The days quickly flowed into weeks as Enzo settled into the rhythms of his life in Starstone. His time was spent waking early for training with the guards, and honing his skills at the forge and with his Affinity in the evenings. Despite the rigid schedule, Enzo still found time for his friends. Olena and Manuel were frequent companions at the inn, and Oskar was always quick to offer up his foul-smelling swill to help pass the long, cold night shifts standing guard at the gate.

Rena, in particular, was becoming a staple around the barracks, cleaning and laughing with the men as they went about their duties. While she was well liked by all the guards, they knew Rena was really there to spend time with Enzo. She would frequently bring him warm stews after his shifts, and was always available to help “warm him up.”

At the end of each day, Enzo would stop by the forge and infuse the last of his energy into his dragonstone warhammer. The weapon wasn’t complete yet, as Tobias had declared that a weapon of its caliber deserved only the finest handle.

Still, despite the old smith’s secrecy about the progress of the handle, Enzo had been allowed to admire the hammerhead as long as he wanted to. The shaped stone was harder than anything he’d felt before, and seemed to gain a dim internal glow as he charged it.

As the first snow of the winter blanketed the village, most activity came to a standstill. While firewood was still collected daily from the forest, and the herd of cattle Manuel tended still needed to be allowed out to wander the hills beyond the village, few others found much interest in pushing through the snow. Most of the villagers took care of their business around the village as quickly as possible before rushing off to the town hall, the inn, or the cozy recesses of their own homes.

The long evenings were frequently spent gathered together at Olena’s inn or the town hall, playing games and telling stories to pass the time until the spring melted the snow. Communal meals were served to bring the village together and stretch their supplies as efficiently as possible. Large stews were always available to those that had contributed to the village’s success throughout the year, and there was plenty of kitchen work for those who felt they could offer a little more.

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The mountains around Starstone entered a deep sleep as the winter slowly progressed. Rivers froze over and trees were all but stripped of their leaves. Few animals roamed the snow drifts, and the sweet berries that Olena made into mead were now scarce. The world itself was entering a period of deep rest.

As the days shrank to their shortest, an excitement began to fill the village. The winter solstice was near, and with it the great Winter Festival in Baybreach. The week-long event was one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. The first day was full of carnival games and sweet treats. Troubadours acted out plays on the streets for the children and the merchants from the area displayed their best deals to help make room for the coming year’s inventory.

A great ball was hosted by the governor of Baybreach on the last night of the festival. Frequently, the ball was an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to intermingle, even those too lowly for other town events. Young people announced themselves eligible for marriage and extravagant displays of love were not uncommon.

Enzo was a bit nervous about the Festival when the day to depart for Baybreach finally arrived. He knew Rena had high expectations for the ball and he still wasn’t sure how he felt about the whole thing. Rena was a sweet, intelligent girl but everything felt too rushed. Still, he wouldn’t abandon her.

I’ll go with her to the festival and work things out as we go. Maybe I can talk her into taking things a bit slower if she sees I’m interested in something long term.

He carefully brushed his hair and donned his best shirt and pants. A group of people from the village were planning on leaving after lunch but Rena was excited and wanted to get to Baybreach as soon as possible. Enzo washed his face and gave himself a final once over. He didn’t have much money, so they’d have to be a bit creative, but he’d managed to scrape together enough for them to share a room at an inn for a couple days.

It beats having to walk back every day, but I’m going to be so broke after this. I just hope she doesn’t get the wrong idea.

Enzo left the barracks and paced through the training grounds, his heart pounding. His mind flashed back to the last time she’d been waiting in the training ground for him, looking absolutely stunning and fully prepared to tease him all day. He glanced around, but to his surprise, the yard was empty. After a minute, Enzo made his way over to Tobias’s workshop.

Maybe she’s still getting ready, he thought as he pushed through the heavy door and was immediately assaulted by warm air and the smell of fresh lavender.

Rena sat at the workbench and beamed at Enzo as he walked over next to her. She stood and wrapped him in a tight, tender hug, burying her face in his neck.

“What brings you over here? I thought we were heading out before everyone else,” asked Enzo as he disentangled himself from her arms.

“I asked her to convince you to stop here first,” replied Tobias as he stepped into the workshop from his living quarters. The old man was in a rare mood, positively beaming at the couple in front of him. One arm was hidden behind his back, while the other held a small leather bag. “I have gifts for the two of you.”

The pair glanced at each other, excited, before returning their attention to Tobias.

“First, for you, Rena,” Tobias continued. “I know the two of you will have a delightful time together and I look forward to your eventual marriage, but if that boy thinks you’ll be sharing a room at an inn in Baybreach, he’s got another thing coming.”

The old smith handed the small bag to Rena. Inside, a small collection of gold coins clinked together as she opened the pouch and looked inside.

“Tobias! This is too generous!” she insisted. “We can’t possibly take this.”

“Consider it an opportunity and a threat,” the old man stated with a wry smile. “You’re young, you should get to have some fun at the Festival. My boy there has worked hard. He’s saved as much as he could, but I know it couldn’t have been much. Enjoy yourselves, and don’t worry about it.”

“Okay… but you said there was a threat as well?” asked Enzo hesitantly.

“Separate rooms, boy,” Tobias growled. “I won’t have any children running around my workshop before you’re ready to support a family on your own, especially not with an upstanding young woman like Rena.”

“Understood,” Enzo replied, blushing.

“Good,” Tobias replied, his jolly demeanor returning. “Then, I’d like to present you with this, Enzo. May you rarely need it, but always have confidence in its strength.”

The old smith presented the finished warhammer to Enzo. The glow that had been growing slowly over weeks of charging had now infused the entirety of the hammerhead. The handle was a dark wood, nearly black, and carved with a set of designs that looked eerily familiar.

“It’s beautiful,” Rena gasped. “Is it…?”

“It’s dragonstone, my girl. Ask Enzo about it sometime, I’m sure he’ll have quite the tale to tell,” Tobias replied, shooting a look at Enzo. “The handle is made from Ebonwood, a gift from Cornelia. I took your original musings and polished them a bit.”

Enzo traced his fingers along the carved wood. A scale-like pattern formed the haft, allowing a strong grip on the weapon even when wet. Higher along the handle, the curves of the scales straightened into straight lines that eventually spiraled to the head of the hammer.

As he examined the connection, Enzo noticed that the dragonstone seemed to bleed directly into the wood, without a discernible starting or ending point for either material. He looked up at Tobias for an explanation.

“I have no idea, son,” Tobias replied earnestly. “When I drove the wood into the connection in the hammer head, the dragonstone reacted to the wood. It was almost like watching a tree grow roots into the ground. I wanted to ask Cornelia about it, but I haven’t seen her since the day she dropped off the branch.”

“Truly, thank you Tobias,” said Enzo. He stepped forward firmly embraced the old smith. After a moment, the pair separated and Enzo returned to Rena’s side.

“Well, I guess we should get going then,” Enzo said. “Don’t want to have to fight to find an inn with two rooms available.”

“Smart boy,” Tobias replied, with a chuckle. “Be safe, and have fun at the Festival!”

The pair turned from the old smith and waved back as they left the workshop. The bright sun shone down on the snow covered landscape. With a glance and a shared grin, Enzo and Rena shouldered their bags and set off toward Baybreach.