Through the Eyes of a Fae
Chapter 22

Ben stood with the blacksmith, looking over a sword with keen eyes, feeling its weight. He smiled and handed it over.

" This is perfect, the right weight and shape, I think she will love it.” Ben had placed an order for a custom sword for Kora and the Blacksmith Devin was making substantial progress.

" You know, she placed an order of her own. A very strange weapon, if she can wield it, she is a fearsome thing indeed. Want to see it? I must admit, it’s been fun to make.” Curious, Ben followed the blacksmith further into the forge. On a long wooden table were two blades, each curved at the end. The handles were odd as well. They were a bit thin for a sword handle and had a strange rivet on one end. Devin smiled.

I sent a runner for her. If she says it is done, I am going to ask to see her wield it. I’m dying to see how it’s done.” Indeed, Ben was curious as well. Each blade had to have been as long as one of Kora’s arms. Devin showed him the grubby scraps of parchment tacked to the wall above the table.

" Her measurements were very specific, but it’s so big when it’s put together, I’m struggling to see how she’s going to manage it.” Ben was shocked.

“They connect?”

“Indeed. Ah, here comes the runner.” Turning, he picked up the two swords and walked towards the runner, who explained Kora was waiting just outside the forge. Walking out with Devin, he smiled warmly at Kora, who responded in kind, a small blush tinting her cheeks. She looked beautiful as always. Her hair was braided again, and she wore a deep burgundy shirt that came to her elbows, with cream-colored leggings and black boots. Her eyes lit with excitement as Devin laid the swords out on the workbench.

“It’s wonderful, Devin, truly.” She smiled and picked up one of the swords, turning it this way and that as Devin detailed the work and materials that went into the make.

" Ya know, my lady. I need to see how this thing works.” Devin was hopeful, and Ben had to agree. Even the servant boy had stuck around, curiosity getting the better of him. Kora grinned wickedly.

" Let us go to the training grounds then!” They all began to walk together, Ben and Devin peppering Kora with questions as the servant boy trailed a ways behind, afraid his master would notice him and send him back to the forge. Stepping onto the training grounds, the field was empty. Kora held both swords loosely, one in each hand, and walked out.

“Make sure to give me some room, guys.” Kora started to rotate her wrists and the swords began to spin. She moved her arms back and forth, before raising her arms, the ends of the handles came together, and she twisted, now the sword was one long double-ended beast, and she twirled it around like a baton. Around and around, over her head, around her shoulders. It was like a dance. The men applauded. Ben was hugely impressed; the weapon was a beast. With such good range, an enemy would struggle to get close. And if they did, she just gave the handles a twist, and she had two swords for close range. Kora was dangerous. And it turned him on. He laughed at the thought. Grinning, Kora walked towards them.

" Do you think you could craft me a scabbard?” She and Devin discussed specifics while Ben listened. Watching Kora’s face, she was animated as she talked about weapons with Devin. It was also a subject they had enjoyed speaking of while on the road. Bidding them a farewell, He began to wonder what else Kora liked… Deciding that he would go to the market tomorrow, searching for a gift for her. Ben set off for the King’s study. A message had come to him this afternoon requesting an audience. Curious, he knocked on the king’s door and waited.

" Enter.” One of the knights opened the door for Ben, and he walked in. Malik’s face said it all. His expression blank, he handed a set of reports to Ben and waited for him to read.

" 32! The ruins… and 3 are now unaccounted for?” Ben glanced up quickly, turning to head out the door. Where was Kora- the training grounds still? He needed to get to her.

“Wait.” Malik’s voice had the tone, and Ben forced himself to stop, turning quickly to glare.

" Those monsters could be here now, stalking her. We need to protect her.”

" We are Ben, Ludis is going to tell her tonight. We cannot just run all over. If they are watching, not knowing that we knew. It will be to our advantage. We must be discreet.” Ben knew that he was right, but everything in him was screaming to run to Kora, his sweet Kora. Yes, she could wield a blade, but what could she do to protect herself from being turned to stone again, grow trees? Toss flowers?

“She is not defenseless, and she is here, in my castle. The barrier that Ludis had cast is in place. Do you really think I would let something happen? I have already improved security.” Malik was trying to reason with him.

" She will be told. Ludis will make sure of that.” Ben tried to relax, but his mind still raced. Ludis was going to tell her, ok. He would make sure he was there when she did so. He nodded to Malik, to indicate that he understood, and left the study. The sun was setting. Not wanting to come to Kora empty-handed after receiving such news, he headed off to the merchant’s building here in the castle to see if he could scrounge something up.