The morning arrived faster than a galloping horse. Declan felt the muscle pains in his body as he sat up reminding him of where he was and why. Rubbing his eyes and stretching his arms over his head, he looked over to see Marwynn fastening his sword to his belt. Marwynn threw some plain clothes to Declan. He could tell that the material was inexpensive by the way that it itched his skin. Grateful for it in spite of the scratchy feeling Declan wasted no time in pulling on his boots and fastening his belt.

  Leaving the little structure, Declan inhaled the brisk morning air. They set off towards the village center. The smithy was an outside workshop, none of the tools had been laid out as of yet, so it was a bit bare with just the anvil and the empty tables. Although Declan couldn’t see anyone in sight, he could smell the fire had already been ignited for the work that day.

  Pausing for a moment, Marwynn spoke “Before we get to the smithy, I feel it is my obligation to tell you. His daughter is known for her beauty. Less known is that her tongue is sharper than the swords they forge.”

  Declan wondered what he meant by that, he had not been around many women. He had seen some pretty ones when he was summoned to Arrowgate. His curiosity peaked as they reached the smithy’s door.

  Marwynn raised his arm and knocked on the door. From within a man yelled “Blast! Who comes round knocking at this hour?”

  Marwynn knocked again. The man sounding angered, “Muriel! Get the door!”

  Knock. “Where is that child!”

  Knock. “I’m comin’ I’m comin’ Hold ya horses.”

  Knock. The door opens to a scowling old man in his night clothes, his nightcap still on his head. Upon seeing Marwynn, his eyes lighten up and he smiles, “Ah Marwynn! What can I do fer ya?”

  Smiling in response Marwynn says “Good morning Master Raff, I would like to purchase a sword.”

  Master Raff loosened up as though he had been awake for hours, “Of course, of course! Come, come! Muriel!?”

  Declan looked around the room and saw all manner of tools and weapons. Marwynn walked to the wall with the swords and began examining them. An odd looking cat stood at attention and stared at Declan. After a few moments the cat laid down and shut its eyes assessing that these intruders meant him no harm. Declan walked around looking at all of the tools and different metal works. The door behind them reopened and a woman’s voice rang out.

  “Father! Go get dressed! We have customers and you are in your undergarments?” She said incredulously. Turning to see Marwynn, she changed her mind, “Oh It’s only you Marwynn.”

  Marwynn curtly responded, “Muriel.”

  Declan’s jaw dropped as he turned to look at the beauty standing before him. Her waist length fox colored hair framed her flawless face and full lips. Declan could not help himself he walked over to her and took her hand in his. Lifting her fingers to his lips he said, “Marwynn was not lying when he spoke of your beauty.”

  Muriel lifted her eyebrow, “I’ll take my hand back.” Turning to Marwynn, “Marwynn, does your friend make a habit out of grabbing strangers hands and slobbering on them?”

  Flabbergasted, Declan withdrew his hand and now realized what Marwynn meant when he said she had a sharp tongue.

  Uninterested Marwynn continued to inspect the swords, “Declan, your flattering words will hold no value to Muriel, you are far better off flattering Smudge.”

  Declan looking confused, “Smudge?”

  Marwynn pointed towards the corner, “the cat.”

  Muriel stuck up her nose and crossed her arms, “I see you have lost none of your charm.”

  “And you have gained no charm.” Marwynn retorted, still not looking in her direction.

  “Take your sword and be gone then, I would rather not waste another minute in such company.”

  Master Raff having watched the exchange, smiled and reminisced, “Ah youth!, It’s wasted on the young.” He looked at his lovely daughter’s features and commented, “Muriel, it is high time you allow a man to catch your eye. Your beauty will fade and what will be left?”

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  Muriel’s eyes widened and in shock she scolded, “Father!”

  Master Raff replied to his daughter’s outrage by calmly stating, “I said what I said.” He addressed Marwynn next, “Marwynn if you or your friend want to take her off my hands, I will let you have the sword for free.”

  Glancing at Muriel, Marwynn replied “No matter how tempting that offer is Master Raff, where we are going is no place for a lady.”

  The anger emitting from Muriel’s eyes only lent to her beauty. Furiously she cried out, “How dare you! All of you!” Pausing to try and get the words out, “I don’t need any of you!” With that she turned and walked out the door, Smudge following in her wake. Just as Smudge’s tail disappeared, Muriel slammed the door so hard that the metal hanging on the walls shook and threatened to fall.

  Declan was the only one who showed concern, “Should we go after her?”

  “Only if you want to see the pointy end of her sword. She’s right, she can take care of herself. She will turn up in a day or so.” Master Raff said with assurance.

  Marwynn looked at Declan, “shall we set off then?”

  Declan fastened the newly purchased sword to his belt and they left Master Raff to his work. The sun was just over the trees and they walked eastward towards Mirror Lake. The sky was turning blue and the wildlife was waking up. A squirrel scampered past them to hide his newly found acorn. The birds sang to each other in the tree branches above their heads. Declan thought that if it were not for the fear of what was coming, this would be a peaceful lazy day.

  “Farrell is going to be alright?” Declan inquired.

  “Yes, he is just wallowing that he cannot come with us.” Marwynn answered.

  “I am very grateful that you are accompanying me, I honestly do not know where the Gorge is.” Declan confessed.

  “It is only right that I help you, you helped me with Farrell.” Marwynn offered.

  “In the light of me being honest, I also think that you should know, I have no idea how to wield a sword. I was never taught.” Declan spoke uncomfortably.

  Marwynn unfazed, “There is nothing to it, the pointy end goes into whoever is trying to kill you.”

  Declan uttered, “it does require certain skills that I don’t feel as though I have.”

  “I will teach you the basics when we arrive at the lake.” Marwynn remarked.

  It was hard to believe that the whole day had almost passed. Declan saw the glimmer of the water through the willowing trees and ran before crumpling down against the trunk of a tree. Marwynn placed their packs down on the ground and sat by Declan.

  “We will rest here for the night.” Marwynn offered.

  “Please.” Declan already began to doze.

  The night crept in slowly and quietly. Mirror lake was nestled amongst many willow trees dipping their branches and drinking deeply from the deep water. The wind was kept at bay by the many trees and lent the glasslike surface to the lake. The moonlight shown in a perfect circle in the center of the lake and there was not even a light wind to stir the water. The crickets and other night creatures were unnaturally quiet.

  Declan awoke in the dark blurry eyed and confused. Rubbing his eyes, it took a moment for them to adjust. He could see the embers of the fire Marwynn must have lit still glowing red. He prodded at the fire and added some wood until it was cheerfully crackling again. That is when he heard a rustling in the bushes by where he was sleeping a moment ago. The whole bush shook so it must be something large. Fearfully, Declan called to Marwynn, “Wake up, something is in that bush.”

  Marwynn groggily insisted “It’s probably just a deer.”

  Declan jumped for his sword and held it awkwardly. The bush rustled again making Declan leap backward. Marwynn rolled his eyes and got to his feet.

  “I’ll check it out. Click, click, click,” Marwynn clicked his tongue.

  The bush shook violently and a furry head poked through the branches. Declan screamed, “Ahh! It’s a lion!”

  Marwynn took the lion from the bush and turned to face Declan, “He’s just a harmless cat, see?” Holding up the cat Marwynn looked closer, “wait a minute, Smudge?”

  Marwynn called out to the trees, “Muriel, I know you’re here, come out by the fire.”

  From behind the bush Muriel’s head peeked over. Marwynn questioned, “Why are you following us?”

  Walking around the bush to stand by the fire, Muriel held out her hands and stated, “I’m not following you, we just happened to be going in the same direction.”

  “Muriel, go home.” Implored Marwynn.

  “Do not presume to tell me what I can and cannot do.” Muriel huffed.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it” Marwynn rolled his eyes.

  Declan could not stop staring at Muriel’s face in the firelight. The way the flame danced across her cheeks made her look like a flawless forest fairy from another world. Muriel noticed that Declan was staring unabashedly at her. Glaring at him she announced, “Look, I am not interested so you can relax and stop staring. What was your name?”

  “Declan. I want to offer my apologies if I caused you any offense this morning.” Declan’s innocent eyes pleaded.

  Muriel’s resolve softened slightly, “You are not the first.”

  “And you won’t be the last” muttered Marwynn.

  Making up his mind Marwynn knew he did not want Muriel to travel alone at night. Even with her sword skills, there were creatures out there that it was better not to cross paths with.

  “Alright Muriel, you can stay with us for the night but you should head back to your father’s in the morning.” Marwynn implored.

  “I’ll decide where I go in the morning, let me worry about my father.” Muriel curled up on the grass next to Smudge and shut her eyes. Smudge annoyed with being moved turned and rested his head on top of Muriel’s arm.

  Marwynn looked at Muriel’s beautiful stubborn face and smirked before rolling over and shutting his eyes. Declan put his hands behind his head and breathed a sigh of relief before closing his eyelids and succumbing to his dreamless sleep.