Chương 9: IX. Copper Hammer

Spring 7th, 1380 ASSETS: 65 Minted Gold Coins 9 [Uncommon] [Blood Carrots] 9 [Uncommon] [Carrots] The leafy sprouts of the carrots reflected Amaril's light. The normal ones at least; the [Blood Carrots] sprouts had become a deathly black. The soil below them crackled, and viscous, black fluid burst from the cracks. It reeked of dried blood mixed with fumigating corpses, so I raised my scarf to my neck and smothered the scent. The tulips, however, were beginning to sprout.

Those took a week to grow, and wouldn't be ready for awhile. They didn't need anymore water, but the snaking roots of the [Blood Carrots] were encroaching upon their space. Thistle sprouts grew as well, but were a minor inconvenience at best. I put on my gloves and pulled out a [Blood Carrot]. It clung to the dirt, my arms straining as I pulled on the sprout. The soil underneath shifted, before popping loudly and giving a sound that was not unlike flesh tearing.

Viscous liquid spewed from the exposed hole like bubbling broth, overflowing and soaking into the dirt. The dirt absorbed it all, and the espresso shade lightened back to umber. When all nine were collected, the roots began to crack and turned to ash; consumed by the dirt as well. The [Blood Carrot] was oddly smooth and vibrant. The skin was a bright orange and the black veins pulsated. Blue hues radiated off of it, and the small chill of winter burst free. I plucked a normal [Carrot].

The root nor vegetable gave me any trouble as it was released, and that [Carrot] too was orange; fairly vibrant, firm, and healthy. Not [Common] for sure, but I could confirm that in a second. But it didn't have a cold aura around it either. The real carrot had a nice firmness to it, and smelled like the earth. The other one wasn't as foul smelling and smelled more like… snow. Not cold water, but snow.

That dry, growing sensation that made my skin feel all bristly and my nose to start bleeding if I was in it too long. The skin of the real carrot was tart and earthly, and slightly sweet. The [Blood Carrot] was… well, it tasted like blood. I had no interest in biting it after that point. I brought both to my eyes. BLOOD CARROTS [UNCOMMON] Carrots infused with blood. A favoured snack among [Sanguinarian] [Night-Thing] like [Vampire], [LeechMind], and [Barghest].

Can only be sold to [Underworld Trader] or a [Criminal] [Vendor]. HEALTH RESTORED: 10 SYMPHONY RESTORED: 200 VENDOR PRICE: 4 Gold Piece CARROTS [UNCOMMON] A humble carrot. HEALTH RESTORED: 25 SYMPHONY RESTORED: 10 VENDOR PRICE: 20 Silver Piece CRAFTED BY: ASHLEY HART (FARM GIRL 2) Wait, [Farm Girl] 2?! I figured they were [Uncommon], but… I hadn't swapped into being a [Farm Girl] in awhile. That meant I could grow POTATOES! And STRAWBERRIES! Actually, it meant I could grow most spring crops.

It also meant I could grow corn, one of the few multi-seasonal crops. However, no sane [Farm Girl] was going to do that. I put the two stacks of carrots into my backpack, and then got dressed. It was weird; everytime I stared at the window, a mirror, or any form of reflection, something in the corner of my eye seemed to shift. The shadow seemed familiar to me, almost like… Nevermind, she's dead. I was still thinking about that as I walked towards town. Every window and every reflection had that same shadow.

When I finally reached the Blacksmith, there was a massive mirror. I was still scrawny, and the green dress that Adrian had gotten for me needed a more filled out form. The sash was tightened as far as it would go, and it made me look more like a stick than any of the girls from Flowers, or even Melissa. My cheeks were sunken, and my eyes were darkened and black. No idea what Addy even saw in me. And that figment was still there.

In the corner; humanoid, shorter than me, and her brown hair like – This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Ashy!" Jasmine leaped on my back, and I immediately toppled over.

"GWAH! Get off, ya loon!" I pushed against the floor, but even she had more weight than I did. Her arms squeezed against my back, and her hands pressed into my stomach. It pressed inwards, and I felt like I was going to puke – but thankfully, she released me.

"How ya doin', Ashy?" Jasmine said, picking herself up and offering me her hand. I pushed my hand into the dirt and stood back up, scraping the dust away from my frock. This would take a bit to wash, meaning I also had to get cleaning lye. Jasmine did not move her hand away from my face, so I pushed it away.

"Why are ya 'ere, Jasmine? And for Rhy-Rhy-Grand Deceiver's sake, It's Ashley! Are ya followin' me?" She smiled up at me and fluttered her blue eyes, before jerking her head to Nathaniel Black. His father was Theodore Black, and Nathaniel had begun his apprenticeship at twelve instead of pursuing higher education. Six years later, he was the [Blacksmith] of Oakheart, and his father was a [Master Blacksmith] that handled very specific equipment. Like mirrors. Or…

"Did Mr. Black make Addy's sword?"

"One of 'em, but not the Deceiver-Bane. That's state issue. Why? Ya wan' a sword Ashy? I can ask 'im for ya if ya'd like. Though, you look more like a dagger girl." Her eyes didn't break from mine.

"Now, why are YOU here?"

"... I thought I asked you that first?" Jasmine picked up her basket; which was a normal, brown looking one and not the black one the Hawthornes had leant her.

"Droppin' Nathy some breakfast." I stared at her. She blinked at me, but didn't stop smiling.

"... Wouldn't it be Nate, Jasmine? Why are you ending everything with a -y?"

"Nathy sounds nicer, and besides, it's Jazzy and Nathy now!" she said, and raised her hand. Her ring finger had a bronze ring, and carved into the band was'to my adoring fianceé'.

"Wow, such a sour face, Ashy. I'm sure ya'll find someone soon." I didn't realize I was making a face.

"Ah, I don't have a dowry, Jasmine. And I'm here to pick up my tools."

"Dowry, huh? You have someon–," and she just stopped.

"Did, uh.. You and Lord Skye talk?"

"... Yes?" I said. She scanned my face before shaking her head.

"Uh… okay! I'm sure he knows what he's doin'. Anyways… my wedding is goin' to be on Summer 15! Now that you'se back, you gonna show up right? I don't even need a Binding Present!" I chewed my lip and shook my head.

"Summer is peak crop season, and uh… I don' know ya that well?"

"Well, Missy and Addy are goin' to be there, befo– Uh, I mean, Missy is the maid of honor."

"... Even less reason for me to attend." Jasmine pouted and then chewed her lip.

"Okay, okay, I'll ask again later, ya? Right now.." She turned her head and shouted right against my ear.

"NATHY! Ashy is here to see ya!" Nathaniel pulled down the wet rag from his mouth and coughed out black spit. The glowing metal he had been hammering away at was quenched into water and white lye. It seemed like he had grown, and his curly blonde hair was covered in soot. I was barely taller than he was, but he was definitely more muscular and not as boney. He kissed Jasmine's forehead, covering her pale skin in soot. Jasmine nuzzled against his neck, and I turned away.

"Ms. Hart, ah gotcha order right 'ere, ya? Nothin' ta it, any frien' of Jazzy an' Missy is a frien' of mine." He pulled out a small box, and inside were copper tools. He looked me over and nodded.

"Addy said ya mighta had nary a lucky star and still be a [Farm Girl] 1, ya? Azadin blessed ya rightly. Even had a hoe prepared for ya." There was a [Copper Hoe], a [Copper Axe], a [Copper Pick], a [Copper Sickle], and a [Copper Watering Can]. There was also a [Common Hoe], but I didn't need that. At standard market rates, assuming I had mined the ore (Which I did not), each one would be a silver just to craft. Since I didn't, it was five copper ore each, and copper ore sold for 50 copper a ore.

250 copper pieces and 1 silver piece came to be 3 silver and 50 copper… plus a tip was 4 silver. Five items, so… 20 silver, or 2 gold. I rubbed my eyes, and added another 2 gold pieces to the debt I owed that pious fuck. I gritted my teeth, and took the tools from him. Jasmine grabbed my wrist.

"Ashy, ya wan' a dagger too, right?"

"A Dagger?" Nathaniel said, looking from Jasmine to me. He then shook his head.

"Nah; girl ain'... no offense, Ms. Hart, it ain' a good fit for ya. Ya'd break ya own arm from the hit. Ah do has somethin' if you'se thinkin' of self-defense," he said, and walked back into his shop. A moment later, he came out with… A [Copper Crossbow].

"Lord Skye has me workin' stuff for the [Adventurer's Guild] comin' here. This [Common] so it ain' that great. Ah has no issue given' it ta friend of Jazzy, Ms. Hart." That was 3 gold pieces. I swallowed, but I absolutely needed a weapon. A pack of 20 bolts was 50 copper, so at least that I could aff–"Hang on, hang on," I said, and pulled out my coin pouch. I pulled out 5 gold from the sack Madeleine had given me, and placed it into Nathaniel's hand.

"Ah, Ms. Hart, it ain' no bother. Azadin say–" Jasmine elbowed his waist.

"Girl needs some agency and not just pity." She had leaned into his ear, but Nathaniel backed away from what was supposed to be a 'whisper'. He frowned, and took the coins from my hand.

"Mighty fine for ya patronage, Ms. Hart. If ya tools need a fixin', or need some doohicky made like a [Sprinkler], ah can help ya out, ya?" I put the tools on my quick access, and equipped the crossbow. Nathaniel gave me a pack of 100 bolts, and would not accept the coins for them. Nathaniel looked towards Jasmine, then at me.

"Oh, yeah! Ah was wonderin', had ya given any mind on seatin' plans and all, Ms. Hart? Pa was hopin' to sit beside the Marrows and Jazzy's Ma is si–" Jasmine raised her foot and slammed into Nathaniel's foot.

"OW! Dammit Woman, what on Loam was tha–"" Missy is the Maid of Honor, ya doof. Addy hasn't uh… planned…" she said, staring into his eyes, "anythin' yet."

"Ah? Ahm not talkin' bout our wed–" Jasmine slammed her foot again. I stared at them both.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Nathaniel opened his mouth, but then turned to Jasmine. Jasmine stared into my eyes, and sighed.

"I… yes. Ask Lord Skye." I stared at her, and slowly turned around.

"Don' think I won', Jasmine. Somethin' odd is goin' on, and if ya ain' gonna tell me, I'mma get Addy to spill the wheat."

"Ah? Pally-Boy hasn' tol' her he's getting hit– OW! DAMMIT WOMAN," he hollered.

"Nathy, dear, please, let me handle the people. You're easy on the eyes, but…" Jasmine said, but I was already returning to the town proper. Thankfully, Nathaniel's Smithery wasn't too far from the town itself, and other people had come by. Quite a few of them held onto baskets of flour for their daily bread – which was odd, I had figured the town had a [Baker] or a [Bakery] by now. A few of them waved at me. They seemed to know who I was, and… outside of my old classmates, I couldn't recognize any of them.

There was something going on, and I would get to the bottom of this. But I couldn't rightfully see Adrian while holding illegal goods, so… Madeleine first.