Solitude at predawn was devoid of most life, the only exceptions were the ever-present hawks circling the towers, and rats scurrying to find food or shelter from their cold, merciless talons. This particular morning played host to a pair of shadows sweeping through the empty streets and alleys, familiarizing every nook and crevice the cold grey stone had to offer. Scanning rooftops and sewer grates for escape routes leading throughout the city. As dawn's light slowly turned to bright, warm rays of
daylight, the citizens of the vast forest of granite trickled into the thoroughfares, growing into a hustle and bustle rivaled only by the Imperial City's market district.
Raurke and Malori quietly slipped into the crowds of laborers and merchants, making towards one of the more prominent forges in the city. A willowy young Nord struggled with a bow, ineffectually trying to string the dense wood propped between his knees. "Morning lad. Is your master in?" Raurke implored. "Yeah, just let me-" the boy grunted, straining to loop the bowstring across the top limb. Malori gave a disgusted sigh and took the bow; a thick, dense piece of craftsmanship a head taller than her -obviously meant for one of the larger Nords- and hooked the lower limb against her shin. Running it be tween her legs and bending it against the back of her thigh, she quickly looped the string around the top limb and handed it back to the boy.
There was a deep, bellowing laugh from the door; the forge master had come to see about the voices. "She's got ya beat, boy. Do that with the rest of'em." The jovial Redguard turned his attention to Raurke. "Name's Chul. How can I help ya?"
Raurke took the man's outstretched hand. "I'm in town for a couple weeks, and I need coin. Need an extra pair of hands around the forge?"
Chul scratched his head, thinking. "Dunno. Got any experience with this Nord steel? Bastards don't trust anything else. Any experience would be a far sight better than this lanky pile of bones here." He motioned to the Nord.
"Worked in a shop in Anvil before the war. The work in and out of that shop ranged from Elven moonstone to the crucible steel the Skaal use. Sometimes ebony when the city guard got a new captain." Raurke bragged, weaving truth with lie.
"Anvil, huh? Picked up a piece from a shop there in my traveling days. You might recognize it." Chul ducked back into the forge, followed by the clang and crash of steel hitting wood, granite, and more steel. "Right then, come on in if ya want. I'll just be a mome- ah! Found it." Chul came back, carrying his prize tenderly. It was a saber, borrowing elements from Nordic, Elven, and Ra Gada design. A long, thin blade, curved with a clipped point gleamed brightly in the morning light. "Skaal steel, but lacking the traditional engravings you'd normally see." Chul chirped proudly.
Raurke took it in, instantly recognizing it's blade and ax-like knuckle bow. The clawed pommel was a more recent addition, along with a carved mahogany hilt. "Haha, that's Gleaming Moon! One of Gadget's masterworks. How did you ever manage to pry it away from that miser?"
Malori edged closer, taking a closer look, smiling. Chul practically burst. "Ha, you know it then?" Chul gave Raurke a wry smile. "Ah, it was a whirlwind romance. Sadly, she seems to be calling out for adventure, and I've got a family to support here. I'll tell ya what; I'll hire you on for a couple weeks, pay your lodging and let ya have free reign of the forge. If I like your work, the Moon's yours." Chul smiled, adding "You look like the adventurous type."
"We've got a deal then." Raurke beamed.