Page 20 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Did you want to see it for yourself so you can compare?” Now it was his turn to grin. Her cheeks became rosy and her face was flushed. Since there was no fire in the forge, he knew it wasn’t from the heat.

“I suppose this one is small because it is right here in the castle courtyard, and there isn’t much room to expand,” explained Raven, picking up a punch to inspect it. “There are so many outbuildings, that none of them can be too large.”

“Oh, put that down. You don’t want to play with that. It’s dirty,” he said, taking the metal punch from her. His hand brushed against hers and he couldn’t help noticing how soft her skin felt. It surprised him since she worked with weapons. He half-expected her hands to be rough or even callused. He quickly put the punch down and turned away.

“Wow, this is big,” she said, causing him to look over his shoulder. She reached out and picked up one of the blacksmith’s hammers.

“Those are heavy. Be careful,” he said, rushing over to take it from her, but stopped. She held it in one hand and didn’t drop it. It was truly impressive since most females could barely even lift it with both hands. “You’re quite strong. For a lady, I mean.”

“Yes, I suppose I am,” she said, almost gloating. “I wield a full-sized sword one-handed, you realize. I hardly think a mere blacksmith’s hammer is going to break me.”

“I can see that,” he said with a nod.

“This isn’t much of a place to live,” she remarked, putting down the hammer.

“It’ll do,” he replied, walking over and peeking into the attached room that was the bedroom. A small bed with a torn mattress filled most of the room. A small, dirty pallet lay on the floor in the corner with straw sticking out of it. “I see two places to sleep. Did someone live here with the blacksmith?”

“He was an old widower, but he did have a son named Gerold. He’s the one who lived here with him. Gerold was his apprentice.”

“Oh, that’s right. I think your father mentioned that to me.”

“Gerold stayed here at the castle after his father’s death, so I’m sure he’ll be assigned to help you.”

“Didn’t he go to live with other family members after his father’s death? I mean, your father said he was just an apprentice so I’m surprised that he stayed.”

“Nay. He has no one else. His father was the only family he had.”

“Oh. So, he is going to become a journeyman and take his father’s place someday soon?”

“I hardly think so,” she said, finding his words funny, though he didn’t know why.

“Hello?” came a voice from the door.

“It’s my father,” said Raven in a hushed whisper.

“Lord Corbett?” Jonathon walked out of the adjoining room to find Corbett Blake standing in the doorway, blocking the light. He was tall, like Jonathon, and had to duck to enter the forge.

“What’s going on here?” asked Corbett in a low voice.

Jonathon now realized it probably hadn’t been a good idea to bring the lord’s daughter here. It was a dark, dirty place, and not fit for a noblewoman. Besides, he shouldn’t be in here alone with her, and especially not in the bedroom. He was sure that wasn’t going to sit right with Lord Corbett. It wasn’t proper. Especially since he was a commoner.

“Father, I was just showing Jonathon his temporary home,” said Raven, approaching her father and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I hope you don’t mind. I had to get away from Lords Whitehead and Belmouth. I didn’t like them.”

“I’m afraid to say I have to agree with you, Daughter,” said Corbett. “They weren’t the most amicable men I’ve ever met.” He turned his attention to Jonathon. “How do you find the forge?”

“He finds it smaller than his,” Raven answered for him, looking over and grinning.

“It’s fine, my lord,” said Jonathon, not wanting to anger Lord Corbett, and a little embarrassed by Raven saying his was bigger.

“He also said it is very dirty in here,” continued Raven, making Jonathon want to hide under a chair now. Why did she have to say these things and not let him speak for himself?

“I realize the place is lacking,” said Corbett. “That is why I brought Gerold with me. He’ll be your apprentice during the duration of your stay, so just let him know what needs to be done to tidy things up.”

“Gerold is here?” Jonathon peered out the door over Corbett’s shoulder, but didn’t see anyone else. “Where is he?”

“I’m right here,” came a little voice from behind Corbett. Out stepped a young lad who was skinny and small and looked too frail to even lift a punch, let alone a hammer.

“You? You’re going to be my apprentice?” asked Jonathon in surprise.