The shovel felt warm in his hands, as if it'd sat too close to the fire for too long. Zed shrugged to himself and shoveled another scoop of coal into the forge, smiling to himself as it lit. The fires burned white hot for a moment before settling back down into a warm orange and yellow glow. He set the shovel to the side and set both massive hands on the bellows, looking up before fanning the fires. Odessa sat there, on the stone wall separating the forge from the street. She was beautiful in the sunslight, the cool breeze keeping her from the sweltering heat of the open forge. She was looking down at the paper in her lap, and Zed smiled. He loved the look she got when concentrating on her art.
Confident in her presence, Zed pushed on the bellows, the great whoosh fanning the fires and causing them to roar to life. Zedarius squinted at the heat wave that rushed from the forge, causing his face to sting. He turned back to make sure that Odessa hadn't burned, but she was too far away. She certainly felt it, but it wasn't enough to cause her any harm. Zed turned back to the forge, and studied the fire of the forge.
"Heat the forge for the metal, numbskull. There is such a thing as 'too hot.'" His father's words echoed in his mind, still sounding firm after all these arcs. He waited for the heat to die down a few degrees before standing and brushing off the long pants he'd been wearing. He finally donned the heavy leather apron and thick leather gloves of the forge, ready to start heating the metals. He grabbed a hard bar of steel, approximately two inches thick, and shoved it deep in the glowing coals. As it heated, he turned and made sure he had all of the necessary tools.
Three hammers were laid on the anvil, centered. The first, a typical smith's hammer, was heavy and flat, maybe three pounds. The second, a ball-peen, had a rounded head and weight a little less than the first. The third, a typical clawed-carpenter's hammer weighed the least, and was obviously the least used. Grabbing each, Zedarius tested its heft and checked for any inconsistencies in the surface of the heads. He could not afford to mar or scratch the surface of the steel, though he could just polish it out. No, instead, he'd try his hardest to make very few mistakes. After all, this sword would be one that he would try to make for Odessa. It had to be perfect, just like the little dragon girl.
Next, he checked the quenching trough, which he'd filled with water from the well. It was cool and reflective, and he examined himself in the rippling waters. Dark eyes stared out of smooth brown skin, and his stubble was growing in. Odessa liked his facial hair, but she also knew that it was imprudent to keep flammable facial hair in the forge. Avoid mistakes at any cost. The thought brought a smile to his face.
With that, he turned and checked the barrel next to the quenching trough, full of a light oil. Quenching steel in this would harden it, though it would make it significantly harder to polish. Still, it was a trade-off that Zed would be willing to make to ensure that Odessa's first sword was magnificent. As the steel was close to being ready, he raised his voice and spoke to his fiancee.
"Are you sure the ringing of the hammer or the heat of the forge is acceptable, my love? I can always meet you after for lunch." He smiled, knowing how stubborn she was. By questioning her fortitude, he'd only ensure that she'd defy him and stay. Anyway, she said she wanted to sketch him while he worked. "I won't be insulted." He grinned at her. The steel was almost ready, and he was excited to begin.
