Summer 1094 SR
The white-hot iron was pulled from the coals and placed directly onto the anvil. As it was struck by a hammer, the sound rang loudly, echoing throughout the heated interior of the workshop. An older man neared the forge, leaning closer to examine the smith’s work.
“Not bad,” Tomas said. “I’ll make a smith of you yet.”
Charlaine stepped back, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Thank you, Papa, but there"s still so much work to be done.” She resumed her endeavours, once again filling the small room with the sound of her hammering.
“Is that the sword I had you start last week?”
“It is,” she said between strikes. She beat the iron some more, then quenched it in the water bucket, listening as the water hissed. Using the tongs to extract the blade, she turned to her father. “Wh
