Blunt Trauma

[Otto]

Yellow afternoon sun slanted in through the shopfront, illuminating the dusty floor, several glass display cases, and a bandaged grey orc. He stood and leant over a fine broadsword, resting upon a pillow of crimson velvet, appraising it with a keen eye. The blade was simple, lightly tapered, the hilt relatively unadorned, but all the signs of decent craftsmanship were present. A serviceable and modest weapon. Good.

He was here on business. Normally, he could - would even prefer to - take care of it himself, but much of his spare time was spent scrubbing the john (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?25458-The-Fertile-Earth-(solo)&p=214670&viewfull=1#post214670), and what little was left he felt obliged to spend with the family. He'd have asked Marten, too, but the man was far too busy as of late... and Otto would sooner shove hot coals up his nose than ask Emric. So he had fallen back on one of the more reputable smiths in the city.

Someone began to chew on gravel behind Otto, and a second later, he realised it was a person clearing their throat. He looked around and saw, standing behind the counter, a heavily bearded dwarf staring back. The floor behind the bench must have been elevated, because their eyes were level.

"Can I help you?" asked the dwarf.

"Aye", Otto replied, and walked up to the counter. "I'm after a new hammer. Three and a half foot Akashima redwood handle, steel top with Dehlar core. Blunt head, but a spiked back. How much?"




After the above item, high quality. Happy to trade in the old warhammer if it helps mitigate the cost (but it wouldn't be worth much - average quality, iron-headed oak-handled hammer, very much second-hand).

[Aurelianus Drak'shal]

The dwarf, one master Khoruk Vann of Kachuk, looked the Orc over, tapping a gnarled, stubby finger against his pursed lips.

He had been in the weapons business for a good, long time and knew his trade well. Looking the grey-skinned giant over, he ran a few quick mental calculations, considering the specifications given. "Well," he finally said, voice as deep as bedrock grinding out from under his thick, intricately braided beard, "we don't have anything matching that description in at the moment, friend. But it shan't take long to have it made, if'n you're willing to wait a few days?"

He smiled jovially as Otto gestured for him to continue; obviously he wanted the price before he agreed to anything. Khoruk took a small cloth from his belt, rubbing away some of the dust settling on the top of the counter. The smithy out back could be as messy as the lad working it pleased, but the dwarf was keeping his work-space clean and tidy.

"For something like that, it'll cost you only 810 gold, sir. A steal for the craftsmanship you are receiving, I assure you."

[Luned]

At the steep quote, Otto grimaced with a thoughtful "hmm", shortly interrupted by the dwarf's diverted attention. A bell rigged to the shopfront's entrance sang out, announcing a new customer. It was a young woman with braided chestnut hair and sun-spawned freckles, and she entered with a suspicious glance outside as the door closed behind her.

"Good afternoon, miss," Khoruk greeted her in a familiar tone. Apparently she'd done business with them before. "How can I help you today?"

"Sorry if I'm interrupting," Luned smiled apologetically as she strode toward the counter. "I saw Otto come in here and thought I'd catch him. Dinner on Thursday, do you think you could come?"

The orc blinked, thought, and then shook his head. "It's unlikely, but I'll see what I can do."

She kept smiling, though she failed to cover a fleeting millisecond of disappointment. "I understand. Either way, your presence would be very welcome."

Affiliation with Chronicle took getting used to. While the organization's operations were well intended, there was something a bit odd about skulking about, referring to world-changing meetings of some of the most powerful and renowned faces in the region simply as "dinner". Fortunately, Otto seemed to be taking it well.

"So, what are you up to nowadays?" Luned changed the subject, clasping her hands at her waist where her blouse was tucked into a plain, pleated skirt.

Unprepared for small talk, Otto glanced to the dwarf who stood patiently in wait. Well, somewhat, anyway –– he'd found another patch of dust on his meticulously organized counter and had occupied himself in polishing it away.

"Buying a new hammer," Otto replied.

"I see," Luned said, glancing between him and the dwarf in wait. "You do realize your work with us comes with perks, right? It's in our best interest to make sure our affiliates are well outfitted. Khoruk, could you please see that the bill is sent to us at the Althanaeum?"

He nodded. "Of course."

And then she smiled again. "Good. I really should get going, sorry again for barging in. Take care, both of you." With a little wave, Luned spun toward the door. Little room was left for the orc in question to argue.




Luned will cover whatever is needed.

[Otto]

Instead, he just frowned dazedly after her for a moment. It occurred to the orc that he probably should have made sure that the woman at least knew the price tag. Otto shook his head and turned back to the dwarf, who nodded at him. He pulled out a pouch, which he laid upon the counter with a clink.

"Er, I know what she said, but... I'd like to foot at least some of the bill..." he mumbled.



Otto puts in 300 gold towards the weapon, leaving 510 of the cost to Luned.

[Aurelianus Drak'shal]

The dwarf flicked a glance to the door the girl had just exited, before settling back on the Orc with an amused smirk. Luckily it was mostly hidden beneath his walrus-bristle moustache and thick beard.

But Otto still noticed the look and shifted a little awkward, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

Khoruk cleared his throat again, the sound like the vigorous mating of stone golems on a landslide of slate. "Well, friend, that's right decent of you. Gods know, I wouldn't dream of letting my woman pay for my new stuff. Would make me feel like--"

He saw the blush roaring across Otto's features, and the old dwarf's eyes widened when he realised his mistake. "I'm sorry, I never meant anything by it friend. None of my business, no sir," he stammered, once again polishing his counter with unyielding focus. He reached under the counter with his free hand, bringing up a well-thumbed ledger and an ink-quill, setting it on the desk facing Otto.

"If you can write, sir, then leave us your name and where we can find you, and we'll be glad to deliver the weapon free of charge. If you can't, then simply stop by again in three days. Thank you for your custom, and we hope to see you again," he finished his well-rehearsed speech with a friendly, albeit just as rehearsed, smile.

With their business concluded, the old dwarf hopped down from behind the counter, disappearing through a back door to have his smith process the order with all possible haste. The Althanaeum provided a lot of work for the smiths, and he was going to make sure he gave them a reason to come back for more.

[Max Dirks]

300 GP removed from Otto
510 GP removed from Luned

Transaction Complete!