The Gauntlet

  The sound of a hammer working metal caught Valenthia’s ear as she made her way along the street.  It came from a small armorer’s stall.  The sign above it proclaimed it as The Gauntlet, Khorg Steelman proprietor.  There was a man working there, his arms thick and rippling with muscle as he beat a piece of glowing metal into his desired shape.  He looked to be in his forties, perhaps, missing his left leg at the hip.  You couldn’t tell what color his hair or clothes should be, as they were black with soot like his skin.  Only the rivulets of his sweat showed the color of his skin.

  “Help ya?”  He grunted.

  “Not today, unfortunately, but hopefully soon when I get out and start making my fortune.  Do you repair armor as well as make it?”

  “Aye.  Armor, but no weapons.”

  “Excellent.  I hope to afford better armor soon.”

  He nods, wipes his brow creating a cleanish smear.

  “You’re planning on adventuring, eh?  You’re gonna need better than chain when you can afford it.  Need it custom fitted too.  Women sit their armor different from men.”

  Valenthia nods.

“Careful of them slimes and oozes.  They’ll ruin your gear and dissolve your flesh.  Had a grey ooze eat through my plate and then a green slime took my leg.  Party got split up in a dungeon full of them.”

  “How did you get away?”

  “Burned the grey ooze, and the Paladin with us called on their god to cure disease on the slime.  Got lucky.  My wife wasn’t as lucky.  Wasn’t anything left to bury.”

  “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, be careful.  Make sure there’s fire handy.  Most things burn.”

  Valenthia nods.  “ I will.  I have to go though.  Have to find work and a place to sleep.  I’ll see you soon.”

Khorg nods takes a drink of water and goes back to work.

River Quarter