Of Knives, Weapons, and Hoods

[Ashla]

Ashla loved clothes,
But hated shopping for them.
Ashla loved checking out new weapons,
But was still nervous with them.

What was she after? Both. For one thing, she knew she was in need of a hooded cloak; she really didn’t care what it looked like; all she knew was that it should be thick enough to protect her from a hard falling rain. As far as the “weapons” went; she was in search for one of those belts that wrapped across one of your legs and held a very small dagger. Now, Ashla already had a long sword and long knife; but she thought that a dagger would come in handy for the future.

She checked to see how much cold she had: 410 gold pieces. Is that enough? She asked herself, “Now where do I find some cloaks…” She looked around, from shop to shop, hoping to find a store with of least some jackets.


So basically I’m looking for something with a hood, and a belt that wraps around the leg with a dagger attached. I don’t know if 410 Gold Pieces is enough for both though…

[Revenant]

"Eh?" the seamstress of Over-Under Garments asked, plucking the thick needle from between her teeth as the young woman made her way in. "You need a waterproof cloak and a leg strap that'll be secure enough to hold a dagger? Sure we can do that easily." The woman gave a grunt as she rose from her hunched position over the sewing desk, her back popping from the hours she had spent in concentration. Even so, the beautiful dress that she was putting together was only half done. It would truly be a work of beauty once it was finished but that would have to wait.

"A double layered denim-burlap cloak should be thick and tough enough to keep the wind and rain off your back, unless you're stranded in the middle of a storm that is. I warn you that it obviously won't do too much to stop anything that comes at you blade wise. And this belt should do the trick, though we don't sell daggers here to fit it. Might I suggest the fine young weaponsmith down the street for that," the woman gave a knowing, lascivious wink.

"All told that'll be 50 pieces of gold."

[Ashla]

"Hmm..." Ashla placed her hand in her chin and thought for a second, trying not to blush at the way she winked at her about the weapon smith, "I'l take the belt, but do you have any better materials for the cloak?" She pulled out 50 gold pieces. I want something stronger for a storm, but I like that belt a lot! Ashla smiled up at the woman.

[Revenant]

"Better materials?" the shop woman asked, blinking. She gestured to the stocked shop around her. "We've got everything from cotton to vlince here," she said. "How much stronger are you looking for? If it's just weather protection that you need the basic cloak should serve you just fine." The woman stopped suddenly, checking herself. "Of course though a fresh young thing like yourself wants something a bit more fanciful to the eye, eh." Another knowing wink.

"What about this?" The woman headed over to one corner of the store and pulled out an earthen toned cloak. "This is a tight cotton weave over a burlap backing with a wool lining on the inside to keep you warm." She spun the cloak around, resting it over her frail shoulders. "And look how soft and clean it looks, though I hazard to say it will look far better on you dearie. Of course, the craftsmanship is going to cost you a bit more here. This one runs 85 pieces of gold."

[Ashla]

Ashla felt the nice, warm cloak drape over her. She loved it! Yes, this is the one!

"...This one runs 85 pieces of gold." She told her.

Ashla thought for a second, So this would be enough to protect me in a storm? "So if I bought this one; how much money would I need to pay you in all?" I still need a good knife. "I do really love this one!" She smiled, "and would I be safe in a bad storm?"

[Revenant]

"Safe in a storm? Well as safe as one can be, I suppose," the woman shrugged. "It won't do you a lick of good if you get hit by lightning or a tree falls on you, but it'll keep you as warm and dry as can be. I wouldn't expect to ford a river in it and come out bone dry but like I said, it'll do you as well in bad weather as most anything else."

The woman took the cloak back and walked over to lay it on the counter next to the knife belt. "Also, the thicker material will offer you a bit more padding against blunt force trauma, if that's your thing. Won't do much good against a blade though, it is just cloth an wool after all." The woman paused and gave Ashla a knowing look. "Though I do have something that might help you with that if that coin purse is weighing you down a bit too much?"

[Ashla]

Ashla smiled as she explained the strength of the wool cloak, that’s what I’m looking for! Strong enough to keep me dry in a storm, perfect! she then explained that she had something to help with her coin purse.

Ashla rubbed her chin again, Hmm, bargaining are we? Well, maybe I could use something for that; but do I have enough coins? Ashla knew that if she used up all her money now, it could be a major disadvantage for the future. Even if what this saleswoman was suggesting wasn’t much to pay for, Ashla knew she still should be wise with her choices of money. Ashla may have been young, but she was still wary; despite the tempting offer.

“Your offer sounds very nice,” Ashla started, “but I think I’m good for now. The belt and cloak will do well for me.” She smiled as she got out 85 pieces of gold and handed them to her, “Thank you got everything. Could you please tell me where to find the weapons smith you were telling me about earlier?”

[Revenant]

"Of course," the woman said, quickl;y pocketing the pieces of gold before handing Ashla her items. "You just keep going down this road for another three streets and then head a block down to the right. That fine young smith works for the shop keeper who owns the place."

[Ashla]

Ashla smiled generously at her, “Thank you, ma’am.” And placed the belt around her left leg and draping the cloak around her, placing the hood over her head, Wow, I love this cloak! And she walked out, waving goodbye to her saying “Have a nice day!” She followed the instructions she gave her too find the weapons smith she was told about.

As she went down the streets she saw other busy market places and bustling customers looking for products. Ashla smiled, she liked it here. She wrapped her cloak around her feeling it; she chuckled and turned to a block, three streets down like she was told. Ashla looked around at the excitement, trying her best not to lose focus and get lost. After some more walking, she finally got to her destination; a weapons smith was working on a blade in that very moment, his back turned to her.

Ashla stepped into the shop, removing her hood; it was already getting hot in here; not to mention the steam. Ashla took the sides of her cloak and pulled them to her back, she would have hated it if they were to catch fire on something! Ashla pulled her long, blackish-brown hair to the back of her head and opened her mouth to speak, “Hello, sir?”

[Revenant]

The young man rose gingerly from his work, his youthful features showing nothing but happiness at the prospect of a customer. "Just one moment," he said, pulling the horseshoe that he had been shaping from his anvil and thrusting it into the waiting bucket of water beside him. Instantly, the back half of the smithy was filled with a cloud of hissing steam as the cool water hungrily swallowed the blazing horseshoe.

"Sorry about that," the young smith apologized as he strode out of the cloud, rustling the short hair on the back of his head. "Welcome to the Hammer and Anvil." He paused to give Ashla a conspiratorial wink. "Not the most original name, I know," he whispered. "But between you and me, we're pretty darned good at making stuff here regardless."

[Ashla]

OCC: I just realized: "Of Knives, Weapons, and Hoods" ... I am so terrible at making titles, ha ha!

Ashla blushed when he winked at her, she smiled; "I think the name is fine." the young man smirked, Ashla grew as red as an apple; she tried to continued, "I was wondering if you could make a knife that could work good with this belt." she pointed to the belt strapped to her leg, "And my name is Ashla."

[Revenant]

"Well then Ashla," the young smith grinned lachiviously, "may I take a look?" Without waiting for a reply he stepped in close to the young woman and bent slightly to examine the empty sheath at her side. Powerfal hands, more accustomed to gripping a heavy forge hammer than an woman, gripped the leather bindings attaching the sheath to Ashla's leg with a solid, unyeilding lock. He maintained the grip for several seconds, his power apparent, but knew well enough to disengage before things became more awkward than surprising.

"New leather," he grinned at the girl as he resumed his place several paces back. "Seems someone's been dropping a few coins over the counter. I can get you a knife that'd fit that sheath well enough." A more serious look washed over the smith's features.

"Now what kind of knife, exactly, were you looking for?"

[Ashla]

Ashla turned red as the young man took her leg and examined her leg, she wasn’t sure she liked him touching her… Thankfully though, he let go in a couple of seconds, “New leather.” He smiled as he went back to his former position, “Seems someone's been dropping a few coins over the counter. I can get you a knife that'd fit that sheath well enough.”

His face then grew to a more serious tone when the boy asked what type of knife she wanted.

Ashla was still a tad pink as she responded, “Well, I…" Ashla, why are you acting like… She shook her head, chuckling, “Well, I want one that would be about the size of three to five inches.” She pulled the hair that had gotten into her face again back, I also need to get a fan sometime… She was all sweaty, perhaps the reason she was still red.

[Revenant]

The side of the smith's smile curled somewhat wryly at Ashla's reaction. "Indeed, Ms. Ashla," he chuckled as he spoke, "That's sort of what I was measuring your sheath for. I meant what type of metal do you want? What quality of craftsmanship are you looking for? Any special inscriptions or decorations that you might need? That sort of thing."

[Ashla]

Ashla smiled, she did like the idea of some type of decoration or fancy writing on her blade, but she wanted it to be kept simple, "Nothing to fancy." Ashla replied, "I really just want to know if you could carve the picture of a rose on it- if you can! I don't want to stress you or anything!" she chuckled, "and the handle. The handle shouldn't be to hard to hold, something that I can have a good grip on." She described, "But I think that's it... But would that rose cost extra? I don't want to blow my money to fast."

[Revenant]

"A pretty rose for a pretty lady," the young smith winked. "Shouldn't be too hard to do at all. I would have to say that it would require a bit better craftsmanship than a blade that wouldn't have it. Structural integrity and all that." He shrugged. "And don't worry about the grip, I can make sure that you've got some supple layered wrappings on it that should keep it firmly in your hand."

"Your dagger's going to run you about 220 coin, if that's not too much."

[Ashla]

Ashla checked her total amount of money, Hmm, not good..., "What would I need to do to have to price lowered to 200 coin?"

[Revenant]

The young smith pursed his lips thoughtfully, a slight look of sympathy crossing his handsome features. "Well there are a couple of options that I could think of. First, I could fashion you an iron dagger with the rose you want on it. It wouldn't be able to take as tough of a beating as stronger steel would, and it certainly wouldn't be as pretty ...," he trailed off for a moment, his eyes taking a long look around Ashla's face. "Which would be a shame for such a pretty young woman."

"Another option would be to just fashion you a standard steel dagger. Sadly, it wouldn't be good enough quality to carve your rose on though." The smith shrugged.

"And there's always another way that you could perhaps offer something worth an extra couple of coins and still get your dagger. Assuming, of course, that you could spare a kiss for a poor blacksmith."

[Ashla]

At first, Ashla wanted to slap this jerk for asking such a thing. Kiss him?? Ew!!! But then she thought for a moment... maybe this was the easiest way? Ashla briefly turned to cringe, then she turned to face him, red as a tomato, and walked up to him and kissed him... on the cheek.

[Revenant]

The smith laughed at Ashla's timidity. It was a rich, sunny laugh which held no mocking or malice, though it would be easy to see how one could take it the wrong way. Then, flashing the young woman a pearly grin, "Well a deal's a deal isn't it. 200 coin for your dagger and the necessary accouterments it is."

[Ashla]

Ashla gave him her 200 coins and took her things. Before the blacksmith could do anything more she turned away and left. What a jerk... "Thank you!" she called back in a cheer tone. She soon ran off, she had all the things she needed; now she was off to explore again... and get into trouble, as usual...

[Revenant]

Transaction concluded.

BlueGhostofSeaside spends 200 gp.

[Letho]

GP deducted.