. Watching him work, Arka remembers how she used to help her father, Golthart, at his forge. How proud he was when she finished her apprenticeship! But that was so long ago and her smithing skills are not as they used to be.
She has come to see Trasok, but he doesn't seem to be around. There is no hurry; for now she is content just to stand and watch Xagred complete the intricate weld. He is exquisitely skilled and the molten metal flows just where he wants it. Arka is completely transfixed by his sheer skill.
"It is so easy to get this wrong", she thinks, "but then, he does have one of the best craftsman in Ojaveda for a master." She remembers her first clumsy attempts at welding and winces. Her father had laughed and she was nealrly in tears. But then he showed her where she had gone wrong, how to coax the liquid metal into the cracks. How she missed him!
Arka sighs out loud.
