Master of Iron (Bladesmith #2)(28)
And more guards line the walls nearby, ready to pounce should anything happen.
Kellyn is here as an incentive for me to behave.
When the next group of nobles reaches the dais, Ravis greets them warmly. “Lork and Vanya! My friends, welcome to my party.”
“Prince Ravis.” The man, Lork, nods.
“My prince,” his wife echoes.
Insects crawl down my spine at the proximity of more people, and I wish this chair would swallow me whole.
“Do enjoy yourselves tonight!” Ravis says. “As two of my most loyal supporters, I hope you’ll consider tonight’s revelries as being held in your honor.”
Lork shifts his weight onto his other leg. “About that, Prince, I’m afraid we can spare no more financial aid in your efforts. I’m sure you’ll understand, given that we’ve donated more than anyone else and have yet to reap any rewards.”
Vanya takes her husband’s arm, offering him her silent support. They both eye the prince, unafraid of his response.
Ravis has gone still. So still that I can’t tell if he’s breathing for a moment.
“This is most distressing news,” the prince says after a moment. “When we are so close to achieving the whole of Ghadra.”
“A pile of swords does not equate to more land in my name, Prince,” Lork says. “Nor slaves to work said land. I’ve had a talk with the other upper nobility. They are also inclined to withdraw their gold. We will not be able to support our own staff and households much longer at the rate you wring us dry.”
“And,” Vanya adds, “when you throw such opulent parties that do not bring us closer to our goal.”
“The party, Duchess, was financed by the crown,” Ravis says through clenched teeth. “The gold from my supporters goes to the army. Men need to eat. Swords need to be sharpened. You understand.”
“I’m afraid all I’ve seen is a lot of talk and no action.”
“No action? Well, let me introduce you to my newest hire. Ziva, tell the duke and duchess what you do.”
My mouth goes dry. An invisible hand squeezes my heart within my chest. I can barely focus on what the prince has said, the panic is so strong.
The two nobles turn to me, and the sensation only grows worse.
“Ziva,” Ravis prompts, the threat clear in his voice.
“I—I make weapons.” My voice is no more than a squeak.
“You’ve hired another smithy,” Vanya says, unimpressed. “Really, now, Prince. The promise of action has been too long coming. This does not help things.”
Ravis glares at me, and only then do I realize the vital piece of information I left out.
“Magic!” I blurt a little too loudly. Pull yourself together, Ziva. “I make magic weapons.”
The duke and duchess say nothing for a moment. Then Lork’s eyes glance at Elany before returning to me.
“Magic weapons?” he repeats.
“Yes.”
“What do they do?”
The spaces beneath my arms start to sweat. Everything is too hot, yet I still wish for more fabric to cover myself.
“Um, all sorts of things,” I say. “For the prince, I’ve been making swords that can’t be broken and never need to be sharpened. I also made blades that return to the wielder’s hand immediately if they’re disarmed.” I rack my brain for any other safe details. Ravis knows about my hammers and Kellyn’s sword, so I mention those as well.
The nobles eye me with suspicion, as though they think I’m some sort of trickery drummed up by Ravis to fool these idiots into giving him more money.
I can feel Ravis’s glare burrowing into the side of my head, and I just know he’s going to hurt Kellyn some more if I don’t think of something quickly.
I shout the only thing I can think of. “Strax!”
From behind the dais, the head of the prince’s guard steps forward.
“Show them what your sword can do.”
Strax looks to the prince. When Ravis nods his assent, Strax calls a halt to the music, waves everyone off the floor, and brings out an assortment of guards for a display.
While he’s fighting about seven men at once, I explain to the nobles, “Watch the way the weapon shifts subtly in the direction Strax is meant to go. It’s leading him out of danger.”
I used to feel such pride when I would see Kellyn use his sword. But to see it in the hands of our enemy, I feel nothing but regret.
I can’t do this again.
When the demonstration is done, Ravis says proudly, “You can see why the schedule has been delayed somewhat. I intend to make our men unbeatable in battle before we start storming the territories one by one. We have scores of magical blades now with many more on the way. With victory assured, you can hardly pull your support now.”
“Hmm,” the duke says.
“When do we march?” Vanya asks.
“Three months’ time,” Ravis says.
“You have our apologies for ever doubting you,” Lork says. “This development is most exciting.”
“And perhaps I’ll have the smithy make a weapon for your household.”
“That would be most generous.”
“Do the kingdom proud,” Vanya says to me before the two depart.