Kalem hammered rhythmically at the metal, each strike of his hammer against the blade ringing out in the warm air of the forge. Sparks scattered with each impact, illuminating his face in bursts of orange and yellow light. He was no stranger to this place—the smells of burning metal and hot coals, the comforting heat radiating from the forge, and the familiar weight of his tools in his hands. But today, there was a sense of urgency woven into every movement, each swing of the hammer fueled by a deep anticipation he hadn't felt before. This wasn't just another order or commission; it was preparation for Velina's Grand Tourney, a competition that held the potential to change his path.
The kingdom of Rosemary was isolated, tucked away among highland hills and dense forests. A small, self-contained nation, it wasn't much of a presence on the world stage. Yet, every year, it managed to capture the world's attention with its annual championship contest. Fighters, adventurers, and wanderers from nearby territories—and even some from distant lands—would make the journey to Velina, Rosemary's capital, drawn by the promise of gold, fame, and the opportunity to prove their skill. This year, Kalem would be among them.
He inspected the steel in front of him, turning it in the dim light as he imagined the weapon it would soon become. The tournament was two weeks away, and he'd decided he would enter as an experiment, a proving ground for himself. He wasn't naive; he knew he was no warrior. His experience came from years of blacksmithing, of balancing weapons and understanding the intricacies of their weight and form. But he was still untested in true combat.
Kalem was resolved to push his limits, and so he'd come up with a strategy that was both practical and ambitious. He'd rotate through different weapons and styles each round, allowing him to remain unpredictable to his opponents while forcing himself to adapt. He'd try a short sword and shield for the opening match, reliable and versatile enough to allow him to get a feel for his first opponent. For the second round, he'd switch to twin daggers—a faster, more fluid style that required agility and precision. By the third round, he was thinking of a halberd or a spear, a way to test his control over a longer reach and a heavier weapon.
Kalem set the finished blade aside, picking up the curved dagger he'd worked on that morning. He'd used it to test his own balance, twirling it experimentally as he pictured himself slipping through the defenses of an opponent. Its slender, wickedly sharp blade gleamed in the flickering light. He imagined the dagger as an extension of himself, his agility allowing him to strike quickly and retreat just as swiftly.
"First the short sword and shield," he murmured to himself, testing the dagger's edge on his thumb. It was razor-sharp, ready to carve through the air in a real fight. He felt a surge of excitement, mingled with the edge of nerves. It was one thing to craft a weapon to perfection and quite another to wield it in combat. But if he could get the edge on his opponents with a different approach each round, it might give him the extra advantage he'd need.
With a practiced hand, he placed the dagger beside the short sword, then reached for a spear he'd forged earlier. The spear was lean and balanced, meant to thrust with deadly precision from a distance. He tested the shaft, feeling the smooth wood under his grip and running his fingers over the faint engraving along the length of the blade—a reminder to himself that this weapon, like all others, was born of both art and practicality.
The evening light filtered in from a small window high on the wall, casting the forge in a golden hue that softened the sharp edges of the weapons laid out on the workbench. Kalem ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of his efforts pressing down on him but also a growing sense of readiness. Each weapon represented a step forward, a choice to become more than just a blacksmith and to let his skills in crafting push him into becoming a capable fighter.
As night settled in, Kalem carefully wrapped each weapon in cloth and secured them in his leather bag. Tomorrow, he'd spend time training outside the city walls, honing his techniques and testing the versatility of each weapon. But for now, he found himself sitting in the forge, surrounded by the tools that had shaped his life, reflecting on what this next chapter could mean.
The tourney was more than just a tournament; it was his first step into a larger world. He knew there would be competitors with years of experience, fighters who'd spent their lives in the heat of battle. Yet here he was, a blacksmith's son, determined to test himself. It was a gamble, one that could very well see him eliminated early on, but he felt that it was a risk worth taking. His skills would be honed, and the reputation he could build would open doors. Doors to resources, to materials he'd never dreamed of accessing.
Kalem leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the fire that was now nothing more than embers. He could see his path more clearly now—Velina's Grand Tourney, the first real trial of his resolve, a test of everything he'd worked toward. And if he succeeded, he'd find himself one step closer to fulfilling the dream that had driven him all these years.