Page 11 of Forcing Fate

His long strides had me rushing to keep up with him. My sole focus diverted to my feet and not tripping when he spoke up.

“Miss, how long are you ordered here for?” he asked, not bothering to look at me, but rather at the surrounding men, offering nods of greeting here and there.

“Oh, I have orders to assist the Shield Master for the next two weeks. I’m sure I’ll be able to find my way tomorrow,” I assured him.

“No, ma’am. I’d rather not have that on my conscience.” He drew himself to his full height, and the corner of his lip turned up. Slight wrinkles formed at the edge of his eyes, crinkling his skin. “Will you be arriving at the same time each morn?” he asked.

My eyebrows met in a frown. “Yes… give or take a few moments if I get delayed.”

“I’ll make my way to the gate each morning to escort you.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’d rather not trouble you.”

“Miss Avyanna, I’d appreciate you trusting me on this.”

I bit my lip and kept walking. I didn’t need an escort. After today, I could find my own way. Surely the barracks were no danger to me. We were still on the King’s grounds after all.

“A young lass like you might not understand it, but here in the barracks? It’s a different world, miss.” He insisted.

“If you wish to escort me, then so be it,” I relented. “You have my thanks.” I might not understand it, but I could trust someone in authority.

We kicked up dust as we walked. The barracks were vastly different. Where the school grounds were lush and soft, everything about this place was harsh and rough. The streets were unpaved and the scent of earth and sweat hung in the air.

Once in a while, between buildings and market stalls, I glimpsed men sparring or working. Most watched us with curious expressions as we passed. Subtle heat rose to my cheeks, sensing their stares. Bullies aside, I wasn’t used to having so much attention directed at me. A bearded man stared at me so disconcertingly that I took a subconscious step toward Willhelm. He noticed, and glared in the man’s direction before quickening his pace, forcing me to rush two strides for his one.

We soon arrived at a large weathered building with an expansive covered area. There, a blacksmith was hard at work, pounding his hammer into a piece of metal. Behind him, a forge sizzled, waves of heat rising from its depths. The hiss of steam and clang of tools created a strange discordance.

Shielding my eyes from the sun, I noticed a banner waving in the morning breeze. It depicted a mountain range with three shields in front of it.

“The armory office, Miss Avyanna.” Willhelm took a step ahead, opening the door for me to enter.

Passing the threshold, the smell hit me first. The scent of man, metal, and leather. The mess greeted me next. Documents were tossed over most surfaces, the desk being the most disorderly. Various shields of all manner and make, stacked against walls and shelves. A few swords and other weapons I had no names for, laid haphazardly about the room.

I swallowed and slowly turned to the desk where an old man sat. Around his head, a leather band secured a thick glass over his left eye. He muttered gibberish, focused on the shield before him. It crushed a stack of parchments, scattering papers with each slight movement.

“Master Damon, Miss Avyanna,” Willhelm called by way of introduction.

More papers drifted to the floor as the old man shifted the shield again. “What’s that?” he shouted.

“Master Damon,” Willhelm raised his voice, “this is Miss Avyanna, your assistant?”

“Ah yes, yes! The young lass.” The Master looked up from his work. One eye was comically large, being magnified by the glass spectacle.

“What time will you be leaving for the school grounds, miss?” Willhelm asked at a more acceptable volume.

“I’m due back at the fifth chime. However, I will stay as long as Master Damon has need of me.” I curtsied to Master Damon, who glanced between me and the current disaster that was his office, with an eager grin.

“Then I shall fetch you at the fifth chime,” he replied, making for the door.

I tilted my head, watching him as he left.

“Well, lass, I was told that you were to assist me with whatever I needed.”

Now, I was almost positive that I was only to aid him in his teaching, but I would respect him enough to oblige.

“Therefore, this is your domain.” He waved a hand at the room, as if indicating its state of disrepair was my doing. “These documents are to be organized alphabetically. They’re all titled, so it shouldn’t be too strenuous for a young thing like you,” he stated, before turning back to his shield.

I raised an eyebrow at the papers overflowing from his desk, and his shield laying on top of it. “Would you rather I wait till you finish… examining that?” I asked.

---