The Beginning of the Iron Hearth

The original creation of the Iron Hearth *This section was written by Hunter*

The Iron Hearth

So there is this blacksmith and he loves what he does. He owns this building that is both a tavern and a blacksmith and he runs them both. Alone, with no help. But his place booms with requests for both armour and food. This little tavern he calls the Iron Hearth.

This blacksmith works every day in this town he has lived in for many years and everyone knows him. He makes the best weapons and armour around while at the same time serves the best ale in the country side.

One day this lovely lass walks into his tavern and she catches his eye. She’s a rather shady woman, one that seems to never take no for an answer and never leaves any loose ends. But at the same time could have a delicate side to her. Someone very dangerous.

She had a lean frame, that comes to those that put in years to obtain. Expertly shown off by her choice of apparel. A tight dark brown leather corset and black trousers tailored to the curves of her legs half covered by tight boots that reached just below the knee. But the thing that caught my attention the most was her hair, long silver hair held back in a tail flowed its way down too the small of her back, fringe framing a delicate face that held large light green eyes. Her lips curved into a smile just short of a smirk.

Now she came into his tavern while on a journey. She was tired and just needed a good ale and rest. So she sits down at the bar. The smith walks over to her and in a booming voice asks her what it will be,

“Do you have something non-alcoholic?” her voice wasn’t loud, just enough to carry from her to the smith’s ear.

“I’ve got just the thing for you.” The smith proclaimed. He quickly produces a sweet honey mead that had not yet reached the point of alcoholic fermentation from behind the bar and pours her a generous cup full, that she gratefully accepts.

The smith out of pure curiosity asks, “What is a lovely lass like yourself doing all this way out in the country?” she takes a quick swig of the mead before replying,

“I’m on a bounty hunt and this spot was on my way, I have traveled quite a way and was looking for a place to take a quick rest. I heard about your tavern a town over and decided to see what all the fuss was about.”

He laughs his usual heart laugh, “A bounty hunter we have here eh?” To which the woman simply nods. “That there is a dangerous profession that requires a specific set of skills and to be fully equipped. Did you also happen to hear this tavern doubles as a smithery too?” the smith asked, obvious pride in his voice.

The women, now courting an easy smile just short of a smirk, “I can’t say I have ever come across such a place before. How does one find the time to operate both?”

He laughs again, obviously pleased at being able to talk about his job, “Let’s just say not much sleep is involved. But why sleep when you are enjoying life so much!”

“You much really enjoy seeing people happy and safe if you do both.” She says taking another rather large drink of the mead.

“Like it?” the smith asks, absent mindedly polishing the bar, “It’s my own special brew. Best honey mead around these parts as people like to say. I’m to humble to agree with the statement myself though.” He chuckles at the end. “If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of equipment do you carry with you on this here hunt of yours?”

The huntress gulps down the rest of the mead with a large “ahhh” and gives a twisted smile. “Oh, I’ll show you.” She begins to pull dagger out of every place you can think of. The smith watches astonished as she pulls every kind of dagger you can think of known to the lands.

“My my, you certainly are prepared for the kill. Unlucky man for whoever has to stand his ground against you.”

She pulls out one more dagger but hold on to this one. “This,” she says staring at the blade, “is my personal blade” upon closer inspection the blade is black. But not a black like any obsidian could create. A black that seems to absorb all light that hits it. She hands it to him and as he holds it, it almost seems to hum slightly within his grasp.

He looks at the blade, astonished for he has never seen a blade so dark before. The huntress explains, in the same low voice as before, “I call it, dark soul. I’ve had it with me ever since I had a bounty for a necromancer of some sort. Swiped it off ‘im as a trophy for the kill. I never use this blade unless it is my last option.”

The smith whistles at the sight of such a magnificently crafted, yet evil blade. “That is some dark magic you have in your pocket there girly. Best be extra careful with that one. Never know what necromancer magic will do to a target.” The huntress begins putting all her weapons back to their original holsters and proclaims rather boastfully, “I’m not afraid of some black magic mumbo jumbo. If it gets the job done it’s alright with me.”

The smith, now back to cleaning the bar counter, shook his head with a smile. “It’s all about the money for you hunters isn’t it?” The woman gives a slight shrug.

“It’s a perk but I just do it because it’s what I love. Like what you’re doing right now.” She smiles at him. She stands up from the stool, places some silver on the counter and readies herself to continue her journey.

“Well thank you so much for your hospitality.” She says, with a slight nod of thanks. The smith gives her a large smile.

“It was my pleasure. Thanks for showing me such an exquisite blade. I wish you the best of luck on your hunt.”

She starts for the door, a slight saunter to her walk almost like cat. Before she reaches the door she hears the Smith say, “If you ever come back this direction feel free to drop by! Always nice to see a reoccurring face. And maybe next time I can fix some of yer daggers ya got there.” The smith gives another hearty laugh.

The huntress replies as she walks out the door, “I’ll have to take you p on that offer some day. Maybe get other one of those drinks too!” She walks out the door with a final wave goodbye and continues heading out on her journey toward her next target.

Author's Note

WARNING: Neither this chapter nor any of the future ones have been or will be edited as they are purely made for fun and are made with no stops or rereading or forethought. Thus we are aware there are spelling and grammar errors.