The Shop of Fangan the Smith, Almas
15 Rova, 4709 AR
Fangan sees Cameric enter and nods in greeting.
"Ahh. The bastard. It is ready. Durgan, my friend...this is Cameric - the man with the bastard of whom we spoke. You know where the blade is - can you please fetch it for us?"
As Durgan leaves to fetch the sword, Fangan continues:
"Durgan will be accompanying you in the caravan to Darkmoon. He has his own business there. He can be relied on, sir."
Durgan returns with Cameric's sword.
"Thank you, Durgan. . A very special blade and unusual - even for a bastard. There are few who know how best to wield such a thing, but a wizard? ...
... So they're sending you away to The Vale? You think they want to be rid of you, eh? Well just so you know...I do business with many an old Legionnaire. These men are not stupid. You can be sure that it does matter to them what you do up there. I hear that Odeber's men in Adamas are not particularly popular in the lumber camps of Darkmoon. They need a fresh face there to help the local sheriff...and look out for Andoran interests. That would be you, I gather. Well I hope for your sake you can wield this blade...and wield it well. The Vale is a dangerous place...so I hear.
Now, Sir Cameric. Allow me to show you what I found while cleaning up this blade for you...I can't say I know what it means."
Fangan uses a pair of long tongs to pick up a white-hot ember from the fire. He places the ember on an anvil and rests Cameric's blade onto it from a point just above the sword's haft. Using bellows he stokes the burning coal. After a minute of stoking he grabs a leather belt and uses it to raise the blade. Where the metal is discoloured from the heat you can see the faint lines of a rune, finely imprinted on the blade just above the haft. The rune starts to fade as the blade cools. You do not recognize the rune.
Once the sword is cool, Fangan expertly cleans the blade and applies tung oil before handing it to its owner.
Cameric, The blade looks like brand new and it feels great to hold it in your hand once more.
The hilt of this fine Andoran-made weapon is a masterpiece unto itself; the grip is wrapped in strips of dark blue leather and a metal buttcap is fitted at the pommel to resemble the head of a miniature flanged mace. Identical, gold-plated eagles on either side of the weapon join the blade and hilt, as the wings of this pair of creatures form the crossguard to catch incoming strikes. As for the sword itself; its long blade is slightly leaf-shaped and intricately engraved designs run along the fuller, spiraling at an empty space near the base of on the blade just above the haft. It had always seemed strange that the pattern of long, sinewy curlicues should end so anticlimactically as it almost reached the hilt, but this hidden rune appears to be situated perfectly within its complex design before fading.
"That be a mighty fine piece of steel ye got there, Cameric. How be a wizard like yerself came by such...if ye don't mind me asking?"
"My father used this blade in the struggle for Andoran independence some forty years ago. I found it in a trunk of his belongings before I set off for schooling at the Arcanamirium ... I confess, I can only hope that I do honor to his memory by it, for he died of a broken heart with the passing of my mother when I was but a babe. My grandmother and grandfather, notaries here in Almas, took care of me ever since."
Cameric continues to consider the blade and the mysterious rune, his eyes never leaving the sword as he speaks.
Durgan nods and says, "Master Fangan is wise to say ye may get a chance to wet that blade in Darkmoon Vale. I too have heard tales that it is a place where one's mettle can be tested. When are ye planning on leaving?"
"My commanding officer's orders are to leave Almas before sundown and make my way to the hollow as swiftly as possible. And as for bloodshed? I daresay we can only hope; proving my mettle there could mean advancing my ambitions here."
Cameric regards the smith as he returns the bastard sword to its scabbard and secures it to his belt once more.
"Again, thank you Master Fangan for your help. I couldn't have trusted my blade into better hands than yours."
Turning to Durgan, Cameric says,"Do you know then where the caravan bound for Darkmoon is stationed?"
"For a wizard, I like the way ye think! As for the caravan, I'm sure we'll find it. Master Fangan, I thank ye for all ye have shown me. May Torag continue to bless ye hands to his glory."