(KBTCM) Ch 36: A Unprecedented Talent, Arrival At The Peaceful Green Fields!

The forge smelled of iron, sweat, and burning coal. The sound of hammers striking metal had finally dulled into silence as the last rays of the sun bled through the tall, smoke-streaked windows. Kerren exhaled, letting the weight of exhaustion wash over him. His hands trembled slightly as he set down his sharpening stone, fingers blackened with soot and grit.

The last sword lay before him — once corroded and lifeless, now gleaming with a faint, almost golden sheen. He couldn't help but smile.

Baric's boots clanged against the metal floor as he approached. The dwarf folded his arms, thick beard twitching with what might've been approval.

"Well, lad," he said gruffly, looking down at the neat row of shining blades. "Didn't think you'd get through half of 'em today."

Kerren wiped his brow. "Didn't think I would either, sir."

Baric chuckled, the sound deep and rough. "Hah! Modest too. You did good, boy. A damn fine start." He reached out, running a gloved thumb along one of the blades. "Clean edge, sharp enough to cut wind. You've got steady hands. Come back tomorrow, early. Before dawn if you can manage."

"Of course, sir." Kerren bowed his head, his voice firm despite his weariness.

Baric gave a curt nod. "Good lad. Go on then — the forge's done for the day."

As Kerren left, a few of the other blacksmiths gathered near the cooling troughs, whispering among themselves. One of them, a burly man with arms like tree trunks, leaned toward Baric.

"Master," he said, "why d'you put so much faith in that kid? He's green as spring grass. You've got men here twice his age who can't even get a glance from you."

Baric smirked beneath his beard, reaching for one of Kerren's sharpened blades. He held it up to the light, letting it catch the orange glow of the setting sun. The reflection danced off the walls like molten fire.

"Take a good look at that edge," he said.

The man took the sword, turning it in his hands. His eyes widened. "It's... perfect. Like it was reforged."

"That's not all," Baric said, voice lowering. "That sword was rotting with rust this morning. Couldn't've cut through butter. Now look at it — it shines like it's been kissed by gold."

The blacksmith whistled softly. "That boy really is something."

Baric's gaze followed Kerren's retreating form through the open forge gates. "Aye," he murmured. "Something more than he knows."

⸻

Outside, the evening air felt like freedom.

Kerren walked with slow steps, stretching his arms as the warm glow of sunset painted the sky. The other blacksmiths moved past him, chatting, laughing, already planning where to drink. He was too tired for that. He just wanted to get home, maybe scrub the soot off and collapse into bed before his father started shouting about "wasting daylight."

He had almost reached the end of the cobblestone path when he saw her.

Leaning casually against the outer wall of the forge was a towering figure, her crimson hair catching the light like a banner of fire. Her blue eyes gleamed as soon as they met his.

"Rowena," Kerren said, smiling despite himself.

"Finally!" she laughed, pushing off the wall. The ground trembled lightly under her steps. "I was beginning to think you'd fallen into the smelter!"

The nearby blacksmiths froze, bowing slightly as they passed her. The princess merely gave them a polite nod before crouching down, her presence swallowing the fading sunlight around Kerren.

"I wanted to see how you did," she said, lowering her hand. Her palm was open, inviting. "Come on, I have something to show you."

Kerren hesitated. "I should probably head home... My father's already going to be angry I stayed this late."

Rowena tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, come now. One short detour won't bring ruin to your family name."

Kerren sighed, knowing there was no winning this argument. "Alright," he said with a faint grin. "But just for a little while."

"Excellent."

He climbed onto her hand, steadying himself as her fingers curved protectively around him. With practiced grace, Rowena rose to her full height, the wind catching strands of her crimson hair as she began walking.

The palace grounds stretched endlessly, bathed in orange and pink. The towering spires of the castle stood behind them like silent guardians. As Rowena strode past the bustling districts, Kerren looked down to see the world shrinking beneath her — the market stalls, the rooftops, the narrow streets all reduced to patterns of light and shadow.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"You'll see," Rowena replied, her tone teasing. "It's not far."

They passed through the last of the stone archways, and soon the walls of the capital gave way to open land. Hills rolled out toward the horizon, covered in soft green grass and wildflowers that swayed in the evening breeze.

Rowena slowed her pace as they reached the base of a tall hill. She climbed it carefully, the sound of her boots pressing into the earth echoing softly in the distance.

Finally, she stopped at the top, sitting down with a contented sigh. The setting sun burned like a ruby across the horizon, bathing the land in fiery light.

"This," Rowena said quietly, "is one of my favorite places."

She placed Kerren gently on her knee, her massive hand resting nearby like a bronze wall. "When I was younger, I used to sneak away here after lessons. It's peaceful. The whole kingdom looks small from here."

Kerren followed her gaze. From this height, he could see everything — the glittering rooftops of the capital, the walls that circled it like a crown, and beyond them, the endless plains fading into shadow.

"It's beautiful," he said softly.

Rowena smiled. "It is, isn't it?"

The wind swept through her hair, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers. For a while, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the rustling grass and the distant hum of the forges far behind them.

Kerren leaned back against her knee, the warmth of her skin radiating through the fabric of her gown. Despite how tired he was, the moment felt... right. Peaceful.

He glanced up at her — at the soft expression on her face, the distant sadness in her eyes as she watched the sun dip below the horizon. She looked almost otherworldly in the light.

"I'm glad you showed me this," he said quietly.

Rowena turned her head, smiling down at him. "I'm glad you came."

The last of the sun slipped beneath the hills, and the world fell into twilight.

And though neither of them said it, both knew — the peace of that sunset wouldn't last.