This story continues from The Bancross Mystery: Armament, part one.
Standing outside the local blacksmith forge in Bancross, something is wrong. The usual ringing sound of a hammer clashing on the armbolt is missing, the smoke from the forge chimney is lacking and the only sound is of a man coughing inside. I step carefully inside and see Heard sitting on the floor leaned against the wall, his face drawn in a sad expression.
Why is the forge idle Heard? Why do you linger on the floor, instead of doing your chores? I ask with a command in my voice.
I startled the man, who out of pure instinct grabs a iron rod lying close to him and starts to rise up quickly, but stops when he sees me, standing there in the doorway. How can a man of your size be so silent? He asked. It should be a thing of impossibility, that you can sneak around like that. He takes a measure of me, while standing up, still gripping the iron rod in his right hand.
You have not answered my question, Heard. I say, ignoring his questions about me. The sun is rising and the forge is cold. Why is that?
Heard looks at me, with a slight anger in his eyes. Who do you think you are, demanding answers from me! He points the iron towards me. You should get out and leave me alone. He says with a rising voice.
Holding up my arms indicating that I mean him no harm I look around inside the forge. Where is Heartha? I ask in a more gentle tone. My question seems to take the aggression out of him, as he slumps back down on the floor and drops the metal rod.
She has been detained by Denholm, accused of desertion. He tells me with a low voice and reveals the reason for his behavior.
Detained? That cannot be right, she does not belong to the garrison. There is probably some misunderstanding here, you will see. I say, trying to comfort the man and hopefully coach him back to his work. Heartha would not like that the forge is cold, whatever reason Heard. I look at him and hope my reasoning will get him out of whatever mood he might be in.
The man just sits there and sulks, staring down into the floor and not a single word in reply. I decided to try another approach. You should get Ethel here to help you at least. To fire up the forge and take care of some of the orders I'm sure you have. I suggest.
Without looking up he replies. Ethel is busy tending her household and her father, who has broken his leg. That information surprised me and also gave me a pang of guilt. I have been so busy with my own dark thoughts and needs, that I have forgotten my friends lately.
Well that is unfortunate news, but you cannot sit here being idle. The village needs you… I need you. I move towards Heard and sit down in front of him. I’m in dire need of a sword and it cannot really wait, whatever your mood is. The man raises his head and looks at me with anger in his eyes. You can inquire for a sword to the bastard of a Captain, because this smith does not care about your so-called dire needs. He points at the doorway. Now get out of my forge and leave me be! He shouts.
I stand up and leave the forge and the sulking smith behind, realizing getting a sword would be impossible for the moment.
OCC: The picture is an art picture taken by Lisa Lemmons and are edited by me. The source to the picture can be found here.
