Kruger set the package on the desk just inside the large doorway. The delivery had come from Kitty, the packaging list had the description as sample ore. He opened the box, and pulled out a large block of metal. This would be the perfect time to make some test items. He had some time before he was due at the coliseum.

A couple of days should be enough to make something, it wouldn't be pretty but It would definitely get the job done. He laid the block aside and sat down at the desk. Drawings were pinned to the sides of the desk, weapons mostly, new designs as well as those designs which were commissioned by clients. Many liked to have their coat of arms somewhere on the weapons. Conspicuously among them was a drawing done by a child; two stick figure adults surrounding three children, one boy and two girls.

Kruger looked at the picture; he often did this to remind himself of loss, and of duties yet to be performed. He opened a drawer and took from it a quill, a jar of ink, and parchment with the shop letterhead on it. He needed to make his pleasure with Kitty Helston known. Slowly he puzzled out the letter he would pen.





To: The Lady Belial, Leader of Blood House Onyx

From: Aristotle Kruger Allen Owner of Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather



Greetings great lady,

I am happily writing you today to inform you of the helpfulness of Kitty. She was most helpful in assisting me the other day. Without notice, or an appointment she managed to take the information I provided and commit to sending me a proposal for materials, and space in one of your warehouses. I found her at once, approachable and reassuring. The sample ore she sent is most welcome. Would you please pass on my highest compliments to her"

I look forward to reading this proposal and perhaps sitting down to settle on a multiyear contract for the proposed space, and a fruitful association for both of our interests. I welcome future correspondence.

Hoping you and your family are well. Yours in Trust,

Aristotle Kruger Allen

P.S. I don't know if you enjoy nights at the coliseum, but I will be on the ticket in a couple days. Come out, or not as it pleases you.



He then folded the parchment and sealed it, pressing his house seal, a falcon carrying a fire lizard in its claws. The fire lizard was exhaling gouts of flame at the falcon's chest. A rough translation would be "even in death I kill".

"Jason!" Kruger called out. A boy, an obvious street urchin came down the stairwell.

Jason was wearing a guilty expression. "Yes sir?" He had been staying in the vacant space upstairs for the last week. Kruger knew the boy's abusive stepfather was looking for him. Kruger was often giving shelter to the street kids.

Kruger tossed the boy a few coins, "Do you know where the BHO complex is?" The boy nodded. "Go down and buy yerself a new coat, take a bath, put the coat on and deliver this. Use the rest o the coin as ye wish.?

The grin the boy gave warmed the man's heart. He hoped the boy listened about the coat, and the bath.

To: The Lady Belial, Leader of Blood House Onyx

From: Aristotle Kruger Allen Owner of Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather

Great Mistress,

It is hoped that this letter finds you hale and hearty. Knowing your interest in all facets of your business ventures I thought an update as to our progress at Kruger's Exotic might be in order. I regret deeply how long it has been since last I corresponded. Business seems to have hit a strange dry spell here. No one seems to be buying weapons, though I see many with new equipment, especially around the docks. Mine is not the only smithery to take a hit either.

It seems that several of my most honorable competitors have been asked to trade rather than sell their merchandise. This is a strange occurrence and one that makes no money for those in my profession. Out of curiosity I traded with one of these wayward adventurers.

The blade quality is merely adequate and the style nearly non-existent. If some merchant has taken it upon himself to import some weapons, the quality will have sales soaring on dragon back soon.

On a more personal note I was happy to see my son has moved back to town. He picked up an apprenticeship at the local apothecary. It is good to have family around you when you need them. You know there are always some you can trust to hold when the enemy is trying to out flank you.

In my bones I feel my daughter growing closer, it would be wonderful to have her help here at the anvil. Perhaps I didn't tell you that she is quite an accomplished smith herself, and that isn't just fatherly pride.

If she comes home, it would be most wonderful to have a sit down dinner, I will certainly extend you an invitation, though a woman of your magnitude need never lower herself to my level, but dare to dream old Hornfel used to tell me. That is what I will do, dream big and take small steps.

My loyalty to you, and all honor to the Blood.

Aristotle Kruger Allen

The bell sounded, and the messenger handed the wax sealed envelope to the doorman. It was placed upon a silver tray with the house coat of arms emblazoned upon its face. The messenger received his tip, and was sent on his way, and the doorman lifted the tray and left it with his mistress.

To: The Lady Belial, Leader of Blood House Onyx

From: Aristotle Kruger Allen Owner of Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather

My Lady Belial;

I ask your pardon please for my inexcusable absence from the realm, and the duties to which I have been negligent. I have travelled far, and experienced much. I greatly regret having slipped away so silently, but there were things in this town that I could no longer bear to look upon.

Make no mistake magnificent one that you were in my thoughts often as I travelled. My heart grew heavy with guilt and the pain of loss. It seemed the further I went the more my past and the duties to which I had pledged myself pulled at me. I have returned, though such a small event as this could only serve to give the smallest of smiles to you, that smile would surely enhance your brilliance.

It may interest you to learn that I bring with me several new ore types. They are diverse, and possess some intriguing properties. Among them is the ability, or perhaps I should say inability to conduct elemental forces. The resistance to such things as fire or lightening should be appealing to some of the more adventurous denizens who seek to find the dragon treasures of old. There is talk of a certain sect that may have an interest in the metal as well. I do hope for a satisfactory arrangement as the scope of such a sale would greatly enhance the reputation of the shop, and this poor smith.

I was delighted to be informed of the formation of the local fleet that is being headed up by Mr. Ilnaren. He too had a commission for me, in truth had he not come with his need for small arms to a half a dozen crews of twelve men, I might not have made it through my first month back in RhyDin.

My leather man has left me, but I recently hired on the young S?jira from the Red Dragon. All ready her efforts have increased my productivity. Feel free to stop in whenever you have a mind. I am staying there for now and am willing to open if ever you feel superlative enough that to lower yourself to my level will leave no taint. You will have the pick of my best pieces, or if you have a custom order, I will gladly move it to the front of my list.

I will leave you with only my best wishes, as I have occupied more than my fair share of your time.

Honor to the blood, Duty to the same, and Loyalty to the Lady. Aristotle Kruger Allen

To: The Lady Belial, Leader of Blood House Onyx

From: Aristotle Kruger Allen Owner of Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather



Great Lady Belial,

Again I send you words that I hope do not anger you or detract further from my honor. There have been some few happenings since my last correspondence. A new year has come to RhyDin, and as happens in every new cycle it brings along its problems. It gives this unworthy smith great relief to know that you are accompanied by such forces as to give hindrance to the stalker of the local alleyways. Not that someone of your vaulted status should ever have a need to visit such dark and vile places. I am sorry that I have insinuated that would ever be the case.

The weapons roll out of the shop almost daily, but still I prefer to make those custom orders. There is great peace in my mind as I shape them to their purpose. I know that someone as lowly as I deserve little of your thoughts, but my heart has started to take a new shape this year. There may be a want to release the seeking of old vengeance and make my life work in the present. My new leather worker makes great strides forward. She is attentive to details and only has to be shown a method once before she has the doing of it. With her talent, she could open her own place some day. I have taken the time to show here why we pad armor in the places that we do. I was unprepared for the joy she found in the learning.

The offer of supplying your guardians is still open to you; I would not have them face the unknown with less than reliable weapons. Your safety is tantamount in the minds of all who know you, including one minor smith to whom you give more than his fair share of attention by simply reading his letters.

I intend to give up one of my best blades to the cause of the priestesses whose temple rests near your great compound. I would also offer them the weight of the hammers I wield; this I tell you only so that you might know it from my hand rather than through rumor. Please know that if ever you have need of the meager abilities of this smith to fight on your behalf you have only to crook your finger and demand my attendance.

The search for Mithril goes poorly. I have exhausted many avenues of opportunity and come away with the paltriest of amounts of the ore. It is unrefined, and that ability rests with the guild. You know already how they feel about helping one free lance shop owner. I would never ask for your intervention, such matters dwell far beneath the level that should ever concern you. I may have to approach the dwarves again with something to trade. Long has the hammer that was possessed by Hornfell rested on my wall. They covet it greatly; a gesture of this type may smooth over old wounds.

Forgive the lengthiness of this report to you. There are days when I have more to say, and that I have said as many things to you as this is to my shame. Remember my promise to you my Lady Bel.

Yours in Service,

Aristotle Kruger Allen

Honor to the Blood, and Loyalty to its mistress

Kruger wondered if the message had be unsealed and read. If she had been inside the writer's head, she would have seen that he wondered often if she found satisfaction in his messages to her. He watched the streets, and read them to see what if anything was ever gleened from his cryptic reports.

To: The Lady Belial, Leader of Blood House Onyx

From: Aristotle Kruger Allen Owner of Kruger's Exotic Weapons Armor & Leather



Most honored Bel,

I have seen much since my last letter to you. The streets are rife with danger. I have seen the Raven, and the destruction he is capable of. I have watched his Ebon Steel blades wreak havoc. The sisters of Scathach mobilize, and my own Guardians stand fast and patrol the streets. Dark are the days, and darker still the night. The council rushes to set up a navy, hoping beyond hope that they haven't sat too long on laurels and prayers that these tidings will pass us by. I must say that I have been disheartened lately, never knowing who to trust, and who is a wolf. I have discovered much in the observations of battle recently.

Trust those who fight on even when the need for it has gone beyond reach. Better to give a few moments respite from pursuit than to allow evil to walk by freely. This have I learned, and it is for this I will search deeply the souls of myself, and those who profess themselves to be honorable.

All of this in mind, it is with a great deal of trepidation that I must request an audience with you. I have seen the Ebon Steel and it is powerful, but flawed. I would give much to have time alone with it, to understand what it is. This is a small hope though. There is little I can do to force such an encounter. I would however bring to you my best defense. I have tried to wield her, but find myself unable to. If I take her up, all I see is vengeance, and punishment. I can determine neither the innocent nor the guilty. She should represent Justice. If she lingers in my hand I fear that I will become as dark as the Raven. So I will offer her to you, perhaps this is what was meant so long ago.

I know this message has little of the usual flowers for you. I cannot bring it from myself in these times. I owe you much for your tolerance over the years. I can be ready at your earliest convenience.

Duty honor and loyalty I give freely, love I hold for my own and give to a very few. I understand that makes little sense to you. I have problems grasping it sometimes myself. It is the one virtue that deserves all the others, yet the one that doesn't require it.

Yours,

Ar

Kruger



There would be no vows in this letter, no finishing with a flourish of his name, the one attempt he made was blotted out, and the only remaining part would be the first to letters.