Thick black smoke escaped from the front door of the forge. Diomede placed his bearskin cloak over his face, while Clayton and Lily fanned the smoke out of the room. A low voice called out from within the smoke, "Quick grab that bag hanging on the wall!". Diomede turned and saw a brown bag with the image of an old man blowing air sewn onto the front of it. Firmly gripping the bag, Diomede untied the thin rope that held the bag closed, a gust of wind burst out of its opening. The smoke was pulled into the twisting air and pushed out the front door, clearing the room. Diomede quickly closed the bag and tied it shut. Clayton and Lily stood with confused looks while staring at the bag. A medium-sized man waved his weather hand, fanning away what remained of the smoke. He had a thick round nose. His cheeks and forehead were stained red from constant exposure to high levels of heat. His beard was short and its tips were covered in the burned hair. "Thanks for the help stranger." Said the Blacksmith. Diomede nodded and hugged the bag on the wall. The Blacksmith walked over to the now dim forge, "Sorry about the smoke I dropped a bottle of Dyken red sand." Lily's brow rose, "How did you get Dyken red sand this far north? Especially past the border?" The Blacksmith laughed not answering her question, he continued to reigniting the forge with his back to the group. Moments passed with no word uttered among them. "Look we are looking for some equipment for our travels, I'm Sir Eithen Murkwood." Diomede said as he stepped closer to the blacksmith. "And this is my squire Eric Murk and his wife." The Blacksmith kept his back to Diomede not muttering a single word of acknowledgment. Diomede continued, "So do you just not hold conversations with customers?" The Blacksmith stopped and turned to Diomede, "Will Sir, I am just waiting to hear what it is you want. Did you think I would be waiting on your hand and foot?" Diomede cracked a smile and placed his hands on his hips. "Fair enough, I am in need of some armor and these two can speak for themselves." Lily crossed her arms, "I only need my axe sharpened." Clayton stayed quiet not sure what he really needed. "Fine, I can do that for you, put your axe there against the wall once I get this forge back up to heat I'll start on your axe." The blacksmith stated, he raised his arm and pointed to a door on the other side of the room. "Through there you'll find armor pick what you want and I'll add it to your bill." Diomede turned and walked through the door, and Clayton followed behind. Lily leaned against the wall and waited. Through the door a room filled with different armor styles and sizes. The suits close to the door were standard types of armor, Nothing was without a large piece or smaller pieces of metal tied or wrapped around each other. Diomede with a determined pace walked down the rows of suits of armor. Clayton followed behind but gazed at each detail among the suits. The suits weren't just different in the degree of protection, but the colors as well. It was like the metal had been forged in the very color they reflected. Diomede stopped at the end of the rows, his gaze was captured. The suit of armor he gazed upon was dark in color, it was a mixture of scalemail and brigandine. Clayton finally reached Diomede, "You thinking about getting this?" Clayton asked with a tone washed in confusion. Diomede turned and met the young knight's twisted look, "Yes I am." Diomede replied. "But isn't it heavy?" Asked Clayton. Diomede lifted it off the mannequin, "No why do think that?" Clayton reached out and felt the weight, "Well it's not that heavy but for the way you fight wouldn't you want to wear something lighter?" Diomede formed a half smile at the young knight's question. "No it's not too heavy to hinder me in my movements. Plus I like a little more protection." Suddenly Clayton remembered, "You heal fairly quickly, why do you even need or want armor?" Diomede stopped and his smile faded, "Even though I heal fast, the pain from getting injured is still very much unenjoyable and I don't want to be in need of clothing every time I finish a fight." Clayton shifted his footing, "Since we are on the subject, Diomede what exactly are you?" Diomede turned to face Clayton noticing his stance had changed to a defensive one. "What you think I am going to attack you for asking a question?" Clayton shook his head, "No but I also don't really know you that well." Diomede nodded in agreement. "Brave of you to ask me and since you are taking me and the others to your home I would say I owe you some insight into what I am." Clayton felt a lump in his throat form, his heart quickened and his muscle tightened. He waited as if Diomede was going to attack at any minute. Diomede reached out and placed his hand on Clayton's shoulder. "In truth, I am not sure I am ready to tell you." Clayton felt Diomede's grip tighten, but not in an aggressive way but one of reassurance. "But I promise I will do no harm to you, our traveling companions, or your fellow villagers." The two held eye contact, and Clayton could feel in his gut Diomede spoke the truth. But doubt crept into his mind, Was it really the truth or did he just want it to be true? Clayton nodded, Diomede pulled his hand back, "Now go back to the front and wait with Lily I need to change into my new armor." Clayton turned and exited through the door. To his surprise Lily stood behind the blacksmith, watching every move he made as he sharpened the great axe. Lily watched not in curiosity but to ensure the blacksmith didn't destroy or break anything on the axe. Clayton pulled the door shut behind him and made his way over to a chair that sat beside a small table. "Lad DO you want something or are you just flat broke?" Asked the Blacksmith. Clayton replied with a "No" Before long the Blade of the Axe was sharp and Lily inspected every detail of the blade. "You know not many wives carry such a weapon, especially ones who are married to squire." The Bladesmith stated. Lily and Clayton glanced at each other in concern. Tension began to form in the air, the snapping from the forge was the only sound made. "Well hell you two it was only a question don't go getting your pants all twisted." Chuckled the Blacksmith. He turned to Clayton and eyed him from top to bottom. "Lad you ain't got no armor and you are carrying a broken sword that is bent and chipped to hell. You're breaking my heart not getting something for yourself." Clayton stood up and pulled out his broken blade, the one he had used to kill the Gultonk. "Well if you could sharpen the edges and straighten out the blade I would be grateful." Clayton stated while gazing into the blade. "Lad I would rather melt it into a fork before I did all that for a broken sword." Barked the Blacksmith. "That broken sword was used to kill a Gultonk after it soaked in the blood of his fallen brothers." Lily stated in a proud tone. The blacksmith turned between the two young adventurers with a regretful face. "Well if it's that special then I suppose I can put some effort into fixing it for ya lad." Clayton handed the broken sword over to the blacksmith and gave Lily a universal look of "Thank you". Diomede stood in the room and waited til he sensed those in the other room were settled beyond the door, his demeanor changed and his eyes began to glow orange. "Why are you here…Diego?" From the shadows in the corner of the room, a man in a red trench coat stepped out. With a large smile on his face, "As perceptive as always young Diomede."