The morning after the High-Amorak subjugation, K-10 returned to the Adventurer’s Guild.
Lyra was behind the reception desk when he entered. She looked up and smiled.
“Kaiten. Your payment came in.”
She reached beneath the counter and placed a heavy leather pouch on the desk.
“The Guild’s percentage has already been deducted.”
K-10 picked up the pouch. The weight was considerable. He opened it and counted the coins by denomination before securing the pouch at his belt.
Lyra watched with obvious satisfaction.
“That’s quite a reward. And the Guild received a healthy percentage.”
K-10 looked at her.
“You seem pleased.”
“We’ve been struggling for some time. A contract like this helps.”
K-10 understood the economics immediately. The Guild provided access to contracts, administration, and facilities in exchange for a percentage of the adventurer’s earnings. A successful contract benefited both sides.
Lyra’s attention shifted to his damaged armor.
“And you certainly need it.”
K-10 looked down.
The leather armor had survived the High-Amorak encounter, but several sections were torn and badly scored. The damage wasn’t immediately debilitating, but its protective value had been reduced.
“It remains functional.”
Lyra sighed.
“Your sword broke.”
“I’ll replace it.”
A voice came from behind him.
“You’re going to do more than that.”
K-10 turned.
Seralyth stood several paces away with her arms folded.
“You’re coming with me.”
“Where?”
“Shopping.”
K-10 regarded her for a moment.
“No.”
Seralyth stared at him.
“Your armor is damaged, and your sword broke. You’re replacing both.”
“I was going to.”
“Good. Then come.”
K-10 remained where he was.
Seralyth’s patience finally gave out.
“You dumb moofluke! We are going shopping whether you like it or not!”
Lyra covered her mouth, unsuccessfully hiding a laugh.
K-10 studied Seralyth for several seconds. Her posture made it clear that further discussion would accomplish nothing.
He followed.
Linden was already busy by the time they left the Guild. Merchants were opening their stalls, carts moved through the streets, and pedestrians filled the roads.
Seralyth led him away from the market and into a quieter section of the city.
K-10 continued to assess his surroundings as they walked, noting guard positions, intersections, alleyways, windows, and potential routes through the district.
Seralyth glanced at him.
“Are you ever not analyzing everything?”
“Sometimes.”
“When?”
“When analysis isn’t useful.”
She shook her head.
“I don’t know whether that’s reassuring or disturbing.”
A few minutes later, the sound of hammering reached them.
A large wooden sign hung above a broad doorway.
BRENNAR’S FORGE
Heat rolled into the street through the open entrance.
Seralyth entered without hesitation.
K-10 followed.
The forge was practical rather than decorative. Weapons, armor, hides, metal ingots, tools, and partially completed work occupied nearly every available space, but everything had its place.
K-10’s eyes moved across the workshop, taking in its layout and equipment before settling on the weapons.
He examined several swords. The workmanship was good, but none matched his requirements for balance, length, and handling.
A voice came from near the forge.
“You’re inspecting my swords.”
K-10 turned.
The man standing beside the forge was broad-shouldered and heavily built. He appeared to be in his late fifties, perhaps older. His forearms were thick from years of working metal, and his hands were covered in scars and calluses. Gray threaded through his dark brown hair.
He wiped his hands with a cloth.
“Seralyth.”
“Brennar.”
His eyes moved toward K-10.
“And this must be Kaiten.”
“Yes.”
Brennar studied him for a moment.
“Quiet.”
“He usually is.”
K-10’s attention returned to the workshop.
Brennar noticed.
“You’re inspecting my entire forge now?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To determine what you can make.”
Brennar raised an eyebrow.
“Direct.”
K-10 moved toward the armor displayed along the wall. He examined several pieces, paying particular attention to their mobility and protective coverage.
Brennar watched him.
“What kind of fighter are you?”
“Close-quarters combat. Dual blades. Unarmed combat. Grappling. Striking.”
“Which sword discipline?”
“Kenjutsu. Kali. Escrima. Bojutsu.”
Brennar glanced at Seralyth.
She shook her head.
“I’ve never heard of any of those.”
K-10 continued.
“Boxing. Muay Thai. Judo. Karate. Tae Kwon Do. Aikido. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Military combatives.”
The hammering from the neighboring forge seemed unusually loud in the silence that followed.
Brennar looked at him.
“Are those all sword disciplines?”
“No. They’re fighting systems.”
Seralyth studied K-10.
“Where did you learn them?”
K-10 paused.
“Different instructors.”
It was technically true.
Brennar considered the answer before looking at K-10’s damaged armor.
“What kind of armor do you normally use?”
“Whatever is available.”
“Do you like it?”
“No. It restricts movement.”
Brennar nodded toward the armor on display.
“All armor restricts movement.”
“Then it can be improved.”
That caught Brennar’s attention.
K-10 examined another suit.
“The shoulders need independent movement. The hips cannot be restricted. The joints need flexibility, and nothing should be loose enough to be grabbed.”
He indicated several areas of his body as he spoke.
“I need protection over the chest, abdomen, back, sides, shoulders, forearms, thighs, knees, shins, and neck. The weight needs to remain close to the body.”
Brennar studied him.
“And you expect to move normally?”
“Yes.”
Brennar looked toward Seralyth.
“He’s not describing conventional armor.”
“No,” Seralyth replied. “He isn’t.”
Brennar turned back to K-10.
“What materials?”
“Tarmynian. Use the strongest materials appropriate for each application.”
Brennar considered that before walking toward a locked storage cabinet.
“There is another option.”
He opened the cabinet and removed several pieces of dull gray metal wrapped in cloth. He carefully placed one on the workbench.
“Grey Lunarium.”
K-10 examined the material.
Brennar continued.
“I have some, but not enough for a full suit.”
“A full suit isn’t necessary.”
K-10 considered the available material.
“I only need Lunarium where additional protection is most valuable. The chest, back, shoulders, forearms, knees, shins, and other vulnerable areas. The rest can be reinforced Tarmynian materials.”
Brennar nodded.
“Selective reinforcement. That will make what I have last considerably longer.”
K-10 looked at the metal.
“I also need enough for two short swords.”
Brennar considered the amount of Lunarium.
“I have enough.”
“That’s acceptable.”
K-10 looked at the Grey Lunarium again.
“How much?”
Brennar paused.
“For the Lunarium?”
“For all of it.”
Brennar glanced toward Seralyth before looking back at him.
“I’ll give you the friend-of-a-friend discount.”
He winked at Seralyth.
She frowned.
“Brennar.”
“What? I’m giving him a better price than I’d normally charge.”
K-10 looked between them.
Seralyth folded her arms.
“It’s fine.”
Brennar gave K-10 the price.
K-10 considered it briefly.
“Acceptable.”
“Then we have an agreement.”
Brennar returned the Lunarium to the workbench.
“I’ll need to determine exactly where to place the plates.”
“Agreed.”
K-10 picked up a piece of charcoal and moved toward an empty workbench.
He drew two short, slightly curved blades. Both were single-edged, compact, and nearly identical.
Brennar leaned over the drawing.
“Two short swords?”
“Yes.”
“Identical?”
“As close as possible.”
Brennar studied the design.
“They’re shorter than most swords.”
“I don’t need additional reach.”
“What do you need?”
“Control.”
Brennar continued examining the drawing.
“What do you call them?”
“Kodachi.”
Brennar repeated the unfamiliar word.
“Kodachi.”
He looked at K-10.
“I’ve never made one.”
“You can.”
Brennar studied him for a moment before nodding.
“I suppose I can.”
He turned toward the forge.
“I’ll need to select the steel first.”
K-10 followed.
“You can leave the drawing. I’ll start working on the specifications.”
“I’ll stay.”
Brennar stopped.
“For what?”
“To observe.”
Seralyth closed her eyes.
Brennar looked at K-10.
“You’re going to watch me work?”
“Yes.”
“All day?”
“If necessary.”
Seralyth slowly shook her head.
She had brought K-10 here expecting to replace his equipment and return to the Guild. Instead, he had found a craftsman, unfamiliar materials, and a new technical discipline to study.
Brennar seemed far less bothered by the development.
He selected a piece of steel and placed it into the forge.
K-10 watched closely as the metal heated. He observed the color, the temperature, the hammering technique, and the way Brennar manipulated the material.
After several minutes, K-10 began asking questions about the steel and the quenching process.
Brennar answered them.
K-10 listened carefully.
Seralyth watched from a nearby bench.
She had intended to thank K-10 for saving her life.
Instead, she had apparently delivered him to a blacksmith’s forge and given him another reason to become completely absorbed in something.
She looked at Brennar.
Brennar looked back at her.
“Maybe taking Kaiten shopping was a bad idea.”
Brennar returned his attention to the glowing steel.
“You think?”
K-10 showed no indication that either of them had spoken.
His attention remained fixed on the forge.