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| - "Zanadar!" he bellowed loudly, wiping the sweat from his brow, "I didn't hear you fellers come in." The blacksmith groaned and set down his hammer. "My hearing isn't what it used to be, believe it or not," he said walking towards the counter. "You don't say?" Zanadar joked, "I hadn't noticed." Grodek laughed and leaned on the counter heavily. "It's been a while, what brings you to my shop?" "Well, I need a repair to one of my blades. I need it done quickly though, is there any chance you could have it finished by tomorrow morning?" The smith rubbed his chin contemplatively. "That's not much time, I'll have to see the damage." Zanadar nodded and wrapped his hand around one of the large hilts protruding from over his shoulder. With one quick movement he drew the heavy sword from its sheath and held it in front of him, a noticeable dent had been etched into its side. "That's a mighty big sword," Grodek said, "I'll never understand how it is you're able to use two of them fellers at once." "He just wears them to look scary," Elandar stated as Zanadar set the sword down on the countertop. Grodek leaned over the blade, examining it carefully. "That's an awful big dent," he observed, "How did you manage that one?" Zanadar chuckled a bit uneasily. "It hit a piece of metal." The smithy looked up from the sword. "That's it?" he asked, "that must have been some piece of metal." Grodek gave the big man an amused look, "I think you're holding back on me." "Well, it was two pieces of metal really, I suppose. And it only damaged my blade because they were moving at an awkward angle." The blacksmith grinned knowingly. "That's from another sword, isn't it?" "Yes, yes it is," Zanadar admitted somewhat guiltily. "So what was the second piece of metal then?" "Well that was the armor of the fellow holding the sword," he answered. Grodek winced and shook his head. "I don't even want to know." "So do you think you'll be able to have it fixed by tomorrow morning?" "I thought you knew me better than that, Zanadar!" Grodek answered, "Of course I can have it ready by tomorrow morning. The question is can you afford to pay me to have it ready by tomorrow morning?" "Now there's the Grodek I know." Zanadar replied. He loosened the strings on his money purse and picked out a few shiny coins. He looked backed to Morgan, who had been standing quietly in the background as the two men talked. "I seem to be doing this a lot today," he said glumly. The big man turned back to the blacksmith. "You haven't gone and raised your prices on me, have you?" Grodek held up his hands defensively. "I would never do such a thing. I still charge the same exorbitant amount for you as I always have." "You could make him pay more, you know." Elandar suggested irritably. "Nonsense," the blacksmith responded, "There was a time when Zanadar almost single-handedly kept me in business. I can only hope that a war will break out so your big friend has an excuse to go start breaking things again. I could really use a few new horses, or a bigger shop." "That's a terrible thing to say," Zanadar said with a grin as he set the coins next to his sword on the counter. "But it's true all the same!" "Well, I can't really argue that." "So," the blacksmith said pointing to Morgan, "Who is your friend back there?" "Oh, how rude of me," the big man apologized, "Grodek, this is Morgan Derek." Morgan gave the blacksmith a friendly nod, "Pleased to meet you." "So what's your business with these two troublemakers, Morgan?" the blacksmith inquired. "The three of us are headed out of the city on ranger business," Morgan explained, "Zanadar and I are assigned to work together." Grodek frowned, his deep wrinkles creasing his forehead. "Well that was disgustingly vague," he said sourly, "I see Zanadar is already rubbing off on you." "No, he came that way," Elandar responded crankily. Zanadar laughed. "Well, he is a fast learner." "So you're working with the rangers now?" Grodek pushed. "It would seem that for the moment I am," the big man answered with a smile. Grodek threw his hands up in the air. "Blast it all, try not to be too forthcoming there, Zanadar!" he said, "I wouldn't want you to give away any official state secrets or anything. Even for an old friend like me, it's just not worth it." "You know you're right," Zanadar answered sardonically, "I ought to watch what I say. So you'll have the blade ready tomorrow morning?" "Yeah, yeah," the blacksmith grumbled, "you can pick it up anytime after dawn." The big man cringed, "I'm afraid we're going to be leaving a little earlier than that." Grodek cursed. "So I get to work all night and get up early. I sure am glad my old friend Zanadar stopped by to visit today." "That's the spirit!" "I could certainly use a little 'spirits' right now, if you catch my drift," the smith said hopefully. Zanadar laughed. "We will see you tomorrow morning, Grodek," he said with a wave, "Thank you very much, of course, for your time. It is greatly appreciated." The three men made their way out of the blacksmith's shop and back into the city. The central keep loomed over the streets as the sun sank lower into the horizon. It was not far to the stables, and the group walked briskly out the inner gate and around the towering walls until they reached New Targonor's parade grounds. The jousting fields Morgan had passed earlier were now empty, the riders from the morning had abandoned their training for the day hours ago and the field sat empty, save for a few squires grooming their masters steeds. A long wooden structure sat apart a small distance from the field's grandstands. It was open from either end and both the noises and smell permeating from the building left no question in the minds of any unsure travelers that these were indeed the city's stables. Inside, the ground was covered with a matted layer of dry hay. A variety of horses filled the stalls lining both walls, sticking their heads out eagerly as the three men passed, hoping for treats. The stables were not nearly as crowded as the streets outside. Only a few stable hands scurried back and forth, busily attending to the animals. Morgan led the group to the center of the building and stopped next to an open stall. "Well hello there, Morgan!" a friendly sounding voice called from inside the stall.
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