Durnholde was a quiet town. The kind of place that stays alive by being forgotten.
The wooden homes leaned into the paths. You could hear the creaks and groans of the houses. A few villagers were about going about their business. They all noticed the newcomers. They would glance over then go to what they were doing.
Strangers stuck out here.
"It feels off " Kael said quietly.
"Everything near the border feels off Sir Kael " Tomas replied calmly.
Elira didn't say anything. She was already looking ahead.
There was a forge up ahead. Not a big one. Not a special one. It was alive.
You could hear the beat of a hammer hitting steel. It was a careful rhythm.
Clang. Pause. Clang.
Kaels brow furrowed.
"That's not the village blacksmith " he said quietly.
Elira didn't ask why. She just started walking.
The heat hit them first. Then the smell of iron. Then they saw him.
The blacksmith was at the forge. Standing with his back to them. He had a hammer in his right hand. Shaping a glowing piece of metal. His movements were smooth. No wasted motion.
He didn't turn around.
"If you're here for tools, weapon or armor " he said evenly "you'll have to wait."
Elira stepped forward.
"We're not here for that."
Another strike. Clang.
"Then why are you even here at the first place?"
Kael crossed his arms.
"We're looking for information."
The hammer paused for a second. Then it kept going. Clang.
"Try the town's people " the blacksmith said. "People talk there."
Elira's voice got sharper.
"We were told you might know something."
There was silence. The hammer didn't fall. Slowly the blacksmith turned around.
His eyes met with Elira. For a second something flickered. Then it was gone.
"I don't know what you're talking about." he said.
"You didn't even ask what we're looking for." Kael said.
"Well, I don't need to." There was a pause. "People come here for tools, weapon, armor or trouble."
"Which are we?" Kael asked.
"Trouble."
"We're looking for the Hero." Elira said.
The word hung in the air. It was heavy. The blacksmith didn't react. Didn't flinch.
"Then you're wasting your time " he said.
Tomas frowned slightly.
"You're certain?"
The blacksmith nodded.
Elira studied him.
"Why?"
The blacksmith turned back to the forge. He lifted the hammer. Clang.
"Because the hero is long dead for over 10 years."
His voice sounded sure. It didn't sound like he believed it. It sounded like he had decided to say it.
"You talk like you knew him " Elira said.
"I didn't." Clang "I know how stories end."
Kael stepped forward slightly.
"That's not even an answer."
"It's the one you're getting." The rhythm started up again. Clang. Clang. Clang.
Elira didn't leave. "You're lying."
The hammer stopped in mid-air. There was silence. Slowly the blacksmith lowered the hammer. He turned around again. This time there was no flicker. Just weight.
"You came all this way for a story that should have stayed buried " he said quietly.
"Can you tell me why? " Elira asked.
There was a pause. "Because you don't understand what comes after " he said.
His voice wasn't loud. It had something deeper than anger.
"You hear about heroes. Victories and sacrifices." he continued. "No hero lives to tell any tales."
The forge crackled softly. "What you are hearing are false rumors no hero lived after the death of the demon lord."
Elira's voice got softer. "You're lying."
The blacksmith met her gaze. "I am not." There was a beat. "He died as a hero he is."
There was silence. It was final. It was unyielding.
Elira searched his face for doubt. For cracks. There were none.
"If that's true " she said slowly "then why does everyone keep pointing to you?"
That made him pause. For a second.
Then he exhaled quietly.
"Because people don't like letting the past go " he said.
He turned away again. "They need someone to be an inspiration, a hope to cling unto." Clang.
The conversation ended. Rather he ended it.
Elira stood still for a moment. Then she turned.
"Lets go."
They left the forge behind. Not the feeling.
As they stepped back, into the streets of Durnholde none of them believed it was over.
Inside the forge the hammer rested. The fire dimmed. The man stood still.
"So that was the 3rd Princess of Kaelmyra " he murmured faintly. It sounded like a mistake. Then he closed his eyes. Buried it.
Beyond the town something moved. Watching. Waiting.