Jigano blinked at the rowdy description of what the man's wife would do if she found him there, but gave the craftsman a bow of acquiescence when he asked for no other payment. He was feeling less and less certain about his choice to hand his precious coins over to this man but... the reputation of the place...
Neither man was completely happy, it seemed: the smith with his request, and Jigano with the other man's personal habits, but it seemed the deal was as good as struck. "I guess I will..." he murmured, and at the abrupt dismissal he made his way slowly from the shop.
Three days later he returned, only to be turned away with no sign of progress, and his worry only increased.
The third time he returned, this time with a grim light in his eye and the intention to make the smith prove he'd been working, he was actually invited in. He was surprised enough that he obeyed, biting back his threats to approach the counter with a rising flicker of hope in his breast.
With some showmanship - but no fine words - the cloth was removed to reveal--
Exactly what the bard had imagined in his mind's eye. He sucked in a breath, awestruck as he reached out towards the charms, but not quite touching their gleaming, polished surfaces. Each one was a masterwork, elegant and nearly lifelike yet so small as to be wearable - or carried as a luckpiece. Jigano blinked back an unexpected well of emotion in his eyes, knowing the smith would appreciate it no more than he did, and when he spoke his voice was a bit gruff.
"They're incredible. Everything I had hoped for, and far more than I had dared to expect. What price, mastersmith? If I can pay it, I will."
Neither man was completely happy, it seemed: the smith with his request, and Jigano with the other man's personal habits, but it seemed the deal was as good as struck. "I guess I will..." he murmured, and at the abrupt dismissal he made his way slowly from the shop.
Three days later he returned, only to be turned away with no sign of progress, and his worry only increased.
The third time he returned, this time with a grim light in his eye and the intention to make the smith prove he'd been working, he was actually invited in. He was surprised enough that he obeyed, biting back his threats to approach the counter with a rising flicker of hope in his breast.
With some showmanship - but no fine words - the cloth was removed to reveal--
Exactly what the bard had imagined in his mind's eye. He sucked in a breath, awestruck as he reached out towards the charms, but not quite touching their gleaming, polished surfaces. Each one was a masterwork, elegant and nearly lifelike yet so small as to be wearable - or carried as a luckpiece. Jigano blinked back an unexpected well of emotion in his eyes, knowing the smith would appreciate it no more than he did, and when he spoke his voice was a bit gruff.
"They're incredible. Everything I had hoped for, and far more than I had dared to expect. What price, mastersmith? If I can pay it, I will."
