Forging a Deal [Torin]

[Kala Leukos]

15 Searing 121

The twins entered the shop with little fanfare. They had no retinue but each other, and if Kaus' wings earned him immediate respect, his sister's dress and manner tended to earn her the same despite her diminutive stature. But Kaus was small by Avialae standards, and Kala was small by human standards. The both of them perused the wares in the receiving area of the runeforger's shopfront. Kaus, predictably, looked to weapons, while Kala's interests were more inclusive. Of course, she had already worked with the Shinsei, at least to properly house a holy relic. But their people were remote and had more common needs. Runeforging was rare, and those who lived at Starfall were occupied with specific things. It was one of Kala's tasks this season to assure an influx of well-made materials that would maintain or better the standard of living for her people.

It were better to keep such arrangements with someone who wasn't next in line to be head of state, as secretive as House Leukos could be.

A boy stumbled at the interior door when he saw them. Eyes wide, he bowed comically low and spoke with a lisp due to a missing baby tooth.

"Your lordthip! Your ladyship! The mathter ith out... How may I be of thervith?"

"Good day, sir," Kala said to the boy, granting him more respect than he had probably ever had. "I don't suppose you have been given leave to negotiate large and ongoing orders?"

He stared, then glanced to Kaus who regarded him coolly. The lad shook his head furiously, though he straightened, perhaps drawing some courage from the way he was being treated.

"No, ma'am, milady. I'm thorry. I could. I'm good at figureth, but not yet..."

"What a shame," she said. "If you can do your figures, then you would be a great help forging a deal. Is there perhaps an apprentice with enough seniority to answer some boring questions for me?"

He stared, then began to nod vociferously.

"Jutht a moment!" he called over his shoulder, already off on this most important errand.

[Torin Kilvin]

Torin was at his forge when the lad came bounding in, knowing at least enough to pull to a halt well short of where the large blond apprentice was slamming a heavy hammer down onto the piece of dull-orange heated mental on his anvil. The larger boy, now a man really, was stripped to his breeches and boots, hair pulled back in a leather thong, apron draped over his bare chest. He saw the small body enter immediately but this was a delicate moment for the steel and he was almost done.

Ten more hard blows had the piece bending just so over the anvil horn and he turned to lower it into the quench. It would be fine there for the time being so he turned to acknowledge the boy.

"Mathter Kilvin!" Came the piping lisp, Torin shook his head but smiled.

"Torin. Please, Timon. We're both still apprentices, remember?" He pulled a clean cloth out of a pile nearby, wet it in a bucket of water kept for the purpose, and cleaned his face and hands. "Is there a customer?"

The lad nodded and followed him as he walked across the yard towards the shop proper, chattering about the 'Fanthy Lady' and 'Angel Lord'. Torin raised a brow at the description. He hadn't known of an Avialae visiting the shop before. It was the sort of things that would have circulated through the apprentices if one had. Must be new customers, and important ones. He wrestled into his shirt and pulled his hair out of the tie, trying to straighten it as best he could. He tucked his shirt in just before stepping into the showroom, it was the best he could do at the moment. There was a smudge of soot high on one temple that he'd missed, but otherwise, he looked presentable.

"Good morrow." He greeted in the tone he'd been working on for customers, a mix of genuine friendliness and a desire to help that didn't really include subservience. "My Lord, My lady, how may I help you?"
He stood behind the counter for the moment but was more than willing to cross over and show specific pieces if it was wanted. Timon followed him in, not quite sure what to do with himself he alternated between pretending to clean the countertop and staring outright.

[Kala Leukos]

The two faces turned to take him in as one. They were clearly siblings or at least close relatives, though she hadn't the wings, of course. All the same, her brother deferred to her. She was the elder of the pair and she had always been better at leading. Both nodded graciously; they were not accustomed to treating people as servants who weren't servants, and even servants were treated with dignity.

"Good Master Apprentice," she said. "I am Kala Leukos. This is my brother Kaus. I apologize for interrupting your work. I ought to have sent word ahead to your master that we were coming, but perhaps you might answer some of my initial questions."

"And, young master," Kaus said directly to the small boy. "Might you answer some questions about these fine blades for me?" He indicated some bladed polearms and stepped away, hoping to give his sister space to do her work. She, after all, was the one overseeing their family's financial affairs in Kalzasi.

Kala smiled faintly after them, then turned back to Torin. They seemed to be of about his age, really. Newly minted adults doing their best. House Leukos and Starfall operated as a zaibatsu, and so her work was important. She strove to rise to that challenge.

"Our ancestral homeland is remote in the Astralar Mountains. We have a runeforger, thankfully, but she is old and that far from the protection of Kalzasi, we need more than she can craft for us at her age. It is my hope that we can secure a steady importation of quality materials so that we can keep our people safe and she can spend her golden years tinkering with whatever suits her fancy. She has done us all a great deal of service over her long life."

[Torin Kilvin]

The pair were young and, unless he was mistaken, twins. It was less how much they looked alike and more how they moved as a unit. Even when they were doing different things it felt in concert. Two hands working at one task.

He made a placating gesture when she apologized. The piece work he was doing was engrossing enough while he was at it but, really, he had done it so often it didn't engage his mind anymore and the interesting distraction was welcome.

"You are welcome to my time, Lady Leukos." The hidden joke sounded in his voice, amiable and true. He was not flirting, no thought to even entered his head. If he saw her beauty it was to admire how well she was made.

He almost stopped Timon when the Lord called to him, knowing the boy's understanding of the work was rudimentary compared to his own. But the look the man gave said his intention was not on the weapons so Torin let the lad scamper over and puff his chest out in a proud, oddly accurate imitation of their master.

He forgot about the boy while listening to the Lady talk, her lilting accent was beautiful and she spoke as if she meant each of her words specifically. He did not understand, at first, why she was telling him about her home but he came to understand quickly enough. He frowned a little, just between his eyebrows at the thought of an old runesmith passing from the world without passing on her knowledge.

He took half a step forward, having forgotten the counter until he bumped into it. "Surely your lady runesmith has an apprentice?" His concern was naked for a moment before he remembered where he was and who he was talking to.

"Erm, My Lady. I apologize, of course your family knows what's best for your people. I am sure we can accommodate your needs. What sort of work were you looking for?" His eyes landed suggestively on the weapons being poorly described by Timon, then across the room to more practical workpieces (shovels, hammers), then down to the displays of jewelry and small daggers on the counter. Many of them were his own work and he was proud that his master had chosen his for display.

[Kala Leukos]

"Indeed," she said. "Her apprentice will be taking over most of the work in her forge. More apprentices became master smiths than had the knack for runeforging, however. Still and all, with how remote we are, with mist storms and threats from Zaichaer, my lady mother has deemed it prudent to stockpile. Our forces are small in number, so we can afford to equip them well. And our people have an abiding interest in the magical arts, so tools and such, are welcome. We don't need to equip an army on the morrow, but we would like a trusted artisan in the city who can send a relatively steady supply. And, of course, we welcome the ingenuity of Kalzasi's runeforgers, so novel items are also of interest. In truth, I'm canvassing the city for reputable artisans who might have the capacity for an ongoing relationship with House Leukos."

Her calm gaze remained upon the tall apprentice, her head tilted slightly back to meet his gaze. She didn't stare, of course, but her eyes were keen.

Behind her, Kaus was instructing the younger apprentice in the basics of swordplay. Her twin was a charmer, his inborn charisma making his good moods infectious and the little boy seemed to be taking it all in quite seriously. It was unlikely their master let him play at being a warrior with the weapons they made, but if a young lord was insisting, then any boy his age was likely to take him up on the offer.

"Good, Timon, yes," he said. "Now since I'm taller than you, you'll want your arm just so but higher. Attacks will come in from higher, so your guard must be ready. Just so. Excellent. Do you see how much faster you can get your blade in position to block mine? In a fight, every sliver of a second can count for all."

[Torin Kilvin]

The mock swordplay going on concerned Torin a little, the pieces being used were not toys and he had some brotherly feelings for the lad who had most recently joined his master's group of apprentices. He said nothing though, the lord seemed to know what he was doing and they weren't actually fencing so much as practicing stances.

Turning his attention back to the Lady he nodded. What she said about finding apprentices capable of runesmithing was true. No rune was needed to be etched onto a runesmith and theoretically, anyone could do it. The reality proved far more rare, however. Torin had discussed it with some of the blacksmithing apprentices in Kalzasi. The part of him that opened when he was working at runesmithing was something they found impossible to reach for. Explaining it repeatedly only frustrated the other boys so he had learned not to try to impart the process.

"I'm sure the shop can accommodate your needs, whatever they are." He wasn't entirely sure, actually. He would be leaving at the end of the season and the one other runesmith apprentice was years younger and farther behind him. His master could do the work, of course, but he spent less than half the workweek in the forge. Perhaps the man was simply taking advantage of having a nearly-trained apprentice to have a few seasons away from the shop.

"Let me show you." He took his time, more than an hour, showing her mostly pieces he himself had created as he would know them and be able to explain them more fully. He showed weapons and armor, even playfully doing a few stances with the Lord and Timon. He showed amulets of protection, rings of stamina, and a far-seeing spy-glass (that he had not made). He showed shovels that carried some of the load for you and hammers that came down twice as hard as they were swung. As he was leaning over to retrieve a set of throwing knives that would never go dull his own amulet, an exquisite piece that the Lady, and indeed anyone else, would never have seen the like of before, slipped from his barely-laced shirt front and gleamed in the late morning light.

[Kala Leukos]

"I do hope so," she said with a quiet smile, then followed him for the tour.

"Yes," Kaus said. "Looking confident that you know how to use it can be enough to prevent many fights. The best fight is a fight avoided. No matter what anyone says, you have won..." It did seem as though the slender Avialae knew better than to play with the weapons. But he was now showing young Timon how the balance of a blade affected the person wielding it, and the boy seemed to have an aha! moment as he connected what he had been told with an actual experience.

"Don't worry. No harm will come to the boy. Kaus just likes to teach and play."

She gave each piece he showed her its due attention, even looked as though she knew what she was about when she tested the weight of smaller blades in her own hands. If he looked, he could see the calluses of a warrior on her hands as well. People assumed because she was small that she was fragile, but she had survived the Warrens as well as her larger brother. Kala asked pertinent questions, proving she was knowledgeable about blades or had done her homework.

In fact, she looked quite closely at each thing, her senses augmented by the Rune of Semblance. She could trace some of the pathways the aether had been trained to take, or the patinas of power that were irrevocably part of others. With his permission, she took the pendant in her hand for a closer examination. At first, it drew her in, a whorl of latent energy wanted to draw her mind's eye through the pinhole, but then it throbbed with an altogether personal energy, or perhaps it was the way it resonated over his heart chakra. She blushed slightly and let it rest against his shirt.

"Ah, you have poured a great deal of your heart into that one, I think." Moving along quickly so as to avoid an embarrassing incident, she continued, "You must be nearly your own master if these are your works. A man like you would be welcomed at Starfall, though..." Again, she smiled, slightly embarrassed. "I think you are bound to Kalzasi for the time being. These are fascinating to look at. Aether follows specific passages, much like scrivening. I have some training in the magical arts myself, though I couldn't create something like this. You have my admiration, sir."

[Torin Kilvin]

Torin wasn't sure why, but he trusted the noble pair. He rarely understood his instincts but he trusted them as well so he left off worrying about Timon and instead had a series of interesting conversations with Kala.

She knew what she was about, both in a basic understanding of how runesmithing worked and the making and use of blades. It was perhaps the first time he'd had a conversation with a woman about his craft. He knew there were runesmiths and blacksmiths who happened to be women too and that it had no effect on their work. Well, perhaps it had an effect but their work was no more or less for their gender. It was gratifying to talk to someone who understood the things he said and wasn't looking at him as a rival or becoming quickly bored. Aurin always listened but the point when he lost the plot wasn't very deep in and between Sivan's very different magical education and their language barrier it was hard to talk specifics with him.

It seemed both twins had been taught to defend themselves, something Torin was now wishing he'd paid more attention to in his younger years. Perhaps he could inquire as to their teacher, or a recommendation for one. For being high nobles they didn't seem the type that would be affronted by such a question.

He didn't notice his amulet has slipped free until the Lady asked if she could inspect it. Not thinking in his surprise he simply leaned forward and let her take it from his chest into her hand. He should have taken it off and let her inspect it at will but the idea of taking it off had become anathema in his mind over time.

To cover his embarrassment at having made her come so close to him he explained what it did, how it was a mated pair, and a little of how he'd made it.

"It was my Journeyman project, though I haven't been granted the rank yet." If she knew what that meant to most apprentices she would know he had created it wholly himself, from idea to completion. He flushed out right when she commented, however kindly meant, on matters of his heart. Unable to think of anything else to say he agreed with her quietly, with lashes lowered and his hand wrapping lightly around the returned pendant.

"I did, My Lady." Thankfully she moved on from the subject back to his work more generally. The blush spreading over his cheeks did not dissipate but it became more a flush of subdued pride than one of embarrassment.

"A lot of these are mine, yes. I don't expect to be with my master much past the end of the season." He lowered his eyes again at the mention of him being tied to the city but he nodded and pulled himself back into business mode again, mostly. "I would like to stay, for the time being. I still have things to learn, though, your own runesmith sounds like she could impart a lot. Perhaps," He hesitated as the idea was forming slowly in his mind, "I could spend some time in your home after I'm established enough that being away won't ruin my business. I could spend a season learning in exchange for making whatever is needed?"

The assumption was that the noble family would provide all materials needed for what they wanted made and the experience of such a runesmith, distant enough from any city to have gone her own way in many things, might prove invaluable. His work was worth significantly more than the cost of a season worth of training even from a master-level runesmith but he was guileless in his desire to learn all sorts of things.

[Kala Leukos]

Though she was young, Kala thought herself a decent judge of character. This young man did seem to have a good, simple heart — simplicity being more virtue than a target for disdain in her estimation. She was pleased that she was able to smooth over the unexpected stutter of intimacy that seemed connected to his pendant. She did her best to put it out of her mind as it was not hers to know. If anything, she appreciated that he spoke to her as a person who was capable of understanding him. If she was ignorant on some facet, he would answer her questions — ignorance solved. That she was young, she was well aware. She could do naught about that save persevere and eventually earn silver in her hair and the respect that sometimes garnered. That she was a woman, she was also well aware. In most cases, that wasn't a hindrance, though there were some who thought some spheres better suited for men, and there was the very clear, feathered difference between her and her twin that had nothing to do with anything except their disparate sexes.

After taking in his plans, she changed her mind.

"If you are soon to be on your own," she began, "then perhaps it is better I speak to you than your master. For a new forgemaster, steady work from a minor noble family would be a boon, and for that minor noble family, a forgemaster eager to please would ensure quality of work." She smiled. "I do prefer arrangements where all parties benefit, sir. There is value to healthy competition, but a greater strength lies in cooperation, I think."

From out of a small silk purse, she pulled a cream-colored calling card. She handed it to him.

Kala Mizal Leukos
Leukos sub Briathos
Starfall, Karnor
Cintamani Pavilion, Kalzasi

"Perhaps some evening soon you will come and dine with us and we can discuss this at greater length? I wouldn't want your master to return and take issue with me poaching you from his service." She smiled again, almost conspiratorially. "If you send word ahead, a day or so, I'm certain we can receive you. We could even discuss a short residency at Starfall after you finish your apprenticeship here and before you begin your own career."

[Torin Kilvin]

Torin did not think of the pair as young, they were of an age with himself, or perhaps a little older. It was sometimes hard to tell with nobility. Kala was certainly small but the young smith knew better than to judge a person by their size. He was judged for his more often than anything else and he knew the pain of it. The Lady was able to request he fill the gaps in her knowledge with the same ease that the rest of their conversation flowed in. He was finding her company entirely charming.

As she spoke of the offered exchange he listening actively, nodding occasionally, then he froze. What Lady Leukos was offering would indeed be a boon, a lifeline, really. He was not worried about finding work but it would be feast and famine between good jobs for a craftsman without a reputation of his own yet.

"My Lady," His voice his own now, not that of the businessman. He did not blow but his body gave the impression of it with one of his hands pressed lightly to his waist. "That would be..." He struggled for a word before sighing and giving her a smile far too bright for as respectful as it was. "Relationships are said to be the most important thing a runesmith can forge. It would be my honor to provide what your family needs."

He meant it.

Reaching out large, calloused hands he took the card as though the creamy paper might shatter if he clutched at it. Thoughtlessly he joked,

"I think he would be more angry with me for poaching his custom." His flush faded as he paled thinking about the implications of what he'd blithely said. Swallowing he tried to push the thought away. Perhaps he could have a little talk with Timon before the master smith returned.

"Uhm, yes. I can send word ahead of my next free-day." He wasn't thinking of actually dining with the nobles, it would likely be more of discussing order types and quantities with a seneschal of some kind and being given a meal afterward. Similar had been done in the past when he'd delivered orders to noble houses.

"Thank you." It wasn't a platitude, he was fighting between grinning and being a bit awestruck. "Perhaps, if my work pleases your people I could travel to Starfall a few times a year to repair or see to anything that was needed and study with your master runesmith." It seemed like the sort of mutually beneficial idea she was suggesting.