Zach Carter-

I sir Halvin, have a request that I wish you to fulfill. I require a short sword for a young knight. I believe people call it a special project. I will provide all the materials you require and a large payment in return. I trust you to complete this request with as much speed you can muster.

-Robert Halvin

“So? Will you accept the request?” Avner said.

“I’m not sure yet, each one of my special projects are made to fit a particular person.” Zach responded. He paced through the small shop deep in thought.

“I know on the paper it asks you, but it is a royal request. You can’t say no to this, the last person who denied a royal request was sent to the stocks.” Avner said.

“Alright fine, but this project will take almost a month to fulfill. Luckily enough, I have already started on a short sword that was meant for my main stock.” Zach said.

“What should I tell them?” Avner asked.

“Tell them I will accept the request,” Zach said absentmindedly jotting down a list of materials he will need. Once Zach had finished, he bid the old guardsman a farewell.

The next day Zach left the Blacksmith under the care of Avery so that he could go to the capital to gather the materials required to make the weapon. He put on his sword scabbard and mounted his horse Gilder and started his day’s journey to the capital.

The road was well traveled, he passed a few wagons coming from the capital. The Capital Guard protected each wagon, which was usually filled with resources needed for the villages. When he arrived at the Capital, the massive wooden gates filled his vision. The Merchants that came through were like a busy ant colony. Zach slipped into the crowd and passed through the gates, the inside of the Capital was full of color and aromas that made his mouth water.

“Halt! You there, on the horse.” someone said to Zach’s left. He turned in his saddle and saw a Guardsman weaving his way through the crowd to Zach.

“Me?” Zach asked, pointing to himself.

“Yes, You on the horse” The Guard said. That made Zach stop. He let the Guard take the lead of the horse's rains and the Guard led him to a stable right next to the Guardpost. 

“Is there a problem?” Zach asked politely, dismounting.

“Are you aware that there is a new policy where all civilians must surrender their weapons when entering the Capital?” The Guard said.

“Uhh, No I was not aware of this. When was this established, Sergeant Bennet?” Zach asked, looking at Bennet’s name tape.

“Three weeks ago, also I’m afraid that we will have to search you for any hidden weapons. Part of the policy.” Bennet said.

“I have a dagger and a Tinrith Bo Staff on my person, that’s all.” Zach said, handing them over.

“I’m terribly sorry but we have to frisk you. Captain’s orders.” Bennet said.

Zach let out a breath of irritation, but he had no other choice. Bennet frisked Zach and found the envelope in his right breast pocket.

“What might this be?” Bennet asked.

“It is a letter from the royal family. I’m a blacksmith and they requested my service. I’m here at the capital to gather materials for that request.” Zach said.

“We will have to run this by the sender of this letter.” Bennet said.

“Fine. Can you make it quick, I have a blacksmith to get back to.” Zach said.

“You can go ahead and enter the Capital, just don’t leave before we can talk to you about this letter.” Bennet said.

Zach remounted Gilder and made his way to the merchant’s side of the Capital. The merchant stalls were lined up row after row. It was quite impressive. Zach’s first item that he needed to get was silver ore. After bartering the price from three gold pieces down to two he went to search for the next item on his list. A block of Luxin Draparin and a block of Luxin Tinrith, both costing ten silver pieces. The next item was one ounce of liquid iron. Liquid iron was imperative to forging with Luxin. If too much or too little Liquid iron the Luxin would destabilize in the forging process. Which meant it could explode at any time, the forge could be destroyed, or worse while the weapon was being wielded by the young knight.

Zach was in the process of haggling for some Red Oak wood when Sergeant Bennet and a pair of Guards showed up.

“Zach Carter, you are being arrested and detained for the possession of a letter with a forged Havlin royal seal.” Bennet said as one of the Guards put Zach in thumb cuffs. The other Guardsman took hold of Gilder and they escorted Zach to the local prison.