The sound of a grindstone rang out over the treetops as the sun began to rise over the small homestead and smithy. The smithy stood in a clearing of the Crimson Dale. The light fell in gold and pink waves, reflecting off the grass. Soon the sound died and left an echo in the air. Kin pushed his already sweat-drenched brown hair from his eyes as he inspected the sword. Not quite satisfied, he turned back to the stone once more.

Though well-practiced, Kin's mind did not wander for even a second as he worked on his beloved partner. He smiled as the nostalgia of when he first set to forging his sword all those years ago washed over him. After the grindstone, a good polish was in order, which was less critical but as important. Moments like this were bliss for the young swordsman.

Footsteps sounded behind him. He turned to find his father, Heath. A tall, well-built man. He had brilliant orange hair and bright eyes that glowed like burning flames. This was a mark of an old blessing placed on their people. The man looked every inch the blacksmith that he was. He smiled as he watched his father approach.

“Father,” Kin greeted the older man who beamed at his only son.

“Kin. I didn’t expect to find you working this morning.” His father gave him a knowing wink. “Here I thought you would be enjoying your new freedom as well. It’s such a lovely day. I suppose I owe Alastor some fish, seeing as he bet you would be working.”

Kin chuckled, surprised that his father would bet against him working in the forge. “I am no longer an apprentice smith to you or Alastor’s student, but I still need to maintain my weapon.”

“I doubt that fine beauty needs any kind of maintenance so soon,” Heath said with the certainty of an expert. “More like you aren’t used to your new freedom yet.”

“Can you blame me?” The youth finished polishing the sword and inspected it. “I’ve spent most of my days here or at training for the past eight or so years. It will take some adjusting.”

“Yet you still had time to cause trouble with little Nami,” Heath quipped, causing him to blush. He recently turned fifteen and even a mention of his beloved made his heart race. He let his son flounder for a moment and then continued. “Aye, I had the same problem when my father released me at fifteen. Hands so used to work do not like to be idle, but you will only feel this today. Tomorrow, you are off on the Ordeal.”

Kin nodded, anticipation eating at his gut. Finally, a chance to test the skills he had honed for years. Still, he was also excited at thought of his coming journey. “It sometimes felt, like this day would never come,” he admitted.

His father grinned in response and shook his head. “Oh, my son. How I envy youth and their perception of time. For me, the years have flown by. Why it seems like yesterday I handed you a hammer for the first time. I am so proud of you, Kin.” Heath offered his hand to take Kin’s sword and he handed the treasured weapon over to his father.

He watched his father, testing the balance, the weight, and checking the edge. He must have been satisfied, because the smith raised the sword and kissed the flat of it, an old smith’s blessing. “You look after my son now, pretty one,” he addressed the blade, “you’ve made a finer blade than any I could’ve forged.”

Kin swelled with pride at his father’s words. “I can't seem to find the right name for her. Nami says it is her ‘other half’ but it doesn't feel right to name it after her.”

Heath chuckled and handed the sword back to his son, his fiery eyes filled with warmth. “Aye, but lasses tend to not like it when you name a weapon after them for some reason.”

Kin shrugged in mock confusion. “What? They don’t? Why ever not?”

Heath’s eyes twinkled with mirth and mischief. “No man can ever understand the depths of a woman’s mind, Kin. The trick is to be good enough at pretending so they never notice. Never forget that and you will have a happy married life someday.”

“Yes, father,” The young man agreed, his parents had a loving relationship and it warmed his heart to see them together.

“Good lad.” The smith patted his son on the back as he returned his blade to its scabbard. “So, what else do you have planned for your last day on the homestead?”

Kin shrugged, unsure how to respond. “Well I’m gonna see Mum and then I’ll head out to the usual meeting spot.”

Heath nodded and winked at his son. “Of course. Wouldn’t want to keep your young lady waiting, she’s a crack shot.”

Kin shuddered in memory. “Don’t remind me. I don’t need a repeat of the apple festival.”

“No, I should think not.” The smith’s eyes were radiating mirth. Kin could still see it all Nami had been very cross with him after being late. The earful she had given him after that still made him feel guilty.

“Anyways,” Kin said, “I’ll take my leave now.” He hugged his father, a tough feat due to his smaller size. He was way more suited to being a swordsman than a smith, after all. The kindly smith hugged his son and then watched him leave. Kin did not hear the words the older man spoke as he walked away but then again, he didn’t need to.

***

Kin walked from the smithy to the single-floor building that served as his home for a long as he could remember. The smithy had a simple fence cut from logs surrounding it. The identical houses of Alastor and Jason Tanner were set to the side of the path from the smithy to Kin’s home. The positioning of the houses in a U shape had been a last line of defense when wild beasts had attacked. He liked that setup, it made the place feel like a smaller slice of the nearby village and had always made him feel safe.

He had to pass an apple tree on the way to the house, and a small grave marker that sat in the shade always drew his eye. He approached the house and opened the door to find that his slim mother was leaning over a pot. As he entered, she spun around to face him, and her honey-gold eyes glowed in the dim room. Brown hair that is the same shade as his, though a little darker. Her cheeks were almost always rosy-colored, even in the warmest weather, as they were now.

“Kin.” She smiled at her only son. “Good morning.”

“Morning, Mum..” He couldn’t help but smile back. “That smells good.” He pointed to the pot.

She chuckled. “Yes, well it will be ready soon if you hurry and wash up. Nami left for your ‘secret place’ a while ago so you might want to hurry up.”

He shook his head. “No hurry, she wants some solo practice with her bow this morning anyways.”

“Well, that’s fine. Still, wash up first.” She walked over and kissed her son on the cheek.

He nodded in reply and headed for the washroom.

***

A minute later, he re-emerged and headed into the room he shared with his sisters, ten-year-old twins. To his surprise, the girls were still sleeping. They would be free from their lessons for the summer now but they usually were up with the sun. He smiled as one of the girls yawned and stretched. They were only this quiet when they were sleeping. He slipped off into the side of the room curtained off for his use. He changed into his boiled leather tunic and pants that served for some basic protection. He attached his sword to its baldric and slung it over his shoulder. Kin felt ready to face the world.