Thrall

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Thrall, a blacksmith, hammered red-hot iron on his anvil. He was equipped with a bandana on his head and an apron on his body. His concentration wholly focused on his craft; he did not notice his wife approaching him in the foundry.

‘Dear?’ she said.

Clang! Clang! Clang! The hammering continued and he didn’t listen.

‘Dear? Thrall dear?’

His ears were still occupied by the clangs.

‘Thrall.’ She approached him and touched his shoulder.

Thrall jolted in surprise. His hammer had missed and hit the anvil flat.

‘I didn’t realize you’re here,’ he said.

‘You do now.’

Thrall stood up and looked at his wife eye to eye. He wiped his sweat with the towel wrapping his shoulders.

‘Dear, who are you working for?’

‘I’m not working for anyone.’

‘Really?’ She looked at the still red-hot iron on the anvil.

‘Yes, really. Why?

‘I just… thought that if you have work, you might stay here in this village… You won’t, will you?’ She asked with pleading eyes.

Thrall couldn’t answer her.

‘… I know. That you’re a blacksmith and your job is to provide weapons in time of need. I’m proud to have you as my husband. But… think of your family, Thrall. Our daughter will miss you. I will miss you. And every passing day we’ll worry about you restlessly in the city if you don’t come with us.’

‘I owe the villages here greatly…’

‘That’s why you need to run. So that you can rebuild it should it be destroyed. Right now, Agents are standing on guard to help protect the village. They have their own weapons and your skill is currently not needed. Please, Thrall? Come with us to the city?’

‘I…’ Thrall closed his eyes. ‘Alright.’

His wife was delighted by his decision and hugged him, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

‘Don’t stay up too late, dear.’ She exited the foundry through the door with joyful steps.

Thrall sat down on his stool and tossed his hammer to the anvil. He placed his elbow on his knees and face on his palm. He sighed and shook his head.

‘Not doing good?’ a voice came from the shadows.

Thrall almost fell from his stool due to the surprise. He looked toward the source to see a girl whose eyes were as dark as night, Kayla.

‘I’m alright. I’ve decided to go to the city.’

‘… Oh.’

Kayla was about to leave, but Thrall stopped her, ‘Why are you here?’

‘Nothing of your concern.’

‘Tell me anyway.’

‘It’s nothing.’

‘You need arrows, don’t you?’

‘… No.’

‘You need arrows, don’t you?’

‘Steel arrows.’

‘How many?’

‘Lots.’

‘You’re going to hunt the monster?’ Thrall asked. To which, Kayla stared at him silently, confirming and denying nothing. ‘I won’t tell your grandmother.’

‘Yes.’

‘Then I’ll stay here until you hunt the monster down.’

Immediately, Thrall started working on Kayla’s arrows.