I did not have much in the way of formal schooling. Such schooling as I had was from my mother, from Savaric and from Hawisa, and at a dame school run by Mistress Parker. If I did wrong, then my chastisement was immediate and direct. I am told by those who have had more formal schooling that being summoned to the presence of the dean or head teacher, was a thing of dread. Outside of school, being summoned to the presence of a shire reeve or a justiciar might convey the same sense of dread. And they are representatives of the Crown, so what then should one make of being summoned to the presence of the Crown himself?
Thus was my first thought when I was unexpectedly approached by a page at the shop and asked if I could visit with the Crown. I quickly dismissed the thought. So far as I knew, I had committed no misdemeanours, I had paid all duties on my business. Perhaps then, he had in mind some commission or other, so I gathered my pack and followed the page. At least, today, I was dressed for the shop rather than for the workshop, so was presentable. At least, I hoped I was. I had not been to the castle before, I never had need to, and so I did not know what might be considered appropriate dress.
I did not get there unchallenged, nor had I expected to do so. The person of the Crown, and the caste itself, I would have expected to be well-defended. But there was no problem. I am a citizen in good standing, I bore no weapons save for my faithful Amaris, though there were a few weapons in my pack, samples if you will, and, most of all, I had been invited and was thus expected.
I was escorted to a terrace outside the castle. His Majesty was there, as was Nessa, and an impossibly tall and slender individual. They were talking about Nessa’s trade, the various things for whom she had made clothing, and the Crown seemed to be enquiring about her making clothes for other members of the Royal household, including the aforementioned tall individual.
The Crown welcomed me, commenting that he had heard of my ceaseless pursuit of my art, bade me sit and offered a drink and made introductions. Nessa, of course, I already knew, and the other was Zeluren, which name I had heard him mention, who was head of the Crown Guard. I also heard later he was also known as the Lord Sabre, perhaps the official title of his role.
There appeared to be some discussion regarding the Cania and relationships between Mindon’i Anor and Iero. Nessa was telling the Crown some of what the Cania had said of him, including, apparently, calling him a prancing pony. There was also some bad feeling caused by the return of some artefacts in a chest. So far as I could make out, this was stuff that had been taken some years previously during the reign of Sevestryn’s predecessor, when relations between Iero and Mindon’i Anor were more fractious than they are now. Nessa ventured her opinion of the Cania, which was pretty much in accord with mine, which I also ventured when asked; that she was forthright to the point of bluntness. I further added that I thought she would appreciated openness and honesty and plain-speaking. Zeluren was less impressed with the Cania’s approach, especially in sending ambassadors. It was hoped that some future meeting could be arranged face to face.
That was not, it seemed the main purpose of the meeting. After asking Nessa’s advice on clothing for himself, his niece and even Zeluren, the Crown then offered Nessa the position of Royal Mistress of the Robes, with authority to designated which seamstresses and other clothing crafters were to be permitted to create and provide clothing for the royal household.
Then attention was turned to me, and I was asked if I had samples of my own work. I had to catch my breath for a moment, given what had just been said to Nessa. I dared not hope for something similar. It is well that I had the forethought to grab my pack before I went, for indeed I did have examples. No large weapons, for those would not fit. But, I did have an assortment of items, a couple of pairs of scissors, a small sickle, a pair of couters, and a few daggers. Mostly workaday stuff, but I also had my own Amaris at my belt, which would serve well as an example of more elaborate work. I laid these out on the table, somewhat nervously, even though I know full well the quality of my skill and my work.
Sevestryn looked the weapons over with interest, but mostly passed then to Zeluren for his opinion. In the discussion earlier about clothes, he had said that he had originally trained for the priesthood, so perhaps he was not so familiar with weaponry. Zeluren hefted the daggers and inspected them with the air of one who was familiar with such things and pronounced them good quality. We spoke briefly about the items, and others I had made, and about my other abilities. Then the Crown spoke and offered me the position of Royal Blacksmith! It was not a full-time position, so much as consultative. I would be first port of call for any weaponry, armour and other metal-crafting requirements of the royal court. Apparently that also makes me a member of the royal court, allowing me to come to the castle whenever I wish. Oh, and it’s a paid position, on top of any commissions etc.
How could I say no? Of course I could not. I accepted, humbly, of course, saying what an honour it was and such like. The Crown spoke of him needing a sword, as Zeluren was teaching him how to use one. Zeluren would come and see me to discuss weights, lengths etc. Zeluren himself also asked if I might make him a weapon. From the way he described it, it seemed like a double-ended pikestaff, but with sword blades at each end. A novel weapon, I grant you, but well within my capabilities. I asked him to come to the shop and we would try to work out the details. I could probably knock-up a trial version out of some hickory handles and a couple of spare blades.
We also spoke briefly of the visions and the supposed boons. Vestryn was of the opinion that these should belong to the people who were willing to seek them out, and provided they did no damage to the city of Iero, it was not the Crown’s business. He left us then, followed quickly by Zeluren, but said we could stay – we were now members of the court, so were free to make use of the castle facilities at will.
We would have done so, but Nessa and I both had business back home, so we walked back together, talking of our new good fortune and other matters.
That was not to be the end of the evening’s adventures. I was rummaging in my store cupboard to see what I might have for supper, and contemplating if I should go get more from the market, or celebrate by going to the tavern, when the matter was decided for me. It was the good captain Ithildin, knocking upon my door and asking if I wished to go to the tavern. How could I possibly refuse?
We had barely gotten as far as the stables, and before I had the chance to tell her of my good news, when we encountered another lady of the elves. She looked surprised, said something in the elven tongue before greeting Ithildin with familiarity, saying something about how long it had been and hardly recognising her.
This, it seemed was Ithildin’s sister, Lady Anariel Elennan. She introduced me as her friend and a merchant of the Mid-Docks. Anariel made greeting with a curtsey and said she was pleased to meet me, addressing me as Lord Radulf. I greeted her formally in return, with a kiss to the back of the hand, but I had to disclaim the title. I am no lord, I told her. I am but a master craftsman, as well as merchant, I said, giving Ithildin a look. I then told them, that as of half an hour ago, I was Royal Blacksmith, by appointment to the Crown of Iero.
Ithildin greeted that news with great delight and accepted the mild reproof, saying that indeed, she should introduce me as Master Craftsman in future. She looked to be less pleased by the presence of her sister, despite her outwardly pleasant greetings. Perhaps they did not get on well as siblings. I would not know, never having had any. Anariel asked if she might join us, having overheard we were heading to the tavern, unless of course, we wished to have some private time together, presumably imagining more of our relationship than there was. We assured her that there was no need of that and bade her welcome to join us. Anariel looked a little unsteady on her feet. I gathered she had not overly enjoyed the journey from the mountains. I offered my arm to support her and we made our way, at her pace, to the Cross Keys.
We ordered food and wine and chatted about various things. Anariel was, apparently, not a fan of air-travel, hence feeling somewhat queasy. She waved off offers of healing from her sister. They had some catching up to do, having not seen each other for a year or more. Anariel was surprised about the ambassador appointment and offered advice on aristocratic matters in what struck me as a slightly patronising way, as if she did not believe Ithildin had the necessary skills.
Ithildin and I spoke a bit about the ongoing relationships between Iero and Mindon’i Anor and mentioned some of what had been discussed earlier. She was not surprised that there was some scepticism, indeed, she would have been surprised if there had not been. But, she would work through it. I offered what help I could from the point of view of the common man, for which she thanked me.
After I had eaten, I found myself surprisingly tired, so, much as I would have enjoyed further company with the ladies, I had to make my excuses and leave. It had, after all, been a surprising day, and I needed time to digest my change in fortune. Radulf Chadwyck, Royal Blacksmith. So sad that old Savaric was not around to hear that. I cannot wait to tell Hawisa.
Anvil and Strings 