Fanning the Flames

A large figure stood at the back of the chamber, hammer expertly striking a piece of heated steel with each calculated motion. They approached the figure, seeing a man's tanned broad muscular back exposed to the waist. He wore a pair of long tattered black pants. His feet were covered in heavy boots. Long silver colored hair was tied back into a low ponytail. 

Markos felt a trickle of sweat roll down his back as they stopped at the central anvil, keeping their distance from the unknown blacksmith. "Who are you?" He asked, lifting his head as his hand settled on the pommel of his sword.

The blacksmith paused, tilting his head to one side as he lowered the hammer to his side. "The better question is who are you, stranger? And do you realize what it is that you carry within you?" The man's voice was harsh, like he hadn't spoken in a long time and was unaccustomed to forming the words any more.