Preperation

-1 day before [Solans] Descent -

[The chimes of a doorbell ring throughout the store]

Sarah Chatsworth walks into the quaint little blacksmithing shop that Liz had informed her about.

The air was metallic and rusty. A warm breeze emanates from the back of the store behind the clerk. Its walls are lined to the brim with dozens of bronze and steel swords. Some of the metals she didn't even recognize. The ceiling is held up by short tree trunks with candleholders bolted into them. 

The Majority of the shop's wares consist of short swords and small shields. Along with a wide variety of plated armor, hung up and folded along a middle shelf. 

There were two baskets at the far end of the shop next to the register. Both, filled with scrap or used swords, a customer can take for a very cheap price.

Sarah approached the counter at the far end of the shop. The store clerk, a middle-aged, large man with a sizable belly, plastered a warm smile from under his beard towards the young mage.

Clerk: "Now, what can I do for you, young Miss?" He croaked, a raspy voice bellows from under his beard. 

She contemplates for a moment, looking around the tiny shop. 

Sarah: "You don't happen to know an Elizabeth Bernstein, do you? She recommended this shop, and from what I've seen so far, you have quite the selection!" She exclaimed, curious about the two's relationship.

The clerk's eyes glistened with excitement, as though happy to hear the name of a long-missed friend. 

"Ah! You must be, Sarah! Liz told me you might be coming by today. The names Berthold, how may I help you?" He proclaimed, getting off the stool he was resting on and beginning to walk around the counter.

The man may seem large, but he is short in stature.

"You're a dwarf! I haven't met one in person before; it's an honor." Sarah excitedly states, extending her hand to greet the man.

***

Dwarfs are very rare in Bahamik. Very few of their species come to these secluded desert nations, for not a lot of minerals and resources can be found here. Many dwarfs choose to locate somewhere else more profitable in their expertise.

Dwarfs are known for their superior strength in comparison to humans, along with their innate ability to detect and mold earthly alloys as they see fit. Many dwarfs are shorter in comparison, around the size of a human child (130cm).

They are well regarded by all humanoid races for their intense standard of justice and dignity. A steadfast race that is held in the mightiest regard. 

***

Sarah: "Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Sarah Chatsworth, tungsten-ranked adventurer employed at the Rampart Adventurers Company. Pleasure to meet you," She said, a pleasant smile washing over her face.

Berthold: "Bah! No need for the formalities. Just speak to me casually, any friend of Liz is a friend of mine!" He said, taken aback at her politeness.

"Speaking of Liz, what exactly is your guy's relationship? If you don't mind me asking."

"Oh, we go way back," Berthold said, looking up as if pondering fond memories. "She happen' to be my first customer back when I first opened up me shop, I was only 20 at the time and she had just graduated from the academy of magic in the royal capital." 

"She wanted the finest staff I could craft. But as you can see around you, staves aren't my specialty. We had a good laugh, n' eventually she became a regular. Haven't seen er' in a while, mind tellin' the young girl to stop in once she has the time. I would love to catch up."

"We mostly communicatin' through messenger pigeon, but seein her in person be all the better…"

Sarah: "Of course, I'll let her know once I complete my quest."

Berthold: "Speakin' of which, you ain' never tol' me what you needed from my shop now did ya?"

They both ended up having a long conversation about what would best suit Sarah. After trying out a bunch of different armaments from every genre of weapon. They managed to settle on a cheap hunting dagger fit for close combat. 

Sarah: "I love it!" She proclaimed, wrapping the newly acquired knife around her thigh. 

"Should do nicely," Berthold proclaimed, proud of the work he had accomplished.

"It's a hardened steel alloy, imbued with the [Soul of protection]. Which can offer additional stamina when drawn in a tight situation." He said, still proud of his work. "But be careful, that there dagger has a long cooldown. It needs time to recharge its essence."

Sarah: "Great! Thanks for the tip, how much do I owe-"

"On the house"

Sarah: "What? I can't possibly accept that"

"I insist, if you don' take it, i'ma kick yo ass' out along with the dagger." He said with a chuckle in his voice.

"Just make sure you visit again if you ever need tune-ups."

"I will!" Sarah says, running out the door, excited for the next stop

***

She stopped by an apothecary, a bakery, and most importantly, a stable. At the Rampart Stables, you can do one of two things. You can rent out, buy a horse for personal use, or buy passage to another town. Luckily for Sarah, the fare for hitching a ride on a carriage hadn't gone up yet. 

Booking a carriage ride in the morning to Hayward, she heads back to the inn where she was previously staying. 

[The light chatter of passersby can be heard through the town]

[Joyous banters all coalesce inside the inn]

SLAM~

"Sigh, I am beat!" 

She flops headfirst onto her soft bed. The room she booked was small, barely any room for her, let alone any guests. But it was cheap, can't complain when you're just a mid-ranked adventurer.

As she gets undressed and ready for bed, she contemplates the specifics of the quest. She remarks on how surprisingly little info she got from Liz, might be her nerves, but getting a bad feeling about this would be an understatement.

Tired from a full day of running around, gathering materials, and meeting new people. She finally pulls the blanket over her head.

"Let's hope tomorrow goes well." 

And she falls asleep.