"This is it," said Marlena. "Jules Morel, Master Smith, or so the sign says. Are you sure you want to meet him?"
"Of course," said Charlaine. "He"s the smith under contract to support the order. We didn"t come all the way here, only to stare at his sign. But let"s not tell him of my background, at least for now."
"Why ever not?"
"I"d like to see how he treats his customers, not a fellow smith."
They entered the smithy to the sounds of hammering. The workshop was reasonably small, not an altogether unusual sight for such a trade, yet it felt crowded. Two youths in their early teens bustled around the place while an older man with a strong resemblance to them examined a dagger over by a workbench. At the sound of the door opening, he looked up.
"Can I help you, Sisters?"
"I take it you
