"Is this really the place?"
Alexander was currently standing in front of a small building nestled near the back of a dead-end alley.
It was still in the area of the city where most of the top craftsmen congregated, and there were not any shifty looking people milling around, but it was still pretty far off the beaten path.
"I guess the building looks to be maintained at least. Though, it's pretty lackluster compared to the other stores I visited." Alexander mumbled to himself.
So far, he had tried his luck at three other shops that were known to make quality prosthetics for people.
Unfortunately, he had found that none of them would take his request.
Alexander wanted a prosthetic leg made out of the best materials around, but without any enchantments.
Two of the shops had refused to waste their top-quality materials creating something that would not bring in as much profit as an enchanted piece.
While the last one had told Alexander that they would make it for him, he would still have to pay the market price as the ones that had been imbued with magic.
Naturally, he found it ridiculous for the cost of what was essentially an inferior item to be the same as one that was enchanted.
This had led him to the last place the people in the square had recommended.
Although, it had only been one guy who had mentioned it. Apparently, his grandfather had lost his hand long ago in some kind of accident and obtained a replacement from this place.
However, Alexander was not even sure if this shop was still being run by the same person as back then. From what the man that had told him about this place said, it had been nearly thirty years since his grandfather received a prosthetic hand from this workshop.
"Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained." Alexander said as he opened the door.
Immediately upon seeing the interior, he felt a sense of relief. At the very least, this place was still a store that specialized in prosthetic limbs.
There were a few model hands, arms, legs, and feet on display. The craftsmanship of each one appeared to be pretty good. Though, Alexander hardly knew how to judge them other than that they looked well put together.
'No matter what, I should be able to get something better than what I've currently got.'
The pegleg that was currently taking the place of the missing part of his left leg had been made cheaply and quickly. There was not really anywhere for him to go but up in terms of quality.
"Is anyone there?! I've come to commission a prosthetic!" Alexander shouted since the front counter was currently unmanned.
For several minutes there was no sign of anyone else being in the building. Alexander continued to wait, and with every passing moment, he started to wonder if anyone was around.
Yet right before he was about to give up and leave, an old man sauntered out from the store's workshop.
Upon seeing him, Alexander went wide eyed in shock. All but one of the man's original limbs were missing, and the right arm that he still possessed had two fingers that had been replaced with prosthetics.
'Is he another customer?' Alexander thought, wearing a confused expression.
He would have figured that an employ or the owner of the shop would be the one to come out to greet him. But the man in front of him certainly appeared to be a patron of this store.
It should be impossible for someone that was missing an entire arm and only had their thumb, index, and middle fingers left on the other to work as a craftsman for something that needed high levels of precision. It was said that no matter how good the prosthetic was, it would never be able to move as well as the original limb.
"Lost your lower left leg, did you. How'd it happen?"
The man's abrupt question without introducing himself or explaining anything caught Alexander off guard.
Still, he quickly got his bearing and answered the man.
"A monster bit it off. And, uh, I didn't mean to interrupt you. I can come back latter whenever the owner isn't busy."
Alexander moved to turn around but stopped when the old man called out to him.
"I've already finished up what I needed to." The old man responded. "Now, follow me to the workshop. I'll take some measurements while we discuss what you want me to make for you."
Without waiting for Alexander's response, the store's owner briskly walked into the back of the shop.
After their brief exchange, Alexander realized that his initial notion about this man being a customer was incorrect. Nevertheless, he found it hard to believe that he could produce prosthetics of a high quality in his condition.
'It's not like I really have any other options. If things don't work out here, I'll just have to get some more money somehow and go back to that other shop.'
With feelings of both hope and trepidation rising up within him, Alexander made his way into the back of the store.
Past the curtain that separated the storefront from the workshop was an amazing sight.
There were dozens of completed prosthetics placed into glass cases alongside large bundles of papers.
'There's even schematics next to them.' Alexander thought as he approached one of the cases and turned his attention to the detailed scroll next to it.
Seeing all of this gave the place an appearance more akin to a research lab rather than an actual workshop for a store.
Of course, this did not dimmish Alexander's opinion of the place. In fact, it allowed him to see the passion and talent that the shop's owner had for his craft.
"Glad to see that you appreciate my work." The store's owner said with a pleasant smile as he watched Alexander admiring his creations. "But time's a wastin. You can go around and look at what I've made later if you want. For now, sit here so I can take some measurements."