Chapter 14: The Blacksmith & The Boy

"What do you brats need?" The burly man asked aggressively. Sarah flinched and grabbed hold of Alphonse's robes. Alphonse sighed.

"Well, first of all, I will ask of you not to scare her." Alphonse said as he pointed to Sarah. "Second of all, we need to ask you how much it will cost to make something." Alphonse said.

"You and that other boy apparently." The blacksmith said as he pointed to a masked and cloaked boy around ten years of age. The boy flinched as he mumbled something.

"Him? Are you sure? But you said you hav- okay, okay." The boy mumbled slightly more audibly.

"He's a strange boy who I've told I can't make what he wants, but he refuses to leave because, 'the spirits say to wait.'" The blacksmith said mockingly.

"Odd." Sarah said. After a moment the boy turned around and began walking towards the group.

"Is... Is your name Alphonse?" The boy asked. Alphonse nodded slowly. "Oh, this is great! She has wanted to see you for a long time!" The boy said excitedly. "But what if he doesn't recognize her when she speaks through me, spirits aren't easily identified." The boy mumbled as he pressed his palms to the sides of his head. "What do you mean just let you speak?" The boy asked. "Okay, okay, fine, but not for too long, else it hurts." The boy said.

"What's going on with him?" Sarah asked. Alphonse shrugged his shoulders.

"Alphonse." A familiar voice said as the boy faced towards Alphonse. Alphonse looked around to try and find the source as a face came to mind. "Alphonse, it's me, you remember me, right? I hope so..." The voice continued.

"Where...?" Alphonse mumbled to himself as he looked around more and his breathing became unsteady.

"Alright, alright! It hurts now!" The boy yelled as he held his head in pain. "Cedra, stop it, it hurts!" The boy exclaimed loudly.

"Ce... Dra...?" Alphonse asked as his eyes became watery. "Tell me, where did you learn that name and where did that voice come from!?" Alphonse yelled as he put his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Ow, stop! That hurts! Stop it and I'll tell you, I can't think when I'm in pain!" The boy yelled.

...

"You're lucky the girl gave me some cowry, else I wouldn't be letting you sit here and talk." The burly blacksmith said. Alphonse is sat on a couch which faces another couch with a small table between them.

'This is oddly European.' Alphonse thought to himself. "So, tell me." Alphonse stated coldly.

"I'm a medium, and I met Cedra two years ago when I was abandoned." The boy said. "My name is Kendal." He said as he rubbed his right shoulder in pain.

"Is there a way I can speak to my sister?" Alphonse asked.

"Erm, yes, bu-" The boy said as he was interrupted.

"Let's do it." Alphonse said.

"But it would hurt a lot..." Kendal said.

"For me, or someone else?" Alphonse asked.

"Alphonse! No, bad!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Alright, fine, is there another way?" Alphonse asked. Kendal nodded.

"But it would require something, I asked if the blacksmith could make it, but he doesn't have the materials." Kendal said.

"That's right, and it's too expensive for me to buy." The blacksmith chimed in.

"Okay, what do we need?" Alphonse asked.

"Steel which is infused with yang energy." Kendal stated.

"I know where a lot of yin energy is, but not yang, plus, steel is expensive." Alphonse said. "Though I'm sure we co- nevermind." Alphonse stopped mid statement. "We need to focus on getting into the inner sect. Once we do that, we can start on this project." Alphonse stated.

"Okay. Oh, you wanted me to say that for you? Okay... She said that she can wait a little while longer, it seems like this test is important to you." Kendal relayed Cedra's words. "What? No, I'm not saying that one, you can say that after we've made the object." Kendal said.

"So what exactly does the object do?" Alphonse asked.

"It's like... It basically... It allows spirits to speak through it." Kendal said.

"Does it have to be steel?" Alphonse asked.

"It's the cheapest metal we can use for it..." Kendal stated.

"Okay. We are a part of the sect in this city, so you can find us around usually, but today we have some things we need to do, so goodbye for now." Alphonse said.

{Repressed emotions noticed, immediate action recommended.} Prism stated.

'Not now, it isn't the time for emotions.' Alphonse responded to Prism.

{Understood.} Prism said.

"Alright, so what we want is basically a set of boots with spikes on the bottom and blades on the front and back of each boot." Sarah said.

"Ah, that one I can do, what material do ya need missy?" The blacksmith asked.

"How much would it be for iron?" She asked.

"1,500 for iron, 3,000 for steel, and that's just one boot, so for Iron boots, 3,000." He said. Sarah looked at Alphonse. Alphonse nodded.

"Okay, we need those as soon as possible, when do you think you can have them done?" Sarah asked.

"A few hours, I'd say around three and a half to four." He said.

"That should leave enough time for what we want." Alphonse said quietly.

"Alright, do you take upfront payment or after they're made payment?" Sarah asked.

"I'll take payment after they're made." He said.

"Okay, thanks. Let's go get what you need Alphonse." Sarah said as she began to walk towards the door. Alphonse nodded as he followed her.