"A king's ransom is perhaps too much to hope for—but we should make a tidy profit," Aldric said with a modest smile. "The High Lords rule their lands and people from on high; how can they do so without a blade that reflects their station? I need someone to carry a 'Valyrian' longsword into the Reach and return with grain, paper, iron billets, and every other supply we lack."
Caden realized this was his intended mission, but his brow furrowed with doubt. "Lightbringer... by my reckoning, there are only some two hundred Valyrian steel blades in all of Westeros. Their owners are known, and their histories are recorded by the Citadel in a book called The Compendium. Furthermore, Valyrian steel is forged with fire-magic; it is lighter than common iron. This blade... it will not have that quality."
Aldric nodded. "I know the lore. The Valyrians used dragon-fire and spells to weave their metal. Magic? I have that." He raised a hand, and a pulse of brilliant Solar Radiance lit the workshop. "Patterns? I have those, too."
Aldric pulled a dagger of Serene-Steel and drove it into the workbench.
"The only thing I cannot yet do is lighten the weight of the steel. But that is no matter. I suspect that even among true Valyrian blades, quality varies. Some are masterpieces of the Freehold, others are the work of lesser smiths. As a hedge knight, it is perfectly reasonable for the 'Valyrian' sword you carry to be of a coarser grade. Once it is sold, the buyer's own pride will invent reasons to justify its value."
Aldric had seen enough mummers and "relic hunters" in his time to know that people see what they want to see, especially when it comes to status. He was offering masterwork smithing that, in another world, would have been the prize of a military quartermaster. He felt no guilt for the deception.
Caden saw the logic. Even a "Lesser Valyrian" blade would fetch a price triple that of ordinary castle-forged steel. If that gold turned into grain for the orphans, the lie was a small price to pay.
"Lightbringer, I will take up this burden," Caden said. "May I see the weapon?"
"I haven't started it yet."
Caden blinked. "Pardon? Then what am I to sell?"
"Before I strike the first blow, I need to know the fashions of the Reach and the Stormlands," Aldric explained. "A blade that fits a Lord's aesthetic sells faster. Tell me, what is in style?"
Caden thought for a moment, then drew his own sidearm. "The Reach is the home of chivalry. They value honor, martial skill, and elegance. A knight's sword must look like its master—straight and refined. This blade I carry was won at a tourney in Bitterbridge. It is a typical knightly sword."
Aldric took the weapon, turning it in his hands. It was an Oakeshott Type XII—pointed, well-balanced, a one-handed grip with a large pommel to counteract the weight of the blade.
"A standard arm," Aldric noted. "Very well. I shall forge its twin in Serene-Steel." He unbuckled his own sword, Azure Song, and tossed it to Caden. "Carry this for now. It shouldn't go to waste."
"By your command," Caden said, catching the ornate blade with reverence.
Aldric had long since passed the stage of life where he sought glory through his equipment. He remembered a lecture from his home about the Three Swords:
"The Sovereign's Sword uses the borders of the world for its edge and the seasons for its sheath. It establishes order and bows the world to justice. The Lord's Sword uses men of wisdom and courage for its edge, harmonizing the people to secure the realm. And the Commoner's Sword? It is a tool of messy brawls, hacking at necks and lungs in the mud."
Aldric was currently forging his "Lord's Sword"—his inner circle—while eyeing the "Sovereign's Sword." He would forge as many blades of steel as needed to secure his goals.
"But Caden," Aldric said, turning to Walter. "Master Walter, find Robin and go to John. Caden, you and the smiths share a problem. You have performed the tasks I asked of you; you brought the children home. In my eyes, you are a comrade. But in the eyes of the others, you are still a stranger."
Caden's heart skipped. "You mean...?"
"Do you wish to become a Sunwalker?"
Caden dropped to one knee. "I do, Lightbringer. I would give my life for the cause."
"But do you know what the cause truly is?"
Caden went silent. During his trek with Rolf, the monk had been too cautious to speak of the revolution. Afterward, there had been no time. They knew the Lightbringer was a savior who worshiped Anshe, but the political reality was still a shadow to them.
"Go to Brother John," Aldric said. "Tell him I sent you. He will assign you a mentor to introduce you to the Word. On the day I place the Serene-Steel blade in your hand, I want to hear your answer."
That evening, Aldric held a private Awakening in the Great Hall for Baryn, Robin, and Walter. As commoners, they embraced the Solar Core far more readily than the knights ever had. By elevating them, Aldric signaled to the entire monastery: the Sun does not care for your birth, only your will.
For the next two days, Aldric stayed by the River-Hammer, laboring over the "Lesser Valyrian" blade. Meanwhile, Caden sought out John.
John assigned Brother Gale to be Caden's mentor. Before the monastery was sacked, Gale had managed the order's trade. If Caden was to be their merchant-knight, he needed to know the man who would eventually handle his ledgers.
For two nights, Gale lectured Caden on the pillars of the faith and the vision of a realm governed not by lords, but by the Light. Caden was left reeling. "Gale... is this future even possible? It sounds too beautiful to be real."
"The Master says there is no such thing as a free lunch," Gale replied. "If a world seems perfect without effort, it is usually poisoned. We build this world together, or it does not come at all."
In the darkness of the bunkhouse, Caden lay awake. He had never told anyone his true name. He was a bastard of House Gower. His birth was the result of a knight's drunken night with a tavern girl. For years, he had been proud of the "Noble" blood in his veins, until the day a playmate called him a stain on a good family's name. He had realized then that his blood didn't bring him respect; it brought him guilt. At eleven, he had run away with a wandering hedge knight and never looked back.
If there were no lords and peasants... if a lord's crime was punished like a beggar's... would there be fewer bastards like me?
If we were truly equal, would I still be 'Storm'? Or could I finally have a father's name?
Caden woke at noon, resolved. He rode his horse to the riverbank, finding Aldric and Baryn busy stirring a crucible of molten iron. He waited outside until the liquid was poured into thin molds. When the steam cleared, he stepped inside.
"Lightbringer."
Aldric wiped the soot from his face. "Ser Caden. You're just in time."
Aldric used tongs to pull a long, naked blade-blank from a cooling vat. He shook off the water and handed it to Caden. "This is the 'Lesser Valyrian' knightly sword. Tell me of its quality."
Caden took the steel. The shape was identical to his own, but the surface was a dark, shimmering sea of ripples—grey waves that flowed into one another with a haunting beauty.
"It's magnificent," Caden breathed. "The patterns... they are as fine as Heartsbane."
Aldric looked proud. "I put much of myself into this one. It is a masterpiece of Serene-Steel. Don't you dare sell it cheaply, Caden."
Caden unbuckled Azure Song and handed it back. "If I cannot find a fortune for this, I have no right to the Dawn. Lightbringer... I am ready. I wish to be a Sunwalker."
Aldric took him to the shade of a nearby oak. "And who did John assign to you?"
"Brother Gale," Caden said. "He told me of the pillars. He told me we are outlaws in the eyes of the King."
"And you aren't afraid?"
"I am," Caden said firmly. "But I am more afraid of my children only having the name 'Storm.' I am afraid of them asking why the world is so cruel and having to tell them their father had a chance to change it and was too cowardly to try. Give me the chance, Lightbringer."
Aldric called Baryn to witness. He granted the Solar Spark. As Caden Storm looked up, his blue eyes flared with a sudden, brilliant gold.
"Welcome, Brother Caden," Aldric said. "Let's go buy some grain."
70+ chapters are available now and daily updates! @patreon.com/zefyrus