Rhaenys Gets a Gift

Ships glided across the water as the early sunrise bathed the city of Pyth Harbor in a blazing orange sunlight. From the docks, all one could hear were the waves breaking against the bottoms of ships, the birds chirping from the rooftops, and the clang of steel down the street.

The heat in the blacksmith’s shop that morning was smothering. A tall, stocky woman held the steel blade steady, repeatedly heating and dunking, tempering the steel. To the smithy, this was her most important work, and she would use the best of her ability in this sword’s creation. She’d hammered the length specifically for one person, one that she loved most. The woman took her time with the piece, focusing her entire mind onto this work. Finally, the blade had cooled and the hilt was attached. The sword shone in the morning light, the glint of the weapon lighting up the room. The edges of the blade were free of nicks, and sharp enough to cut through a pig. The smith smiled in admiration at her work. She lowered her finished masterpiece and raised her gloved hand to her face, the cracked worn leather wiping the sweat from her brow. The smithy’s entire body was sweltering in the stifling heat, her short pink hair drenched. Her black apron certainly wasn’t helping in this heat. She was giddy with excitement, working twice as hard through the rest of the day, all the way until dusk. Finally coming home, she hid the sword in her room before her daughter got home from training. Shortly after bathing and feeding the dog, she heard the front door open. “Rhaenys,” The woman called out, “I need you here, please!”

                                          Through the doorway, Rhaenys Deepwater stepped into the room. “Yes, Mother?” Rhaenys’ lean figure was clad in leather armor; small sapphires were sewn onto the breastplate, gloves, and boots. Her equally pink hair was short, like her mother standing before her. A wooden sword sat in her scabbard, held tightly against her left hip. Her arms were covered in a plethora of black and blue bruises from training with the city guard.

                                          “Rhaenys,” her mother began, “You’ve wanted to become a knight ever since you were little, and Dad was telling you tales of heroism and warriors. Dad always knew you were going to leave Pyth, and us, someday. You know that we have supported you in your dream, and we want nothing but the best for you. And, before you go on the morrow,” Her mother brought out an ornate scabbard, the steel sheath had some nicks, gained from decades of use and repeated mending. The drag was wrapped in a crimson cloth at the end. Rhaenys gasped at the sight. “Mother, that’s not... Is that Papa’s scabbard?”

                                          “It is, Rhae. I made this for him the day he enlisted in the City Guard. When he passed away, he wanted me to promise him you were given this when you left. It’s yours now.” Her mother gave Rhaenys a warm smile, which along with the emotion radiating from the heirloom brought Rhaenys to tears. “Mother,” Rhaenys wrapped her arms around her, sniffling as tears rolled down her face. When she broke the embrace, Rhaenys dried her tears and her mother continued.

                                          “Rhae, that’s not all I want you to have. The sword in here was finished today, and I want to know what you think of it.” Her mother pulled the sword out, and Rhaenys was awestruck: The steel appeared to shine when it reflected the fire’s light. The steel hilt was wrapped in cow hide, and a small sapphire served as the pommel. It was a sword made for her.

                                          “Mother, I…” Rhaenys was at a loss for words, and moments passed before she could respond. “I think this is the greatest sword ever forged by Brandy Deepwater. What’s it’s name?”

                                          “Dawn.” Brandy resheathed the sword and handed her daughter the scabbard. As Rhaenys replaced the training scabbard with the new one, the aging smithy sighed. “I just wish your father could see how much of a fine woman you’ve become.” She believed in the Three, and was wishing he was standing beside her, if only in spirit. “Now, you should hurry off to bed. You have a long day of travel ahead of you, don’t you?”

“You’re right. Thank you, Mother, for everything. And Papa too, wherever he may be now. I promise, I’ll make you two proud.”

“My darling daughter, you already have.”