Weapons and Gears

"Looking for something specific, boy?" the smith asked, his voice deep and gravelly.

Kael nodded. "I need a one-handed axe."

The smith raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Not a sword, huh? You're one of the few. Good."

Kael shrugged, a faint smile appearing. "I never trained with swords. An axe is the only weapon I know how to use. Been chopping firewood since I was a kid."

The smith studied him for a moment, then gave a nod of approval. "You know what you want. Wait here."

He disappeared into the back of the forge, leaving Kael to inspect the shop. The displayed axes were decent but lacked the craftsmanship he was hoping for. Just as he began to second-guess his choice to enter the forge, the smith returned, carrying five axes.

"Alright, kid," the smith said, setting them down on a sturdy wooden table. "These aren't for show. These are the real deal."

Kael's eyes widened as he stepped closer. Each axe was unique, intricate designs etched into the metal and wood.

The smith picked up the first axe, holding it up for Kael to see. "This here is a hunter's one-handed axe. Single-edged blade, fast as hell when you swing it. The heavy blade head lets gravity do most of the work, so you can build momentum for a strong strike."

Kael nodded, running his fingers along the polished handle. It felt solid and well-balanced.

Next, the smith grabbed another axe. "This one's a double-edged, single-handle axe. Same weight as the first, but the blade is bigger. If you're looking to deal some serious damage, this is your go-to."

Kael examined it closely, appreciating the craftsmanship.

The smith then gestured to the last three axes. "Now, kid, tell me—can you throw an axe?"

Kael scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. "Uh, yeah, I can. Though... I miss my target sometimes."

The smith let out a hearty laugh. "Doesn't matter. These last three are throwing axes—double-edged, short-handled, and perfectly balanced. No matter how you throw 'em, the blade will always hit. The trick is landing the throw. The harder you chuck it, the more damage it'll do."

Kael's eyes lit up as he examined the three throwing axes. The craftsmanship was impeccable.

The smith crossed his arms, watching Kael's reaction. "Tell you what, kid. Since you're my first customer today and you seem serious about this, I'll give you a discount. All five axes for five gold coins." He held up his hand, spreading his fingers.

Kael's jaw dropped. "Five gold coins? For all this?" He glanced at the axes again, then at the smith, surprised by the offer.

The smith smirked. "These axes meet your needs, don't they? And I'm throwing in this belt." He grabbed a sturdy leather belt from a nearby rack. "The sides secure the one-handed axes, and the back has holders for the three throwing axes. Perfect for someone like you."

Kael picked up one of the axes again, feeling its weight in his hands. They were exactly what he needed—better than anything he'd hoped to find. Without hesitation, he nodded eagerly. "Deal! Five gold coins it is."

He handed over the coins, a wide grin on his face.

The smith chuckled, handing him the belt. "Good choice, kid. These axes will serve you well. Don't go losing 'em in the dungeon now."

Kael strapped on the belt, securing the axes in their respective slots. The weight felt comforting, almost natural. He thanked the smith, his excitement barely contained.

As Kael was about to leave the forge, a thought struck him. He stopped in his tracks and turned back toward the old smith, who was wiping sweat from his brow near the forge.

"Wait," Kael called out, stepping back into the warm, smoky shop. "I just realized I still need light armor."

The old smith looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Armor, huh?" He scanned Kael from head to toe once more, his sharp blue eyes taking in the young man's frame. "Alright, kid. Light armor it is. Leather for the upper body should suffice, along with some cuisses for your thighs, shin guards for your legs, and a decent pair of boots. How's that sound?"

Kael nodded, appreciating the smith's expertise. "That works. Oh, and I already have a full arm guard for my left arm."

The smith stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A full arm guard, eh? Then you'll need a vambrace for your right arm to balance things out. Hold on a sec."

The old man turned and disappeared into the back of his forge, rummaging through piles of equipment and crates. The clattering of metal and muttered curses filled the air as Kael waited, curious about what the smith would bring out.

After several minutes, the smith returned, lugging an old chest. He set it down on the table with a grunt and popped it open, revealing an assortment of worn but sturdy leather pieces. One by one, he pulled out a leather chest armor, a pair of cuisses with matching shin guards, and a pair of heavy leather boots.

He paused, scratched his beard again, and then went back to another section of the shop. Kael heard more rummaging before the smith emerged, holding a single vambrace designed for the right arm.

"Here," the smith said, setting the pieces down with a tired sigh. "This is a set I came across a long time ago. It's old and a little crooked, but it's adjustable. Should do the job well enough for light protection. The only problem is the boots—they're a bit big for your size."

Kael inspected the armor pieces closely. The leather chest armor was reinforced with steel studs, providing extra durability while still being lightweight. The cuisses and shin guards were well-made, though their age showed in the faded leather and a few scuff marks. The boots, as the smith mentioned, were slightly oversized but still sturdy. The vambrace was the most polished of the set, with a simple yet elegant design of overlapping leather plates.

"It's a good set," Kael admitted, though he couldn't ignore the worry nagging at him. He only had five gold coins left. With a wry smile, he glanced at the old smith. "What's the price?"

To Kael's surprise, the smith waved him off with a chuckle. "Price? Bah! This stuff's too old and battered to sell properly. It'd be shameless of me to charge you for it. Consider it a gift."

Kael's jaw dropped. "Seriously? You're just giving me this?"

The smith smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah, yeah. Don't make a big deal out of it."

Kael couldn't help but grin, his chest swelling with gratitude. He bowed slightly, his red hair falling into his face. "Thank you, old man. Really. I'll make good use of these."

"Don't thank me yet," the smith replied, gesturing toward the boots. "You'll need to come back tomorrow afternoon so I can adjust everything properly, especially those boots. I'll have 'em ready by then."

Kael nodded eagerly. "I'll be here. Thanks again!"

As he stepped out of the forge, he felt a lightness in his chest. The old smith's generosity and the prospect of having both weapons and armor ready filled him with a newfound sense of readiness. The sun was high in the sky as Kael walked back into the crowded market, his birthday turning out better than he'd expected.