The town blacksmith was currently finishing up a pair of metal training gauntlets for one of the freshly awakened kids. Every year at the festival he makes starting gear for those who awakened and gave it away.
But as spectacular the craft was to watch Anecus noticed a centerpiece, displayed in a glass cabinet.
It was an immaculately made training sword. Neither long sword or short, just in the middle. A perfect size for someone like Anecus who was tall for his age. What was strange to Anecus was that everything about the sword seemed normal.
Pommel was reverse tapered, the grip was leather wrapped in a fine blue hide. The blade itself pristine, it started wide and tapered off to a fine point.
But where the cross guard met in the center it traveled up the fuller of the sword quite a ways, coming to a point just like the blade. It was also made of blue stone that matched the grip. 'Interesting'
Naia noticed Anecus's attention was stolen. She looks at the sword and then back at Anecus. "You want it don't you?"
"Huh?" snapping back into reality. "...no, I just thought it was cool how it incorporated stone into the sword."
He looked again at the stone which had a fine carving that almost resembled a painting. It depicted an armor clad warrior holding a sword with both hands, the carved sword split evenly down the stone and behind the warrior a raging Star.
From a distance Red was walking with the rest of the family enjoying the lively conversations but he found his eyes searching for Anecus. He witnessed the look of longing on his face, and what it was aimed at.
The blacksmith's booth is still hammering away, light dances off steel and stone. Cassia was still with Jane, examining books about spirits. Naia lingered close but gave Anecus some pace. Muted sounds of joy echoed in the distance, as if the world had narrowed to a swords edge.
Standing there longer than he meant to, long enough that the vendor cast him a warm glance. The blue stone sword didn't shimmer. 'Its waiting for someone.'
Over his shoulder standing tall, a voice like thunder softened. "You want it?"
Anecus didn't jump, but he felt caught. "It's just…interesting that's all."
Red stepped up beside him the firelight of the forge played across his scarred cheek, catching the edges of his onyx eyes. He stared at the blade, but not really.
"Wanting something doesn't make you selfish, son."
Anecus shifting on his feet found the word sitting strange in his chest. Like he wasn't sure if he deserved to hear them. "But I don't need it, We have tools. I have hands. I don't..."
Red interrupted gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You don't need it. You want it, and that's enough."
Red could see the conflicting expressions on Anecus's face. Kneeling to his level "You're allowed to want things that call to you. That's how we learn what's ours to hold."
Padded footfalls could be heard coming up behind them. Cassia to her nature "Just say you want it, dummy."
Beaming at him, hands on her hips like she already knew the outcome, teasingly said "you stared at it for so long I thought Naia would get jealous."
Naia had visible steam rising from her head "Cassie!"
Red added one final note in an attempt to let him know it was ok. "If you want it, I'll teach you how to use it properly. Not just how fight but to protect."
Staring once more at the sword behind the glass he took a breath that filled his whole chest. "I want it."
And that was all it took, a want acknowledged and a truth accepted. The boy leaned into a path that would shape his edge.
----
Amongst the singing of his hammer the Blacksmith Herrod noticed the silver haired boy become enthralled by the blade. He has seen many of the children throughout the years admire his craft. There was nothing like your first piece of equipment for your journey as an Accursed.
Finishing up a spear for a newly Awakened child that had been granted the wind Pillar he looked back to the silver haired boy…'still looking huh.' but this time a tall roguish man stepped up beside the boy.
Instinctively Herrod's muscles tensed and his Pillar flared slightly. 'That is a dangerous man…'
hammering away still 'ting!' His attention was mainly focused on the pair 'ting!' After seeing the warmth in the man's eyes he correctly assumed 'must be his father.'
'ting!' Herrod laxed.
Then he heard the words he's been waiting for. "I want it."
His hammering stopped for a moment, He had heard the boy say it aloud. The boy's father remained standing beside him, and the two girls looked pleased.
The moment hung in the air like a finished swing waiting for the ring of impact but in an amused gruff voice "Good."
Anecus heard the voice from the side of the Stall. The broad shouldered man was already walking back toward the display with soot covered hands and smudges across his bald head.
Embers seemed to smolder in his fiery red beard but didn't burn the hair.
With a presence that made everyone automatically make space but his tone was warm not heavy. He wiped his hands with a coarse cloth before stepping behind the glass.
Anecus locked eyes with him "I watched you looking at it for a while now."
Anecus POV
'I wanted to open my mouth to protest, but nothing came out. Instead I watched as the man carefully opened the case and pulled out the sword. But he didn't hand it to me. Instead, he set it on a low rack beside them, unsheathing it slowly. Letting the steal breathe.
The man's voice quieter now "built this for someone specific. Didn't know who...never really do." he looks away from the sword to me "I'd know when I saw 'em."
I could see father folded his arms and go on silent alert. His eyes watching the man, not in suspicion but calculation. 'come one, not everyone is out to get us dad.'
I found myself being inspected by this blacksmith
"you've got long limbs but you haven't hit your real growth spurt yet. Still…your balance is centered your stance?" he says this as he looks over me "you stay open, loose, not tense."
Cassia next to me asked what I was thinking. "how do you know that?"
"I'm the mighty blacksmith Herrod I don't just make blades. I read the ones who need them." After a hearty laugh he knelt and offered the sword to me. Pomme first. "Go on, hold it."
Reaching out my fingers brushed the leather grip, the moment I closed my hand around it I felt something click. Not in some magical or fate sense. Just fit, like something missing had been returned.
My stance adjusted instinctively and the weight felt perfect. Fathers eyes softened seeing his me find comfort so easily.
Satisfied Herrod "feels like yours, doesn't it?"
I almost didn't answer but in a hushed response I could only mutter a "...yeah."
POV End