Just Another Day

Sigrid's late and my door is unlocked, Shanku thought suspiciously as she poked her head out of her door. To her surprise, Sigrid hadn't come to lead her to the forge this morning. While she had been letting her return on her own, she had never missed a chance to see to it that Shanku started her day in her feral form.

Shanku finally shook her head and took flight. She landed on the familiar ledge and made her way down into the mountain. She arrived in Arloda's forge to find her extending a pair of tongs.

"Hullo, pup," Arloda greeted her. "Today, ye make yer pendant."

Shanku positively squeaked with delight. She quickly donned her leather apron and happily took the tongs from Arloda. She selected a smaller block of metal from Arloda's stash and held it out for approval. Arloda nodded. It was alright to use it. Shanku carefully stuck it in the fire and directed Arloda.

"A bit gentler on the bellows," Shanku suggested.

"Don' let it git too cool," Arloda warned.

Shanku later made her way to the anvil and began to pound on it as she had seen Arloda do.

"A tad heavy-handed, pup," Arloda admonished. Shanku frowned and tried to be even more careful.

When Shanku had gotten it roughly into the shape she wanted, she went over to the heavy table and began to work. Ever so carefully, she chiseled and cut on the bit of metal.

When she finished, she held it out for Arloda to see.

"Whatcha think?" Shanku asked proudly.

"Not bad," Arloda said with her arms crossed over her chest. "For a beginner."

But Shanku didn't care. It may have been a little lumpy, imperfect, and took her a long time to make, but it was a gift from Arloda, not only in the respect that she let her have it for free but also that she trusted Shanku enough to let her do it.