Kingdom's Dawn Read Free

watching.”
    Peyton laughed. “Trust me, Leinad, you have never seen Gabrik upset. And as for his demeanor toward you, I think he likes you.”
    Leinad stifled his own laugh and thought privately how glad he was that their encounters with Gabrik were brief and infrequent.
    The familiar sound of hot steel being pounded into a usable form met his ears. Leinad tied his horse to the hitching post, and Peyton led his horse to the open doorof the shop, where a large, dark-skinned man looked up from his work.
    â€œGabrik, my friend … greetings!” Peyton smiled and raised a friendly hand.
    Gabrik’s countenance softened slightly when he saw Peyton. He nodded his greeting and doused his work in the cooling tank. Hissing white steam rose into the air around Gabrik, and the hammer came to rest on his anvil.
    â€œHello, Peyton.” His voice was deep and slightly accented. It was an accent that matched none other that Leinad had ever heard. Gabrik wiped the sweat from his brow and some soot from his hands with a cloth. That unsettling stare once again came to rest on Leinad.
    Every time Leinad saw Gabrik, he was amazed at his size. He stood a full head taller than Peyton, and his sweat-soaked tunic did little to hide the massive muscles beneath it. His jet-black hair was short and straight. His eyes were a hazel-green mix and were set deep. Leinad could not force himself to look into those penetrating eyes for more than a brief moment.
    He met Gabrik’s gaze and then found a sword to study hanging on a nearby wall. Gabrik’s finest work was in the swords he made. The work was of such quality that Leinad wondered why he was blacksmithing in a region of the kingdom where there was more need for plows and horseshoes than for swords. And yet, for as long as Leinad could remember, Gabrik had been the community blacksmith and swordsmith.
    â€œWhat can I do for you today, Peyton?” Gabrik asked.
    â€œRosie needs a shoe repaired,” Peyton said.
    Gabrik immediately went to work, and the shoe was fixed in short order.
    â€œGabrik, how is your other work coming along?”
    Gabrik glanced toward Leinad. “I finished it two days ago. Would you like to see it?”
    â€œYes, I believe I would,” Peyton said.
    Gabrik walked to the back of his shop, through a door, and into his storage room. When he returned, he was carrying an item wrapped in cloth. He set it before Peyton and Leinad on a wooden worktable.
    Gabrik opened the cloth to reveal a beautiful, masterfully crafted sword. It surpassed the splendor of even Peyton’s sword. Leinad’s jaw dropped slightly as his eyes scanned every detail of the magnificent sword. He yearned to hold it, but his temperance forbade him. The blade was razor sharp and shined like white silver. From the hilt to midway up the blade was an ornate and intricate inlaid pattern. The handle was gold with more intricate design on the guard. The pommel contained the distinct insignia of the King, just as Peyton’s sword did.

    â€œIt is absolutely splendid, Gabrik!” Peyton said as he too admired the fine work.
    â€œThe steel in the blade was folded over two hundred times,” Gabrik said without emotion or pride.
    Leinad became aware of his gawk and tried to show mature restraint instead. “Who is it for?” he asked Gabrik. It was the first question Leinad had ever asked him, and it brought another gaze fromGabrik that made Leinad wish he had stayed silent.
    â€œI do believe this is the finest sword in all of Arrethtrae,” Peyton said, seemingly unaware that Leinad had spoken.
    Gabrik looked back at Peyton. “Only one sword surpasses it,” he said matter-of-factly.
    â€œYes,” said Peyton, “and I was fortunate enough to see that one as well. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a sword that equals that of the King!”
    Gabrik nodded. “True indeed, true indeed.”
    Gabrik covered the