3 months ago.

"Clang... Clang... Clang...."

Soraya lowered her head onto the work desk. She had always loved listening to the rhythmic sounds of a steady hand molding metal into a refined shape. She loved the way the flames danced on the forge walls. How her dad intentionally raised and lowered his hammer. His sweat dripped down his firm muscles. The heat radiating off the molten blade tanning his already deep brown skin. Even though it was late at night she knew her father would not go to bed until his project was done. She looked over to the corner where her best friend sat. His rare green hair covered his eyes. His book laid open on his lap. He had once again fallen asleep at their home. He was hopeless. At this point they should give him the guest room and let him move in. She turned her head back to her dad.

"Clang... Clang... Clang..."

She closed her eyes. She was in absolute bliss.

The door slammed open. Her best friend made a weird sound as the loud bang woke him. The intruders were wearing hoods but she could see armor underneath. The knights. What were they doing here so late at night?

Her dad without even looking up addressed them.

"We're closed. There will be no business tonight. Leave."

" Gobán Lefèvre good evening, I'm the new captain of the Lutetia knights. Claude Bernard. we aren't here for a weapon. We believe you have something of interest. We would reward you handsomely for it."

" It's not for sale. Get out."

Soraya looked to her father then back to the knights. Surely they weren't talking about her mother's research. The Lutetia knights wouldn't dare.

" Come on, I know how much effort you and your late wife put into the research. Would it be a waste to let it rot away. This is the chance for it to be put to good use."

" No good would ever come of it. That is why we decided to never release it to the public."

" Of course. We will not allow the public to view such classified information. Only a select few would."

" The information is not to be used. Not by many and not by a few. Get out."

" Master Lefevre, stop being stubborn. Surely you would agree there is some good that would come of it, if it is for the benefit of the Kingdom."

" Benefit of the Kingdom? Why does an agricultural country have any use of legendary weapons."

" There where you are wrong. The kingdom of Francia is reaching new heights. With new alliances and treaties. Our economy and trade is growing. The training of new soldiers and knights have been improving. Then with your talent. Our weapons don't fall behind other leading countries. "

"If the country is growing so well there is no need for it."

" You didn't let me finish, Master Lefevre. It is going well but it is not enough. Our kingdom would not be able to compete with the great empires. It is important to require even more power."

" I will not sell the research. Get out."

" If you are not going to be reasonable, we will have to do this the hard way. You took your late wife's last name but you aren't a citizen of this kingdom. If you will not help us you will be treated as an enemy and be banished. With or without your research. We will find what we are looking for. You will only delay the eventuality. So what is your answer?"

" I will not help with your greed for power."

" So be it. Expect in a week time guards to "escort” you out of the kingdom and to tear down this forge."

" You can't do this." Soraya jumped to her feet

They all placed their hands on their swords.

" All the effort my father made for this country. You said it yourselves. You wouldn't dare to let go of the greatest weaponsmith."

"He did great for years but we already have all our strongest men. It is true there would be some loss. But there are plenty of smiths to take his place." He glared at her.

She matched his eye, not backing down. The other Lutetia knights moved into defensive positions.

" Sit down, Soraya." Her father called out.

" But, Dad."

" There will be no more trouble tonight. Right, “esteemed” Captain." praised

He huffed and walked out of the forge."

She turned to her father.

" Dad, you can't let them do this."

" It is not in my control."

" But this is my mother and grandfather's forge. We can't let them destroy it. "

" Soraya, it's just a building. We can build another. Your mother would understand."

" But,"

"Thanh, you can go to bed in the guest room. Soraya, I suggest you do the same."

She stomped her feet and rushed upstairs. She was furious. How could her father sit there and take it? A good pounding and they would be set straight.

Thanh called from behind, but she ignored him. Stopping, she looked outside the window. If her father wasn't going to do anything about it she would. She rushed into her older brother's room.

" Wait." Thanh followed behind her.

As she entered the room, Sefu popped up from his blanket. He turned to her, rubbing his dopey eyes.

" Huh, what's going on? Are you using the tree again to sneak out?"

" Go to bed, Sefu. It is none of your business." She walked over to the window propping it open.

"Sorry, Sefu." Thanh bowed his head as he passed by Sefu's bed.

" Whatever trouble you and Thanh are getting into, leave me out of it." He rolled over back into his blankets.

She reached over to the tree and climbed down. Placing her feet on the damped cobblestone she ducked into the shadows of the neighboring shops.

Thanh jumped from the window landing next to her.

"What are you doing?" He lowered his voice to a whisper.

She put a finger to her lips as she gestured to the torch lights of the knights.

Thanh's shoulder slumped as he slipped into an alleyway.

She followed. Sneaking into the town's shadow they made their way to the Lutetia knights. They inch closer until she could overheard them talking.

" Captain, if we jump him, we could take the research by force."

" Fool, he would burn the papers before we could even subdue him. He only kept them as a memento of his late wife. He wouldn't hesitate, if it means keeping out of our hands."

" But what if he doesn't surrender the research? Are we actually going to chase him out?"

" I hope it doesn't come to that point. But if it does, I don't make empty threats. Worst case scenario I will ask our new Patrons to send over a new weapon smith."

" But,"

" Be quiet or I will demote you."

Soraya stepped out from the shadows.

" I say a demotion would do you some good, Captain Bernard."

Bernard crossed his arms.

" Well look what we have here. The little ex-apprentice to our fearless general. Are you here to cause trouble or have you seen reason?"

" I'm here to make a deal"

" Great, when can I expect the research?"

" I never said I would hand it over."

" what?"

" I would never go against my dad's wishes."

" Then leave, I have no business with you." He flicked his hand.

" Let me finish, Captain. if I can't hand over the research, i can at the very least hand over the weapons."

" What do you mean?"

" You will not be able to use the research but I can. I will retrieve the set you are looking for and bring it back."

" One year."

" Huh?"

" I can't trust you to not fool around and never bring back the weapons. I will give you one year. If you don't succeed, consider your citizenship forfeit. Deal?

"Deal."

" The set I expected for you to retrieve are the Kleidí swords from the Mieczysław collection." He stretched his hand out for a handshake.

She shook it.

" I hope for great fortune on your journey. Have a great night, Mademoiselle. Men were leaving."

When they vanished out of her sight, Thanh stepped out of the shadows.

"Why would you make a deal with them? You know how power hungry they are."

" What else was I supposed to do? I couldn't sit still."

"Still,"

Don't worry I didn't plan on actually giving it to them. I will use this chance to figure out what their plans are and why they need the weapons for it."

"But what if we can't figure it out?"

" Let's just say we cross that bridge when we get to it."