The journey back to Emberfall was tense, the air between Bram and Kylian thick with unspoken questions. Bram's silence was unnerving, and Kylian could feel the weight of the sealed scroll Bram had tucked into his belt. The rhythmic clatter of the cart's wheels on the cobblestone road did little to calm his nerves.
"Bram," Kylian finally asked, not being able to stand the silence anymore, "what is in the message? Why must we go back so soon?"
Bram let out a deep breath, his shoulders sagging under the weight of an unseen burden. "It's not a single message; all the blacksmiths in the territory were summoned. House Arlyn has been given a directive by the king. There is rumor of an invasion by the Kingdom of Galdor, which is to the north. They're gathering their army, and we must ready as many arrows as we can make."
Kylian's eyes opened wide. "An invasion? But why on earth would they invade us?"
"Ambition, power, and border rivalries," replied Bram, a note of weariness in his voice. "Galdor wants to exert its influence further and sees our kingdom as an attractive target. The nobility play their power games, and it's someone like us who gets caught in the middle."
As they journeyed, the land became more and more desolate and foreboding. The once-colorful scenery of the Kingdom of Alanor was supplanted by a Depressing mood. The dense woods that enclosed Emberfall appeared to close in on them, the ancient pines darkening and twisting as if reflecting Kylian's mounting anxiety.
The Kingdom of Alanor was marked by its varied geography. Arkhaven, the county of House Arlyn, was to the west of Emberfall. This county had vast fortified city landscapes and towering architecture, against rolling hills and rich plains. Its northern border was protected by harsh highlands and thick forests, natural defenses that gave a strategic protection.
In contrast, Emberfall lay in the county's eastern mountains. The village was located in a remote valley surrounded by massive, ancient pines, and it was a quiet but secluded place. The height of Emberfall gave it a natural defense, a quiet refuge but one that felt exposed to the outside world.
On their return to Emberfall, the village was alive with activity. The previously peaceful streets were thronged with villagers who had flocked around Bram's forge, their faces lined with worry and interest. The normally peaceful valley felt more vulnerable, its natural seclusion now a stark reminder of the threats that existed beyond the surrounding mountains.
Bram did not waste any time, putting Kylian and the other apprentices to work straight away. The forge thundered with renewed fervor, the pounding of hammer on anvil ringing through the valley late at night. The warmth of the forge was intense compared to the cold in the air outside, and Kylian's muscles protested with the effort. His will was unbreakable. This was not simply taking orders for the festival; it was a response to the call of the king and serving House Arlyn in a time of need.
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Weeks became days, and the heap of completed arrows mounted steadily. Kylian spent more and more hours at his work, honing his skill with every item he made. The manual effort was exhausting, but he was content in the knowledge that what he did would be of real importance in helping to defend the kingdom.
Time passed quickly, after almost a month of relentless practice one morning, as Kylian was checking over a newly made batch of arrows, the door to the forge creaked open and an unknown figure entered. She was a young woman, her attire travel-stained and her face etched with exhaustion. She moved with a poise that was equal to her beautiful look, and her eyes, though tired, had a spark of determination.
"Is this Bram's shop?" she asked, her voice assertive even as the exhaustion etched on her face.
Kylian dried his hands on his apron, curious and concerned. "Master Bram is not here at the moment. I am Kylian, his apprentice. How can I help you?"
The woman's face relaxed as she looked at Kylian. "I was sent here by Lord Arlyn. All of the arrows are to be readied and shipped as soon as possible. I'll be departing the instant they are installed."
Kylian nodded, the weight of the mission falling on his shoulders. "We'll have them ready right away."
The forge was abuzz with activity once more. Kylian, with the pressure of the message pushing him, toiled with the villagers to ensure the arrows were loaded in a streamlined fashion and available for dispatch. The formerly peaceful valley now resembled a strategic outpost of a grander war, and the ring of metal on metal and the beat of the hammer was always a reminder of the stakes.
As dusk increased, the light of the forge danced against the darkness creeping in, casting out long shadows in the valley. The packing was done, and upon Bram's return, he was handed a letter of summons. Off he went, without hesitation, leaving behind the bundles of supplies he had acquired and the care of the forge to Kylian. With a last nod, Bram went with the messenger, leaving behind the dancing embers and an apprentice no longer in school.
The village of Emberfall soon fell back into its usual quiet. With its old pines and secluded peace, appeared a world away from the chaos outside. Alone in the forge, Kylian looked at the work laid out on the bench, with a deep breath he returned to his work. Every arrow he made was not only a weapon, but a lifeline for those fighting on the front lines.
