I didn't stop running until I was clear of the mountains, my legs burning and my breath coming in ragged gasps. The weight of the phoenix feather, now safely tucked into my pack, felt like a small victory against the chaos of what had just happened. I'd barely made it out alive. I'd seen firsthand how dangerous those creatures were, how utterly unforgiving this world could be.
And yet… I couldn't help but grin. This was the kind of madness I thrived in.
As I stumbled back toward Ironhold, I thought about the dragon. That ancient beast had nearly roasted me alive, but there had been something in its eyes. Something primal. I wasn't done with that creature. Not yet. The next time I'd face it, I would be ready. This was only the beginning.
But for now, the phoenix feather. The one thing I came for.
By the time I made it back to the edge of Ironhold, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the streets. I could already see the familiar shapes of my shop from a distance, the forge's warm glow beckoning me home. I was exhausted, but I'd done it. I had the prize. The forge could wait.
As I entered the shop, I was greeted by the faint crackle of the fire in the hearth. My tools were where I had left them, as always. The shop was a mess, but it felt like home.
I dropped my pack on the counter and opened it, carefully pulling out the phoenix feather. It was incredible—fiery, almost liquid in its glow, like the sun itself had been trapped in a single plume. I stared at it for a moment, feeling the weight of its power in my hands. This wasn't just a trophy. This was the start of something much bigger.
But before I could think about what to forge with it, the door to the shop creaked open. I didn't have to look up to know who it was. Only one person would be crazy enough to show up after what had just happened.
"Did you get it?" the noble's voice cut through the quiet like a knife.
I didn't answer right away. Instead, I turned around slowly, letting the tension hang in the air like a thick fog. The noble, a tall, well-dressed man, stepped into the shop, his boots clicking against the stone floor. He looked around, taking in the half-finished weapons on the workbenches, the soot-streaked walls, and the heavy scent of iron that clung to the air.
"Did you get it?" he asked again, his voice sharper this time.
"Of course I did," I said, pulling the feather out of the bag and holding it up. The glow from it lit up the shop, casting an eerie shadow on the walls.
The noble's eyes widened as he took in the sight. "By the gods… you actually did it."
"Did you think I wouldn't?" I smirked, walking over to the forge and setting the feather down on the anvil. "Now, as for payment…"
He blinked, still staring at the feather. "You want more? What you've already asked for is more than enough."
I chuckled and grabbed a nearby hammer, testing its weight in my hand. "What I asked for is nothing. I want real payment. Gold. Coins. And a promise that you won't forget where you got this."
The noble frowned, obviously not happy about the terms, but he reached into his coat and pulled out a small pouch. He tossed it onto the counter, and I caught it without looking. I opened it just enough to glance inside—gold, pure and heavy. Enough to keep me going for a while, though not quite enough for what I had in mind.
"Fine," he said. "But you'll never get a second chance like this. A creature like that… it's not something you see every day."
I snorted. "That's the thing with legends. They die quicker than you think."
I didn't wait for him to respond. Instead, I grabbed the phoenix feather and began heating the forge. The flames crackled, responding to the fire within the feather, as if it were alive. It wasn't long before the entire room was glowing with the intensity of it. I could already feel the power of the feather coursing through me. This was going to be the best work I'd ever done.
"I'll get to work on your commission," I said, throwing the noble a lazy wave over my shoulder. "It'll be ready when it's ready."
The noble opened his mouth to say something else, but then thought better of it and left without a word. Good. He could wait.
The forge roared to life as I began hammering away at the metal. The phoenix feather would make the finest of blades, a weapon unlike anything the kingdom had seen before. And when it was done, I'd make sure the noble remembered my name, even if it killed me.
This was just the beginning.
And as for the dragon? Well, I'd have to deal with that beast another day.