Warcry

watching Atira and Ismari. Ismari seemed fascinated by the Plains warrior, asking all kinds of questions about that land.
    But Atira had a fair number of questions herself, all centered on blacksmithing, and it wasn’t long before Dunstan was trying to describe his new idea for forging a sword.
    “Folding, that’s the key,” he rumbled, waving a piece of bread in the air for emphasis. “If the metal holds layer after layer, it will withstand—”
    Ismari looked down the table, where the boys had eaten their fill and were twitching to be away. “All right, lads,” she nodded.
    The boys bolted off, clattering mugs and pitchers, clearing the table, carrying away the benches. Heath chuckled as Atira tried to watch it all out of the corner of her eye.
    “Aye, it’s back to work.” Dunstan pushed back from the table. “The streets will be filled with dancing tonight, and the lads will be worth nothing in the morning. We’ll need to get the work done this day or not at all.”
    “Knowing you, you’ll be dancing in the streets with the best of them,” Heath chuckled. “Still,” he said, shrugging, “I’m just as glad to hear that you want to celebrate. Not everyone does.”
    “You think the hate will disappear like that?” Dunstan said bluntly, snapping his fingers. “Nay, that will not happen. Takes time, lad.” He shook his head as he gathered up his apron and started to put it on. The boys were pulling the doors closed again and getting their own aprons on. One of them was already at the bellows. “Some will dance for joy, some will just want to dance, some will scowl and sit in their bitterness. But in the end, we have a Queen, and soon an heir, and Xy continues.”
    Heath nodded, then grinned. “I’m not going to argue with a man who molds hot metal all day.”
    Dunstan bellowed out a laugh, clapped him on the back, and headed to his forge.
    Heath turned to Ismari. “I’ve the means to settle the Queen’s debt.”
    “After what she did for us?” Ismari shook her head. “She offered herself in willing sacrifice, Heath. I am proud to craft the ring for her and her husband.”
    Heath raised an eyebrow. “She won’t expect you to work for free.”
    “If she makes it known that I did the work, I’ll be well repaid,” Ismari said simply. “And . . . I’ve heard tell that there are some rare unpolished gemstones in the vaults of the castle. I’d ask for a chance to see them, and perhaps buy them from Her Majesty.” Ismari’s eyes sparkled. “Moonstones, perhaps?”
    “I’ll ask,” Heath said. “After the wedding.”
    “After the babe,” Ismari said firmly.
    Heath chuckled and turned to Atira. She was staring at Dunstan. The smith was examining his work, talking in low tones as the apprentices worked the bellows. The heat of the fires was building in the room again, and the apprentices had started hammering their own projects. “Ready?”
    “No,” Atira said firmly and stalked over to the smith’s side.

CHAPTER 26
     
    ATIRA MARCHED OVER TO THE BIG MAN AND stood there, silent, until he looked at her.
    She returned his stare.
    “Well, now.” Dunstan straightened up and put his hands on his hips. “You still want to try your hand, eh?”
    “Yes,” Atira replied, her eyes straying to the fire, where the metal was heating. “I want to . . .” Her voice faltered, and she bit her lip, not certain how to put the feeling into words.
    The apprentices had stopped their work, and the forge had gone silent but for the roar of the fires.
    Dunstan gave her a long, considering look, then slowly nodded. “Well enough. But as I said, this—” He gestured to the blade. “This is earned, m’girl. You want to start, you start with the basics.” He turned and gestured. “Garth, come here, lad. The rest of ya, get to work!”
    The hammering started back up as one of the lads came over, staring at Atira. “Yes, master?”
    Dunstan put his hand on the boy’s shoulder, then looked over at Heath. “You’ve time for this?”
    Atira looked over her shoulder at Heath. He gave her a smile. “There’s no problem. We’ve some time.”
    “Garth, Atira wishes to learn,” Dunstan rumbled. “What’s the first lesson of the forge?”
    The boy frowned, then grinned. “Same as we first learn as babes, master,” the boy replied.
    “And what’s that?” Dunstan said.
    “Hot.” The boy pumped up his chest and deepened his voice. “It’s all hot. Assume it’s all hot, and you