The blacksmith looked up as Valetni entered. He appeared to be similar in age to Valetni, and no more than a decade younger. A large man, easily larger than any man Valetni had ever seen, including the hellguard, he seemed to make the massive forge seem tiny in comparison. He worked shirtless, without even an apron, and Valetni could easily make out the mass of scars adorning the man's chest from stray sparks, as well as from various weapons of some sort. Their did not appear to be an ounce of fat upon the man, his bulging thews readily apparent even as he steadily worked the heavy hammer over the anvil. Valetni would not be surprised if he did curls every morning with said anvils. Valetni focused on the man's face. Two large, green eyes sat beneath a thunderous brow, and the only hair on the man's entire head was a rather impressive black mustache that fluttered with every exhale, as if they were alive.<br/><br/>"Now, what can old Herrick do for a Monk of Buzziah?" He asked in a voice like the crash of the waves upon the rocks. Valetni was impressed, the man wasn't shouting, this was apparently his speaking voice, and he was still clearly audible over the sounds of the fire, the occasional whoosh of the bellows, and the ever present hammering.<br/><br/>"I'd like to speak with you about commissioning an item." Valetni said hoarsely. Even a good dozen feet away from the fires, he was already sweating heavily within his robes.<br/><br/>"Eh, Speak up little monk, or come closer. Poor Herrick does not have the hearing he once had." The man laughed from the belly, laughing so hard it was nearly a forceful projection of sonic mirth. Even as he laughed he kept up the tempo with his right arm, occasionally using the tongs in his left to rotate the piece of metal he was forging. Valetni bristled at the comment about his size. 'Small man', in comparison to this giant, yes, but the lanky monk was just a few inches shy of six foot, and was accustomed to looking down when he addressed most people, in more than one sense.<br/><br/>Braving the Heat, Valetni approached. He could actually feel beads of sweat popping up all over his skin as his body desperately attempted to regulate its temperature. He felt the moisture within his mouth vanish as soon as he opened his mouth again. "I said, I'd like to speak with you about commissioning an item." He said as loudly as his condition would allow.<br/><br/>"Eh, Commissioning you say?" Herrick asked. "Here, man that bellow!" He gestured to the large bellows.<br/><br/>"What? I'm no blacksmith!" Valetni retorted. Damn this Heat, it sapped the life from a man.<br/><br/>"I never accused you of being one, now man that bellow!" Herrick Laughed again. Valetni had heard of men laughing in the face of death, insane berzerkers on the battlefield, a crazed captain at the helm of his ship in the storm, demanding more sail despite the danger. He had always imagined it would sound like what he was hearing now. Speaking of insane, Valetni found himself moving towards the bellows. Soon, he had the warm wooden handles in hand, despite having made no conscious decision to take them up or cross the distance.<br/><br/>"Now, Mr. Monk, you know how bellows work? Aye, you're a smart man, I can tell!" He gave another laugh. "Now, you want to be nice and even with those, not too fast not too slow." Valetni nodded to show he understood. What was going on? How had he ended up conscripted to act as this man's apprentice?<br/><br/><br/><br/>Two hours later, Valetni gratefully accepted a cup of fortified wine from Herrick. "So, Friedrich, how do you like your first taste of smithing?" Herrick said with a twinkle in his eye.<br/><br/>"I'll stick with being a monk, thanks." Valetni coughed out after taking a long swig of the sweet, refreshing liquid. It was amazing how fast they had ended up on first name terms with eachother. Valetni again mopped his brow with the rag Herrick had thoughtfully provided.<br/><br/>"Ha, that'd be for the best in my opinion." Herrick laughed deeply. "Now, you mentioned something about an item you want commissioned?" Valetni frowned, he had completely forgotten about the reason he had come to the blacksmith's shop.<br/><br/>"Ah yes, here's what I need done..." Valetni began.<br/><br/>The two conversed for nearly an hour, with Valetni outlining what he wanted, with Herrick thoughtfully asking for clarifications or offering suggestions as they went on. Valetni left the shop with a smile on his face. He had paid half upfront, a significant portion of his coinage, but not nearly a majority. He was confident that when he came to pick up his item in two days, he would be more than satisfied with the work of the large blacksmith.