CHAPTER FOUR
“That boy of yours is makin’ our lives miserable, Grier,” Kurtis Applemeyer cursed as he and two other blacksmiths from the village surrounded the innkeeper just outside the inn’s main entry door. They were covered in soot, wearing sour expressions and with sledgehammers resting on their shoulders so Grier knew negotiation was off the table. He awaited their collective ultimatum, his stomach already pushing up his breakfast.
“With the rates that wannabe smith is charging, I’m losing business left and right, and those customers who are returning are getting stingy about what they’re willin’ to pay!” Kurtis continued. “That boy’s not worthy of being my apprentice, much less claiming he’s a smith! I bet five silver marks his work don’t last a month.”
“I’ll take that bet.” Thom
